OMAN MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000429 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, Omani dailies continued criticism of Israel, hammering on war crimes, settlement activity, and its distancing from the two-state solution. On May 6, private daily "Al Watan" said Israelis must be put on trial for its "aggression" on the UNWRA headquarters in Gaza. On May 8, "Al Watan" again expressed doubt on the future of the peace process, saying that America needs to take a stronger stand against settlement activity. On May 9, government daily "Oman" praised the U.S.'s peace efforts and praised Arab Foreign Ministers' recommitment to the Arab peace initiative made during a recent meeting in Oman. END SUMMARY. -------------- LOYALTY TO JUSTICE AND OBJECTIVITY -------------- ¶2. On May 6, private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) used the UN report condemning Israeli aggression on UNRWA headquarters as an opportunity to demand that the perpetrators be held accountable, saying that "The UN Report Must be Followed by Trial": "The UN report condemning Israeli aggression against the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza will add further pressure to end this cover up of Israeli crimes. Israel always finds somebody to come to its defense after a massacre ... Many are watching the actions of the current Secretary General closely and the extent of his loyalty to justice and objectivity in support of humanitarian international law." -------------- --- "THE U.S. POSITION MUST BE CLEARER AND STRONGER" -------------- --- ¶3. Private daily "Al Watan" on May 8 again expressed worry over the fate of the Middle East peace process, saying that the U.S. must take a stronger stand against settlement activity. According to "Is it a New Trap?": "Prime Minister Netanyahu is planning for more settlements in violation of the two-state solution and the Arab peace initiative. In fact, with Obama's administration in Washington and Netanyahu's government in Israel, many observers worry that the future of the Middle East peace process is in jeopardy. The scenes from the Palestinian side and the continuation of settlement activity bolster these fears, despite Netanyahu's claimed desire for peace. It is not enough that the U.S. Vice President demand that settlement activity stops; the U.S. position must be clearer and stronger." -------------- ADHERING TO THE ARAB PEACE INITIATIVE -------------- ¶4. On May 9, government Arabic-language daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) commended the U.S. for its actions toward peace and praised Arab foreign ministers' commitment to the Arab peace initiative at a recent meeting in Oman. "Arabs Need to Move on Multiple Levels" said: "The U.S. has reaffirmed its desire for peace in the Middle East and is working for a settlement based on the two-state solution. However, any peace talks depend on Israel. Despite Israel's unacceptable position, Arab Foreign Ministers managed, during a meeting recently held in Oman, to emphasize that they will adhere to the Arab peace initiative put forward in 2002 without amendment." GRAPPO