US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT1836

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001836 
 
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 JUNE 8-9: IRAQ; HUMAN RIGHTS 
REPORT 
 
1.  SUMMARY:  Liberal commentators rose to defend the USG 
against criticism of the State Department Supporting Human 
Rights and Democracy report, characterized by Islamists as 
"interference in Kuwaiti internal affairs."  One 
conservative MP also denounced US Embassy public diplomacy 
programs and US Embassy attendance at social events as 
"interference."  Liberals see these attacks as evidence of 
Islamists put on the defensive by public support by the 
Kuwait government of women's rights.  Iraq, however, remains 
the greatest focus of attention as June 30 approaches. 
Commentators express guarded optimism about the transfer and 
the ability of the Iraqis to secure their future, but also 
cited problems still ahead, particularly security. END 
SUMMARY. 
 
2.  "Al-Yawar's Safety Comes First" 
Sultan Bin Huthaileen wrote in Al-Watan (6/5):  "The 
fundamental issue which would be a real test for the new 
Iraqi president is whether he would successfully be able to 
protect himself and his colleagues in the new government. 
The incidents of assassinations against the Iraqi government 
members were perpetrated by remnants of Saddam's regime, and 
aimed at unsettling Iraq's security, damaging economic 
activity and thrusting the Iraqi people toward a culture of 
violence and insecurity.  If Al-Yawar's government is able 
to counter this enormous challenge, then, undoubtedly, it 
can uproot the malicious elements that have got Iraq into 
such a predicament." 
 
3.   "The Brave" 
Emad Al-Saif wrote in independent Al-Qabas (6/5):  "All 
these terrorists who have killed innocent people and 
arranged for car bombs to be detonated in crowded civilian 
areas around Iraq have attempted to play on sectarian 
sentiments to start a civil war in Iraq.  However, nothing 
advantageous can come of this, because nothing can hinder 
the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq.  It is clear that the 
Iraqi people are politically mature enough to perceive the 
workings of such criminal plans, and determined enough to go 
forward and advance, despite the difficulties." 
 
4.  "New World Order:  Post Iraq" 
Dr. Shafiq Al-Ghabra wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am 
(6/9):  "The problems and the political complexities facing 
the Arab world are far too great for one preeminent power to 
solve.  It is extremely difficult to solve such problems 
unilaterally.  Democracy in the Arab world must begin from 
within. The idea of exporting democracy to the Arab world 
was demolished after the war in Iraq.  This war destroyed 
the scope of the moral role of the United States, 
particularly that America, as a preeminent power, is 
spreading a universal message that calls for human rights 
and democracy.  As the exporter of democratic values, the 
neoconservatives have failed dismally.  This failure was due 
to armed conflict, the general state of chaos, bad planning 
and not least of all their ignorance in dealing with the 
Iraqis.  The main problem is not about overthrowing regimes, 
but in the events and results afterwards." 
 
5.  "Too Much" 
Dr. Shamlan Al-Issa wrote in independent Al-Seyassah (6/6): 
"Islamic political groups, the National Assembly's Islamic 
MPs in particular, have been escalating their criticism of 
the United States and the American Embassy in Kuwait.  The 
latest criticism was attributed to MP Jassem Al-Kandari, who 
accused the U.S. Department of State of interfering in 
Kuwait's internal affairs.  Al-Kandari also blasted the 
State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights for 
Kuwait, and said it undermined Kuwait's image abroad.  It is 
not the criticism that is odd, but the attempts by Islamic 
bloc to impose their will and policies on the government and 
community, something that is rejected by us, given the fact 
that had it not been for the United States, our country 
would have never been librated from the Iraqi occupation." 
 
6.  "The Sovereignty They Almost Crushed in 1990" 
Saud Al-Samaka wrote in independent Al-Qabas (6/7):  "The 
accusations and claims leveled against the American Embassy 
by the National Assembly's Islamic bloc, of interfering in 
our internal affairs, are attempts to unsettle relations 
between the United States and Kuwait, in particular after 
America designated Kuwait a strategic ally.  The United 
States is the preeminent power today, and if her interests 
were at stake, then it should not hesitate to intervene, as 
happened during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.  We must 
appreciate when the United Sates interferes, because if it 
is to advise us on terrorism, then this will allow us to 
take caution and prepare ourselves.  If it is to advise on 
democracy, then it is to our advantage to learn from her 
long democratic experience.  And if it is to help us utilize 
our resources, then it is to help us acquire know-how.  So 
why should we refuse this?" 
 
7.  "America And Us" 
Saud Al-Harbi wote in independent Al-Watan (6/8): 
"America's political philosophy is a practical 
interpretation of its pragmatism.  We should have been aware 
of that here in Kuwait.  In spite of the great role America 
played during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, we still see 
America in the same light as when it came to our aid nearly 
twelve years ago.  So, why do we still insist on defending 
America as if we were ideologically linked to her?  In fact, 
we have become America's biggest defenders, as if we were 
the ones responsible for her actions and mistakes.  One such 
example is the Abu Ghraib case. Despite our awareness that 
Saddam committed worse atrocities against his people, we 
should have rejected this conduct out of principle, and not 
defended America.  The reality is that we have to re- 
evaluate the way we deal with America." 
 
8.  "What Goes Around Comes Around" 
Dr. Sami Naser Khalifa wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am 
(6/9):  "First, the occupation authority's latest military 
operations are the main reason behind the Shiite-Sunni unity 
in Iraq.  Second, their wanton killing of Iraqi civilians 
and destruction of people's homes exposed America's ugly 
face.  Third, with regard to our internal affairs, the 
Kuwaiti foreign minister is practicing appeasement through 
his denials on behalf of the American ambassador.  Fourth, 
continued American control of Iraq's oil and security is a 
consolidation of the occupation.  Fifth, every time an Arab 
or Muslim is killed, American and Zionist foul play is 
revealed." 
 
URBANCIC