JERUSALEM SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION (06/05): OVERWHELMINGLY

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SUBJECT: JERUSALEM SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION (06/05): OVERWHELMINGLY
POSITIVE COVERAGE OF PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CAIRO SPEECH

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Summary of Coverage
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President Obama's June 4 speech received extensive, overwhelmingly
positive coverage in all Palestinian media- broadcast, on-line and
print. All dailies lead with front page coverage highlighting
Obama's remarks regarding a new beginning with the Muslim world,
U.S. opposition to Israeli settlement expansion and support for a
resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. All dailies posted
the full text of the speech on inside pages. Papers also run
numerous articles about Palestinian, Arab and Israeli reaction to
the speech, as well as, editorial and analytical pieces. All front
pages lead with photos of President Obama delivering his speech to a
Cairo audience, visibly pleased by what they hear.

Print and on-line headlines about the speech include:

- [Palestinian Authority spokesperson]
Abu Rudaynah: Obama's speech is the beginning of a new U.S. policy
and is a clear message to the Israelis

- In a historic speech to the Muslim World from the Cairo
University
Obama: The time has come to halt settlement activities; we will not
legitimize their continuation. The only solution to achieve the
vision of the two parties, is two states wherein Israelis and
Palestinians live in peace and security.

- Pledges to be personally engaged in establishing the
Palestinian state and calls on Arabs to take bold positions
Obama: The Palestinian situation is unbearable; the two-state
solution serves the interests of Palestine, Israel, AMERICA and the
world.

- Obama: Settlements require tough choices

- AMERICA will not recognize the settlements as
legitimate and will not turn its back on the Palestinians in their
pursuit to establish an independent state

- Wide Palestinian and Arab satisfaction with Obama's
reconciliation speech to the Muslim World


Al-Ayyam runs an exclusive interview with President Obama by
prominent Palestinian journalist Wafa Amr, drawn from Amr's
participation in the special press roundtable after the speech. The
above the fold feature, under a dramatic red font headline,
highlights Obama's statement in response to Israel's request for
time to review its policy, "60 years of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict have passed. We can wait a few more months before making
further decisions or taking steps towards resolving the conflict."
Amr also notes that the President reiterated his commitment to
ending the conflict, but refused to put a timeframe on relaunching
the peace process.

The three dailies front page Palestinian Authority (PA) satisfaction
with President Obama's speech. PA spokesperson Abu Rudaynah is
quoted calling Obama's speech, "a new beginning. It is a different
and clear message to the Israelis."

Almost all editorials are positive in tone and reflect Palestinian
satisfaction with and admiration for both the speech and President
Obama as an American leader who is committed to engaging with the

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Muslim world.

Al-Quds runs an inside cartoon of President Obama addressing Muslims
during his speech starting with, "Salam Alaykum" and the pleased
Muslim audience answering, "Wa Alaykum Assalam." Al-Ayyam runs a
back page cartoon of Palestinians commenting after the speech, "nice
words, but what's next?"

Al-Quds and Al-Ayyam run front page coverage of official Israeli
comments showing support for President Obama's efforts to
"reconcile" with the Arab and Muslim World. According to coverage,
Israel shares the President's hopes of achieving regional peace, but
declines to acknowledge Obama's statements regarding settlements.

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida runs a front page AFP article under the headline,
"a new enemy of West Bank settlements: Obama." The article quotes
"extremist activist" Nadia Matter noting, "Obama does not scare
us."

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida runs an inside AFP article about Syrian
politicians and analysts commenting that Obama's speech will be
complete only when it is coupled with pressure on Israel to
translate speeches into action.

Al-Quds runs separate front page coverage of Arab League Secretary
General Musa's reaction to President Obama's Cairo speech. He notes
that it "was balanced and respectful and paves the road for positive
relations with the Muslim world since it provides a new and clear
vision of the conflict." The paper highlights that Musa hoped to
see Obama's remarks translated into action and facts on the ground.

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BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Al-Quds independent daily runs an editorial under the title,
"Obama's speech is a blueprint for engagement between Muslims and
the West"(06/05): "The most notable thing about Obama's speech is
that it touches the heart. It presents historic facts and proves
his determination to overcome prejudice towards the Muslim world and
the U.S."

2) Hafith Barguti opines in Al-Hayat Al-Jadida official daily under
the title, "Obama's reconciliation and Israel's conflict" (06/05):
"Obama's speech is the speech of a president who dreams of achieving
balance in the international community... through partnership,
justice, and peace."

3) Omar Hilmi Al-Ghul opines in Al-Hayat Al-Jadida official daily
under the title, "Were there any surprises in the speech?"(06/05):
"Obama's speech was a historic and untraditional speech by all
accounts... because of the important information that it presented
and the historic facts it highlighted thereby opening a new chapter
in relations between the Arab and Muslim world and the U.S. in
particular, but also the West in General."

4) Samih Shbayb opines in Al-Ayyam independent daily under the title
"Obama's speech is a significant transition" (06/05): "Obama's
speech is promising and can be considered an excellent foundation
for improving Muslim-Arab relations with the U.S.... a basis...
which if used properly, can benefit all."

5)Muhammad Yaghi opines in Al-Ayyam independent daily under the
title, "Reading through Obama's speech: A conciliatory tone that

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can almost be considered an apology"(06/05): "Obama's speech says
goodbye to Bush's policies and calls for more optimism in the world
in preparation for new policies and new bonds between the Arabs and
Americans... [Sustaining this goodwill] will now depend on how we
can translate these beautiful words into facts."

6) Rajab Abu Sirriyah opines in Al-Ayyam independent daily under the
title, "Obama - From managing the crisis to solving it"(06/05):
When President Obama addresses the Muslim world, he definitely knows
what he is doing. He realizes the significance of the Muslim world
and realizes that it is key to U.S. interests, if the U.S. wants to
rule the world."

7) Bahir Salih opined on Palestine News Network online service
(pnn.ps) under the headline, "You cannot shield yourself from the
sun with a sieve,"(6/5): "With his eloquent and serene words, Obama
tried to bring Muslims and the U.S closer... In his speech, Obama
presented himself and AMERICA as angels. Doesn't he know that his
soldiers have killed more than one million Muslims in Iraq? Are all
of [those Iraqis] 'extremists?' Aren't they just children, women,
the elderly and civilians?" Aren't the hundreds of thousands killed
in Afghanistan, just civilians as well?"

WALLES