US embassy cable - 02AMMAN4829

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 004829 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARN, NEA/PA, NEA/AIA, INR/NESA, R/MR, 
I/GNEA, B/BXN, B/BRN, NEA/PPD, NEA/IPA FOR ALTERMAN 
USAID/ANE/MEA 
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH 
PARIS FOR O'FRIEL 
USCINCCENT//CCPA, USCENTCOM REAR MACDILL AFB FL 
STATE PASS TO AID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
 
TAGS: KMDR JO 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON MIDDLE EAST ISSUES 
 
                        Summary 
 
-- All Jordanian dailies on August 25 highlighted the 
upcoming visit by Deputy Assistant Secretary 
Satterfield to the region to "sell" the idea of 
"diminishing" Arafat's authority by appointing a 
Palestinian Prime Minister.  Wire service reports 
quote an unidentified high-level Israeli official as 
saying that the United States is sending DAS 
Satterfield to "urge the Palestinians to appoint a 
Prime Minister."  The same reports quote chief 
Palestinian negotiator Sa'eb Ureikat to the London- 
based Al-Hayat newspaper as saying that the 
Palestinians had earlier rejected a U.S. proposal to 
appoint a Prime Minister. 
 
Another major story today highlights reports about an 
Iraqi diplomatic campaign to be launched soon to 
explain to the Arab world the "dangers of American 
threats against Iraq". 
 
One columnist criticized a U.S. "plan" to provide 
genetically-modified foods as part of its assistance 
to developing countries, arguing that this is a 
"vicious" plan to destroy agriculture in developing 
countries. 
 
                 Editorial Commentary 
 
-- "Israel reneges on its pledges" 
 
Center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour 
(08/25) editorializes:  "It was no surprise to hear 
Israel's announcement about breaking its pledge of 
withdrawal from the Gaza area.  This brings to mind 
the long series of Israeli non-compliance from 
international accords signed with the Palestinian 
Authority.  It also confirms that no pledge or 
understanding or agreement signed or reached with the 
Hebrew state is to be trusted.  We view this Israeli 
step as further proof that the Sharon government does 
not have a political alternative to this crisis, and 
that the military escalation is the only approach this 
extremist, right-wing government has opted for." 
 
-- "American contradictions" 
 
Daily columnist Mazen Saket writes on the op-ed page 
of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour 
(08/25):  "The United States, the richest, most 
advanced and powerful country in the world, is the 
sole representative and leader of the new world order, 
is currently assuming the mantle of a colonialist 
regime these days.  The question that needs to be 
asked is why have international relations taken a back 
seat to colonialism?  The only answer I can find - 
other than interests and the imbalance of power -- is 
related to culture and civilization.  U.S. society is 
unable to respond to the culture and civilizations of 
(other) peoples and nations; it rather wants to 
nullify them and replace them." 
 
-- "New American blackmail: famine or genetically- 
modified food products" 
 
Daily columnist Bater Wardam writes on the op-ed page 
of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour 
(08/25):  "Six African countries out of seven, 
currently suffering from famine, have agreed to 
receive American food assistance in the form of 
genetically-modified products, manufactured by U.S. 
companies.  The Americans are taking advantage of 
Africa's famine in order to force these countries to 
receive only  genetically-modified food products.  It 
is part of a scheme to eliminate the agriculture 
sector not only in Africa but in all the world.  It is 
another vicious American policy that seeks to benefit 
its own companies, causing the destruction of 
agricultural capabilities in developing countries." 
BERRY