OMAN MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000126 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP NEA/PPD NEA/PI INR/R/MR NEA/SA/EX/PMO LONDON FOR NEA WATCHER PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR NEA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO KMDR MU SUBJECT: OMAN MEDIA REACTION ¶1. SUMMARY: This week, government daily "Oman" wrote that hidden powers are trying to create instability in Iraq, acknowledging that the U.S. has played a positive role in Iraq's quest for stability. On February 15, "Oman" called again for a truce in Gaza, proposing conditions for each side. Private daily "Al Watan" described "the new U.S. approach" as an opportunity for Arab countries to resolve their differences and partner for peace in the Middle East. END SUMMARY. -------------- "A SUCCESS IN WHICH THE U.S. PARTICIPATED" -------------- ¶2. On February 14, government Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) wrote that unidentified foreign forces do not want Iraq to continue on its path towards stability, noting the U.S.'s positive role in the "success" of Iraqi security and asking "Who is Benefiting from the increased Violence in Iraq?": "Violence has increased recently in Iraq, particularly via suicide attacks, which raises the usual question of who benefits from all this. Certainly, Iraq has taken concrete steps towards restoring its stability, which can be considered a success in which the U.S. participated. However, it seems that there are elements, groups and movements inside and outside Iraq that do not want Iraq or its people to enjoy stability. Perhaps they feel that the Iraqis have refused their ideologies, that they are defeated, and that Iraq's determination to stabilize is stronger than they are." -------------- - "ALL PALESTINIAN MOVEMENTS UNDER ONE UMBRELLA" -------------- - ¶3. Government daily "Oman" on February 15 commented on conditions for a truce in Gaza, calling for an end to the blockade and a revitalization of the PLO that incorporates all Palestinian movements. According to "The Need to Calm Gaza": "There are expectations of an agreement between Hamas and the Israeli government, which continues to stall while pursuing its aggression against the Palestinians. Even if the agreement is postponed, it is important and necessary to make every possible effort to reach an accord. Israel must stop its aggressive and criminal behavior against the Palestinians by lifting the blockade, allowing for reconstruction, and opening borders. It is necessary for the Palestinians to do everything possible to reconcile and unify their ranks while at the same time revitalizing the PLO. Their leaders need to accommodate all opinions from different Palestinian movements under one umbrella in order to face the challenges presented by Israeli aggression." -------------- "ARABS MUST NOT ISOLATE THEMSELVES" -------------- ¶4. On February 16, private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) called on Arab states to overcome inter-Arab differences by supporting the "new U.S. approach based on dialogue". "New Opportunity for Arab Rapprochement" said: "The new U.S. approach based on dialogue presents a historic opportunity to resolve all Arab problems. Because Arabs always pay the price for all the problems in the Middle East, they must step up and deal positively with sensible appeals from abroad. Such appeals recognize that countries seek to preserve their interests, interests which are threatened if conflict continues. Now that Washington is convinced that the Bush administration was not right in its promotion of Arab-Arab differences, Obama's administration has decided to work in a different way by taking positive steps towards Syria and recognizing its pivotal role in peace. Arabs must take this opportunity presented by Washington and not isolate themselves." GRAPPO To view the entire SMART message, go to URL http://repository.state.sgov.gov/_layouts/OSS SearchResults.aspx?k=messageid:310f5b4b-956c- 4309-960d-da4870ead1d3