US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT3970

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003970 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI (DBERNS), NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KPAO, PREL, KU, KATRINA AID 
SUBJECT: TFUSO1: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: AMBASSADOR'S 
"THANK YOU" FRONT-PAGE NEWS; KUWAITI SUPPORT CONTINUES 
 
Ref: A. 3961 
Ref: B. 3957 
Ref: C. 3951 
 
1. Summary: Major daily newspapers gave front-page, banner 
headline coverage to the Ambassador's remarks thanking 
Kuwait for its generous offer of $500 million in aid for 
Hurricane Katrina victims. The remarks came on the heels of 
a meeting, also widely reported, between the Ambassador and 
the Acting Speaker of the National Assembly, during which 
the Ambassador thanked the parliamentarian for his 
government's support. Kuwaiti writers across the political 
spectrum continued their chorus of support for Kuwaiti aid 
to the hurricane victims. End Summary. 
 
"The Biggest Aid Extended in the Entire World" 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
2. Kuwaiti dailies Al-Watan, Al-Seyassah and Al-Rai Al-Aam 
carried front-page coverage of the Ambassador's meeting 
with Acting National Assembly Speaker Abdul Wahab Al-Haroun 
and his expressions of thanks after the meeting. A banner 
headline in Al-Watan read: "American Ambassador: Thanks. 
Kuwaiti Assistance is Enormous." A sub-headline noted that 
the Ambassador described Kuwait's pledge as "the biggest 
aid extended by an American ally in the entire world." 
 
3. Coverage in the other papers echoed Al-Watan's coverage. 
Al-Seyassah reported on its front page that the Ambassador 
praised Kuwait as a "close ally" and other papers reported 
Al-Haroun's statements reaffirming the relationship, 
assuring that the aid was on the way, and reiterating that 
such assistance was "the least that Kuwait should provide 
under the circumstances to a friendly people." 
 
"Give Donations to America" 
--------------------------- 
 
4. Kuwaiti NGOs and columnists continued their near- 
unanimous support for the Government of Kuwait's pledge. 
The Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in a widely 
reported statement, urged Kuwaiti businesses to donate 
their funds to Hurricane Katrina's victims. Writers from 
conservative, religious and liberal schools of thought 
continued their unprecedented call for donations. 
 
5. Writing in Al-Watan on Sept. 7, Conservative Ahmed Al- 
Fahd, under the headline "Give Donations to America," 
wrote: "Yes, we agree with the Government of Kuwait for 
extending financial assistance for America, Russia and 
China because there is a humanitarian need, especially 
during the time of natural disasters.  This is one of the 
fundamentals of our religion. We also agree with the 
principal of assistance, whether we agree or disagree with 
America's foreign policies.  We also distinguish between 
American policies and the American people who usually do 
not like to interfere in politics." 
 
6. Writing in Al-Watan on Sept. 7, Khalid Al-Sultan, 
Chairman of the Traditional Salafi group, wrote: "It is a 
sensitive issue whether we should offer assistance to the 
people who engage in wars against us and kill other 
Muslims. I have consulted with many leading religious 
scholars on this issue. They have advised me that would be 
possible to offer assistance to non-Muslim civilians due to 
the higher interests of Muslim governments and other 
considerations that serve Islam especially if there are 
international treaties with those allies. In fact, there 
are benefits to offering assistance since doing good deeds 
will give us a 'higher hand.' According to the prophet: 'A 
higher hand' (offering assistance) is better than 'a lower 
hand' (not offering assistance.) Offering assistance will 
also improve relations with stronger countries for the 
benefit of weaker Muslim countries. It will also create 
compassion and mercy between people and other nations. 
 
7. Dr. Ayed Al-Manna, board member of the Kuwait 
Journalists' Association, writing in Al-Watan on Sept. 7, 
wrote: "The $500 million is not a small sum for any 
friendly nation but not enough for a nation like the U.S. 
Some Kuwaitis have objected not because Kuwaitis are not 
generous enough but because the many crises that have 
befallen Kuwait during the last few years. This has taught 
Kuwaitis to scrutinize and question their financial 
assistance and spending with all of its friends and allies. 
Kuwaitis however, are most grateful to the American 
brotherly and friendly nation that helped them liberate 
their country and 'snatch victory from the jaws of defeat' 
(Or Saddam).  The U.S. did not only liberate Kuwait, but 
also the Iraqis from Saddam on April 9, 2003.  Therefore, 
it is the duty of the Government of Kuwait, as well as the 
people of Kuwait, to offer financial and moral assistance 
on all national levels.  This is only a small token of 
friendship since the U.S. was a true friend in real times 
of need." 
 
8. Writing in Al-Qabas on Sept. 7, Soud Al-Samaka wrote: 
"Those who oppose the donations for the Katrina Hurricane 
are two groups: They are either supporters of Bin Ladin and 
the Taleban, or the remnants of the Pan-Arab tide of hollow 
slogans and dictator regimes like Saddam and the like. Our 
Government is to be applauded for extending financial and 
moral assistance to the U.S. during its time of need.  It 
is our duty to repay our debt to America from a 
humanitarian and a moral standpoint. The Government took an 
honorable and moral stand.  This is why it does not concern 
us who objects to the donations, if they do so as 
individuals. We call on the Government of Kuwait to stand 
firm by its decision and not to listen to other voices from 
Parliament. We also salute the MP's who supported the 
Donation decision. 
 
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Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ 
 
You can also access this site through the 
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website 
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LEBARON