US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT2188

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002188 
 
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 JULY 10-14: IRAQ; ICJ RULING; 
TERRORISM 
 
 
1.SUMMARY: The International Court of Justice ruled that the 
Israeli security barrier illegal, and there was much rejoicing. 
Commentators used the ruling to lament that the decision is non- 
binding, to excoriate the Israelis for their crimes, and to call 
for international pressure to change Israel's ways. Dr. Abdel 
Muhsin Yousef Jamal wrote in independent Al-Qabas (7/12): "The 
brave ruling will invalidate the Zionists' justifications and of 
those who extend assistance to them." END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  "Heads Rolling?!" 
Dr. Yaser Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (7/13): 
"So many damning reports turned up after the war in Iraq, 
disputing Bush and Blair's reasons for waging war. Subsequently, 
the two administrations cited spreading democracy and human rights 
as the main reasons for going to war. However, the Abu Ghraib 
scandal revealed that Iraqis, in the eyes of the occupiers, have 
no rights, and that their tormentors enjoyed the episodes of 
torture. Despite all these events, neither Bush nor Blair were 
thrown out of their respective posts, and no heads rolled. Does 
this mean that the two administrations, the American and British 
are in good shape? Or is this the beginning of the descent?" 
 
3.  "The Warm American Lap" 
Dr. Sami Nasser Khalifa wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am 
(7/10): "Despite the American administration's blatant 
proclamation of territorial control over the region and its 
riches, as well as interfering in the internal affairs of 
sovereign nations, and despite its support of the Arabs' and 
Muslims' number one enemy, the Zionist entity, there are those in 
the region who are blind to anything but their own personal 
interests at the expense of the region's. Many no longer care 
about people's suffering as much as they care about being close to 
the warm American lap." 
 
4.  "Brave Ruling" 
Dr. Abdel Muhsin Yousef Jamal wrote in independent Al-Qabas 
(7/12): "Not the International Court of Justice's ruling nor all 
the laws in the world can force Israel to submit to world opinion. 
This is because Israel understands the language of power. It 
revels in blatant American support. The recent court ruling, which 
judged Israel's security barrier in violation of international 
law, will expose Israel especially before the Europeans, who have 
previously shown in a poll that they consider Israel a danger to 
global peace. The brave ruling will invalidate the Zionists' 
justifications and of those who extend assistance to them." 
 
5.  "Israel And The Peace" 
Ghassan Al-Otaibi wrote in independent Al-Qabas (7/12): "We, the 
Arabs, are certain that the United States would wage World War III 
for Israel's sake. We also know that the pre-eminent European 
countries, such as the G8, were the ones who planted Israel in the 
heart of the Arab World. These same countries are prepared to go 
to any length to protect Israel from its Arab neighbors. However, 
the time has come for Arab countries to appeal to international 
public opinion to pressure Israel into signing the nuclear non- 
proliferation treaty and to submit its nuclear facilities to 
inspection." 
 
6.  "Wise Ruling ...  But?!" 
Dr. Ayed Al-Man'a wrote in independent Al-Watan (7/12): "The 
recent International Court of Justice ruling on Israel's West Bank 
barrier constitutes the latest international opinion exposing 
Israel's aggression. Regrettably, this just ruling is non-binding, 
and since Israel never complied with earlier resolutions, there is 
no reason why it should comply with a non-binding ICJ ruling. 
However, such a ruling can generate international pressure, which 
could force the United States to 'whisper' into Israel's ear to 
stop challenging the will of the international community." 
 
7.  "Jews Heading To The Point Of No Return" 
Isam Al-Fulaij wrote in independent Al-Watan (7/14): "Jews never 
fail to prove how far they are willing to commit crimes and 
challenge the world while at the same time knowing they can lean 
on support from Americans' veto. Israel's rejection of the 
International Court of Justice ruling on the security barrier, and 
her continued contempt for the United Nations, is her way of 
heading to the point of no return. Despite a period of weakness, 
we should never reverse our initial religious and intellectual 
positions toward the Jews. Our rejection of Jews must be 
manifested in teaching future generations about the real enemy as 
mentioned in the Quran." 
 
8.  "Terrorism In Kuwait" 
Mohammed Al-Shibani wrote in independent Al-Qabas (7/11): 
"Terrorists are of one collective mindset. They have categorized 
people as either with them, or against them, i.e. those who agree 
with their school of thought are with them, and those who are 
against their thought are either against them, or are agents, or 
sweet talkers. During the visit of Dr. Condoleezza Rice's deputy, 
Frances Townsend, to Kuwait last week, she presented an official 
document containing the names and pictures of nine Kuwaitis who 
have been added to the American wanted List for terror connections 
in the region, Is this true? If so, then what is the solution, or 
the preparations needed?" 
 
9.  "Visa or Heartbreak" 
Adel Al-Qassar wrote in independent Al-Qabas (7/11): "America has 
the right to safeguard its internal security given the wave of 
continuous threats. However, this should not be done to the extent 
that visa procedures may alienate many, including Americans. The 
U.S. Administration's conduct is characterized by a warm welcome 
and a wide smile; still, this privilege is beginning to change 
according to political variables. America's Western strategic 
allies are treated appropriately, and are exempt from entry visas, 
so the question is, 'When will the time come for other allies to 
be treated equally?'  The best thing about U.S. visa procedures is 
that they are not subject to favorable mediation. Exceptions are 
granted only in humanitarian cases, and to students." 
 
 
JONES