KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION, OCTOBER 4-7: WMD IN IRAQ;

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 KUWAIT 004629

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STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, PA, INR/NESA,
IIP/G/NEA-SA, INR/B
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KU KDMR
SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION, OCTOBER 4-7: WMD IN IRAQ;
ISRAEL'S ATTACK AGAINST SYRIA; U.S. TREASURY VISIT TO
KUWAIT; BREMER'S CALL TO WRITE OFF COMPENSATION CLAIMS TO
KUWAIT; THE VISIT OF KUWAIT'S PM TO WASHINGTON; MUSLIMS IN
THE U.S.


1. News Stories:

Al-Rai Al-Aam reports on (10/7) that Prime Minister, Sheikh
Sabah Al-Ahmed, reassured the families of the Kuwaiti
Guantanamo detainees that he spoke to USG officials about
this issue and that they were "understanding."

All newspapers reported (10/7) that Kuwait urged the UNSC to
condemn the attack by Israel on Syrian territories and
requested that no such aggression be repeated. Prime
Minister, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed, condemned (10/6) the
Israeli attack on Syria: "The raid constitutes a clear
Israeli aggression against the sanctity of the territories
of the Arab Republic of Syria and a breach of UNSC
resolutions and international legitimacy." "Such grave
military escalation could cause the failure of the peace
process, would undermine efforts aimed at its success, and
threaten stability and security in the Middle East region."

All newspapers reported (10/7) that Chairman of the
Kurdistan Democratic Party, Masoud Barazani, visited Kuwait
yesterday. When asked about the compensation claims he
said: "The compensations are a simple matter and we can
reach an understanding in this regard." Remaining three
dailies quoted Barazani as saying the compensations "are not
important" instead of "simple." Barazani also stressed that
the Iraqi people are not responsible for the crimes of the
ousted regime.

Al-Rai Al-Am reported on (10/6) that the Head of the Iraqi
Governing Council, Ahmad Chalabi, said Iraq was committed to
paying compensations to Kuwait as per UNSCR 1483. Chalabi
said that Amb. Bremer had not approached him about foregoing
the compensation rights for Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

All newspapers(10/5): Salafi movement reelects Hakem Al-
Mutairi as Secretary General for a second three year term.

All newspapers reported on (10/7) that Boeing Co. announced
that Kuwait signed an initial foreign military sales (FMS)
contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to purchase 16
AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters.

All newspapers reported on (10/7) that two Kuwaiti mobile
telecom companies were licensed to build and operate mobile
telephone networks in southern and northern Iraq.

On (10/5) all newspapers reported that Minister of Social
Affairs and Labor, Faisal Al-Hajji, met with a delegation
from the U.S. Department of the Treasury whereby he stressed
that Kuwait is keen on supporting charity work inside and
outside of Kuwait, but is against any act of terrorism.

All newspapers reported (10/7) that the Ministry of Social
Affairs also received a World Bank delegation that asked
questions about means of preventing money laundering using
charitable donations and measures taken to prevent terrorism
financing. Al-Qabas: Informed sources revealed that
Kuwait's five main charity organizations have 124 committee
branches whose financial transactions are not directly
monitored like the parent organizations and who deal with
millions of Dinars in Charity donations, which sometimes
exceeds the donations handled by the parent organization.

Minister of Energy, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd, announced that
Kuwait is considering a request from the Iraqi Governing
Council to provide Southern Iraq with Electricity.
All newspapers reported (10/5) that the director of external
relations at the U.S. branch of the Student Union called on
Kuwaiti students studying in the U.S. who are currently in
Kuwait to register at Kuwait University in light of delays
by the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait in granting them visas.

(10/7) Al-Qabas carried a statement by Consul Sean Murphy
clarifying that between Jan 1 and Aug 31, 2003 the Embassy
issued 567 student visas compared to 462 student visas
during the same period of 2002, for an increase of about
24%. The 567 student visas issued represents approximately
97% of all students visa applications received during the
period. He added that approximately two-thirds of all visas
(not just student visas) approved by the Embassy are issued
the same day.

