Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
03KUWAIT2062 | 2003-05-14 14:17:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Kuwait |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002062 |
1. SUMMARY: The May 13 terrorist bombings in Riyadh are interpreted as attacks against the Saudi government, rather than American interests. Commentary on the future of the Middle East generated earlier in the week by President Bush's May 9 address at South Carolina University continues. One writer suggests a GCC-Iraq-Iran economic bloc for greater negotiating leverage before the establishment of the free-trade zone proposed by the President. Two prominent commentators taking opposing views on whether Baathists should be allowed to participate in a future Iraqi government. Another believes that without the capture of Saddam, the liberation of Iraq will not be complete. A conservative writer targets the America Israel Public Affairs Committee in an article titled "AIPAC Governs America." In the news, the Council of Ministers approved a law to allow women to stand for Kuwait City Municipal Council seats, pending National Assembly approval. END SUMMARY. 2. News Stories: The lead story this week has been the approval by the Council of Ministers of a new law granting women the right to run for and be elected to seats on the Kuwait City Municipal Council, as Al-Qabas reports on May 12. On May 13, all newspapers report that Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad said the new law is not expected to be ratified by the National Assembly in the current session. Al-Rai Al-Aam reports on May 11 that Kuwaiti security arrested one of a group of Kuwaiti man who allegedly attempted to enter Iraq before the war in order to fight alongside Ansar al-Islam. Al-Qabas reports on May 11 that conservative Islamist Salafi and Kuwait University Shari'a and Islamic Affairs Professor Dr. Abdul Razzak Al-Shayji branded as "agents for the United States" a group of Kuwaiti women who traveled to the US for a USG-funded women's program. The campaign budgets of candidates running for National Assembly seats in the scheduled July elections ranges from KD 20,000-KD 3 million (approximately USD 60,000-9 million), according to Al-Qabas. Editorials: 3. "The Use Of `Baathies'" Shiite MP Abdel-Mohsen Yousef Jamal wrote in independent Al- Qabas (5/12): "[The American civil administration in Iraq] has appointed a member of the Baath party as an Undersecretary for the Ministry of Health despite the rejection by Iraqi doctors of this appointment. [This appointment] will lead Iraqis to not obey the orders of such `Baathies' because they will feel that the Americans are not serious in achieving a real change in Iraq." 4. "Saddam Hussein Is Not The Baath Party" Liberal Abdellatif Al-Duaij wrote in independent Al-Qabas (5/14): "[T]he Baath party is not responsible for what happened in Iraq, but rather Saddam himself. The Baath party was not a Nazi party, and never meant to be a terrorist party. The party played a major role in the liberation of Arabs in the region. Leaders of the Baath party must be given the chance to contribute to Iraq's future because of the continuation of this party is essential in Iraq's democracy. Therefore, the American administration should give some responsibilities to party members." 4. "Democracy Is Our Problem" Liberal Kuwait University Political Science Professor, Dr. Shamlan Al-Essa wrote in independent Al-Seyassah (5/12): "Allied countries and the US are attempting to create a new democratic model in Iraq for other Arab countries to adopt. but what about democracy in the Gulf countries? Each Gulf country believes in democracy in its own way. Kuwait, for example, has not granted women their political rights [and] discriminates against some citizens. We expect that the democratic changes in Iraq will influence the Gulf States and the Arab world to achieve a real democracy in the future." 5. "Where Is Saddam Hussein?" Liberal Secretary General of the Kuwait Journalist's Association, Faisal Al-Qanai wrote in independent Al- Seyassah (5/13): "Unless Saddam and his regime are apprehended, the situation will remain unstable in Iraq. Thousands of Iraqis still fear the possibility of Saddam's reappearance in the future. The liberation of Iraq will not end until Saddam is found and dragged through the streets of Baghdad." 6. "The Future Of The Gulf" Dr. Naief Al-Hajraf wrote in independent Al-Anba (5/14): "President Bush's suggestion to establish a free trade zone in the Middle East in his recent speech at the University of South Carolina must be welcomed cautiously despite the importance of this idea. The GCC, Iran and Iraq must work closely to create a stronger position to negotiate with the US when it reveals more about its idea. It is time now for the cannons to stop, and to get the factories running." 7. "Who Is The Target Of The Explosions In Riyadh?" Dr. Ayed Al-Manna wrote in independent Al-Watan (5/14): "If the terrorists of Saudi Arabia believe that raising slogans against the Americans will gain them sympathy, then they are hallucinating. [T]he goals of terrorism in Saudi Arabia are to impose an extremist ideology instead of adopting the sensible Islamic teachings, and to force the Saudi leadership to abandon its reform policies." 8. "Flame on the Hem of the Saudi Robe" Editor-in-Chief of independent Al-Seyassah, Ahmad Al- Jarallah wrote (5/14): "Are these [terrorist attacks] meant to expel Americans from the Arabian Peninsula? We do not believe so, because Americans have already left [Saudi Arabia]. Indeed, such acts of terror are meant to topple the ruling power and nothing else." 9. "AIPAC Governs America" Conservative Dr. Sami Khalifa wrote in independent Al-Rai Al- Aam (5/14): "[The American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)] is behind the unusual relationship between President Bush and Sharon, and is the main planner behind the Road Map and the appointment of Abu Mazen as the Palestinian Prime Minister. AIPAC is also behind the escalation against Syria and Iran in order to contain the power of the Palestinians and the Lebanese." URBANCIC |