US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT951

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 000951 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, PA, INR/NESA 
STATE FOR IIP/G/NEA-SA, INR/B 
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE 
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH, 
PARIS FOR O'FRIEL 
USDOC FOR 4520/ANESA/ONE/FITZGERALD-WILKS 
USDOC FOR ITA AND PTO/OLIA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, KU, KDMR 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION KUWAIT MARCH 18-23: SECRETARY 
POWELL'S VISIT, GMEI, IRAQ, SHEIKH YASEEN ASSASSINATION 
 
 
1.  SUMMARY: The assassination of Sheikh Yaseen has pushed 
an evolving positive perception of the Greater Middle East 
Initiative resulting from Secretary's Powell's recent visit 
to Kuwait off the op/ed pages March 23, with the US now 
being cast as the willing stooge of Israeli perfidy. "Jews 
are known to be the killers of prophets and the inciters of 
wars," says Kuwaiti Islamist MP Walid al-Tabtabaei in an 
op/ed in independent "Al Watan," while the editor-in-chief 
of leading Arabic daily "Al Rai al Amm" opines bitterly that 
the Yaseen's death occurred "because his killer holds power 
of attorney over us, power of attorney from the one known to 
all." END SUMMARY. 
 
 
2.  "Why Has Sheikh Yaseen Fallen" 
Jassem Boodai editor-in-chief of independent Al-Rai Al-A'am 
wrote:  "Ariel Sharon finally succeeded to pin one more star 
of criminality on his shoulder.  Sharon successfully 
exploited absolute American support from an "ideal partner" 
in the war on terrorism.  He also exploited Arab weakness, 
collusion, primitivism, and Arab division to accomplish a 
new massacre.  Whether one agrees or not with Sheikh 
Yaseen's political or military methods, one cannot but 
respect his resistance.  Ahmad Yaseen fell because he was 
active and a doer, and because his killer holds power of 
attorney over us, power of attorney from the one known to 
all." 
 
3.  "How Sad" 
Ahmad Al-Jarallah editor-in-chief of independent Al- 
Seyassah:  "Sheikh Yaseen's assassination as he was coming 
out of a mosque exposed the weakness of all Arabs.  The 
Arabs' complete and utter weakness presented Israel's PM the 
opportunity to implement his plans in the region.  Now that 
Sheikh Yaseen is dead, what have the Arab leaders done other 
than to express outrage? No amount of condemnation is going 
to stop Sharon from going forward with his plans.  Instead 
of condemning the act, Arabs must prepare a strategy to 
counter and foil Sharon's plans.  It is sad that the most 
vicious attacks by Sharon are not drawing the attention of 
Europe or America." 
 
4.  "Sharon" 
Dr. Waleed Al-Tabtabai wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/23): 
"The Jews have finally done it and killed the dignified 
sheikh.  However, it is no surprise, since Jews are known to 
be the killers of prophets, and inciters of wars.  Israel, 
who is armed to the teeth with the most dangerous weapons, 
conspires against an old frail sick quadriplegic.  This sick 
old man who suffered various illnesses was considered by 
Israel as its most dangerous of enemies and eventually 
killed him.  What cowards you are, Arab rulers." 
 
5.  "The Martyr" 
Fuad Al-Hashem wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/23):  "The 
assassination of the founder and leader of Hamas, sheikh 
Ahmad Yaseen, was a stupid Israeli act.  No more stupid than 
their decision to occupy southern Lebanon for twenty-two 
years, without any clear advantage, only to eventually 
withdraw as if nothing ever happened.  Israelis believe that 
death is the best sort of punishment for the Palestinians. 
But, they don't know that for Palestinians who live on less 
than three dollars per month, without housing, or education 
and with no health care, death is the best solution, and no 
harm in taking a few Israelis on the way [suicide bombers]. 
It can also be said, that for the Israeli extreme right, 
Sheikh Yaseen's assassination was clever, because it would 
prolong the cycle of violence for another fifty years, which 
by then, Jews will have been able to control the whole of 
Palestine." 
 
