OMAN MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000075 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: Omani dailies uniformly called for ethical changes from Washington, saying that transparency and legitimacy are required for the new president to achieve his agenda. Government Arabic daily "Oman" said that President Obama must prioritize the Middle East peace process and play an honest role. Arabic private daily "Al Watan" advised President Obama to abandon strategies of allegations, lies, and false superiority. Later in the week, "Oman" praised the closing of illegal prisons, and again called for policies of integrity and fairness. END SUMMARY. -------------- "A Return to Legitimacy" -------------- ¶2. On January 22, government Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) called on President Obama to prioritize the Israeli - Palestinian peace process, expressing hope that the U.S. will return to an "honest role". According to "Promising Hopes for Peace": "Everyone heard Obama's promise to pursue a new path with the Islamic world, starting by withdrawing from Iraq and establishing peace in Afghanistan. The Arab world needs President Obama to pay attention to the Palestinians, an issue that must take priority in U.S. foreign policy. We hope that the U.S. will play an honest role, allowing it a return to legitimacy. Everyone hopes that the new president will work to implement the Arab initiative and avoid Israel's policy of murder, procrastination and delay in the belief that violence and aggression will bring peace." -------------- -------------- "Hope President Obama Will Move Away from the Lies" -------------- -------------- ¶3. On January 21, private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) stated that President Obama must abandon the previous policies of lies to restore the credibility needed to meet political and economic challenges. "The world is Waiting for Obama" said: "The whole world knows well that American policy is unchangeable, regardless of the administration. However, there is hope that President Obama will move away from the lies and fabrications that were the principals of American policy. He is facing enormous political, economic, military and environmental challenges. Accordingly, he needs to change the policies of his country, abandoning the strategy of allegations, lies and false superiority. President Obama needs to restore credibility if he really wants to achieve the aspirations of hope and confidence. He needs to differentiate between terrorism and the real demands of rights and benefits. There are many contradictions in American policy; however, this young administration can overcome these contradictions by a return to honesty, credibility and respect for others' rights and aspirations." -------------- "Closure of Illegal Prisons Commendable" -------------- ¶4. "Oman" on January 24 advised that transparency and integrity are required for President Obama to change the image of America and make progress on peace initiatives. According to "Between Phosphorous Bombs and U.S. Prisons": "The impact of phosphorous bombs on the bodies of the children in Gaza and continues to raise smoke every time these wounds are cleaned. Since ethics are indivisible, we hope to hear support for a serious investigation of the tragedy that has claimed more than 1300 lives. President Obama's closure of illegal prisons and adherence to the Geneva Convention is commendable and signals the beginning of new era in America. The President wants to improve the image of his country which deteriorated during the Bush presidency. Obama will need to deal with external issues with transparency, integrity and fairness, especially in the Arab-Israeli conflict. We will not judge him on his speeches or appointment of envoys, rather on the actions of his policies." GRAPPO To view the entire SMART message, go to URL http://repository.state.sgov.gov/_layouts/OSS SearchResults.aspx?k=messageid:4c6d95cd-fc39- 4986-83a4-7eb9c703acd7