KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION, MAY 7: DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ;

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001914

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, PA, INR/NESA,
IIP/G/NEA-SA, INR/B
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH, PARIS FOR O'FRIEL
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA
CINCCENT FOR CCPA
USDOC FOR 4520/ANESA/ONE/FITZGERALD-WILKS
USDOC FOR ITA AND PTO/OLIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KU KDMR
SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION, MAY 7: DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ;
ARAB LEAGUE; ARAB MEDIA


1. SUMMARY: A strong call for the end of the Arab League
appears on the commentary pages, citing the League's
repeated failures to solve Arab problems or maintain Arab
unity, most prominently during the Iraq crisis. Arab
satellite news channels are attacked for the negative tone
of their coverage of Iraq even after liberation, with one
writer stating, "Iraqis do not need others to sow sedition
among them." Another writer warns that a democratic Iraq
will lead some neighboring states to attempt to undermine
any new Iraqi government. A conservative commentator
portrays the presence of US troops in Iraq as a reflection
of an "American-Zionist ideology" of "occupation." END
SUMMARY.


2. News Stories: Al-Qabas reports on its front page that
"a responsible Kuwaiti parliamentary source" says that the
U.S. has requested Kuwait drop its claims for reparations
from Iraq dating from the 1990-91 Gulf War.

Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khaled announced that a
Kuwaiti team left for Iraq on May 6 to search for Kuwaiti
POWs, Al-Qabas reports on its May 7 front page.

Al-Qabas reports that Minister of Social Affairs and Labor
Al-Ayyar announced that a fund-raising campaign for Iraq
would be launched in the near future.

Editorials:


3. "The Occupation"
Islamist MP Abdelmohsen Jamal wrote in independent Al-Qabas
(5/05): "It seems that Sharon was successful in convincing
the US that the Arabs can only be dominated if their lands
are occupied one after another. Occupation has become an
American-Zionist ideology. and threatens every country that
does not comply with the American-Zionist demands."


4. "Iraq and the Neighboring Countries"
MP Saleh Ashour wrote in independent Al-Watan (5/05):
"There are many indications that the new Iraq will be a
democratic country where freedom of expression and pluralism
will be practiced. This new model of Iraq will undoubtedly
disturb the countries neighboring Iraq. Therefore, those
countries will attempt to sabotage this regime."


5. "A New Reading"
Dr. Yasser Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am
(5/06): "During his visit to Baghdad, the prophet of
democracy to our region, Donald Rumsfeld, asked Iraqis who
admire the Islamic regime in Iran to leave Iraq and go to
Iran. We don't know if he also advised the Iraqis who admire
the American system to leave for the US, but we are certain
that the attempt to deport Iraqi oppositionists will not be
accepted by the Iraqi people. It seems that the arrogance of
the Americans is based on emotion not rationality."


6. "The Arab League and Its Continued Failure"
Mohammad Al-Saddiqi wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-Aam
(5/06): "It seems that the Arab League is facing a
financial problem because Kuwait and the UAE have abstained
from paying their share in the Arab League. In confronting
this political and financial dilemma, we should seriously
think of the existence and the need for the Arab League in
solving the Arab countries problems. The Arab League has
proven that it is incapable of achieving Arab unity, leading
us to think seriously about closing this entity and looking
for other means."


7. "You are Not the Guardians of the Iraqi People"
Laila Al-Othman wrote in independent Al-Qabas (5/07): "Why
do Arab satellite television channels continue agitation
against the freedom of Iraqis? Why do they hate to see the
Iraqis enjoying the taste of freedom? . Arab satellite
channels must realize that the years of oppression against
the Iraqis have taught them ways to defend their existence
and to defend their country. Iraqis do not need others to
sow sedition among them. Leave the Iraqi people alone, and
do not [attempt to] be their guardians. Very soon you will
witness a new Iraq."

JONES