Al-Rai Al-Aam reported (10/7): An official source at the
Ministry of Interior revealed that some American soldiers
are smuggling alcohol from Iraq into Kuwait.

Al-Anba reported (10/7): An informed security source
revealed that a Saudi man suspected of being a member of Al-
Qaeda was apprehended a week ago at the Kuwaiti border with
Iraq and referred to State Security for investigation.
According to the sources, the man was being chased by Iraqi
security when he crossed the border into Kuwait.

Al-Seyassa (10/6): Kuwait's Interior Minister, Sheikh Nawaf
al Sabah, denied reports that security officials sabotaged
an attempt to smuggle $60 million worth of chemical weapons
and biological warheads from Iraq.

All newspapers (10/6): A Saudi man was arrested at the
Kuwait-Iraq Abdali border for attempting to smuggle more
that 4876 bottles of liquor into Kuwait. An American and
South African drivers were also apprehended for attempting
to smuggle ten cartons of whiskey into Kuwait.

Al Watan (10/5): An Indian Driver was shot and killed by a
Kuwaiti guard outside of Camp Arifjan. The driver was
delivering meals from a local restaurant. He failed to stop
at the Kuwaiti checkpoint and did not heed the two warning
shots fired by the Kuwaiti Guard.

On October 5, Al-Watan newspaper published a paid
advertisement by The Kuwaiti Union for Women Associations
regarding Paul Bremer's call to write off Kuwait and Saudi
Arabia's debts to Iraq. They called on the National
Assembly to respond to Bremer's call and expressed their
fear that such a demand would become an excuse to look into
other UN resolutions especially UN Resolution 833 on the
demarcation of the Iraqi-Kuwaiti boarders.

Editorials:


2. "Demeaning and Bankrupt Policy"
Islamist Dr. Yaser Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-
Aam (10/07): "`We know where Iraq's WMD are'. David Kays'
team reported no WMD found or proof that Iraq possessed such
weapons.... Despite this scandal, the Bush and Blair
Administrations are still busy using the same scenario with
other countries in the region such as Iran. The two
Administrations should have dealt more seriously and more
respectfully towards the people of this region instead of
insisting on using the same lie and deception used in the
case of Iraq.... This signifies a preplanned Zionist agenda
to be implemented in the region. The Zionist mind, however,
is incapable of creating an alternate introductory scenario
following the unexpected beating in Iraq."


3. "Terrorism to Exit the Crisis"
Liberal Editor-in-chief of Al-Anba, Bibi Al-Marzook, opined
(10/7): "The aggression against Syria has revealed Israel's
ugly face. This act reflects an arrogant, sly, and
shameless challenge by Prime Minister Sharon. This
aggression proved that Israel is not determined to achieve a
just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.... The
U.S. must not turn a blind eye on Israel's aggression. The
UN should not only issue condemnation statements. Annan
must also call on the international community to pressure
Sharon's government to put an end to hostile actions and to
return to the negotiating table before terrorism spreads in
the whole region."


4. "Hostile Operations"
Liberal Dr. Ayed Al-Mana' wrote in independent Al-Watan
(10/6): "The Oct. 4 Haifa suicide attack did not result in
any positive response except in the Arab and Islamic worlds.
To Europeans and Americans, suicide attacks aimed at
civilians are criminal acts that must be condemned and
punished. These attacks will make it easier for the Zionist
government to punish thousands of Palestinians under the
pretext of punishing resistance organizations accused of
terrorism. There is no doubt that the Palestinians have the
right to resist the occupation, and the Intifada is an
effective tool. Many of us have hoped, however, that the
Intifada would retain its peaceful and civil character.
Armed resistance is a legitimate right to harass and harm
the enemy, but the Haifa suicide attack is politically more
damaging to the Palestinian cause and antagonizes moderate
Jews and the West who have a great influence in the peace
process."


