US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT1399

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 KUWAIT 001399 
 
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 APRIL 24-28: MIDDLE EAST:  VANUNU'S 
RELEASE, BUSH ENDORSMENT OF SHARON'S PLAN; IRAQ: ANTI-U.S. 
UPRISINGS, BRAHIMI PLAN, REHIRING BAATHISTS; GMEI. 
 
1.  SUMMARY: Continued criticism of Pres. Bush's perceived 
closeness to Sharon and tacit approval for Sharon's "crimes" gave 
way slightly as the week went on to calls for increased security 
in the wake of the Riyadh bombings. Nabil Al-Fadhl wrote in 
independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (4/24), "As Kuwaitis, we place our 
country and our security in the highest priority, because other 
Arabs and Muslims cannot provide us with such safety.  Therefore, 
no one has the right to demand death to our allies, who provide us 
with security and safety.  For the ones who believe that suicide 
bombings are the answer, you can leave Kuwait and die with your 
beloved martyrs." Still, the perception of Bush's support for 
Sharon makes a mockery, in the opinion of local writers, of Arab 
World democratic and human rights reform efforts such as the GMEI. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  "Credible Witness" 
Former Islamist MP Abdel Mohsin Jamal wrote in independent Al- 
Qabas (4/24):  "Mordechai Vanunu was released after eighteen years 
of incarceration.  The first thing he did after his release was to 
call on Dr. Baradei to inspect the Nuclear Reactor at Dimona.  The 
question is: will Dr. Baradei, director of the IAEA, respond to 
Vanunu's appeal and reveal Israel's secret nuclear program? Or, 
for that matter, will President Bush, who has been accusing 
Islamic countries of developing nuclear programs, dare ask Israel 
to place its reactor under international scrutiny?  I doubt either 
would dare.  El-Baradei must cease issuing statements against Arab 
and Islamic countries, and must demand Israel open up its nuclear 
facilities for inspection instead.  The same applies to the 
American president, or else international law will become a tool 
used by super powers to pressure lesser countries.  Vanunu's story 
is another tragic incident caused by the Zionist entity, which, 
has become a threat to international security as shown by a recent 
poll conducted by Europeans." 
 
3.  "Sharon, The Arabs, And The Palestinians" 
Jaber Al-Hajri wrote in independent Al-Qabas (4/24):  "Ariel 
Sharon entered history as a bloodthirsty character who is filled 
with hatred towards humanity.  There is no doubt that he even 
exceeds Bin Laden in terrorizing, and violating human rights and 
international law.  However, it is only when the Palestinians 
unite, and unite their political agenda that a solution can be 
achieved for the Palestinian problem.  Furthermore, members of the 
Palestinian Authority must deal with this issue with a little bit 
of conscience and honesty, away from personal interests, which 
destroyed and continue to destroy the Palestinian cause." 
 
4.  "Mixing Cards" 
Ali Ahmad Al-Baghli wrote in independent Al-Qabas (4/25):  "In the 
past, the United States has never dedicated its efforts to solve 
the Israeli-Palestinian problem in a final, realistic and 
acceptable solution to the two parties.  The United States must be 
blamed for the way it handled the problem.  However, part of the 
blame must also be laid against the Palestinians, and the Arabs 
who are negatively inflaming their cause." 
 
5.  "Sharon The Terrorist" 
Adel al-Mize'el wrote in independent Al-Watan (4/25):  "One slap 
after another, is the treatment meted by Sharon to the ones 
rushing after his crumbs.  This is your fate for accepting the 
West's doctrine, Bush's initiative, and Sharon as a friend and 
master.  You have offered unlimited support to Israel, until it 
grew into a monster.  You have become a meek nation engulfed in 
humiliation.  Never in history has this nation become so weak and 
ineffective." 
 
