PRESIDENT'S INTERVIEW WITH AL-ARABIYA RECEIVES

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000081


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PREL
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S INTERVIEW WITH AL-ARABIYA RECEIVES
GOOD COVERAGE IN SWEDEN

REF: STATE 7500


1. Swedish media gave broad and factual coverage to the
President's interview with Al-Arabiya. Number two national
daily Svenska Dagbaldet provided a full page, with a screen
shot of the interview. Selected quotes focused on the
President's expression of respect for the Muslim world. A
side-bar contrasted Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera. Paper of
record Dagens Nyheter gave limited coverage, on the paper's
website. Swedish Television also provided a short report on
its website. All three news items noted the appointment of
Special Envoy Mitchell.


2. Embassy PAO used the opportunity of a PAS-hosted
reception with Swedish journalists to call attention to the
interview, highlighting the fact that President chose a
Middle Eastern network for his first on-the-record foreign
interview. The journalists noted the significance of the
venue and believed that the choice conveyed an important
signal about the President's priorities and intentions.


SILVERMAN