US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT2893

UNCLAS KUWAIT 002893 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, G/TIP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, KPAO, KISL, PHUM, PINR, KU 
SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: KUWAITI OPINION ON IRANIAN 
ELECTIONS 
 
1. Summary: The election of Iranian president-elect Mahmoud 
Ahmadinejad has stirred unease among Kuwaiti observers. 
While few voices predict Iranian foreign policy will 
substantially change under the new president, the perceived 
continuation of the status quo has prompted calls for GCC 
unity and warnings of possible confrontation. Writing in 
pro-government daily Al-Anba, Columnist and Media Advisor 
to the Prime Minister Sami Al-Nisif wrote, "This may bode 
for a heated confrontation in an already tense region, 
where a barrel of oil may eventually reach the hundred- 
dollar mark." End summary. 
 
2. Writing in pro-government daily Al-Anba on June 25, 
Columnist and Media Advisor to the Prime Minister Sami Al- 
Nisif wrote, "Competition in the Iranian elections is black 
and white, represented by Ahmadinejad and Rafsanjani, with 
no gray which represents real openness toward the world and 
neighbors.  The outcome will result in limited change of 
Iran's policy toward Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, the Gulf 
counties, and the nuclear file and not least toward the 
International community.  This may bode for a heated 
confrontation in an already tense region, where a barrel of 
oil may eventually reach the hundred-dollar mark." 
 
3. Writing in pro-government daily Al-Anba on June 26, 
Columnist Salah Al-Sayer wrote,  "There is an Arabic 
saying: when a wolf howls, scared sheep stick together. 
After reformists gained power in Iran, and after the fall 
of the Ba'ath regime in Iraq which put an end to Saddam's 
crazy adventures, the GCC countries were beset by weakness. 
The collective 'dream' no longer became a common goal. The 
Free Trade Agreements signed with the United States, in 
addition to pending border disputes within the GCC 
countries, further weakened this regional entity.  However, 
the result of the Iranian elections, which have brought 
conservative hardliners back to executive power, may in 
turn scare the region into uniting once again just as the 
saying goes." 
 
4. Writing in independent daily Al-Qabas on June 27, 
Liberal Columnist Fuad Al-Hashem wrote, "A female Iranian 
citizen responded to a news agency, that the new [Iranian] 
president would impose on them a Taliban regime.   Another 
citizen commented that the new president would deal with 
his people similar to the way the Khmer Rouge treated 
Cambodians.  The Islamic Republic of Iran is not in need of 
an ultra-conservative leader at this particular juncture. 
It is in need of a man like Rafsanjani.  I don't believe 
the Iranian people played any role in delivering the 
'mayor' to the seat of power, given that around a million 
Iranian soldiers and revolutionary guards received orders 
from the highest echelons of power to vote for Ahmadinejad. 
I fully concur with the opinion of the Iranian opposition 
abroad, that the results of this election are disastrous 
for this current regime." 
 
5. Writing in Arabic daily Al-Qabas on June 27, 
Conservative Former MP Dr. Abdel Muhsin Yousef Jamal wrote: 
"Iran today is facing a forceful line-up of nations, 
represented by the United States, France, England and 
Germany, whose aim is to prevent Iran from utilizing 
nuclear power albeit for peaceful purposes.  Despite 
western media attempts to classify candidates as 
conservative and reformist, people have chosen the 
candidate who spoke to them about their domestic concerns 
and not to the outside world.  That is why President 
Ahmadinejad won.  His policy will focus on domestic issues 
greatly, such as elevating living standards and fighting 
corruption.  However, no changes are anticipated on the 
foreign policy arena, particularly the nuclear file.  Iran 
has the support of most world counties, except the United 
States and Israel." 
 
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