6.  "Let Us Thank Sharon" 
Amna Al-Mousawi wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (4/27): 
"During his recent press conference with Sharon, Bush Junior 
wasn't bashful about entirely legitimizing all the crimes 
perpetrated by Sharon against the Palestinians.  He did not 
demonstrate any regret about his country casting a VETO, to 
prevent the Security Council from adopting a resolution that would 
have condemned the assassination of Hamas leader, Sheikh Yaseen. 
Furthermore, he was devoid of any shame when he linked the GMEI 
with the Middle East economic partnership, which was seemingly 
engineered to rescue Israel from her current economic crisis.  Nor 
did he show shame for linking the liberation of Iraq to the 
security of Israel.  He also never denied once, his preference to 
remain silent about Israel's controversial security wall, or about 
the settlements that are being built by Israel on Palestinian 
land.  Yet still, many here denounce anti-American feelings, but 
what do they expect?  That we kiss the top of Bush's head and lick 
the doorstep of the White house seeking his approval?" 
 
7.  "President Bush, No" 
Dr. Abdel Rahman Al-Awadi wrote in independent Al-Anba (4/28): 
"We always associate the name Bush with your great father who was 
a principal defender of Kuwait. When you were elected as 
president, we had high hopes that you would have learned from the 
wars and conflicts of the region, and that you would be first to 
lift the injustices befalling the region's nations.  However, we 
were stunned to see you with the butcher of the area, who seized 
the rights of the Palestinians and who imposed a walled ghetto, 
which Jews claim that they suffered from at the hand of the 
Europeans.  I don't know what is the way out for you, are you that 
alarmed that you would not win the upcoming elections for the 
second time?  Are you that sacred of the Jewish lobby that is 
wholly exploiting the American people? President Bush, we are 
deeply surprised that you support such a criminal, and overlook 
the fact that nations cannot be vanquished.  Your support of this 
criminal has made you a party to an unequal conflict.  Nations and 
states will go on, while colonialism will eventually be destroyed 
and obliterated.  You must know that solving the Palestinian 
issue, is the key which will enable you to enter our region and 
receive our unmitigated support." 
 
8.  "Advice Them Instead Of Defending Them" 
Dr. Wael Al-Hassawi wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (4/25): 
"Those who stand alone in admiration of the United States have my 
sympathy, because, they stand alone against the majority Arab, 
Islamic and Kuwaiti public opinion which condemns US policy bias 
toward Israel.  But, in spite of our condemnation of the Riyadh 
and Iraq bombings, these aberrant perpetrators must be uprooted 
because they leave misery in their wake.  However, we must concede 
to logic and reality that these groups derive their actions and 
justifications out of the injustices meted out toward the 
Palestinians.  Israel's brutal practices in Palestine have paved 
the way for the extremists to persuade Muslims, that those actions 
such as the Riyadh and Iraq bombings are in retaliation to the US 
support for the Zionist conspiracy against the Arab and Islamic 
world.' 
 
9.  "Kuwait's Hawks" 
Abdel Latif Al-Duaij wrote in independent Al-Qabas (4/25):  "We 
call on a more active and realistic participation that agrees with 
the future political importance which Iraq will gain.  We must 
declare a clear and decisive support toward the coalition's policy 
in Iraq.  We must also offer tangible support, not only 
politically but also militarily toward American policy in Iraq. 
Since Kuwait is the closest to Iraq, it is Kuwait that will be 
affected by the type of powers that will govern the future 
policies of Iraq.  That is why we should be the largest 
contributors." 
 
10.  "Rehabilitation" 
Abdel Latif Al-Duaij wrote in independent Al-Qabas (4/26):  "Two 
months after the fall of Saddam Hussein, I wrote that the American 
Administration was making a big mistake to ban the Baath party 
from future political participation in Iraq.  These days, it seems 
that the American Administration is reviewing its calculations in 
a bid to weaken its foes by gaining the support of former Baath 
party members.  This decision to rehabilitate former Baath members 
is a step in the right direction, and the US civil administration 
must enforce its decision despite opposition.  Former Baath party 
members are not criminals nor loyal to Saddam Hussein; like the 
majority of Iraqis, they are victims of a deposed regime." 
 
