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

UNCLAS KUWAIT 005189

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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

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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:

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-- 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

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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