OMAN MEDIA REACTION: U.S. BOTH WRONG AND RIGHT ON

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000050 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: U.S. BOTH WRONG AND RIGHT ON ISRAEL-PALESTINE ¶1. SUMMARY: The Omani media condemned U.S. "Zionist cooperation" on Israeli-Palestinian peace while simultaneously blaming Israel for hindering Senator Mitchell's mediation efforts. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- U.S. SPEAKS ABOUT PEACE, BUT ADOPTS ISRAELI POLICIES -------------- -------------- ¶2. On January 15, private daily "al-Watan" (circulation 42,000) wrote that U.S. politicians are adopting Israeli statements and policies rather than taking real action on the Palestinian issue, saying "Washington Sticks to Talks rather Than Solutions": "For decades U.S. politicians have repeated that they are committed to the two-state solution, determined to reach permanent and comprehensive peace, want to move the peace process forward, and acknowledge that the key for peace in the Middle East is solving the Palestinian issue. However, the opposite is true. They are cooperating with the Zionist lobby and extremist politicians in Israel, and all Israeli statements find their way immediately into the corridors of the White House and turn into clear foreign policies - especially toward the Arabs and Palestinians." -------------- ISRAELI DECEPTION HINDERS MITCHELL'S EFFORTS -------------- ¶3. The state Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) acknowledged on January 23 the challenges and obstacles that hinder peace in the region in discussing "Mitchell and the Path to Peace that is Blocked by Netanyahu": "Despite the desire among the people of the region to maintain peace and build a better future, it seems George Mitchell's regional tour could not move the stagnant waters of peace in the Middle East. The Israeli government seeks to deceive public opinion by blaming the Palestinian authority for hindering peace in Middle East. However, Mitchell's tour is considered a continuation of U.S. efforts and promises made by President Obama, who has discovered that Middle East crisis is far more complicated than he thought. Therefore, it is important and vital for the Arabs and the Palestinians to encourage the U.S., in order to show that the Israeli side is the one hindering these movements." Schmierer