US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT717

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000717 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, 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: MEDIA REACTION: PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, SECURING THE 
GULF, AND ERDOGAN'S VISIT TO ISRAEL 
 
 
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Stumbling Blocks To Peace 
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1. On April 26, the government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" carried 
an editorial entitled "Peace in the Middle East": 
 
"As a powerful country, the United States has a moral and legal 
responsibility to seek the best possible solutions for regional 
political problems and pressures.  When people are suffering from 
social and economic ills, and legal options are not available, 
armed resistance is often the only alternative.  The U.S. must 
recognize the danger represented by the existence of Israel in 
the Middle East, and should acknowledge that the Israelis are 
invaders.  All necessary political and economic means must be 
employed to implement the United Nations resolutions." 
 
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Reductions, Reform, and Resources 
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2. The privately-owned Arabic daily "Al-Watan" ran an editorial 
on April 30 entitled "Dialogue In The Gulf": 
 
"Since the events of September 11, the GCC has seen reductions in 
its economic and investment sectors.  In order to protect the 
region from terrorism and improve the economic situation, Gulf 
countries need a strategic, long-term vision that encourages 
reform and change without resorting to violence.  Dialogue must 
be encouraged between the governments of the region and their 
people.  With all its vital resources, a secure Gulf will form a 
valuable basis for the entire industrial world." 
 
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Turkish Delight 
--------------- 
 
3. "Al-Watan" also published an editorial on May 2 under the 
headline "Two Faces for Erdogan's Visit": 
 
"Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Israel to 
downplay the effects of his recent remarks that described Israeli 
practices against Palestinians as `state terrorism.'  This is his 
right as a democratically elected leader who wants to improve 
relations with other countries.  However, Arab states are not 
asking Turkey to sever its relations with Israel; rather, they 
are asking Turkey to use its important regional position to push 
for the protection of Palestinian rights.  Prime Minister Erdogan 
ought to hew to a consistent definition of terrorism, one which 
does not include resisting invaders." 
 
BALTIMORE