US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT321

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000321 
 
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:  Ongoing Commentaries about Recent 
Confrontations Between Kuwaiti Security Forces and 
Terrorists;Kuwait City 
 
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1.  Summary 
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Most columnists blame the GOK for "having failed to contain a 
rising tide of radical Islamic thought" and call for legislation 
to combat terrorism.  End Summary. 
 
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2.  Block Quotes 
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A.  One liberal columnist with independent Al-Qabas wrote (1/19): 
"Presently, most of our schools are afraid to...face up to the 
religious currents for fear of vilification.  Like other 
ministries, the Ministry of Education does not encourage conflict 
with religious entities..." 
 
B.  A liberal columnist with independent Al-Qabas commented 
(1/19):  "Keeping quiet about a crime, is tantamount to condoning 
it.  The mentality of prohibition, intimidation, threats and 
punishment must stop." 
 
C.  One contributor to independent Al-Qabas wrote (1/19):  "After 
last week's deadly gunfight, the lack of legislation to combat 
terrorism is a dangerous deficit." 
 
D.   A women member of Kuwait's ruling family wrote in Al-Qabas 
(1/19):  "It is essential that our government wake up and deal 
firmly and powerfully with those who support terrorism." 
 
E.  A regular columnist writing for independent Al-Watan said 
(1/19):  "Recent criminal and terrorist acts in Kuwait place us 
under the microscope regionally and internationally.  We are 
targeted and monitored.  Someone is compiling a file on terrorist 
activities in Kuwait." 
 
F.  A liberal columnist with independent Al-Seyassah wrote (1/19): 
"The government alone is responsible for the security crisis in 
Kuwait.  Young people can't find outlets for entertainment and 
eventually fall victim to those who preach extreme religion." 
 
G.  A regular liberal columnist writing for Al-Rai Al-A'am 
observed (1/19):  "It is the height of stupidity to call on the 
services of the Muslim clergy to combat fundamentalism.  This 
would inevitably eliminate the rule of law." 
 
LeBaron