US embassy cable - 04MUSCAT2265

UNCLAS MUSCAT 002265 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (TROBERTS), NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY), NEA/P 
(FFINVER), INR/R/MR 
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH 
PARIS FOR ZEYA 
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH 
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER/ASILAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, KMDR, OIIP, MU, Public Affairs 
SUBJECT: MUSCAT MEDIA REACTION: U.S. WAR DEATHS, PALESTINE, IRAQ 
ELECTIONS 
 
 
-------------------- 
The Cost of Patience 
-------------------- 
 
1. The lead editorial in the privately -owned Arabic daily "Al- 
Watan" on December 24 was entitled "American Patience": 
 
"In 1983, when 240 Americans died in a suicide bombing in Beirut, 
former President Reagan immediately called for the withdrawal of 
all American troops stationed there.  Today, despite daily 
casualties in Iraq, President Bush does nothing for the safety of 
his troops except pray for the ones that have fallen.  The war in 
Iraq has claimed more American lives than any conflict since 
Vietnam, but political experts postulate that younger Americans 
have forgotten the lessons of Vietnam, which their parents 
learned the hard way.  Therefore, they do not fully understand 
the impact of war upon U.S. society, and do not feel compelled to 
demand the return of U.S. troops the way older generations did in 
the past.  Instead of demanding action from their government, 
younger generations of Americans patiently wait for Bush to do 
something to make things better in Iraq, while soldiers continue 
to die.  The Bush Administration relies on this "patience" in 
order to remain in Iraq." 
 
---------------- 
Voting For Peace 
---------------- 
 
2. On December 25, "Al-Watan" also carried an editorial entitled 
"A Poll For The Sake Of The Peace": 
 
"The initial results of the Palestinian municipal elections 
indicate that long-suffering Palestinian voters have become 
politically mature, and are using this maturity and experience to 
guide their ballots.  The whole world is moving towards putting 
reform before resistance, and Palestine will be a shining example 
of this trend.  In the past, Palestinians preferred to take up 
arms instead of taking up pens, since that is what their leaders 
told them they must do.  No longer will Palestinians be used as 
pawns to keep their own autocratic rulers in power.  Today the 
Palestinians have the chance to make a peaceful start by electing 
new leaders democratically." 
 
------------------------- 
New Leadership, New Rules 
------------------------- 
 
3. An editorial appeared in the government-owned Arabic daily 
"Oman" on December 26 entitled "Shuffling Cards in Iraq": 
 
"It is no exaggeration to describe life in Iraq as difficult and 
even tragic.  However, after twenty months of being under 
Coalition control, and with elections close at hand, it is 
important that the cards change hands to a new leadership in 
Iraq.  Iraq must become a stable and strong country again. 
Unfortunately, Iraq will never reach this stage under the current 
situation of daily violence and armed conflict, and with the 
continued destruction of societal infrastructure.  Bringing about 
a change for peace in Iraq should be the first goal, and the new 
Iraqi leadership should be characterized not only by its ability 
to rule militarily, but also by its ability to ensure the rule of 
law." 
 
BALTIMORE