Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04KUWAIT1547
2004-05-17 16:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION KUWAIT MAY 15-17: WOMEN'S POLITICAL

Tags:  OIIP KU KDMR 
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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 001547 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, PA, INR/NESA
STATE FOR IIP/G/NEA-SA, INR/B
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH, PARIS FOR O'FRIEL
USDOC FOR 4520/ANESA/ONE/FITZGERALD-WILKS
USDOC FOR ITA AND PTO/OLIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KU KDMR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION KUWAIT MAY 15-17: WOMEN'S POLITICAL
RIGHTS; RUMSFELD IN IRAQ; ABU GHRAIB; NICHOLAS BERG; SYRIA
SANCTIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001547

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, PA, INR/NESA
STATE FOR IIP/G/NEA-SA, INR/B
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH, PARIS FOR O'FRIEL
USDOC FOR 4520/ANESA/ONE/FITZGERALD-WILKS
USDOC FOR ITA AND PTO/OLIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KU KDMR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION KUWAIT MAY 15-17: WOMEN'S POLITICAL
RIGHTS; RUMSFELD IN IRAQ; ABU GHRAIB; NICHOLAS BERG; SYRIA
SANCTIONS


1. SUMMARY: The swell of commentary on Abu Ghraib was
slightly abated by the introduction of a bill by the Kuwaiti
cabinet on May 16 supporting full political rights for
women. The news pages report statements of support by
liberals and women activists for the measure and flat
rejection by conservative Islamists. Skepticism about
government intentions in introducing the bill at the current
time, in the midst of scuffles with the parliament over
electoral reforms and with conservative Islamist MPs over
the "legality" of public music concerts, is found in both
camps. The former Secretary General of the Kuwait Democratic
Forum, Ahmed Al-Dayeen wrote: "Had the government been
serious about granting women political rights, it would have
presented an appeal to the Constitutional Court, challenging
Article I of the election law as unconstitutional." END
SUMMARY.


2. "You Are A Liar"
Dr. Sami Naser Khalifa wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am
(5/17): "On his most recent visit to Iraq and Abu Ghraib,
Donald Rumsfeld, American Secretary of Defense, thanked the
American troops for doing a "wonderful job" in Iraq. [a]t a
time when the Iraqi people are humiliated and killed on a
daily basis, and their houses demolished. Abu Ghraib, the
place where Saddam committed the most horrifying acts
against Iraqis, is now witnessing the same acts of torture
and degradation by American troops."


3. "Zarqawi Has Blood On His Hands"
Khaled Al-Enezi wrote in independent Al-Seyassah (5/15):
"Our hearts were wracked with pain while we watched in
horror the brutal slaughter of American citizen, Nick Berg.
Not only did the assassins express victory, they also dared
to mention the name of God, ignoring the world's reaction to
such an association. This decayed terrorist ideology, which
disregards the interests of Muslims and erodes their present
and their future, also turns a blind eye to the great
principles of Islam."


4. "Unjust Punishment"
Dr. Ayed Al-Mana'a wrote in independent Al-Watan (5/15):
"Why does the U.S. insist on punishing Syria? Syria has done
nothing that can be described as harming the interests of

the United States. Is the American pressure on Syria a means
to please the Zionist lobby and Zionist radicals in Israel?
Or, is the aim to economically smother Syria and thus weaken
her politically so that Israel can impose its conditions
over Damascus? Isn't this considered unjustified U.S.
aggression against Syria? Doesn't the American
administration realize that by harming Syria, or any other
Arab country, it is in fact provoking all Arabs? Or does
Washington care to please only the Zionists?"


5. "Democracy: American Style"
Hussein Behbehani wrote in independent Al-Qabas (5/15):
"The American occupation forces revealed to the world [in
the photographs from Abu Ghraib prison] the extent of their
brutality, arrogance, violations of human rights and
disregard for international law. If this is the new Iraq,
which the United States wants Arabs to follow as an example
of a new democracy American-style, then we say to the
American administration: Thanks for nothing. Why should we
be shocked about the cruelty of American forces and this
administration? Even before the invasion of Iraq, Americans
were committing human rights violations on a daily basis by
killing innocent Palestinian civilians, through Israel, with
American-made weapons, and even blessing the 'Man of Peace,'
Sharon."


6. "American Talismans"
Mohammed Musaed Al-saleh wrote in independent Al-Qabas
(5/17): "The two most crucial problems facing the Middle
East are: the situation in Iraq, and occupied Palestine. In
the case of Iraq, despite the imminent handover of
sovereignty to the Iraqis, the American administration
announced it would stay, if asked by the provisional Iraqi
government. How do the Americans know they will be asked to
stay, and what kind of sovereignty is it when the occupation
authority decides on Iraq's behalf on such a critical issue?
As for Palestine, President Bush promised the creation of a
Palestinian state by 2005. Now, due to election
considerations, this date has been postponed, to provide
Sharon, Bush's ally, the means to annihilate the
Palestinians, and to win more Jewish-American votes."


7. "Women's Rights?"
Jassem Boodai, Editor-in-Chief, wrote in independent Al-Rai
Al-A'am (5/17): "Kuwait will wake up today with news that
the Cabinet will present a bill which will grant women
political rights. It is no coincidence that the issue was
announced just before the Prime Minister's departure to
Jeddah, where he will participate in the GCC Consultation
Summit--the same GCC that is being challenged by reforms,
progress and international survival. We hope this bill will
pave the path to real reforms in Kuwait. The subject of
women's political rights cannot be realized if it does not
become part of a broader range of political issues, which
seek to ascend within the political life, toward the
establishment of a truly functioning civil society. We want
this to be a step towards establishing a constitutional
emirate."


8. "A Government That Is Scattering Ashes In People's Eyes"
Ahmad Al-Dayeen wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (5/17):
"Once again, the government has scattered ashes in the eyes
of Kuwaiti women and liberals by. approving a bill that will
grant women political rights. Had the government been
serious about granting women political rights, it would have
presented an appeal to the constitutional court, challenging
Article I of the election law as unconstitutional for its
blatant bias against women. We await the scattering of more
ashes."

URBANCIC