October 6, 2004

Arab press review October 4-5

By Olivier Guitta

[When available, hyperlinks to the original articles are included.
Keep in mind that the information, obviously, is not 100% reliable. Nonetheless, it is vital to have access to it. We do not agree at all, to say the least, with most of the op—ed pieces but it is worthwhile knowing what the Arab world is saying to itself.]

1— Qatari Daily Al Watan October 4, 2004

According to the Qatari daily Al Watan, Ralph Nader would have partnered with the Bush Administration to contribute to GW Bush's reelection. Al Watan explains that Nader, who is of Lebanese descent, made this deal to get the assurance that the Bush Administration will work actively to free Lebanon and apply the UN Resolution 1559.

2— Asharq Al Awsat October 4, 2004

According to Iraqi sources, secret contacts between tribal chiefs of Fallujah and Iraqi Vice Prime Minister Saleh have been established to prevent the Americans entering the rebel city. Obviously, Fallujah's leaders do not want the same fate as in Samarra.

In other news, Asharq reported that the US Army recently arrested two Syrians and a Palestinian in Qaem during an anti—terror operation.


3— Al Qabas October 5, 2004  

Among the dead rebels in Samarra are one Kuwaiti and five citizens of Gulf States who joined the jihad in Iraq. The Kuwaiti citizen was 21 and had joined the jihad in Iraq by going through Syria sixteen months ago. The Kuwaiti Religious Affairs Minister denounced the islamist indoctrination of the young but pointed out that the radicals come out of the desert and not of the mosques. Nice way to clear his department.

  4— Palestinian Al Quds October 5, 2004  

The Jordanian Foreign Affairs minister, Al Moashar, speaking about Israel and the Palestinians, declared that the chances of establishing two states side—by—side living in peace are dwindling down. He added that his pessimism stemmed from a Palestinian Authority totally at odds with its people and incapable of facing the challenges ahead and offer suggestions of solutions. Also, for him Israeli Prime Minister Sharon has announced the death of the roadmap. And the US is still supporting him. Nonetheless Al Moashar still believes President Bush's promises and trusts him.

4— Asharq al Awsat October 5, 2004

In a long interview, Yasser Arafat affirmed that he was ready to give up the Palestinian leadership but only after the establishment of a Palestinian State. He sees himself becoming a Nelson Mandela. He added that he does not fear Israeli threats: Sharon tried to kill him thirteen times and Barak also once in Beirut. But he 'is a mountain that does not fear the wind' (What a poet! I could not resist), and the Palestinian people is a martyr's project, which has already given 74,000 lives.

Obviously more than usual, information of this nature needs to be consumed with moderation and with a grain of salt.

Olivier Guitta is a freelance writer specialized in the Middle East and Europe.