US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT1061

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 001061 
 
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 29-31: AHMAD YASEEN 
ASSASSINATION, HUMAN RIGHTS, TERRORISM, TUNIS SUMMIT, IRAQ, 
GMEI. 
 
 
1.  SUMMARY: Festering outrage over the assassination of 
Sheikh Yaseen and perceived U.S. approval, if not 
complicity, in the act, continues to color local perception 
of U.S. reform efforts in the region. "So, what are these 
human rights that the Americans are calling for, if they 
allow their planes to attack a sick quadriplegic old man?" 
writes Former Islamist MP Dr. Abdel Muhsin Jamal in 
independent Al-Qabas (3/29).  Still, calls for Arab reforms 
remain strong, but only if they stem from home-grown efforts 
and not U.S. imposition. END SUMMARY. 
 
 
2.  "The Martyr Sheikh" 
Saleh Ashoor wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/29):  "Sheikh 
Yaseen's assassination at the hands of Zionists caused great 
grief.  In this confrontation, we would become total losers 
if we depend on Arab governments to support the Palestinian 
cause fairly.  The road to confrontation is clear, it is the 
same road taken up by heroes and members of the national and 
Islamic resistance in southern Lebanon, whose crowning feat 
resulted in a humiliating Israeli withdrawal and an exchange 
of prisoners.  We must mobilize all Islamic nations and arm 
them with faith, education and knowledge so that we can be a 
formidable challenge against an enemy that is armed with the 
most technologically advanced weapons." 
 
3."Sheikh Ahmad Yassen . Martyr" 
Abdul Hussen Al-Sultan wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am 
(3/30):  "Our gratitude to the United States for liberating 
our country cannot silence our condemnation toward America's 
bias and encouragement of Sharon's policy.  America's 
justification on the murder of Sheikh Yaseen and its 
position as the Zionist's best ally will sabotage all its 
positive undertakings in the area.  This will also drive us 
to take a hostile position toward American policy.  In the 
face of such unjustified bias and a policy of double 
standards, any American initative will clash with the wider 
Arab and Islamic will.  Unless the Americans reconsider 
defending a regime [Israel] which does not accord any 
respect or significance to international law, the image of 
America will stay distorted in the Arab and Islamic world." 
 
4.  "Foolish Defense" 
Former Islamist MP, Dr. Abdel Muhsin Jamal wrote in 
independent Al-Qabas (3/29):  "with his wheelchair, Sheikh 
Yaseen proved he was stronger than an American crusader jet 
piloted by a Jew.  He also proved to be stronger politically 
than the American Administration, which did not have any 
qualms using its right of Veto.  The American Administration 
shamelessly backed Sharon the war criminal.  America had 
given terrorist Sharon the green light to kill our children, 
women and men.  America is a full partner in the massacring 
of Palestinians.  So, what are these human rights that the 
Americans are calling for, if they allow their planes to 
attack a sick quadriplegic old man?  Even a madman wouldn't 
believe those American fools hypocritically calling for the 
protection of human rights." 
 
5.  "America and Human Rights Organization" 
Mohammed Kadhem wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/29):  "The 
recent Human Rights report revealed gross violations by 
American forces in Afghanistan.  We hope that a similar 
report will reveal further and similar violations 
perpetrated in Iraq.  The main reason behind America's entry 
to Iraq is to dominate the region's resources. 
Justifications such as the search for Bin Laden, or to get 
rid of remnants of the Iraqi Baath regime are feeble excuses 
designed to keep the American presence indefinitely in the 
region." 
 
6.  "Pouring Oil on Fire is How America Deals With 
Terrorism" 
Faisal Al-Zamel wrote in independent Al-Anba (3/29):  "The 
war on terrorism requires neutralizing the streets in some 
countries, because arbitrary arrests, random shelling and 
applying torture in detention camps, be it in Iraq or 
Afghanistan, will constitute an ideal environment to breed 
terrorism.  Pure military technique in dealing with 
terrorism is like pouring oil on fire.  Just look at 
Chechnya and how terrorist activities have now moved to 
Russia itself.  Will Washington create for itself another 
Chechnya-style war through the Iraqis?" 
 
