Cablegate: Iraqi Media Placement of President's Ramadan Greeting

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGB #2279 2351428
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231428Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4436
INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 2260
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0266
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0003
RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 0592

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 002279

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/PPD AND NEA/I; INFO IIP/G/NEA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KCUL IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQI MEDIA PLACEMENT OF PRESIDENT'S RAMADAN GREETING

1. (U) Summary: President Obama's special Ramadan greeting to the
Muslim world was carried in several Iraqi newspapers and news
websites, as well as on three Iraqi Television channels that
broadcast throughout the region. Reporting of the greeting was
immediate and positive. A number of news outlets underscored the
President's message on ending the Iraq war responsibly, and starting
a new chapter in U.S.-Muslim relations around the world. End
Summary.

2. (U) The following is a list of placements generated as a result
of post's outreach efforts:

PRINT PRESS

Ad-Dastoor (second most widely read Arabic daily), August 23. Front
page news bar headlined: "Obama and Muslims," focuses on the
President's pledge to begin anew with the Muslim world.

Az-Zaman (independent, privately-owned daily), August 23. Page 2
headline reads: "On the occasion of Ramadan, Obama Promises to End
War."

Al-Ittihad (pro-Kurdish Arabic language daily), August 23. Page 3
headline reads: "Obama congratulates world's Muslims in Arabic."
Full length article on President Obama's "commitment to build a
safer and more secure world."

TV AND WEB COVERAGE

Al-Sumariya TV (Evening newscast of August 22).
Crawler: "President Obama promises tangible measures to renew U.S.
relations with Islamic world."

Al-Sharqiya TV Website:
Caption: "Obama Addresses Muslims on Occasion of Ramadan."

Al-Hurra Iraq TV: Recurring crawler: "U.S. commends role of Islam in
advancing justice, progress, tolerance and human dignity."

Asharq Al-Awsat Newspaper Website:
Caption: "Obama reemphasizes commitment to "new relations" with
Muslims to achieve mutual goals."

Al Malaf Press News Agency Website: "Obama addresses Muslims for
Ramadan, vows to end the war in Iraq, and urges two-state solution
for Israel-Palestine... re-emphasizes commitment to new relations
with Muslims to achieve mutual goals."

HILL

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