OMAN MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000213

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: As of March 23, two Arabic dailies ran lead
commentaries on the President's Nawruz message. Private daily "Al
Watan" said the world sighed in relief, then urged the administration
to "prove its intentions are good". Government daily "Oman" said the
President's message is a "step in the right direction", demonstrating
Washington's determination to change the regional equation. In
another commentary on March 23, "Oman" said stability in Iraq
portends a period in which all Middle Eastern disputes can be
resolved by dialog. END SUMMARY.

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"THE WORLD TOOK A DEEP BREATH"
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2. Private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) on March 21
expressed deep relief over President Obama's Nowruz message, then
called on Washington to demonstrate its credibility. According to
"Diplomacy Needs Credibility":

"The world took a deep breath after the U.S. President's Nowruz
message to Iran. Obama's administration is trying a new strategy
that is based on dialogue and a policy of change.
The world was the victim of the actions of the previous
administration. The new American administration has yet to prove
that its intentions are good and its attitudes productive. Obama
needs to make sure his recent remarks are credible, especially
because Washington has enlarged Israel's nuclear arsenal."

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"BY ALL MEANS, A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION"
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3. On March 22, government Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000)
praised President Obama's message to Iran, saying the President is
"determined" to improve the region. According to "Positive Steps in
the Right Direction":

"President Obama's message to the Iranian leadership is, by all
means, a step in the right direction to moving beyond the
disagreements of the last 30 years. This clearly indicates that the
U.S. President is determined to transform the situation in the
region, as well as Washington's relations overseas, and its role in
solving problems. This practical new approach can open new prospects
and hopes for peace in the region. The U.S. message to the Iranian
leadership is, truly, an opportunity to build U.S. - Iranian ties."

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"President Obama Created Space for Dialog"
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4. Government daily "Oman" on March 23 commented that stability in
Iraq should lead all regional actors to resolve disputes through
dialog. According to "Trust and Mutual Commitment to Bring Stability
to the Region":

"As Iraq heads towards stability, many hope that the region will
enter a calmer period in which everyone can address disputes through
dialogue. This is important, especially as President Obama has
created space for dialogue and for listening to Arab and Islamic
views."
GRAPPO