US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT2199

UNCLAS KUWAIT 002199 
 
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 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION:  AMIR'S HEALTH, FOREIGN MINISTER 
VISITS WASHINGTON 
 
1. Summary:  Kuwaiti media reported on the visit of the 
Amir, Shaykh Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, to the United States 
for "pre-planned" medical check-ups with assurances that 
the Amir's health was good.  All Newspapers reprinted the 
Kuwait News Agency's (http://www.kuna.net.kw ) reports on 
Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Al-Sabah's meetings 
with Vice President Cheney and Secretary Rice.  Most 
headlines focused on the granting of full political rights 
for Kuwaiti women and the strong relationship between the 
U.S. and Kuwait.  End summary. 
 
"A Great Step" 
-------------- 
 
2. Al-Qabas (Arabic-language daily, circ. 65,000), May 
22, 2005, p.4:  Kuwait is determined to continue its reform 
plans: "the United States is pleased with Kuwait's decision 
to give women their full political rights," quoting Vice 
President Cheney. 
 
3. Al-Anba (Arabic-language daily, circ. 40,000) front- 
page headline on May 23, 2005:  Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed 
[Kuwait's Prime Minister]:  The Amir is in good health; he 
will soon come back to us safe; Women's rights were not 
imposed from the outside; No one tells us what to do.   The 
Prime Minister was quoted as saying:  "I would like to tell 
everyone that our Amir's health is very well.  Kuwaiti 
women got their rights in a democratic process which 
reflected the wish of HRH Amir Sabah, and the public's will 
translated that wish into reality." 
 
4. Al-Anba (Arabic-language daily, circ. 40,000) front-page 
headline on May 22, 2005:  Cheney: Giving Kuwaiti women 
their full rights was done through pure internal will: "The 
U.S. Vice President Cheney told me [FM Shaykh Muhammad] 
that the decision [women's rights] was a great step, 
because it was an exclusive Kuwaiti initiative."  Speaking 
to an audience of more than 1,300 people at the World 
Economic Forum in Jordan, First-Lady Laura Bush also 
congratulated Kuwait on its achievement on women's rights." 
 
"Committed to continuing our reform plans" 
------------------------------------------ 
 
5. Al-Watan (Arabic-language daily, circ. 65,000), May 21, 
2005, p. 4:  Muhammad Al-Sabah, "We are committed to 
continue political and economic reforms in our country": 
Secretary Rice told reporters that negotiations with Shaykh 
 
SIPDIS 
Muhammad Al-Sabah were excellent. She said that Kuwait and 
the U.S. share a strong friendship. The U.S. Secretary of 
State reiterated the United State's appreciation of the 
decision to grant women their full political rights. 
 
 
LEBARON