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The following is a selection of subjects and entries from daily reports over the last few months.
Report: Contacts Between Syria, Envoys Of U.S. Presidential Candidates
The Lebanese daily Al-Safir reports that recently there have been contacts "far from the spotlights" between Syria and envoys close to U.S. presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.
Source: Al-Safir, Lebanon, August 19, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/9271.htm
Cartoon In Syrian Paper: "Election Games"
"Obama" leaps over "Bush's mistakes" as "McCain" flees
Cartoonist: Hamid Qarout
Source: Teshreen, Syria, July 30, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/8848.htm
Cartoon In Jordanian Paper: Bush Out, Obama In
Cartoonist: 'Abdallah Darqawi
Source: Al-Dustour, Jordan, July 25, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/8798.htm
Cartoon In Palestinian Paper On Obama In Iraq
Source: Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Palestinian Authority, July 23, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/8719.htm
Cartoon In Saudi Paper: Obama Freed From Hillary, But Now Held Back By McCain
On small ball: "Hillary." On large ball: "McCain."
Cartoonist: 'Abd Al-'Aziz Al-Muzaini
Source: Al-Jazirah, Saudi Arabia, June 12, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/7950.htm
FROM MEMRI TV: Libyan Leader Mu'ammar Al-Qadhafi: Obama Suffers Inferiority Complex That Might Make Him Behave "Whiter Than the White." He Should Be Proud of His African, Muslim Identity. Ben-Gurion Gave the Green Light for the Killing of JFK
Following are excerpts from a public address delivered by Libyan Leader Mu'ammar Al-Qadhafi marking the anniversary of the U.S. air raid on Libya. The address aired on Al-Jazeera TV on June 11, 2008:
Mu'ammar Al-Qadhafi: "There are elections in America now. Along came a black citizen of Kenyan African origins, a Muslim, who had studied in an Islamic school in Indonesia. His name is Obama. All the people in the Arab and Islamic world and in Africa applauded this man. They welcomed him and prayed for him and for his success, and they may have even been involved in legitimate contribution campaigns to enable him to win the American presidency."
http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/1791
Editorial In Saudi Paper: Obama Most Capable Of Bringing Change In U.S. Policy
In an editorial, the Saudi paper Al-Watan stated that U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is more capable than anyone else of bringing about change in U.S. policy, particularly in all things connected to the Middle East.
The paper added that in light of Obama's intent to conduct a dialogue with Iran, the Middle East countries should launch a dialogue with him and help him better understand what is going on.
Source: Al-Watan, Saudi Arabia, June 6, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/7902.htm
Iranian Conservatives, Reformists Agree: Don't Pin Hopes On Obama
Conservatives and reformists in Iran are in agreement over U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Media outlets from both camps have called not to pin hopes on Obama, saying that he will bring nothing new to the White House if he is elected.
Sources: Kayhan, Alef, Iran, June 10, 2008; Aftab-e Yazd, Iran, June 8, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/7866.htm
Cartoon In Jordanian, Palestinian Papers: "Obama As The Arabs Imagine Him..."
On briefcase: "The Arab issues."
Sources: Al-Arab Al-Yawm, Jordan; Al-Quds, Jerusalem, June 7, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/7855.htm
Cartoon In 'Al-Sharq Al-Awsat': Obama Sharpens His Sword For Run Against McCain
Cartoonist: Amjad Rasmi
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, June 5, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/7832.htm
Cartoon In 'Al-Quds Al-Arabi': "The American Presidential Race"
Cartoonist: 'Imad Hajjaj
Source: Al-Ghad, Jordan, Al-Quds Al-Arabi, London, June 3, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/7783.htm
Cartoon In Jordanian Paper: "The U.S. Presidential Candidates"
Cartoonist: Jalal Al-Rafai'i
Source: Al-Dustour, Jordan, May 27, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/7645.htm
Ahmadinejad Ready For Debate With All U.S. Presidential Candidates
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has announced that he is "ready for debate" with all U.S. presidential candidates "on global developments."
Source: IRNA, Iran, May 13, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/7358.htm
FROM MEMRI TV: British MP George Galloway to Hamas TV: I Pray for the Safety of Barack Obama. Arab Puppet Presidents and Corrupt Kings Will Discover That the Ground Has Moved under their Feet in November
Following is an interview with British MP George Galloway, which aired on Al-Aqsa TV on May 2, 2008:
George Galloway: "I hope that the new presidency in the United States... I pray for the safety of Barack Obama, and I pray that he can shift the United States attitude to this question. But as you know, Palestine cannot free itself. It is a small country against a huge superpower. The real problem is not in Palestine. It's not even in London or Washington. The real problem is in the Arab world. From Marrakesh to Bahrain – 300 million Arabs, oil at 136 dollars per barrel... If the Arabs wanted to solve this Palestine problem, they could do so in six days."
http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/1785
Iran Assesses that U.S. Elections Will Preclude Pressure With Regard to Its Nuclear Dossier
Iranian daily Kayhan, which is close to Iranian Supreme Leader 'Ali Khamenei, assessed that in the coming year no strategic change would occur with regard to the Iranian nuclear dossier, partly on account of the upcoming U.S. presidential elections. Accordingly, Iran must reject the incentive package by 5+1 countries, including the proposal of assistance in many areas in return for concessions on its nuclear dossier. IRGC Commander Gen. Mohammad Ja'fari expects Iranian security and missile industries to reach great heights during the current Persian year.
Source: Kayhan, Iran, April 3, 2008; IRNA, Iran, April 2, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/6620.htm
Cartoon In Palestinian, Saudi Papers: U.S. Presidential Race Begins In Tel Aviv
On paper: "McCain Supports Jerusalem As Capital Of Israel."
Sources: Falastin, Palestinian Authority; Al-Madina, Saudi Arabia, March 20, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/6349.htm
Cartoon In UAE Paper On "U.S. Presidential Election"
On right: "Republican Party." On left: "Democratic Party."
Source: Al-Ittihad, UAE, March 4, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/5952.htm
Cartoon In UAE Paper: Barack Obama And The U.S. Presidential Race
Source: Al-Bayan, UAE, February 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/5467.htm
Cartoon in Kuwaiti Paper On Obama's "Sweeping Victory In Maine"
Source: Al-Jarida, Kuwait, February 12, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/5378.htm
Syrian Columnist: World Must Tighten Seatbelt In Advance Of McCain Win
In his column in the Syrian government daily Teshreen, Charles Kamilah wrote that the expected nomination of Senator John McCain as head of the Republican Party (sic) is sad evidence that the American people has not learned the necessary lesson from George Bush's term as president.
He added that McCain would be a "war president" and that the world must tighten its seatbelt and be on guard in light of the possibility of his being elected.
Source: Teshreen, Syria, February 6, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/5184.htm
FROM MEMRI TV: Iranian Intelligence Ministry Broadcast Encouraging People to Snitch on Spies Features "John McCain" Masterminding a Velvet Revolution in Iran from the White House
Following are excerpts from an Iranian Intelligence Ministry public service broadcast, informing Iranians of the 113 hotline, dedicated to snitching on spies. The clip was aired on Khozestan TV on February 5, 2008.
"John McCain – a senior White House official, who orchestrates numerous conspiracies against the Islamic Republic of Iran."
[…]
John McCain: "True, pressure and aggression no longer guarantee the achievement of our goals. We must consider 'culture-building' over there."
Gene Sharp: "The 21st century is the age of changing cultures and influencing minds."
Bill Smith: "That is precisely the plan we were working on."
John McCain: "But your plan is not enough. For 28 years, we've spent a lot of money because of your plans, but in return..."