6.  "Reforms From Within" 
Mohammed Khalil wrote in independent Al-Anba (3/23): 
"Secretary of State Colin Powell's announcement that he 
discussed Middle East reforms with Kuwaiti officials and 
agreed that reforms must occur from within, in fact, 
consolidated this American project which encountered strong 
opposition from most Arab countries.  All agreed that as 
long as distinctive social and cultural characteristics 
within the Arab world were not abused, reforms should not 
cause any problems.  One aspect of criticism taken up by the 
Kuwaiti officials during their meetings with the Secretary 
was the way in which Washington initially put forward the 
reforms initiative.  It was brought up in a provocative 
manner, where various countries were required to implement 
it, without holding dialogue or discussion on the issue. 
Washington must be more transparent, so that the doors of 
dialogue can be opened to all." 
 
7.  "The Unfortunate Middle East" 
Emad Al-Seif wrote in independent Al-Qabas (3/20):  "A great 
argument is taking place these days about the United States 
adopting and marketing the Greater Middle East Initiative. 
As usual, for us Arabs, our political and traditional 
positions come before anything else.  Therefore, a large 
section of intellectuals are against the American initiative 
because of the latter's bias toward Israel.  The crux of the 
matter is that the responsibility of achieving reforms falls 
on the Arab nations.  Achieving democracy, respect for human 
rights, education and economic reforms are the goals of all 
reform movements in the Arab world.  Arab peoples do not 
need an initiative or advice from anyone." 
 
8.  "Great Middle East in a Narrow Scope" 
Abdul Jalil Al-Gharaballi wrote in independent Al-Qabas 
(3/21):  "The goal of the GMEI is to eradicate the cores of 
extremism in the Arab world and to thrust Arab countries 
toward economic reforms.  However, the areas of tension 
existing in the Arab world are the result of a domestic 
imbalance of justice.  Another face of injustice is 
represented by the United States and its direct involvement 
and collusion with the Zionist entity in confiscating the 
rights of the Palestinian people.  If the US is serious 
about eliminating extremism, then equally it must reign in 
Israeli violations.  It serves no purpose to see the 
situation in the Arab countries from one eye, and close the 
other on the Palestinian situation." 
 
9.  "Spain . An Emotional Decision" 
Dr. Ahmad Al-Rubei wrote in independent Al-Qabas (3/20): 
"The new Spanish Prime Minister sounds like a Middle Eastern 
politician, who is more moved by personal emotions than by 
his nation's interests.  His decision to withdraw Spanish 
troops from Iraq will weaken the international front against 
terrorism.  It is a surrender to International terrorism. 
It is naive to believe that this position would protect 
Spain against terrorism.  His decision holds a great 
symbolic value, in that it sends a message to all terrorists 
that the recent Spain terrorist operation can lead to the 
unsettling of the international coalition against terrorism. 
The Spanish PM knows well, that without security in Iraq, 
and without defeating the idea of the division of Iraq, 
international terrorism will grow and increase." 
 
10.  "The War for Freedom" 
Dr. Ayed Al-Manna wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/20): 
"Whatever drawbacks or shortcomings caused by foreign or 
American occupation, there is no doubt that the liberation 
of Iraq would not have been possible in any other way.  If 
the Iraqis are suffering now because of lack of security, 
the near future is looking up to the Iraqis with hope, 
security, political freedom and economic development.  If 
some Iraqis are complaining about the state of affairs now, 
it won't hurt to wait until June 30 when they will be handed 
over authority to rule their country." 
 
9.  "One Year After Iraq's Occupation" 
Hamed Abdullah Al-Ali wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/20): 
"On this day one year ago, the United States and Britain 
invaded Iraq on the premise of liberating the people of Iraq 
and to make the world a safer place.  Things are worse after 
one year.  While the American President stood before his 
troops, and declared the world today is living a crucial 
hour in defending freedom, Baghdad was vibrating from 
explosions which targeted hotels frequented by westerners. 
After one year of Iraq's occupation, events in Iraq signify 
1) the extent of ignorance, prejudice and barbarity of the 
neo-cons who are drawing up America's policy; 2) the extent 
of stupidity of all followers of the neo-cons; 3 the extent 
of hypocrisy and lies of the engulfing the politics and 
media world that we live in." 
 
Urbancic