7.  "Amr Moussa, Leave" 
Dr. Ayed Al-Mana'a wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/29): 
"The postponement of the Arab summit in Tunisia is a clear 
indication of the failure of the present General 
Secretariat, headed by Amr Moussa, in reconciling various 
 
SIPDIS 
Arab appeals on the necessity of reform of the Arab League. 
Moussa must understand that since the escalation in tensions 
between the US and the Iraqi regime eighteen months ago, 
confidence in the Secretary General has been waning.  This 
is due to his eagerness to protect the former regime from 
the US hammer, and his justification that foreign 
intervention would create havoc in the region." 
 
8.  "Reforms" 
Mohammed Musaed Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Qabas 
(3/29):  "Disagreements between ministers or even presidents 
is quite a healthy phenomenon, which must be encouraged.  It 
appears that internal reforms are the reasons behind the 
problem and the indefinite postponement of the summit. 
Usually, leaders who attend summits inherit their positions, 
or win elections designed for the nomination of a sole 
candidate; therefore they have no intention for reforms.  As 
a result, not holding a summit will not have any effect, 
because decisions are just ink on paper." 
 
9.  "Home-grown Reforms and External Reforms" 
Ahmad Shihab wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/30): 
"American and British plans for reforms in the Arab world 
don't necessarily stem from sincere intentions, nor do they 
instill much hope.  However, the degree of progress toward 
reforms in the region is non-existent or frozen to say the 
least.  In spite of a real desire for reform, the question 
is how do we go about it? Will homegrown reforms take place 
or will they be imposed externally? The solution is in 
homegrown reforms, such as implementing qualitative reforms 
within the government, applying changes in the 
infrastructure of political parties and activating social 
and cultural organizations.  Such procedures would give a 
real meaning to homegrown reforms and exclude external calls 
for reforms." 
 
10.  "Iraq As A Model For GMEI" 
Dr. Jalal Mohammed Rasheed wrote in independent Al-Rai Al- 
A'am (3/29):  "The new provisional Iraqi constitution is a 
minefield in that it imposes the rule of Kurdish minority 
over the Shiite majority.  This is an American point of view 
that is utterly contradictory to the spirit of true 
democracy.  And when we apply such a model to the general 
Arab reality, particularly to the GMEI and Iraq, we find 
that American promises initially are very promising, but in 
the end they become deadly nightmares.  To the Arab 
governments: why not mend your domestic affairs so that we 
can all live a better life?  Must we trust American 
promises, which seem initially to lend us a helping hand but 
eventually turn lethal?" 
 
11.  "They Seem in Agreement, While In Fact Not" 
Ahmad Budastoor wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/31): 
"Regrettably, some Arab countries completely rejected the 
American reform initiative, citing interference in domestic 
affairs as a reason.  Many observers believe that Israel 
will be the biggest benefactor as a result of imposing this 
initiative over the Arab states.  America is attempting to 
divert attention from the Arab-Israeli conflict, and to 
present Israel as the only democracy in the region, thereby 
opening the region's vast market to Israel's disposal.  If 
the American government seeks the support of the Arab and 
Islamic counties for its reforms initiative, it must be 
sincere in finding a comprehensive and just solution to the 
Arab-Israeli conflict." 
 
12.  "We Reject Such Democracy" 
Dr. Sami Naser Khalifa wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am 
(3/31):  "The American conduct in Iraq is our first 
practical example in measuring the seriousness of American 
democratic partnership (GMEI), which the Administration aims 
to market in the region.  Unfortunately, this American 
democracy falls toward reinforcing American interests in the 
area, and sustaining the dominance of foreign firms over 
Iraqi resources.  The occupation authority is not only 
fabricating reasons to prolong its presence in Iraq, but is 
also working to enact laws that will legalize its presence. 
The new Transitional Administrative Law has become a 
document that executes American dictums through a 
constitutional guarantee for their presence.  This is the 
democratic model imposed on the Iraqi people." 
 
13.  "The New American Colonization Initiative" 
Dr. Yaser Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Rai al-A'am 
(3/31):  "The problem that most Arab governments and regimes 
have with the GMEI, is that such an initiative in one way or 
another calls for regime change.  Therefore, these same 
regimes are trying to convince the American Administration 
not to impose such changes.  Current governments and regimes 
are ready to make superficial changes and only marginal 
transformations, which will allow for minimum forms of 
democracy and freedom of expression.  In the mean time, the 
same regimes will guarantee the interests of America and 
Israel.  American and Jewish Zionists are trying to market 
and impose the GMEI over the peoples of the region; is there 
worse colonization than this?" 
 
Urbancic