US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT1674

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001674 
 
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 25-26: IRAQ 
 
1.  "No Worse..." 
Mohammed Musaed Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Qabas 
(5/25):  "Had the American policy in Iraq succeeded, the 
transfer through the United Nations Security Council would 
have been welcomed.  This did not happen, and the American 
policy in Iraq has been a great disappointment so far. 
Although weapons of mass destruction were the main reason 
for going to war, to date they have not been found.  A large 
number of Iraqi soldiers and civilians have been killed, in 
addition to American soldiers.  Also, America formed the 
Governing Council on the basis of sectarian differences. 
The transfer of sovereignty at the end of June will not be 
complete as long as American troops and their coalition 
partners remain in Iraq, immune to Iraqi jurisdiction.  In 
Iraq, America achieved neither democracy nor reform.  It 
only enforced sectarianism and civil war.  Imagine what 
could happen in Iraq if America withdrew completely? It 
certainly will not be worse than it already is." 
 
2.  "Is American Escape Imminent?" 
Dr. Yaser Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am 
(5/25):  "Whether in Iraq, with the American electorate or 
with the rest of the world, the picture is grim for the 
United States.  Recent polls reveal that the majority of 
Iraqis consider the Americans an occupying force, and want 
them to leave despite the deterioration of the security 
situation.  In addition to the worsening situation, 
America's idiotic targeting of holy sites in Iraq amplified 
Shiite anger, which spread to other Arab states and elicited 
threats against Americans.  On the home front, it seems that 
presidential candidate John Kerry may be fortunate enough to 
win the election, and the dismissal of neo-conservatives is 
becoming a big possibility.  I wonder, what will be the 
position of those here in Kuwait, who put all their eggs in 
America's basket, and ignored the warning signs indicating 
that the American military can be defeated, just as it was 
defeated in Somalia and Lebanon." 
 
3.  "Iraq ... To Where?" 
Ahmad Al-Dawas wrote in independent Al-Watan (5/25):  "The 
Iraqi people now are more in need of security and stability 
than democracy, because the Iraqi Governing Council has 
failed to solve Iraq's pressing security situation.  That is 
why the American administration is anxious to transfer 
sovereignty on June 30.  Not only will this relieve the 
administration of security burdens, it will also give George 
Bush a chance to reinforce his popularity among his 
electorate, by presenting the handover as a tangible 
achievement. America is hoping to rule Iraq behind the 
scenes, and the new Iraqi government will not ask the 
Americans to leave.  Americans will stay in Iraq and 
American influence will continue." 
 
4.  "American Policy In Iraq ... A Blunder" 
Dr. Shafiq Al-Ghabra wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am 
(5/26):  "The latest in a series of blunders committed by 
the Americans in Iraq was raiding Ahmad Al-Chalabi's 
headquarters.  The reality on the ground is that no matter 
how able a foreign government is, Iraq cannot be easily 
governed.  It is only the Iraqis who can secure stability in 
Iraq, and it is only the Iraqis who can stop this rampant 
violence.  The priority for President Bush is to get out of 
Iraq with the lowest possible losses, and to include the 
United Nations in the process." 
 
5.  "American Strategy And The GMEI Hoax" 
Fatima Al-Jasser wrote in independent Al-Watan (5/26): 
"Israel would not have been able to wantonly kill 
Palestinians and destroy their homes without blanket 
protection from America.  Moreover, the subjugation and 
weakness of the Arab regimes has inadvertently supported 
these Israeli actions ... America, fortified with arrogance, 
has led every dirty war, and has been a sponsor of terrorism 
from the time it used the Taliban to hit back at the 
Russians.  Even during the first Gulf War, America could 
have easily eliminated Saddam, but conveniently left him 
unscathed so that he would always pose a threat to his 
neighbors.  How can events at Abu Gharib prison be a 
surprise, when America can close one eye to the blatant 
Israeli violence against the Palestinians?" 
 
URBANCIC