US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT1444

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001444 
 
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, International Relations, Public Affairs 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: VARIOUS VIEWS OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE 
 
 
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From Threats.... 
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1. On September 23, the privately owned Arabic daily "al-Watan" 
published an editorial entitled "Who Will Protect The 
Palestinians From Sharon's Threats?": 
 
"The gap continues to widen between Palestinian and Israeli 
behavior.  Israel insists on the methods of violence, forced 
arrests, and destruction, while the Palestinians are making 
progress in their efforts to bring together the various 
Palestinian factions and halt armed operations.  In addition, the 
Palestinian Authority is focused on rebuilding, reconstruction, 
and democratic pursuits such as elections and the formation of 
political parties.  Yet, Sharon is still threatening to punish 
Gaza...  Such statements have a negative impact on the peace 
process, and solve nothing." 
 
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...To Suffocation... 
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2. "Oman," the government-owned Arabic daily, ran an editorial on 
September 24 called "A More Difficult Battle": 
 
"The most difficult fight for the Palestinians begins now. 
Rebuilding the Gaza Strip is the biggest challenge they face, for 
several reasons.  There are many factions in Palestine that have 
divergent views of how to best rebuild the area, and consensus 
will be elusive.  Moreover, the Palestinians have to start from 
scratch, since the Israelis intentionally destroyed 
administrative buildings, farms, water resources, and other 
infrastructure.  The Israelis want to suffocate the Palestinian 
economy in order to prevent its natural growth." 
 
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. . . To Shed Blood 
------------------- 
 
3. On September 25, "al-Watan" featured an editorial under the 
headline "No Use Crying Over Shed Blood": 
 
"It is time now for Palestinian groups to pause, and evaluate and 
rethink their catalog of good and bad deeds.  They should also 
try to remain humble, and not posture and preen in front of 
Israel now that they have regained Gaza...  President Abbas is 
calling for the end to violence, and to the beginning of 
political participation and development.  There is no more use in 
crying over shed blood, particularly when we have seen that the 
international community is unable to resolve the situation in 
Palestine." 
 
BALTIMORE