5. "On the Fourth Anniversary of the Intifada"
Khudair Al-Anzi wrote in independent Al-Qabas (10/4): "The
truth that emerged following September 11 is that the U.S.
is led by an Administration that is not concerned about the
interests of the American people as much as it cares for
implementing the Zionist project in the region. Standing up
to such a policy following the fall of Saddam is a
legitimate and patriotic duty. It is crucial not to
normalize relations with Israel and to reject all orders to
put a stop to legitimate resistance."


6. "The US Treasury Delegation"
Former MP, conservative Shiite Dr. Abdelmohsen Jamal wrote
in independent Al-Qabas (10/6): "The visits of the US
Treasury delegation to monitor means of financing terrorism
as they claim has increased lately. I cannot understand how
the [Kuwaiti] government could allow a foreign entity to
monitor its work or activities despite the fact that our
Constitution clearly states that we are an independent and
sovereign country. No foreign entity has the right to
monitor or inspect the government's activities. Moreover,
there is no law in Kuwait that allows Americans to intervene
in Kuwait's internal affairs. If the Americans want to
measure Kuwait's commitment to international resolutions
regarding charitable work, they must refer to the UN"


7. "Charitable Work and the US Treasury Delegation"
Moderate Islamist, Faisal Al-Zamel, wrote in independent Al-
Anba (10/7): "The visit of the US Treasury delegation to
Kuwait and to the region has led to creating a better
understanding of ways to maintain voluntary and charitable
work. When asked about Kuwait, the head of the delegation
responded `we have no negative remarks about Kuwait'. This,
however, does not relieve charity organizations of the
responsibility of exerting effort to preserve the their
activities from misuse of funds."


8. "Bremer's Statement"
Liberal Iqbal Al-Ahamd wrote in independent Al-Qabas (10/4):
"In light of the distinguished relations between Kuwait and
the U.S., Ambassador Bremer's calls to write off Kuwait's
compensations to belittle the Kuwaiti government and its
people. His remarks call can only be described as an
attempt to instigate sedition among friends because such a
request will only cause a crisis between the two
governments, especially in light of the fact that the
Kuwaiti government cannot ignore the reaction of the Kuwaiti
street."


9. "To Bremer with Regards"
Liberal Talal Al-Arab wrote in independent Al-Qabas (10/4):
"Bremer has asked Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to write off their
debts to Iraq. This is not acceptable at all, because
Kuwait's demands for compensations are legitimate and have
been approved by the UN. Moreover, it is not Bremer's right
to interfere in Kuwait's affairs.... We fear that Bremer
may one day ask Kuwait to redraw its boarders with Iraq and
bring the region back to square one."


10. "The Historic Mission"
Faisal Al-Barjes wrote in independent Al-Qabas (10/7): "The
visit of Shaikh Sabah Al-Ahamd to Washington and Britain and
his meetings with Bush and Blair to discuss regional and
international issues and to convey the views of Saudi
Arabia, Iran, and Syria is considered a historic mission for
Kuwait. We congratulate ourselves as Kuwaiti citizens for
the success of Shaikh Sabah's visit, especially at this
critical time."


11. "Washington and the Distorted Image"
Moderate Islamist Faisal Al-Zamel wrote in independent Al-
Anba (10/6): "In its war against terrorism, Washington no
longer seems capable of differentiating between friends and
enemies. In its eyes, everyone is a suspect. Last week,
American authorities apprehended the Chairman of the U.S.
American Islamic Council, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Amoudi. Al-
Amoudi was a guest at the White House on several occasions.
The September 11 attacks have generated a society that is
unwilling to listen to other people's opinion. We hope that
Washington will become aware of this deterioration and begin
to ask itself why people hate Americans and what has to be
done to change America's image."

JONES