US embassy cable - 03KUWAIT5189

UNCLAS KUWAIT 005189 
 
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STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, PA, INR/NESA, IIP/G/NEA-SA, 
INR/B 
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICELONDON FOR GOLDRICH 
PARIS FOR O'FRIELSECDEF FOR OASD/ 
PACINCCENT FOR CCPAUSDOC FOR 4520/ANESA/ONE/FITZGERALD-WILKS 
USDOC FOR ITA AND PTO/OLIA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, KU, KDMR 
SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION SPECIAL, NOVEMBER 12: SECRETARY POWELL'S 
IFTAR 
 
1. SUMMARY: On November 7, two Arabic daily newspapers front- 
paged coverage of Secretary Powell's Iftar, quoting the 
Secretary as saying, "I learned a lot about Islam." The 
 
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President of the US Branch of the National Union of Kuwait 
Students, Khamees Al-Mutairi, attended the Iftar and his 
praise for Secretary Powell's Iftar as a reflection of 
"American religious tolerance" was carried on the university 
pages of three Arabic dailies. END SUMMARY. 
 
2. Following are specific examples of the press coverage of 
Secretary Powell's Iftar: 
 
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-- Al-Seyassah, November 7 front page: 
Headline:  "Powell: I learned a lot about Islam." 
 
Newspaper highlighted Powell's praise for Islam as a 
religion of peace and mercy. The paper pointed out that this 
was the third event organized under the Bush administration 
in an effort to show that the administration is waging a war 
against terrorism, not Islam. 
 
-- Al-Qabas, November 7 front page: 
Headline:  "Powell: We are not fighting Islam; I learned a 
lot." 
 
-- Al-Qabas, November 10, page 13 (university news): 
Headline: "Powell held an Iftar attended by Kuwait 
University's Student Union in America. Powell: We value 
Kuwait's friendship. Al-Mutairi: Invitation reflects 
religious tolerance." 
 
-- Al-Watan, November 10, page 15 (university news): 
Headline:  "President of the US chapter of Kuwait 
University's student union attended an Iftar hosted by 
Secretary Powell. Al-Mutairi: Powell's initiative reflects 
 
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American religious tolerance and appreciation for Islam and 
Muslims." 
 
-- Al-Rai Al-Aam, November 10, page 7 (university news): 
Headline: "After participating in Secretary Powell's Iftar, 
Student Union President in America: Washington values 
Kuwait's friendship." 
 
URBANCIC