Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04KUWAIT446
2004-02-09 04:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION, FEBRUARY 4-8: HEZBOLLAH

Tags:  OIIP KU KDMR 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 000446 

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 OFRIEL
USDOC 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, FEBRUARY 4-8: HEZBOLLAH
PRISONER SWAP; IRAQI TRANSITION TO SELF-RULE; SIGNING OF
TIFA; HALLIBURTON; MAJOR NON-NATO ALLY STATUS FOR KUWAIT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 000446

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 OFRIEL
USDOC 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, FEBRUARY 4-8: HEZBOLLAH
PRISONER SWAP; IRAQI TRANSITION TO SELF-RULE; SIGNING OF
TIFA; HALLIBURTON; MAJOR NON-NATO ALLY STATUS FOR KUWAIT


1. SUMMARY: The February 7 signing of the Trade and
Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) by US and Kuwaiti
officials received prominent coverage, focusing on the
economic benefits to be gained by Kuwait through the
agreement. Also on the news pages, a number of MPs are
requesting discussion of the "Halliburton portfolio" in the
February 9 session of the National Assembly.

The dean of Kuwait's College of Shariah Law is reported to
have issued a statement vigorously opposing political rights
for Kuwait women as inconsistent with Islamic law. The
report contradicts earlier statements by Kuwait's Minister
of Awqaf (Islamic affairs) suggesting that the country's
religious establishment might support such reforms.

A prominent liberal writer states that if US troops leave
Iraq too soon, the country "will be thrown into turmoil,"
and that Arab countries must assist Iraq "in shouldering the
historic responsibility" of transitioning to self-rule.

A number of prominent conservative writers have hailed the
Hezbollah prisoner exchange as a victory for Hezbollah and
validation of the organization's violent tactics. One writer
views the prisoner exchange and Sharon's proposal to remove
Israeli settlers from Gaza as cynical political maneuvering,
while another believes the proposed evacuation of Gaza is a
"positive step. if Sharon translates words into deeds." END
SUMMARY.


2. News stories: The signing of the Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA) between the US and Kuwait in
Washington DC received front page coverage in both Al-Qabas
and Al-Watan on February 8. Al-Watan carried a quote by
Secretary of Commerce Zoellick stating, "Kuwait is a real

SIPDIS
friend." Al-Rai Al-Aam reports that Minister of Trade and
Industry Abdullah Al-Taweel said the signing of the TIFA
will "boost Kuwait's economy."

Al-Qabas reports that MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun announced his
intent, along with other MPs, to request a discussion in the
National Assembly tomorrow on the "Halliburton portfolio."
According to Al-Saadoun, the "Halliburton portfolio" has

turned into "one of the sides of a triangle of corruption."

The Dean of the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at
Kuwait University, Dr. Mohammed Al-Tabtabaei, announced
that it was not "religiously legitimate" for women to
participate in National Assembly elections, either through
voting or running for office, Al-Anba reports on its
February 7 front page.

Al-Qabas reports on February 8 that "government sources"
state that the issue of redrawing electoral constituencies
in Kuwait "is not a priority." The National Assembly is
reported to be "optimistic" over the possibility of changing
the constituencies.

All papers report this week on rumors of an upcoming
reshuffling of the Council of Ministers (Cabinet) involving
three ministers. According to Al-Qabas, one of the ministers
involved would be the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of
State for Cabinet Affairs and Minister of State for National
Assembly Affairs, Mohammed Deifallah Sharar.

President of the American University of Kuwait, Dr. Shafeeq
Al-Ghabra, said the new private university "seeks to
graduate students capable of expressing themselves and
working independently," according to Al-Qabas.

Editorials:


3. "Arab Deterioration and Independent Power"
Dr. Shafiq Al-Ghabra wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-Aam
(2/7): "Developments throughout the Arab world foretell
that the situation in Palestine and Iraq will steadily
deteriorate. The situation will not improve unless Arab
countries adopt economic and political reforms. If US troops
in Iraq leave prematurely, then Iraq will be thrown in
turmoil, violence and fear. Therefore, the right course of
action is for the Arab countries to assist the Iraqis in
shouldering their historic responsibility."


4. "Hezbollah: A Model"
Former MP Dr. Abdel-Mohsen Jamal wrote in independent Al-
Qabas (2/4): "With great efficiency, Hezbollah was able to
impose a new political formula on the Zionists. In the eyes
of the Arabs and the whole world, Hezbollah has become a
model for how to handle a ferocious enemy that has no
respect for the Arab. This ability will impel the Zionists
into further caution. Hezbollah's leader, Nasrallah, has
become a symbol of successful leadership.
Hezbollah's success [has]. proved the validity of the
concept of resistance."


5. "Suspect Deal and Evading the Peace Process"
Ghazi Al-Jassem wrote in independent Al-Qabas (2/8): "Ariel
Sharon is similar to Saddam Hussein, because no one can
predict his next move. Governed by our emotions, and
inebriated with the sense of victory, we did not take stock
of the real meaning behind Israel's release of the Lebanese
and Palestinian detainees. In fact, we have failed on the
strategic level. [D]espite a respite in Palestinian suicide
actions that only harm the Palestinians, Sharon did not
proceed with the peace process. He is a man of war, not
peace. Today, Sharon is proposing to evacuate the Gaza
settlements, but it is only a new maneuver before meeting
President Bush."


6. "Withdraw and Build Your Wall"
Dr. Ayed Al-Manaa wrote in independent Al-Watan (2/7): "The
relocation of Jewish settlements from Gaza, which will
eventually end the Israeli occupation is good news,
according to Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei. It is a
significant measure, because it will positively affect the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Sharon's proposal may ease
hostility between the two sides, although this may not apply
to the religious and nationalistic extremists on both sides.
For peace to succeed, Sharon's words must be translated into
deeds."


7. "My Concern is the Umma [Islamic Nation], Not America"
[Conservative Islamist] Salafi Salem Al-Nashi wrote in
independent Al-Watan (2/8): "American cultural hegemony
over the Islamic world is obvious. Everyone is aware that
Western culture is enveloping the world, but this hegemony
incorporates the inclusion of Kuwait as a [major] non-NATO
strategic ally. [C]ondemning and vilifying America will not
benefit the Umma [Islamic Nation]."


8. "Eliminating Terrorism"
Mohammed Musaed Al-Saleh wrote in independent Al-Qabas
(2/8): "Almost two and a half years after the events of
9/11 and since President Bush announced his campaign against
terrorism, it is clear that terrorist activities have
increased globally. Meanwhile, Israel has exploited the
situation by labeling those who carry out the Intifada as
terrorists while Sharon, the corrupt terrorist who will be
carrying the votes of American Jews, will be welcomed by
Bush [in Washington DC]. Terrorism will not cease unless
America changes its foreign policy and stops its policy of
double standards. The reason behind terrorism is the feeling
among oppressed people that the greatest country in the
world does not care to eliminate the injustice they are
suffering."

URBANCIC