US embassy cable - 04AMMAN2671

UNCLAS AMMAN 002671 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARN, NEA/PA, NEA/AIA, INR/NESA, R/MR, 
I/GNEA, B/BXN, B/BRN, NEA/PPD, NEA/IPA FOR ALTERMAN 
USAID/ANE/MEA 
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH 
PARIS FOR O'FRIEL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
 
TAGS: KMDR JO 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ 
 
Summary 
 
-- Lead story in all papers today, April 7, focuses on 
escalating violence in Iraq, in particular between 
Shiites and Coalition forces.  Banner headlines 
proclaim a "massacre" in Fallujah and provide 
estimates of casualties on both sides.  Another lead 
story highlights the Jordanian State Security court's 
announcement of convictions in the trial of those 
accused in the murder of U.S. Embassy employee 
Laurence Foley in October 2002, and a statement by the 
Embassy expressing appreciation for the hard work and 
efforts of Jordanian security officials.  Another lead 
story notes Syrian President Bashar Assad's meeting 
with King Abdullah today in Amman. 
 
Editorial Commentary 
 
-- "The Iraqi people: from oppression to occupation to 
extremism" 
 
Daily columnist Bater Wardam writes on the op-ed page 
of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour 
(04/07):  "We have to be logical in viewing the 
flaming confrontation between the populist authority 
Muqtada Al-Sadr and the military occupation authority 
as part of the power struggle in Iraq.  Had the young 
Al-Sadr's revolution been in defense of Iraq and Iraqi 
sovereignty and against the occupation, then it would 
have started on April 9, 2003, but it comes a year 
late.  Muqtada Al-Sadr acquired his authority from his 
followers and through his religious supporters.  His 
(movement) is very similar to the Taliban-type of 
fundamentalism..  Al-Sadr worked shrewdly to 
strengthen his authority, as all other authorities in 
Iraq were crumbling.  The authority of the former 
regime and that of Al-Baath party have ended.  The 
oppressive authority of the occupation has been 
completely discredited as Iraqis have come to believe 
that the American army is not there to liberate them 
but to occupy them and rob their resources.  The 
authority of Al-Sistani deteriorated because of his 
repeated work at co-existence with the American 
occupation.  As for the authority of the governing 
council, it was shaky from day one and has now proved 
a total failure.  Authority in Iraq is absent, waiting 
for someone to grab it.  The fiery confrontation 
between the authority of Muqtada Al-Sadr and the 
American occupation is but a link in the chain of this 
struggle that is going to last for a long time in 
Iraq..  The Taliban-type approach adopted by Muqtada 
Al-Sadr throughout the past year did not bother the 
Americans as much as it did the Iraqis.  However, as 
soon as Al-Sadr decided to face the occupation 
authority, the American war against him started, which 
led to the fact that the Iraqis rallied around Al-Sadr 
because he now represents the people's authority that 
rejects the occupation.  What is happening in Iraq now 
is another example of the utter stupidity of the 
American administration in Iraq.  The administration 
fought the Taliban in Afghanistan, but now they 
created in Iraq and in the heart of the Arab and 
Muslim world a Taliban-like movement that acquires its 
legitimacy from religious concepts and from fighting 
the occupation..  Al-Sadr may get arrested, but the 
Taliban of Iraq has risen and will not stop." 
 
-- "An open war in Iraq" 
 
Center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour 
(04/07) editorializes:  "It is too early to say that 
the American occupation forces have lost control of 
the situation, but it is certain that the situation is 
liable to deteriorate, particularly if the occupation 
forces insist on arresting Muqtada Al-Sadr.  The whole 
situation needs to be handled wisely and cautiously, 
lest Iraq become a war zone and the expectations of 
many people, who believe that Iraq is on the verge of 
a civil war leading to its division, become true." 
GNEHM