KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION SPECIAL, NOVEMBER 12: SECRETARY POWELL'S

UNCLAS KUWAIT 005189 SIPDIS STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, PA, INR/NESA, IIP/G/NEA-SA, INR/B WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICELONDON FOR GOLDRICH PARIS FOR O'FRIELSECDEF FOR OASD/ PACINCCENT FOR CCPAUSDOC FOR 4520/ANESA/ONE/FITZGERALD-WILKS USDOC FOR ITA AND PTO/OLIA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KU KDMR SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION SPECIAL, NOVEMBER 12: SECRETARY POWELL'S IFTAR ¶1. SUMMARY: On November 7, two Arabic daily newspapers front- paged coverage of Secretary Powell's Iftar, quoting the Secretary as saying, "I learned a lot about Islam." The SIPDIS President of the US Branch of the National Union of Kuwait Students, Khamees Al-Mutairi, attended the Iftar and his praise for Secretary Powell's Iftar as a reflection of "American religious tolerance" was carried on the university pages of three Arabic dailies. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Following are specific examples of the press coverage of Secretary Powell's Iftar: SIPDIS -- Al-Seyassah, November 7 front page: Headline: "Powell: I learned a lot about Islam." Newspaper highlighted Powell's praise for Islam as a religion of peace and mercy. The paper pointed out that this was the third event organized under the Bush administration in an effort to show that the administration is waging a war against terrorism, not Islam. -- Al-Qabas, November 7 front page: Headline: "Powell: We are not fighting Islam; I learned a lot." -- Al-Qabas, November 10, page 13 (university news): Headline: "Powell held an Iftar attended by Kuwait University's Student Union in America. Powell: We value Kuwait's friendship. Al-Mutairi: Invitation reflects religious tolerance." -- Al-Watan, November 10, page 15 (university news): Headline: "President of the US chapter of Kuwait University's student union attended an Iftar hosted by Secretary Powell. Al-Mutairi: Powell's initiative reflects SIPDIS American religious tolerance and appreciation for Islam and Muslims." -- Al-Rai Al-Aam, November 10, page 7 (university news): Headline: "After participating in Secretary Powell's Iftar, Student Union President in America: Washington values Kuwait's friendship." URBANCIC