US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT414

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000414 
 
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 - IRAQI ELECTIONS;JANUARY 31 
 
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Summary 
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1.  Kuwaiti TV dedicated extensive coverage to Iraqi elections and 
conducted an interview with a former MP and Minister of Education 
on the subject.  All editorials praised the Iraqi people's courage 
in braving the security situation to cast their votes.  End 
summary. 
 
 
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Kuwaiti TV 
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2.  Kuwaiti TV broadcast extensive coverage of and interviews 
focused on the Iraqi elections.  Forty-five minutes of coverage on 
the elections in the main evening newscast hailed them as a 
"success."  The broadcaster concluded: "Despite difficult 
circumstances, the Iraqi people overcame all and cast their 
votes." 
 
3.  Guest speaker and former MP Dr. Ahmed Al-Rubei expressed his 
admiration of the Iraqi people for standing in the face of 
terrorism to cast their votes.  He said, "We hope Iraq will be 
more stable which, in turn, will reflect positively on Kuwait. 
They have shown courage and it is a firm blow to those who 
threatened the elections.  The Iraqi people have sent a message to 
terrorists that they are not afraid.  The Iraqi people have 
suffered, and it is their right to have this opportunity.  They 
have shown the world that they want democracy."  When asked who 
would win, Dr. Al-Rubei replied:  "There will be various groups, 
which is fine, as it is healthy and important.  They know what is 
best for them and they no longer want to be controlled." 
 
4.  Kuwaiti TV correspondents conducted interviews in various 
regions of Iraq.  All mentioned that the number of voters was 
higher than expected in view of the security situation.  Kuwaiti 
correspondents in Amman and Tehran also filed positive reports 
about Iraqi expats casting their votes. 
 
5.  President Bush's speech on the occasion was also broadcast in 
full with Arabic voice-over. 
 
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Block Quotes 
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6.  Liberal columnist Salah al-Sayer wrote in independent Al-Anba: 
"Iraq is making toward political, economic, and social progress at 
an astronomical speed.  Iraqis are headed to election centers and 
beginning their peaceful march toward democracy with the blessing 
of the greatest superpower on earth.  Liberation of Iraq was not 
the cresting of an earthquake, but the floating tip of the 
iceberg.  Iraq's liberation by military intervention was the 
beginning of a great civil project called the Greater Middle East 
Initiative.  A new political regime, promised years ago by 
President Bush when he described it as `an example to be 
followed,' is now emerging in Iraq." 
 
7.  Liberal columnist Mohammed Zain wrote in independent Al- 
Seyassah:  "The people of Iraq have marched forcefully towards the 
electoral polling centers to exercise their right to vote, a 
practice of which they were deprived for many years.  It was a new 
and authentic experience, which they accomplished with great 
success.  The world has applauded them for allowing Iraqi women to 
participate alongside their men.  We praise every Iraqi who 
participated in the elections.  By so doing, they are making 
strides toward a better future where they will be able to overcome 
the terrorists who tried to rob them of their rights with threats 
and terror." 
 
8.  Liberal and pro-government editor-in-chief Ahmad Al-Jarrallah 
wrote in independent Al-Seyassah:  "The will of the Iraqi 
leadership and the courage of Iraqis have led to the defeat of 
terrorism.  The extraordinary will of Iraqis has helped them build 
the foundation of a modern country while the terrorists' attempts 
to scare the people of Iraq away from voting have failed 
miserably.  Iraq has proven that iron-fisted authority is the only 
way to deal with terrorism.  The success of the Iraqi elections 
has ended misconceptions about `resistance.' Claims that Saddam 
Hussein will defeat the United States have vanished into thin 
air." 
9.  Liberal columnist Dr. Ahmad Bishara wrote in independent Al- 
Qabas:  "Merely from sheer self-interest, Kuwait, unlike the rest 
of the countries of the region, came down on the side of Iraq's 
liberation.  Kuwait's position was formulated on unadulterated 
security considerations.  Saddam's downfall was an absolute 
Kuwaiti goal.  From this perspective, the Iraqi elections are a 
source of great import to Kuwait and offer a reward with respect 
to Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations.  Iraq today enters freedom and 
democracy through the widest of doors.  This is the alternative to 
despotic regimes which sow extremism, violence, hate, and the 
destruction of man." 
 
LeBaron