US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT1449

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001449 
 
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, MAY 2-5: ABUSE OF IRAQI PRISONERS 
AT ABU GHARIB 
 
1. SUMMARY: Outrage and bitter cynicism characterize many 
editorials addressing the reported abuse of Iraqi prisoners by 
coalition forces, highlighting "similiarities" between Saddam's 
regime and US forces, including the location of the incidents at 
Abu Gharib prison which was notorious under Saddam's regime. One 
commentator writes that these alleged incidents "justify fighting 
an illegal occupation," while another states:  "Had these 
mercenaries not been hiding behind American military uniforms, 
they would not have dared commit such acts, and Iraqis would not 
have to ambush, shoot, kill, mutilate and drag their bodies 
through the streets." 
 
One writer attacks the comparison made between Saddam's regime and 
US forces in Iraq by pointing out that the acts were brought to 
light by "Americans with a conscience against these practices 
carried out by their own colleagues." A prominent liberal 
commentator contrasts the accountability for the reported abuses 
necessitated by the "free Western press" with "similar practices 
committed everyday" in the Arab world that "we never hear about." 
END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  "Abu Gharib" 
Bandar Al-Dhafiri wrote in independent Al-Seyassah (5/3):  "Once 
again, regrettably, we see the similarities between Saddam 
Hussein's regime and the United States of America, in Abu Gharib. 
Abu Gharib was the source of real terror for Iraqis during 
Saddam's regime. Therefore, it was stunning to see the extent of 
the "civilized American achievements" which exceeded all 
expectations.  Does the United States realize that by such 
inhumane practices, it literally gave the Iraqis the justification 
to fight an illegal occupation?" 
 
3.  "Coalition's Shame revealed" 
Dr. Yaser Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (5/4): 
"The reaction of President Bush and his subordinate, Tony Blair, 
to the latest torture scandals perpetrated by the coalition 
against Iraqi prisoners was expected.  First they stress the 
ignorance factor, then the promise that an investigation would 
take place, and then they make a sacrifice of someone.  Of course, 
such responses wouldn't necessarily elicit belief.  The GMEI, a 
project advocated by Bush and Blair, that would allegedly achieve 
freedom and democracy in our region, was exposed by the Iraqis as 
a lie.  Iraqis have demonstrated their response to this project as 
should the rest of the peoples of this region." 
 
4.  "Iraqi Detainees And American Violations" 
Dr. Issa Al-Enezi Professor of International Law at Kuwait 
University wrote in interdependent Al-Rai Al-A'am (5/4):  "The 
Pentagon's threat to issue an administrative rebuke against those 
who abused Iraqi detainees does not absolve the overall 
responsibility of the United States.  Had these mercenaries not 
been hiding behind American military uniform, they would not have 
dared commit such acts, and Iraqis would not have had to ambush, 
shoot, kill, mutilate and drag their bodies through the streets." 
 
5.  "Deviance In The American Military" 
Dr. Abdel Muhsin Jamal wrote in independent Al-Qabas (5/5): 
"Pictures depicting the disgusting practices of the American and 
British military, against Iraqi detainees, not only offend the 
American and British people, but also offend humanity as a whole. 
The occupation forces claimed that they came to Iraq to save 
Iraqis from Saddam's tyranny and brutality. However, individuals 
from the American and British military not only committed similar 
practices, but worse, by allowing humiliating pictures to be taken 
of the detainees." 
 
6.  "Damn This Democracy" 
Mohammed Musaed Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Qabas (5/2): 
"The major story these days is the pictures broadcast by the 
American CBS channel showing Iraqi prisoners in demeaning 
positions, being tortured.  Sympathizers with the American 
occupiers may argue that Iraqis had done the same to Kuwaitis 
during their invasion of Kuwait in 1990.  However, such inhumane 
acts are indeed condemned whether perpetrated by Americans or by 
Iraqis.  Everyone around the world condemned this revolting 
American act." 
 
7.  "Free Media" 
Ghassan al-Otaibi wrote in independent Al-Qabas (5/5):  "Some have 
greatly exaggerated equating the coalition forces with Saddam 
Hussein's regime.  Some went to the extent of describing the 
coalition as more bloodthirsty than Saddam.  But, ask yourselves, 
who took the pictures of the Iraqi prisoners? Weren't they 
Americans with a conscience, weren't they against these practices 
carried out by their own colleagues? We are against all kinds of 
torture and inhuman acts, but thank God it was the American media 
who exposed these practices, and not some Arab channel.  President 
Bush and Tony Blair rushed to condemn such acts and demanded 
accountability.  What Saddam did to the Iraqis and Kuwaitis is 
more than what Hitler did to Jews in the holocaust and more than 
what Sharon did to the Palestinians, Lebanese and Syrians." 
 
8.  "Big Difference Between Two Occupations" 
Ali Ahmad Al-Baghli wrote in independent Al-Qabas (5/2):  "The 
incidents of torture, committed by some American soldiers against 
Iraqi detainees, elicited condemnation from President Bush and a 
promise to punish the perpetrators.  I wonder, how many Arab 
generals, colonels, lieutenants and captains committed the same 
acts-- acts that are still being committed everyday that we don't 
see or hear about, although such practices are considered quite 
normal inside our prisons?  The difference between the West and us 
is that we don't have a transparent and free press.  Mistakes 
happen everywhere, but the difference is in that [the American] 
press publishes all and everyone is accountable." 
 
URBANCIC