US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT909

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000909 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, INR/R/MR 
 
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH 
PARIS FOR ZEYA 
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH 
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR ASILAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, KMDR, OIIP, MU, Public Affairs 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: PALESTINE, MAJLIS AL-SHURA, IRAQ 
 
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Housecleaning 
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1. The government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" ran an editorial on 
June 4 under the headline "The Need To Tidy Up The Palestinian 
House": 
 
"Despite Abu Mazen's efforts to tidy up the Palestinian house -- 
especially its security apparatus -- it seems that there are 
still some Palestinians intent on creating instability.  This 
does not help the Palestinian Authority....  Although certain 
sectors of the Palestinian population engaged in peaceful 
demonstrations to improve their living conditions, it was strange 
to see other Palestinians shooting their weapons in the air as a 
way of expressing their demands.  This not only damages the 
interests of the Palestinian people, but also deforms their image 
in front of important international and regional players." 
 
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High Praise For The Lower House 
------------------------------- 
 
2. "Al-Watan," a privately-owned Arabic daily, published an 
editorial on May 31 entitled "The Majlis al-Shura Continues Its 
Developmental Role": 
 
"The 14th session of the Omani Majlis al-Shura (Consultative 
Council) was an excellent example of cooperation between the 
Majlis and the government.  The Majlis specializes in providing 
political and social recommendations for policymakers, and is 
tasked with supporting the people's demands in order to develop 
the country.  These recommendations play an important role in 
creating clear strategies for the government's executive 
ministries, who in turn make all necessary efforts to fulfill 
Sultan Qaboos' vision for Oman's future." 
 
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A House Divided 
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3. Also on May 31, "Oman" carried an editorial entitled "Circle 
Of Violence In Iraq": 
 
"The circle of violence and killing between divided sectors in 
Iraq continues without any indication of stopping.  Bloody 
episodes are pushing this Arab country into a dark tunnel, and 
nobody seems to know how to get out of it.  American troops were 
unable to solve security problems, and activities such as 
`Operation Thunder' only exacerbated the situation in Baghdad and 
elsewhere.  Instability and insecurity will be the slogans of the 
coming period." 
 
BALTIMORE