KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION, JULY 14-21: WOMEN'S

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 003267

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, JULY 14-21: WOMEN'S
POLITICAL RIGHTS; AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO KUWAIT; IRAQ;
GUANTANAMO BAY; A/S BURNS VISIT TO KUWAIT


1. SUMMARY: On July 14, Kuwaiti Islamist commentator (and
regular al-Jazeera talking head) Mohammed al-Awadi wrote an
editorial directed at US Ambassador to Kuwait Richard H.
Jones, urging the Ambassador to stop "interfering" in
Kuwait's internal affairs, warning that "someone might lose
control and try to assassinate you." Liberal editorialists
defended the Ambassador as "a dear friend" who has
"contributed to maintaining good relations between the two
countries." Another Islamist writer calls on Ambassador
Jones to convert to Islam.

On July 21, all newspapers carry Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah
Al-Ahmad's statement that "women's rights are our goal."
While one Islamist MP states that the participation of women
in parliament is "prohibited by religion," other
commentators believe that Kuwait's democracy and overall
development will be "crippled" without the full
participation of women in society.

One newspaper reported increased security along Kuwait's
border with Iraq to prevent Saddam loyalists from entering
Kuwait. A Kuwaiti delegation is reported to be heading to
Guantanamo Bay to meet with Kuwaiti detainees and US
officials. END SUMMARY.


2. News Stories: On July 21, all newspapers front-page
Prime Minister Shiekh Sabah Al-Ahmad's statement that,
"women's rights are our goal." Al-Qabas reports that
Islamist MP Daifallah Bou Ramia stated that the
participation of women in the Parliament is "prohibited by
religion." Independent Shiia MP Dr. Yousef Zalzala
reportedly said that, "democracy will remain crippled
without the participation of women."

Interior Minister Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad denied reports that
Iran had asked Kuwait to receive Al-Qaeda spokesman Suleiman
Abu Ghaith, Al-Seyassah reports on July 19.

Al-Qabas newspaper reports that a delegation from the
Ministry of Interior will be departing for Guantanamo Bay
within two weeks to meet with Kuwaiti detainees there and to
discuss their situation with American officials.

A "security source" tells Al-Anba that security along
Kuwait's northern border with Iraq has been increased due to
concerns that supporters of Saddam Hussein may attempt to
enter Kuwait to carry out sabotage operations.

The most important challenges facing education in Kuwait are
the elimination of the word "Jihad" from the curriculum and
the raising of "an aware generation" of students, Al-Qabas
reports.

Al-Qabas reports that the National Union of Kuwait Students-
U.S. branch is closely monitoring the cases of Kuwaiti
students who did not register with the Department of
Homeland Security before leaving the United States.

On July 17, Al-Rai Al-Aam carried comments by American
Ambassador to Kuwait, Richard H. Jones, in response to an
editorial by an Islamist writer (see para 3). Ambassador
Jones stated that "my hopes for women reflect the principles
I believe in."

Editorials:


3. "Stay at Your Embassy and Leave Us in Peace"
Islamist columnist Mohammed Al-Awadi wrote in independent Al-
Rai Al-Aam (7/14): "Perhaps it has become known by now that
the [June 24-25] visit by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
William Burns was not a visit of apology [for the
postponement of President Bush's visit]. but rather to
encourage the political rearrangement of Kuwait. . This door
has to be closed otherwise interventions will increase
quantitatively and qualitatively. . The actions of the
American Ambassador in Kuwait are no less sensitive than
what was done by [Assistant Secretary] Burns. The American
Ambassador in Kuwait visited MPs who are against the entry
of women into the Kuwaiti parliament. [and] a number of
electoral headquarters of Islamist MPs who won in the recent
parliamentary elections. . If the objective is acquisition
by women of the right to vote and to stand for office, this
question will be addressed. . Oh Ambassador, we do not
believe in violence. We, as Islamists, do not accept what
was done on September 11 or the blasts in Morocco and Riyadh
as a means to accomplish change. But you know well how
people are angry at America, the supporter of Israeli
terror. . What if one of our citizens looses control of
himself at one of the electoral tents or diwaniyas and
attacks you and attempts to assassinate you? You will shake
the security of our country and lead us to countless numbers
of problems. Oh Ambassador, stay at your embassy and leave
us in peace."


4. "We Welcome Our Friend, Richard Jones"
Mohammad al-Qadairi wrote in independent Al-Seyassah (7/19):
"The people of Kuwait need to learn about the views of the
US administration through its Ambassador. . The admiration
of Kuwaiti people [for Ambassador Jones] has increased due
to his comments in the fields of economics, politics and
development. In such a democratic society, we need sound
advice to find solutions for the greater interests of
Kuwait. Therefore, it is illogical, or even illegal, to
attack his activities. We welcome our dear friend Ambassador
Jones to Kuwait's diwaniyas [men's gatherings] and its
political forums."


5. "Ambassadors and Colleagues"
Sami Al-Nisef wrote in independent Al-Anba (7/19): "Many
Kuwaitis were sad for the offense addressed to the
Ambassador of the friendly United States by one of our
colleagues. The American Ambassador is known for his good
manners and his contribution to maintaining good relations
between the two countries."


6. "To the American Ambassador: I Call on You to Enter
Islam"
Islamist Hamed Al-Ali wrote in independent Al-Watan (7/19):
"I do not believe that the American Ambassador needs a long
time to find how generous and kind the Kuwaiti people are.
Our vision would not be completed if we not call upon him to
enter Islam. Therefore, in my name and the name of the
Kuwaiti people, I call upon you to recognize Islam, to
become a Muslim and to defend issues of concern to Muslims
and put an end to the greediness of great power nations."


7. "The New MPs and Women's Political Rights"
Hassan Al-Musawi wrote in independent Al-Qabas (7/17):
"Efforts to ignore women's political rights will negatively
affect the country's development process. Some people
believe women's political rights are based on `imported'
Western thought. Such logic is completely wrong given the
fact granting women their political rights is based on a
pure, fair Islamic vision."


8. "The Iraqi Human Being"
Dr. Ahmad Al-Baghdadi wrote in independent Al-Seyassah
(7/21): "It is obvious that the Iraqis are not civilized
people. They have looted their museums and institutions
instead of protecting them. Iraqis had no rights and lived
in fear of Saddam's regime, but now, after the coalition
forces allowed them to breathe in freedom, they curse them.
Religious scholars in Iraq are agitating Iraqis to kill
coalition soldiers. Iraqis have disclosed their true
character after having had the world believe that they are
civilized people. In fact, they have proven that they are
not concerned with their country and have no appreciation
for the allied forces or Kuwait which helped them in their
liberation."

JONES