SAUDI JOURNALISTS ON PRESIDENT'S AL-ARABIYA INTERVIEW

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SUBJECT: SAUDI JOURNALISTS ON PRESIDENT'S AL-ARABIYA INTERVIEW

REF: STATE 7500


1. PAS Riyadh spoke with six Saudi journalists and editors today on
popular reaction to the POTUS interview with Al-Arabiya. All of
those contacted said that highlights of the interview were spreading
widely on the street, and that the response was overwhelmingly
positive. One journalist who also teaches at King Abdulaziz
University in Jeddah said that "he could definitely sense people's
optimism," and a managing editor and journalist of
internationally-distributed Al Hayat-which tends more than other
Saudi media to be critical of US policy vis-`-vis Israel and the
Palestinians-both evinced profound surprise and gratification that
the President noted his experience with and familial connections to
the Muslim world, saying that the interview went a long way toward
"encouraging and reassuring people" that the US was serious about
Mideast peace. As noted in a previous message, the political editor
of leading Saudi Arabic daily Okaz told us that reaction from his
contacts has been "astonishingly positive."


2. Although editorial commentary has yet to appear, reportage in
the Saudi print media was front page news today in all but
internationally-distributed ASharq Al-Awsat and Al-Hayat. Despite
the comments of the Saudi Al-Hayat staff noted above, the paper
itself had a terse, two-paragraph report on the interview on page 34
of its Saudi edition that noted that the White House chose
Al-Arabiya for the interview "among all the Arab and Muslim
television stations in the world." We believe this cryptic comment
reflects local and Arab-world criticism of the Saudi-owned satellite
station as exhibiting "a pro-Israel bias" during its coverage of the
Gaza invasion, in which it consistently referred to Palestinian
civilian casualties as being "killed" instead of "martyred." (Our
contacts have told us that Saudi religious conservatives routinely
refer to Al-Arabiya as "Al-Abreiyah"-Hebrew, a moniker that gained
some popular traction here as popular anger over the destruction of
Gaza mounted before the cease-fire.)


3. Comment: It is clear that our contacts in the Saudi media and
their extended network were surprised and disarmed by the
President's remarks. Recent op/eds have struck a largely negative
or admonishing tone towards the US on the Palestinian-Israeli issue,
warning that only real change in policy, not words, will bring peace
to the region. While we expect some of that hedging to reassert
itself in commentary over the next few days, it is evident that on
the emotional level (which is where most Saudis live most of the
time) the President's remarks have generated renewed hope and
interest in US leadership in a way that would have been unthinkable
just a few days ago. End comment.


4. Coverage of the POTUS interview by media:

Al-Riyadh: Front page wire story and local reporting under headline
"Obama comments on Arab peace initiative: 'new partnership with Arab
world without conditions.'" Article features substantial portions
of the interview inside the paper. In an SPA article Prince Saud
al-Faisal is the only commentator on the interview.

Al-Watan: Front page AFP coverage is of Saud al-Faisal's comments
on the interview. Pg. 5 headline (1/4 page story): "Obama:
'Americans are not the enemy of Arabs and we have made mistakes
sometimes and are not perfect.'" Subheading: "Washington is ready to
extend a hand to Iran if it becomes more flexible." Opening
paragraph says that the new president is "extending a hand to the
Muslim world" and threatening that his administration will "uproot
terrorist organizations."

ASharq Al-Awsat: Coverage appears on pg. 5, after news about
Mitchell's visit on pg. 4. Top heading: "Obama says to Arab world
'we have made some mistakes ... but Americans are not your enemy,'"
with sub heading: "Saud al-Faisal confirms that Arabs will not have
any reservations with engaging in productive dialogue about the
peace initiative." The article is brief, and connects the interview
with Mitchell's visit, noting that Obama speaks to Arab world on the
eve of Mitchell's visit.

Al-Medina: Front page; short AFP article: "Obama: 'King Abdullah's
Initiative takes great courage.'" Article continues on pg. 20, and
features a picture of Obama and Hillary. The Article quotes Obama's
interview portions on engaging Iran; his positive approach to the
Muslim world, and how he will continue to fight terrorism.

Al-Eqtisadiah: Front page wire story under headline, "Obama:
'America's dependence on external oil exposes her to danger.'"
Story continues on pg. 9 with a picture of Obama and Biden under
same headline. A quarter-page article focused on his energy plan.

Okaz: Reuters story leadline (only): "Obama: 'King Abdullah's peace
initiative will help restore peace in the Middle East.'" Coverage
continues on pg. 17 with a short article on Obama speech (with a few
quotes) and a fact sheet on King Abdullah's "Arab initiative."
Al-Jazeera: Front page wire story features picture of Obama and
King Abdullah under the headline "Obama announcing attempts to
revisit peace in the region: 'King Abdullah's peace initiative took
great courage.'" The accompanying article is short and positive,
noting Obama singing the praises of King Abdullah.

Arab News: Front page and continues internally under the headline
"US is not enemy of Muslims: Obama"

Saudi Gazette: Front page coverage under the headline "We are not
your enemy, says Obama to Muslims." A full transcript of the
interview appears internally.

RUNDELL