Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
03KUWAIT818 | 2003-03-07 04:05:00 | 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 000818 |
1. Summary: While Kuwaiti chief editors spend today penning editorials of sputtering outrage following the Iraqi vice-president's characterization of Kuwait at Wednesday's OIC session as "a monkey and a valet" in the service of America, op/eds from earlier in the week praise the proposal of Shaikh Zayed of Oman calling on Saddam to accept voluntary exile. In reaction to the Turkish Parliament's rejection of a US deployment, Kuwait's Defense Minister said Kuwait is ready to receive the troops. On other issues, various members of Kuwait's chattering classes hold forth. In a column entitled "The American Problem," one writer offers the canard that "FBI centers have become closer to Arab intelligence centers where torture and humiliation are exercised against anyone Muslim or anything Arab," while another opines that the return of the Iraqi monarchy is the best solution for that country. End summary. 2. News Stories: Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak reiterated Kuwait's readiness to receive the American troops that were destined for deployment in Turkey. Four thousand Saudi troops arrived in Kuwait on March 4 to bolster GCC common defense "Peninsula Shield" forces already deployed in Kuwait. Newspapers report that Kuwait International Airport will not be closed if war breaks out, and that flight paths have laid out with the military for civil and for military flights. Dean of the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Kuwait University, Dr. Mohammad Al-Tabtabei, stated in a seminar at the Kuwait Journalists' Society that the foreign military presence in Kuwait is religiously legitimate and justified, and again condemned attacks on American soldiers in Kuwait. 3. "The Solution Is In Zayed's Initiative" Faisal Al-Qanai wrote in independent Al-Seyassah (3/4): "If Arabs were serious about solving the Iraqi crisis to avoid the destruction of Iraq, they would have discussed Shaikh Zayed's initiative. His courageous initiative was aimed at protecting Iraqi people, but unfortunately the Arabs did not accept it." 4. "The American Problem" Ghassan Al-Otaibi wrote in independent Al-Qabas (3/3): "The US faces a major problem in introducing democracy to Iraq in the post-Saddam era. It is widely expected that the Shiites will be the winners of any popular election, and this will not be acceptable either to the US or to Iraq's neighbors. [T]o avert this problem, the only solution is the return of the monarchy, which is an appropriate choice, given the fact that the Iraqi royal family is Sunni and acceptable Iraq's neighbors." 5. "Will the Islamic Summit Save What the Arab Summit Damaged?" Islamist Adel Al-Qassar wrote in independent Al-Qabas (3/4): "If the Arab Summit at Sharm El-Shaikh was incapable of addressing [Shaikh Zayed of Oman's exile proposal for Saddam], then I believe that there is undoubtedly room under the expansive Islamic umbrella to accept the courageous initiative. [T]he UAE has the right to revive its initiative at the Islamic Summit in Qatar in order to receive support, and to succeed in ousting Saddam." 6. "The Arab Mockery" Ghassan Al-Otaibi wrote in independent Al-Qabas (3/5): "The UAE initiative at the Arab summit was a logical solution to avert the destruction of this region, but to form an Arab delegation to visit the US and Europe is illogical and a waste of time. The American and the European positions are well-known, and this delegation will not be capable of deterring the war unless Saddam steps down. Therefore, the UAE initiative is the sole solution for the Iraqi crisis." 7. "With Souls, With Blood, We Redeem You, Bush" Salah Al-Fadhli wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (3/5): "Does the United States have the right to boast that it is a nation founded on the values of freedom, justice and protection of human rights? Does it have the credibility to say that it is seeking to sow democracy in the world? . FBI centers have become closer to Arab intelligence centers where torture and humiliation are exercised against anyone Muslim or anything Arab. If there are moral justifications for the invasion of Iraq, as claimed by Bush the Son, then where were these justifications at the end of the Gulf war.? Despite all these moral violations by America, and because the Arabs have become accustomed to applaud whoever takes office, the Arab masses will not be embarrassed to chant their eternal slogan-- after changing the name only-- "With souls, with blood, we redeem you, Bush". 8. "The Call for Resignation and The Arab Summit" Dr. Shafiq Al-Ghabra wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-Aam (3/5): "The Arab leaders at the summit should have met to discuss how to convince the Iraqi leader to resign in order to avoid a destructive war in the region. The leaders should have discussed the role of the Arabs after Saddam and to open dialogue with the Iraqi opposition. But, unfortunately, Arabs have chosen not to touch on these topics, and preferred to wait until the flood occurs." 9. "An American Diplomat Resigns in Protest Against the Policies of the American Administration" Abdullah Al-Nafisi wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/5): "J.B. Kiesling is a diplomat who worked for the US State Department for over twenty years. Anyone who reads his letter of resignation addressed to Secretary Powell will immediately realize the internal collapse of the policies adopted by the current American administration. Without exaggeration, such voices are now increasing in the US due to polices adopted by the current administration, which is described as extremist." JONES |