11.  "Iraq ... A Slide Into War" 
President of the American University of Kuwait Dr. Shafiq Al- 
Ghabra wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (4/26):  "The recent 
events which occurred in Fallujah, Najaf and Baghdad are evidence 
that such events have given birth to a new military and combat 
spirit which could have a devastating effect against Iraq and its 
sympathizers.  It is an indication of the deteriorating situation 
in Iraq, and a reflection of negative practices, which have been 
dogging Arabs and Muslims since 9/11.  Iraq today is at a 
crossroads, either it chooses to accept this historic opportunity, 
or slide into a coma.  Should the United States retreat from its 
commitment to Iraq, Iraq will left to face an internal conflict it 
would not be able to control." 
 
12.  "Iraq's Democracy" 
Mohammed Musaed Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Qabas (4/27): 
"If America was serious about spreading democracy in Iraq, then it 
should not prolong the matter any further, time is not in 
America's favor.  The Iraqi opposition is intensifying against the 
American and coalition presence.  Yesterday's press showed a 
picture of a nine-year-old girl being searched by an American 
soldier in a revolting manner.  Does this American democracy, 
which will be brought and implemented in Iraq, consider this child 
a suicide bomber?  How can Iraqis learn democracy when they see 
its godfathers unable to distinguish between an innocent child and 
a combatant?" 
 
13.  "They Deserve To Die" 
Nabil Al-Fadhl wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (4/24):  "The 
terrorist bombings in Saudi Arabia are a result of a culture of 
violence, which we allowed to spread in the Gulf region.  Also, 
our naivet was an ideological breeding ground for terrorism to 
grow in our societies.  As Kuwaitis, we place our country, and our 
security, in the highest priority, because other Arabs and Muslims 
cannot provide us with such safety.  Therefore, no one has the 
right to demand death to our allies, who provide us with security 
and safety.  For the ones who believe that suicide bombings are 
the answer, you can leave Kuwait and die with your beloved 
martyrs." 
 
 
14.  "Is Everything Burning?" 
Dr. Yaser Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (4/27): 
"Members of the Iraqi Governing Council have lost credibility, due 
to their association with the occupier who has been committing 
massacres in Iraq.  Therefore, the role played by UN envoy, 
Lakhdar Brahimi, is crucial for the American Administration in 
Iraq.  As a Muslim, he adds a moral legitimacy to the American 
Administration, as well as international legitimacy for being the 
UN Secretary General's representative in Iraq.  Therefore, the 
massacres, which the Americans intend to perpetrate in Iraqi 
towns, the imposition of long-term American military hegemony, and 
the selling of Iraqi lands and resources all are legitimate 
objectives for Brami and members of the subsequent Iraqi 
government." 
 
15.  "The Credibility Of The GMEI" 
Ammar Taqi wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (4/28):  "Following 
the war on Iraq last year, the United States realized that the 
ideal way to defeat terrorism was not by military means but by 
adopting a new strategy which aims at encouraging democracy in the 
Middle East.  That is how the Greater Middle East Initiative was 
conceived.  Unfortunately, the United States' vision of democracy 
and its Human Rights record contradict the reality on the ground. 
The United States' record on Human Rights alone is enough to 
unravel the credibility of the White House.  The greater Arab and 
Islamic opinion has come to the conclusion that the present United 
States Administration bears no legitimacy or credibility for a 
fundamental reason, in that it equates terrorism with legitimate 
resistance.  The continued occupation of Iraq, the policy of 
terrorizing the Palestinians on the one hand, and terrorizing 
Saudi Arabia, Syria and Lebanon on the other, in addition to the 
unlimited support it offers Israel, helped to reinforce the loss 
of America's credibility." 
 
Urbancic