US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT1547

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001547 
 
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 15-17: WOMEN'S POLITICAL 
RIGHTS; RUMSFELD IN IRAQ; ABU GHRAIB; NICHOLAS BERG; SYRIA 
SANCTIONS 
 
1.  SUMMARY: The swell of commentary on Abu Ghraib was 
slightly abated by the introduction of a bill by the Kuwaiti 
cabinet on May 16 supporting full political rights for 
women. The news pages report statements of support by 
liberals and women activists for the measure and flat 
rejection by conservative Islamists. Skepticism about 
government intentions in introducing the bill at the current 
time, in the midst of scuffles with the parliament over 
electoral reforms and with conservative Islamist MPs over 
the "legality" of public music concerts, is found in both 
camps. The former Secretary General of the Kuwait Democratic 
Forum, Ahmed Al-Dayeen wrote: "Had the government been 
serious about granting women political rights, it would have 
presented an appeal to the Constitutional Court, challenging 
Article I of the election law as unconstitutional." END 
SUMMARY. 
 
2.  "You Are A Liar" 
Dr. Sami Naser Khalifa wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am 
(5/17):  "On his most recent visit to Iraq and Abu Ghraib, 
Donald Rumsfeld, American Secretary of Defense, thanked the 
American troops for doing a "wonderful job" in Iraq. [a]t a 
time when the Iraqi people are humiliated and killed on a 
daily basis, and their houses demolished. Abu Ghraib, the 
place where Saddam committed the most horrifying acts 
against Iraqis, is now witnessing the same acts of torture 
and degradation by American troops." 
 
3.  "Zarqawi Has Blood On His Hands" 
Khaled Al-Enezi wrote in independent Al-Seyassah (5/15): 
"Our hearts were wracked with pain while we watched in 
horror the brutal slaughter of American citizen, Nick Berg. 
Not only did the assassins express victory, they also dared 
to mention the name of God, ignoring the world's reaction to 
such an association. This decayed terrorist ideology, which 
disregards the interests of Muslims and erodes their present 
and their future, also turns a blind eye to the great 
principles of Islam." 
 
4.  "Unjust Punishment" 
Dr. Ayed Al-Mana'a wrote in independent Al-Watan (5/15): 
"Why does the U.S. insist on punishing Syria? Syria has done 
nothing that can be described as harming the interests of 
the United States. Is the American pressure on Syria a means 
to please the Zionist lobby and Zionist radicals in Israel? 
Or, is the aim to economically smother Syria and thus weaken 
her politically so that Israel can impose its conditions 
over Damascus? Isn't this considered unjustified U.S. 
aggression against Syria? Doesn't the American 
administration realize that by harming Syria, or any other 
Arab country, it is in fact provoking all Arabs? Or does 
Washington care to please only the Zionists?" 
 
5.  "Democracy: American Style" 
Hussein Behbehani wrote in independent Al-Qabas (5/15): 
"The American occupation forces revealed to the world [in 
the photographs from Abu Ghraib prison] the extent of their 
brutality, arrogance, violations of human rights and 
disregard for international law. If this is the new Iraq, 
which the United States wants Arabs to follow as an example 
of a new democracy American-style, then we say to the 
American administration: Thanks for nothing. Why should we 
be shocked about the cruelty of American forces and this 
administration? Even before the invasion of Iraq, Americans 
were committing human rights violations on a daily basis by 
killing innocent Palestinian civilians, through Israel, with 
American-made weapons, and even blessing the 'Man of Peace,' 
Sharon." 
 
6.  "American Talismans" 
Mohammed Musaed Al-saleh wrote in independent Al-Qabas 
(5/17):  "The two most crucial problems facing the Middle 
East are: the situation in Iraq, and occupied Palestine.  In 
the case of Iraq, despite the imminent handover of 
sovereignty to the Iraqis, the American administration 
announced it would stay, if asked by the provisional Iraqi 
government.  How do the Americans know they will be asked to 
stay, and what kind of sovereignty is it when the occupation 
authority decides on Iraq's behalf on such a critical issue? 
As for Palestine, President Bush promised the creation of a 
Palestinian state by 2005.  Now, due to election 
considerations, this date has been postponed, to provide 
Sharon, Bush's ally, the means to annihilate the 
Palestinians, and to win more Jewish-American votes." 
 
7.  "Women's Rights?" 
Jassem Boodai, Editor-in-Chief, wrote in independent Al-Rai 
Al-A'am (5/17):  "Kuwait will wake up today with news that 
the Cabinet will present a bill which will grant women 
political rights.  It is no coincidence that the issue was 
announced just before the Prime Minister's departure to 
Jeddah, where he will participate in the GCC Consultation 
Summit--the same GCC that is being challenged by reforms, 
progress and international survival.  We hope this bill will 
pave the path to real reforms in Kuwait.  The subject of 
women's political rights cannot be realized if it does not 
become part of a broader range of political issues, which 
seek to ascend within the political life, toward the 
establishment of a truly functioning civil society. We want 
this to be a step towards establishing a constitutional 
emirate." 
 
8.  "A Government That Is Scattering Ashes In People's Eyes" 
Ahmad Al-Dayeen wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (5/17): 
"Once again, the government has scattered ashes in the eyes 
of Kuwaiti women and liberals by. approving a bill that will 
grant women political rights.  Had the government been 
serious about granting women political rights, it would have 
presented an appeal to the constitutional court, challenging 
Article I of the election law as unconstitutional for its 
blatant bias against women.  We await the scattering of more 
ashes." 
 
URBANCIC