US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT2094

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002094 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, PA, INR/R/MR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, OIIP, PGOV, KMDR, XF, KU, WOMEN'S POLITICAL RIGHTS 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION:  FULL POLITICAL RIGHTS FOR KUWAITI 
WOMEN 
 
 
1.  Summary:  Kuwaiti media hailed the granting of full 
political rights for women by the National Assembly on the 
evening of May 16, 2005, as a "historic" moment.  Initial 
reaction in all papers was positive and they are calling 
the granting to Kuwaiti women full political rights as the 
first step toward more economic and political reforms.  End 
summary. 
 
"A historic day" 
---------------- 
 
2.  Al-Anba front-page editorial on May 17, 2005 (Arabic 
language daily, circ. 40,000): 
 
When History Speaks Out:  The least that could be said 
about yesterday is that it was a historic day.  The period 
between May 16, 1999 and May 16, 2005 was one of a 
political struggle for the Government of Kuwait under the 
leadership of Shaykh Sabah Al Ahmed.   Yesterday's move by 
the government was the biggest step towards reforms since 
drafting the constitution in Kuwait. Political reform must 
be accompanied by equal economic reform and development 
plans for the achievement to be complete. 
 
"Our congratulations and gratitude" 
----------------------------------- 
 
3.  Al-Watan front-page editorial on May 17, 2005 (Arabic- 
language daily, circ. 65,000): 
 
Congratulations to Women and Men:  All those who 
participated in the process of reaching a verdict on 
women's political rights, whether they were with or against 
the issue, deserve our congratulation and gratitude. 
However, two parties should take most of the credit.  First 
is H.H. Shaykh Ahmed Al Sabah who proved that if the 
government wanted to do something, it is capable of doing 
it through the cooperation among its various members and 
under the leadership of his Highness.  Second, we must 
express our gratitude to the Speaker of the National 
Assembly, Mr. Jassem Al Khorafi, who managed to lead one of 
the most difficult sessions in the history of the National 
Assembly. .  At the end, it must be said that yesterday's 
session was a historic moment that brought joy to the 
hearts of the people of Kuwait.  The leader of this nation 
encouraged women to work with men on the development of 
this country. 
 
"Women's rights should be only the beginning" 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
4.  Al-Rai Al-Aam front-page editorial on May 17, 2005 
(Arabic-language daily, circ. 70,000): 
 
This Is Kuwait, and this is its Emir:  May 16, 2005 was a 
national day of victory for the Kuwaiti women.  It remains 
to be said that women's rights should only be the beginning 
of developing our political system, and not the end.  We do 
not want to go backwards, rather, we must look ahead. 
Women's rights are just the first step towards expanding 
public participation in the decision-making process, and a 
step towards reforming the mechanisms of work in the 
parliament and in the government, and also towards a new 
contemporary democratic system that avoids all loopholes. 
 
"On the path of political-economic reform" 
------------------------------------------- 
 
5.  Al-Qabas front-page editorial on May 17, 2005 (Arabic- 
language daily, circ. 65,000): 
 
Their Rights is a National Day:  Yesterday was the end of 
the 20% democracy, and we moved to a democracy where at 
least half the nation participates.  This is the minimum 
acceptable level of participation internationally.  This is 
an opportunity to repeat our opinion that expanding the 
electors' base would not be effective unless we have full 
participation, and this would lead to the proper reform of 
the political system.  The achievement of May 16th is an 
incentive to go forward, and here we mean on the path of 
political-economic reforms, because these are the only 
things that would guarantee that our great nation catches 
up with the rest of the world and preserves its position 
among the developed nations. 
 
Islamists:  Our women will vote and "we will win" 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
6.  Additional front-page headlines from some of the major 
papers on the passage of full political rights for Kuwaiti 
women: 
 
- Al-Anba (Arabic, circ. 40,000):  NA approves women's 
political rights, increase in pay in Monday's session, 
municipality elections to be discussed today; 
Congratulations ... To Kuwait; Sabah Al-Ahmad asserts 
government keenness to assign a female minister, 
international welcoming of the voting with 35 in support, 
23 against and Al-Khorafi abstained. 
- Al-Qabas (Arabic, circ. 65,000):  Democracy flies with 
two wings. Full women's rights a historic accomplishment 
for Shaykh Sabah's government; Prime Minister: Women in 
government soon; Women voters 20-25 percent more than men; 
Jaber Al-Mubarak: Amir's wish achieved with efforts of 
Sabah Al-Ahmad; Washington: A step that endorses 
effectiveness of democracy. 
 
- Al-Rai Al-Aam (Arabic, circ. 70,000):  Kuwaiti women ... 
with full rights. MP's Saadoun and Barad vote in favor of 
bill. 35 in favor and 23 against, Al-Khorafi abstained as 
he is keen to remain "unbiased"; Govt. sets aside 
postponing municipal elections and will only appoint women 
in Municipal Council for this time; Sabah Al-Ahmad promises 
a female will be named minister soon; Islamists expects to 
have majority in 2007: We will register our women and will 
let them participate and we'll win; Step welcomed 
internationally. 
 
- Al-Seyassah (Arabic, circ. 45,000):  Sabah Al-Ahmad: We 
congratulate Kuwaiti women ... Now we can name a female for 
minister; Kuwait's democracy complete with this justice, 50 
KD increase in retirement pay and those receiving social 
aid; Those opposing women's rights tried to delay the 
voting with "confused talk"; Dr. Awwad Barad, Ali Al-Hajeri 
and Salem Al-Hammad surprised all by taking a supporting 
stand for women's rights. 
 
- Al-Watan (Arabic, circ. 65,000):  H.H. Amir's dream comes 
true ... Kuwaiti women elect and be elected in 2007; US: A 
Kuwaiti step that would have positive outcomes for the 
region; Municipal elections on time ... Possibility of 
naming two women to the Government. 
 
- Arab Times (English, circ. 40,000):  Legislative blitz 
amends election law, Women win political rights; Kuwaiti 
women made history Monday when they were given full 
political rights paving the way for them to participate in 
the country's political life; Streets celebrate historic 
win as "A great day for Kuwait" 
 
- Kuwait Times (English, circ. 35,000):  Women get the vote 
at last, have to "abide by Shari'a"; A Red-letter day for 
Kuwaiti women! 
 
LEBARON