Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04KUWAIT483
2004-02-12 07:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION FEB 10-11: Iraq, Halliburton,

Tags:  OIIP KU KDMR 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000483 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, PA, INR/NESA
STATE FOR IIP/G/NEA-SA, INR/BWHITE 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: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION FEB 10-11: Iraq, Halliburton,
Educational Reform, US Influence

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000483

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, PA, INR/NESA
STATE FOR IIP/G/NEA-SA, INR/BWHITE 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: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION FEB 10-11: Iraq, Halliburton,
Educational Reform, US Influence


1. SUMMARY: Press reports that in response to pervasive
rumors of malfeasance on the part of a Kuwaiti firm hired by
US company Halliburton to supply fuel to Iraq, Kuwait's
Minister of Energy has asked the public prosecutor to
investigate whether local company "Al Tanmiya" and others in
Kuwait improperly benefited from their contract with the US
Army.

On the op/ed pages, liberal and conservative commentators
address the issue of educational reform, democratization and
US influence on Kuwaiti society from profoundly antithetical
perspectives. End summary.


2. "Farewell Halliburton "
Conservative Islamist, Dr. Wael Al-Hassawi, wrote in
independent Al-Rai Al-Aam (2/10): "A lot has been said
about the Halliburton contract and the ensuing corruption.
Therefore, transparency and the government's position are
essential. I was pleased to read about the Minister of
Energy's announcement that he referred the Kuwait Petroleum
Corporation contract with the American contractor . to the
public prosecutor for investigation. I was also pleased to
read that Halliburton is considering leaving Kuwait and
operating elsewhere, especially after this scandal was
exposed in the United States."


3. "The Root of the Problem"
Former Minister and MP, Ali Ahmad Al-Baghli, wrote in
independent Al-Qabas (2/10): "The World was turned upside
down because of Halliburton's contract through Kellogg Brown
and Root to purchase oil by-products from Kuwait Petroleum
Company's subcontractor Al-Tanmiya. The escalation of this
issue prompted the Minister of Energy to refer the case to
the public prosecutor for investigation. I believe that this
will not reveal any transgressions. The Public Prosecutor's
task is to investigate facts that constitute criminal acts,
not to expose administrative wrongdoings. The root of the
problem lies with Kuwait Petroleum Company for awarding the
job to a subcontractor, who sold KBR overpriced petroleum by-
products."


4. "Sick Arab Societies"
Former MP, Shiite Dr. Abdul-Mohsen Jamal wrote in
independent Al-Qabas (2/11): "Despite some impartiality
toward Arabs, most Western intellectuals concur with
America's vision of importing democracy by force of arms.
By trying to protect its people and land, even if this means
occupying the whole Arab world, America is conveying the
wrong message. This attitude, whether intentional or not,
is behind the tragic status quo in the Arab world, and the
reason for the increase in violence."


5. "Progress is not Easy"
Kuwait University Political Science Professor, Dr. Shamlan
Al-Essa, wrote in independent Al-Seyassah (2/10): "The most
important resolutions adopted by the GCC conference last
December were to fight terrorism and to reform educational
curricula. Reforming curricula has met with difficulties,
particularly from parliamentary groups affiliated with the
Shiites, Salafis, and the Muslim Brotherhood. The task is
not unproblematic, because it requires changing minds before
changing curricula. Nonetheless, we are confident that
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will succeed in reforming these
curricula."


6. "Americanization of Youth"
Conservative Kuwait University Professor, Dr. Jassem Al-
Fuhaid, wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-Aam (2/10): "The
Kuwait Scientific Center recently organized a trip for
approximately 270 Kuwaiti girls to Camp Arifjan. The trip
lacked any scientific aspect. Every citizen takes pride in
his or her Arab and Islamic identity, and feels grief toward
the negative planning of this trip undertaken by the state,
which attempts to tarnish the Kuwaiti identity with American
colors. This is an American raid which does not stop at
occupying the land but extends to occupying the self."