US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT212

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000212 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI (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: CHANCE FOR PEACE AND A GENERAL'S CALLOUS COMMENTS 
 
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A CHANCE FOR PEACE 
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1. The government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" published an 
editorial on February 7 under the title, "Abu Mazen's Historic 
Opportunity": 
 
"There is a `historic opportunity' to resolve the Israeli- 
Palestinian conflict.  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas 
created this opportunity when he succeeded President Arafat. 
Mahmoud Abbas managed to calm the political situation in the 
Palestinian territories and reduce the number of attacks on 
Israeli civilians, taking away Israel's pretext for not 
reinitiating the peace process.  He understands that he must 
control the Palestinian factions before he can hope to obtain 
international support for reconstruction and the establishment of 
an Independent Palestinian state." 
 
 
 
 
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PALESTINIANS WANT PEACE 
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2. On February 7, privately-owned Arabic daily "Al-Watan" carried 
an editorial entitled, "Why Pray for Success": 
 
"Palestinians have proved that they are serious about peace by 
freely and directly electing a practical leader who is willing to 
take steps toward peace.  By electing Mahmoud Abbas, they 
demonstrated their willingness to share his vision of how to 
obtain an independent state.  It is now clear that most 
Palestinians see negotiation as the best way to stop the blood 
shed and achieve their goals.  The armed factions also showed 
their willingness to accept a truce if Israel stops its policy of 
targeted killings." 
 
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IS KILLING FUN? 
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3. "Al-Watan" published an editorial on the same date entitled, 
"Having Fun Killing": 
 
"When American General James Mattis stated in a conference in 
California, "It is fun to shoot people," he expressed his genuine 
feelings towards Afghanistan and Iraq.  Afghans and Iraqis and 
perhaps the Vietnamese acknowledge the truth of his statement. 
People from countries far away from the U.S. know that an 
American soldier who agrees to travel half way around the world 
to kill them must be enjoying it.  They do not need any 
clarification of what General Mattis meant by his remarks; they 
see the effect of his words in the daily violence and the fear in 
the hearts of women and children." 
 
BALTIMORE