Cablegate: Media Reaction Report - Middle East - Iraq - Syria

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 007284

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INR/R/MR; IIP/RW; IIP/RNY; BBG/VOA; IIP/WEU; AF/PA;
EUR/WE /P/SP; D/C (MCCOO); EUR/PA; INR/P; INR/EUC; PM; OSC ISA
FOR ILN; NEA; WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC/WEUROPE; DOC FOR ITA/EUR/FR
AND PASS USTR/PA; USINCEUR FOR PAO; NATO/PA; MOSCOW/PA;
ROME/PA; USVIENNA FOR USDEL OSCE.

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR FR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION REPORT - Middle East - Iraq - Syria
GWOT
PARIS - Tuesday, October 25, 2005

(A) SUBJECTS COVERED IN TODAY'S REPORT:

Middle East - Iraq - Syria
GWOT

B) SUMMARY OF COVERAGE:

Domestic social, political and economic news dominate today's
front pages, except for Les Echos which devotes its lead and
editorial to the nomination of Ben Bernanke to replace
Greenspan "the Magician." According to Les Echos, financial
markets "are reassured by President Bush's choice." In his
editorial Jean-Marc Vittori comments on Bernanke's pet peeve:
deflation: "Bernanke is a moderate Republican and a fervent
economist. In an economy marked by growth but undermined by
debts, Bernanke will probably try to navigate between the
pitfalls of inflation and deflation. Something that may appear
paradoxical, considering that America's inflation is at its
highest. Welcome to the monetary policy of the 21st century."

The other exception in today's reporting is Catholic La Croix
which devotes its lead, "France Re-Enforces its Anti-Terrorist
Arsenal," editorial and several articles to the fight against
terrorism, as France's government begins to debate new anti-
terrorism measures. Liberation reports on the confessions of
repenting Jemaah Islamiya leader Nasir Abas, who "reveals" the
inner workings of the Indonesian Islamic group. (See Part C)

Le Figaro devotes a full page to Iraq's Sunni insurrection and
another to Syria's regime "under pressure at the UN." (See
Part C)

The front-page of Le Parisien headlines: "State of Emergency
in Florida" and quotes Governor Jeb Bush saying that the
"risks are even higher after the storm than during the storm."
According to France Soir: "The American authorities seem not
to know how to react anymore faced with the threat of a
hurricane." France Soir's Jean-marc Tanguy writes: "Friday,
the American Ambassador in France Craig Stapleton thanked the
French divers in the name of the population of Louisiana.
Overcome by this show of appreciation, the divers who belong
to the French `marine nationale.'" described the warm welcome
that they got in Louisiana."
(C) SUPPORTING TEXT/BLOCK QUOTES:

Middle East - Iraq - Syria

"Syrian Regime Under Pressure at UN"
Alain Barluet in right-of-center Le Figaro (10/25):
"Negotiations are underway at the UN about a resolution that
will be Syria's last chance to cooperate in the investigation
into Hariri's assassination. The notion of `targeted
sanctions' is a possibility. France is eager to `take the time
necessary for a resolution that pleases everyone.' But on the
American side, the time has come to be firm. The alchemy of a
consensus, which seemed to have worked until now may be more
difficult to sustain. as the U.S. and the British call for an
`urgent and strong reaction.'"

"The Sunni Insurrection Toughening in Iraq"
Georges Malbrunot in right-of-center Le Figaro (10/25): "The
tactical alliance between Islamic radicals of al-Zarqawi and
former Baathists who remain faithful to Saddam Hussein is re-
enforcing Iraq's Sunni rebellion. While foreigners are often
behind suicide car bombings, which target Iraqi civilians,
former Iraqi soldiers target American convoys. The first
consequence of this joint approach is a `professionalization'
of the guerrilla war. The Americans are convinced that despite
their differences, a tactical alliance was sealed between the
two groups after the battle of Falluja in 2004."

GWOT

"Democratic Prevention"
Dominique Quinio in Catholic La Croix (10/25): "Terrorism
forces nations which have been targeted to defend themselves
in such a way that the guarantees provided by the right of law
are sometimes mistreated. At times certain categories of
individuals suffer because of their religion or the color of
their skin. Great Britain, the great champion of Habeas Corpus
is thus undermining its sacrosanct principles with this new
obligation to carry a national identity card. France's new
anti-terrorist measures should re-enforce the existing legal
system but remain within the boundaries of civil liberties.
The aim is to prevent possible attacks through the monitoring
of Islamic networks and their telecommunications. To advertise
this also serves as a deterrent. France remains a target of
terrorism. It appears to have thwarted several attempts
through its specialized intelligence services. Still, complete
security is impossible because networks are volatile, suicide
bombers are determined and manufacturing a deadly device
requires feeble means. This legislation will be up for
revision after three years. To fight terrorism without the use
of terrorist methods."

"Confession"
Patrick Sabatier in left-of-center Liberation (10/25): "The
confessions if Nasir Abas of Jemaah Islamaiya is a first, at
least in France. This former repented Islamic leader is
probably not telling all. But it is clear that Islamic
terrorism has roots that go far beyond Europe. This confession
helps to better understand the threat that weighs in on all
countries where youth are being manipulated in the name of an
ideology of terror. International terrorism finds its recruits
wherever there is injustice and wherever religion is used to
fuel conflicts. The desire for vengeance is used by preachers
who feed feelings of hate all the more easily because they do
their preaching behind the closed doors of religious schools.
Here they instill the feeling that all the suffering of the
Muslim world is caused by the West and that the remedy lies in
Djihad. The weapons of massive terror are manufactured in
training camps established in geographical zones of political
anarchy. Bin Laden no longer has an active role: he has simply
provided the model. Democracies must destroy these workshops
and think about ways to defuse them." STAPLETON

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