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. -------------- "THE WORLD TOOK A DEEP BREATH" -------------- ¶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." -------------- "BY ALL MEANS, A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION" -------------- ¶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." -------------- "President Obama Created Space for Dialog" -------------- ¶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