US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT1356

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001356 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, INR/R/MR 
 
LONDON FOR TSOU 
PARIS FOR ZEYA 
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH 
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR SILAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, KMDR, OIIP, MU, Public Affairs 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: HURRICANE KATRINA, PALESTINE 
 
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Nature And Politics 
------------------- 
 
1. The privately owned Arabic daily "al-Watan" published an 
editorial entitled "The Moment Of Truth" on September 3: 
 
"The entire world sympathized with the victims of Hurricane 
Katrina, despite the differences of political opinion that exist 
between the U.S. and the rest of the world.  However, it is 
strange for America, which possesses the largest economy in the 
world, to ask for help from foreign countries.  Where are those 
individuals who dedicated billions of dollars to fighting wars 
under the banner of anti-terrorism, or to punishing countries 
suspected of having nuclear programs?  How is it that the U.S. 
cannot provide 5,000 vehicles to evacuate victims from the 
hurricane, when double this number is sent to Iraq on a regular 
basis?" 
 
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What The World Needs Now 
------------------------ 
 
2. "Oman," the government-owned Arabic daily, ran an editorial on 
September 4 under the headline "Cooperation Is Needed To Confront 
International Catastrophes": 
 
"America now understands that sometimes it needs the assistance 
of other countries: first with the situations in Afghanistan and 
Iraq, and recently with Hurricane Katrina.  These catastrophes 
demonstrate that no nation can cope with such damaging events 
completely by themselves.  The world has many problems, including 
war, AIDS, and economic backwardness, and we must work 
collectively to reduce them." 
 
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Confusing The Issue 
------------------- 
 
3. "Al-Watan" featured an editorial on September 1 entitled 
"Mixing Terrorism And Legal Resistance": 
 
"The Palestinians continue to suffer at the hands of the 
Israelis, and yet President Bush still asks for more concessions. 
Sharon and Bush view the Palestinian resistance fighters as 
terrorists, while the rest of the world sees them as legitimate 
defenders of Palestine's legal rights.  This is the biggest 
mistake, to confuse international terrorism with the right of 
self-defense.  Washington is speaking on behalf of Israel when it 
mixes terrorism with legal resistance." 
 
BALTIMORE