OMAN MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000525 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: Peace in the Middle East remained a focus of editorial discussion in Omani state and privately-owned papers, with the government's "Oman" concerned about the disparity in thinking between U.S. and Israeli leadership and the effects of Palestinian infighting on the outcome of President Abbas's Washington visit. Meanwhile, private daily "Al Watan" worries that U.S. pressure is only hardening Israel's "racist" mentality. END SUMMARY. -------------- Whither Two States? -------------- ¶2. On May 26, government daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) affirmed the American goals for Palestine, but expressed concern about the discrepancy in views between the American and Israeli leaders, wondering "Whither the Aspiration to Two States?": "The meeting between the Israeli Prime Minister and U.S. President revealed many contradictions in their visions for peace in the Middle East ... The differences in their political views were clear, and President Obama seemed aware of the constraints put by Israel and the stubbornness of its government. The U.S. ambition under the new administration is to find a solution and a political settlement to the conflicts in the region and to establish a Palestinian state alongside with Israel, creating a secure and stable region free of wars and conflicts and opening the door for development and economic cooperation between countries. However, [this goal] will, as expected, collide with Israeli extremism since Netanyahu's government is refusing to discuss even the principle of the two states." -------------- A Palestinian Opportunity Lost? -------------- ¶3. On May 27, "Oman" followed up with a further editorial, on the meeting of the Palestinian and American leaders, suggesting that it was a good opportunity for President Obama to hear the attitude of the Palestinians. "Various Aspects of the Palestinian President's Visit to Washington" stated: "Although President Obama has full knowledge of all the Palestinian factions and political forces, his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas emphasizes two main points. First, the visit reflects a strong and direct interest by the U.S. President in the Palestinian cause and his eagerness to listen to the Palestinian President. Second, it is a real opportunity for the Palestinian side to present their issues and to President Obama, including their attitudes and the willingness to continue with peace process. However, it was unfortunate that the President Abbas is facing questions about the importance and feasibility of his meeting by other Palestinian factions." -------------- ISRAEL'S "RACIST MENTALITY" -------------- ¶4. On May 29, private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) commented that since the U.S. is insistent on its position toward peace, Israel is looking for any means to destroy Palestine and its people, decrying "Israel and the Nazi Mentality": "The search for excitement is one of the criteria of the Israeli government to fabricate new issues against the Palestinians [and] to divert attention from their continuous expansion of settlements. Since the U.S. has insisted on the two-state solution and an end to all forms of settlements, they want to contain their crisis internally and maintain a sense of isolation by voting in the Knesset to punish the Palestinians for their resistance of the occupation and the racist Israeli entity." GRAPPO