JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (05/28): "WHAT OBAMA'S PROMISES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 000861 SIPDIS STATE PASS BBG STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM NSC CMC WASHINGTON DC FOR POLAD JERUSALEM ALSO FOR ICD LONDON FOR HKANONA AND POL - TSOU PARIS ALSO FOR POL ROME FOR MFO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (05/28): "WHAT OBAMA'S PROMISES MIGHT DELIVER" -------------- Main Stories: -------------- Secretary Clinton's remarks at the May 27 press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Abu Al-Ghayt in Washington wins lead coverage in all dailies. Papers highlight Clinton stating that the U.S. will present a specific proposal to the Palestinians and Israel to move the peace process forward and that President Obama told Israeli Premier Netanyahu that all settlement activities must stop without exception. Papers also highlight Clinton's remarks about U.S. commitment to a comprehensive, regional peace and two-state solution. Al-Ayyam runs a front page photo of Clinton and Al-Ghayt speaking at the press conference. Al Hayat Al Jadida leads with wire coverage of Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas holding meetings in Washington on May 27 with Congressmen in preparation for his meeting with President Obama. All front pages cover the news that also notes Abbas' meeting with World Bank President Zoellick during which he discussed ways to "revive" the Palestinian economy and implement Gaza reconstruction. The World Bank pledged $55 million in support to the PA, according to all front pages. Al-Quds' front page reports on a May 27 Israeli military operation in Aranah village in the northern Jenin Governorate. According to the story, Israeli military surrounded the village and attacked civilians. Al-Ayyam's front page cites Reuters in reporting on comments by Israeli Premier Netanyahu regarding Palestinian Authority President Abbas' visit to Washington. The papers highlight Netanyahu's remark that pressure must also be exerted on the Palestinians to ensure that they meet their obligations under the American-backed peace plan. Also according to coverage, Netanyahu pledged to respect international agreements that Israel has previously signed including the road map, and added that Israel wants to end the conflict. Al-Hayat Al-Jadida runs a front page op-ed by Nabil Amr, Palestinian Authority Ambassador to Egypt under the title "What Obama's promises might deliver." The author questions Obama's chances of achieving peace in the region. Please see block quotes for more. Meanwhile, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida runs an inside page op-ed under the byline of USAID Mission Director for the West Banka and Gaza Howard Sumka on the occasion of the International Day for Women's Health. The State Department-drafted article highlights U.S. commitment to supporting the Palestinian health sector and Palestinian women's health. In economic news, Al-Quds runs inside coverage of the opening of a new branch of the Hirbawi Home Center store in Jenin city on May 27. Reporting notes that a U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem official attended the event. -------------- BLOCK QUOTES: -------------- 1)Nabil Amr, Palestinian Authority Ambassador to Egypt opines in Al-Hayat Al-Jadida official daily under the title, "What Obama's promises might deliver" (05/28): "All previous U.S. administrations agreed on a formula whereby they made enthusiastic promises to the Palestinians at the beginning of their terms and then made hollow apologies when they left office. ...Obama needs to realize that any delay in [moving the peace process forward]... is like giving Lieberman a gift by acknowledging that Lieberman has the upper hand in shaping U.S. Middle East policy... The coming weeks... will prove whether or not Obama's policy will yield any tangible results or if we will find ourselves saying, Et tu, Obama? JERUSALEM 00000861 002 OF 002 Main Stories: -------------- Secretary Clinton's remarks at the May 27 press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Abu Al-Ghayt in Washington wins lead coverage in all dailies. Papers highlight Clinton stating that the U.S. will present a specific proposal to the Palestinians and Israel to move the peace process forward and that President Obama told Israeli Premier Netanyahu that all settlement activities must stop without exception. Papers also highlight Clinton's remarks about U.S. commitment to a comprehensive, regional peace and two-state solution. Al-Ayyam runs a front page photo of Clinton and Al-Ghayt speaking at the press conference. 2) Al-Quds independent daily runs an editorial under the title "Where is this Israeli extremism taking us?!" (05/28): "No one disagrees that Israeli policies [influenced by] ... the Israeli extremist party will lead us to more violence and extremism and perhaps even an explosion. The policy will also distance us from peace and stability more than at any previous time, unless someone puts a stop to it." MARCHESE