US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI3286

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 003286 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PINR, OIIP, KPAO, KMDR, KMPI, TC 
SUBJECT: UAE MINISTER OF INFO SAYS COUNTERING RADICAL ISLAM 
IS RESPONSIBILITY OF ARAB MEDIA 
 
Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.5 (b) 
and 1.5 (d) 
 
1. (U) Summary:  Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed, the UAE Minister 
of Information, told Ambassador on September 20 that Arab 
governments and the USG need to do more to encourage Arab 
moderates to counter extremist discourse currently pervasive 
on Arab television.  He noted recent positive developments in 
Arab print media and USG initiatives to engage Arab media. 
End summary. 
 
2. (U) On September 20, 2004, Ambassador, Regional MEPI 
Coordinator and APAO called on UAE Minister of Information 
and Culture Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al Nahyan at his 
office.  Also present was Salem al Ameri, the Minster,s 
Office Director. 
 
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Arab Media Needs Moderate Voices 
-------------------------------- 
 
3. (C) Sheikh Abdullah stated that neither the USG or Arab 
governments are doing enough to encourage moderate Arab 
opinion makers to use regional media outlets to counter 
increasingly extremist discourse.  He said that what is 
considered &moderate8 at the moment is nothing of the sort, 
citing as an example the Egyptian cleric, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, 
and his recent fatwa against Americans in Iraq.  He advised 
that while USG officials need to expand dialogue with Arab 
media, they have less of an impact on Arab audiences than 
someone who is of the region and known in the region.  He 
added that there are many moderate voices who are silent at 
the moment; many are hesitant to publicly express their 
opinions in the current political environment.  However, he 
expressed his optimism that discussions now taking place in 
Arabic print media have broken previous taboos on subjects 
such as Islamic fundamentalism and the role of education in 
supporting terrorism.  He said that after 9/11, &it became 
clear to media outlets that facing radical Islam is part of 
their job.8  He pointed out that these subjects were rarely 
publicly discussed prior to 9/11. 
 
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Sensationalism vs. Boredom 
-------------------------- 
 
4. (C) When asked by Ambassador for an overview of the 
current pan-Arab media scene, Sheikh Abdullah differentiated 
between print and broadcast media, noting that moderates are 
reluctant to go on TV given the sensational character of many 
discussion shows.  He said there are two kinds of television 
in the Arab world: entertainment and other (news) channels. 
He claimed that many of the latter are controlled by the 
Muslim Brotherhood or Arab nationalists.  He severely 
criticized Al Jazeera and the way it handles news 
programming, suggesting the government of Qatar allows the 
channel to sensationalize in order to remind Arabs that 
&Qatar exists.8  He noted that Al Arabiya has recently 
changed its strategy and has, in his opinion, is trying to 
take a more professional and objective approach.  He 
criticized Al Hurra for its lack of relevant programs to an 
Arab audience, saying too many of its shows were boring and 
used the example of a two-hour cooking show, subtitled in 
Arabic, as an example of why the station is not attracting 
viewers.  He also believes the station made a &strategic 
error8 by locating its headquarters in the U.S., noting, 
&stations based in the region have a better feel for issues 
important to Arab audiences.8  He wondered why Dubai had not 
been chosen by Al Hurra. 
 
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&9/11/2011 Would Have Been Worse8 
--------------------------------- 
 
5. (U) Sheikh Abdullah stated his view that sooner or later 
the world would have had to fight radical Islam, and that if 
the problem had not surfaced when it did, the consequences 
would have been much worse.  In addition to the danger that 
the terrorists could have acquired chemical or biological 
weapons, he said their stature in Arab countries would have 
been greater.  He said fundamentalism was growing in Arab 
societies up until 9/11, but opined that it had lost momentum 
in the UAE.  He noted that fundamentalists previously 
garnered respect in society, but now &few listen to what 
they say.8  If someone came into an Abu Dhabi majlis with a 
long beard and sporting typical &fundamentalist8 garb, they 
would not be welcome.  Sheikh Abdullah added that the worst 
of the extremists were often educated abroad and came from 
privileged backgrounds.   &9/11/20118 would have been an 
even grimmer picture had the world not joined to fight 
terrorism after 9/11/2001. 
 
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Cooperation Will Aid Moderates 
------------------------------ 
 
6. (U) Sheikh Abdullah praised recent USG efforts to engage 
the Arab media.  He noted that he looked forward to 
continuing a close relationship with the Embassy and the USG. 
 Ambassador invited Sheikh Abdullah to give opening remarks 
at the upcoming MEPI Regional Media Strategy conference 
October 4-6, 2004, in Abu Dhabi.  Sheikh Abdullah listened 
keenly to MEPI regional director,s overview of MEPI 
initiatives, and we will continue to update this key cabinet 
member on MEPI progress. 
 
SISON