US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT1505

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001505 
 
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 11-12: ABU GHRAIB ABUSE; IRAQ; 
IRANIAN-KUWAITI SHIA MEETINGS IN KUWAIT. 
 
1.  SUMMARY:  Condemnation of the alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners 
at Abu Ghraib continues to dominate local opinion pages. A small 
but consistent number of editorials also continue to appear, 
praising the transparency with which U.S. authorities are dealing 
with the issue, as in one column titled, "America, Be Proud of 
Your Democracy." All newspapers report this week that the Kuwait 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs called in the Iranian Charge 
d'Affaires to protest alleged meetings at the Iranian Embassy with 
Kuwaiti Shiites aiming to moderate differences among rival Kuwaiti 
Shia political groups. Commentators strongly condemn this 
"interference," with one calling for the expulsion of Iran's 
ambassador. END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  "America, Be Proud Of Your Democracy" 
Mohammd Gharib Hatem wrote in independent Al-Watan (5/11):  "It is 
the pinnacle of justice for the President of the United States to 
apologize for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners.  It was also a 
crowning moment for democracy when the American Secretary of 
Defense testified before Congress, and when the CIA and others 
were held to account.  American democracy knows no flattery. I 
wish our Arab leaders would seek such a civilized path, because in 
our Arab countries, thousands are killed for voicing an opinion." 
 
3.  "Bush Is Disgusted And Blair Is Shocked: What About You?" 
Malallah Yousef Malallah wrote in independent Al-Qabas (5/11): 
"The horrifying and blatantly immoral pictures of abused Iraqi 
prisoners not only shocked the American president, who expressed 
his disgust, but also stunned PM Tony Blair, whose troops 
committed similar criminal acts.  Regrettably, a few of our 
writers belittled the gravity of this case by approaching the 
issue superficially, and reporting that Saddam's brutality was no 
less than that of the American soldiers' in Iraq.  Why try to 
justify such crimes? Even the American and British people do not 
accept such feeble justifications.  Does your love for America and 
Britain blind you against condemning such crimes and abuse?  Crime 
is crime and torture is torture wherever it occurs.  All human 
beings must be respected, whether they are Muslims, Christians or 
Jews." 
 
4.  "Evasive Apology" 
Dr. Yaser Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (5/11): 
"What happened in Iraqi prisons was systematic abuse, adopted by 
the American administration, the Pentagon and the American 
military machine.  This issue reveals the extent of the immoral 
foundations on which the American regime stands. The whole abuse 
issue would not have been exposed had it not been for the 
continuous internal political conflict, which in the past led the 
Republicans and the extreme right to expose Clinton's sexual 
relations.  Now, the Liberals came out for revenge, and exposed 
the actions of the neoconservative figureheads in a bid to oust 
them from power.  We would like to say to the figureheads of the 
American administration: Their evasive apology, baptized with the 
blood of innocent Iraqis, is not wanted." 
 
5.  "Iraq's Higher Clerical Authority Toward Muqtada Al-Sadr" 
Salah Al Fadhli wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (5/12):  "The 
problem with Al-Sadr is that he behaves as if he is the highest 
clerical authority in Iraq.  However, he lacks the knowledge of 
how to make a decision by independent interpretation of the 
sources of the law, he lacks mature religious ideological debate 
and, on a personal level, he lacks charisma which can contribute 
to leadership qualities.  In spite of media interest surrounding 
Al-Sadr, he is doomed to fail, because historically and 
spiritually, the Shiite mentality was and is linked to the highest 
clerical authority.  This authority will take a negative stance 
toward Al-Sadr and therefore, he will lose the majority of 
peoples' support." 
 
6.  "What Does Kuwait Mean in Persian?" 
Ibrahim Al-Duaij wrote in independent Al-Seyassah (5/11):  "In 
whose interest was the dubious meeting which took place at the 
Iranian embassy between Khameini's representative, a few former 
Kuwaiti MPs and members of Kuwait's so-called Hezbollah?  Does 
Kuwait need advice from Iran in matters regarded as purely 
domestic?  Our government did not deal firmly with this issue. 
many people denounced the Ministry of Foreign Affair's timid 
statement criticizing the Iranian position.  We call for the 
expulsion of the Iranian Ambassador and for severing diplomatic 
ties with a country that still has imperial ambitions over the 
Gulf states." 
 
7.  "Loyalty to Kuwait" 
Mohammed Ali Al-Naqqi wrote in independent Al-Seyassah (5/11): 
"News about a dubious meeting which took place between Shiite 
parties calling themselves the 'National Islamic Alliance,' and 
representatives of a neighboring country, is not a trivial matter. 
According to reports, similar meetings will continue for the 
purpose of strengthening and supporting this party in the upcoming 
parliamentary elections.  As citizens we have every right to 
condemn the interference of neighboring countries and their 
diplomats in our domestic affairs.  However, we have every 
confidence in our officials and their ability to resolve such 
issues." 
 
Urbancic