KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION FEB 14-16: IRAQ, PEACE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000535

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: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION FEB 14-16: IRAQ, PEACE
PROCESS, HALLIBURTON



1. SUMMARY: Dire assessments of US-led efforts in Iraq as
generating "stumbling chaos" are juxtaposed with the
conflict in Palestine on Kuwait's op/ed pages this week. On
the issue of whether local Kuwaiti firms improperly profited
from contracts with US company Halliburton to provide fuel
oil to Iraq, commentators opine that the lack of
transparency in deliberations by Kuwait's National Assembly
will ultimately impede any real disclosures in the case.
End Summary.


2. "How Does President Bush Run the Occupation's Steering
Wheel"
Dr. Abdullah Al-Nafisi wrote in independent Al-Watan (2/14):
"Between their military might and poor diplomacy in Iraq,
the Americans are lost. They don't seem to possess the
least bit of political intelligence needed to run the areas
under their occupation. Furthermore, Bush represents the
most radical image of his Administration; he is dominated by
inconsistent and distorted impressions about managing this
occupation. He and his political team are more interested
in the Halliburton-KBR contracts than in the daily political
grind prevalent amongst Iraq's numerous political parties.
Bush's style in communicating on Iraq, by alleging victory
in the midst of stumbling chaos, is no different in its
essence than Al-Sahaf (former Iraqi minister of
information). If I were American, I would say to Bush
please be quiet.


3. "If a Corruptor Brings Bad News ."
Dr. Sami Naser Khalifa wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am
(2/14): "America has declared its intention of dividing
Iraq by sectarian denomination to Sunni, Shia, Arabs and
Kurds under the pretext of federalism. Terms such as Sunni
triangle, and the Shia South continue to be heavily used in
the American press. All Iraqis, regardless of their sect
and religious denomination, must unite in confronting the
danger represented by this American plan that aims at
creating a chasm among Iraqis."


4. "Avoiding the Snake does not mean Safety"
Dr. Naji Saoud Al-Zaid wrote in independent Al-Qabas (2/15):
"We hope that living conditions in Iraq will improve, and
that our government will take caution against rushing
emotionally toward Iraq and the Iraqis. The American
position is very clear; by exerting pressure on the United
Nations to play a more significant role in running the
affairs of a free Iraq, America, in an election year wants
to rid itself of the security liability in the fastest
possible time and with the minimum of costs, so that the
United Nations can take the blame."


5. "Sharon's Shadow"
Saleh Al-Shayji wrote in independent Al-Anba (2/15):
"Because we want the Palestinian child to be happy, to go to
school, to eat well, and live a normal life, we are against
the business of selling blood. We are against Ahmad Yaseen
(Hamas),Rantisi (Hamas),Shami (Jihad),and all who walk a
bloody path. These people were able to build their glory at
the expense of the simple and needy Palestinians, and tempt
them with money so that their children were sacrificed for
the likes of Yaseen. We want the Palestinian children to be
productive and to lead a normal life, therefore,
Palestinians must begin their struggle by eliminating such
people so that they can live in security."


6. "Palestine's War. A Loser's War?"
Dr. Shafiq Al-Ghabra wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am
(2/16): "Continued Israeli incursions and massacres
committed in Gaza are escalating the degree of danger. As
long as civilians are the targets of Israeli attacks, Hamas
and Jihad gain political strength, while the PA is weakened.
In turn, the Palestinian resistance reflects the desperate
measures they are willing to undertake, in order to depart
from the current status quo. The situation will only result
in Israel's demise and more Palestinian losses. The
situation has reached a dead end, but every dead end is a
beginning of a new road."


7. "A Matter of Envy, Not Corruption"
Influential editor-in-chief Ahmed Al-Jarallah wrote in
independent Al-Seyassah (2/15): "The Halliburton affair is
not about public funds, but a dispute between private
companies. It seems obvious that the companies, which did
not get a share in the profits, are the ones lamenting their
loss and demanding a sweep against alleged corruption. The
crux of the matter is that a Kuwaiti company profited from
dealing with an American company, so where is the corruption
in that?"


8. "Halliburton. To You"
Rashed Al-Rada'an wrote in independent Al-Watan (2/16):
"The minister of energy demonstrated his preparedness to
cooperate with the parliamentary committee on the
Halliburton contract. The fact is that the parliamentary
committee will not be able to conduct a thorough inquiry as
long as the case is under investigation by the public
prosecutor. Therefore any public announcements by the
committee before the outcome of the investigation will only
cause it embarrassment. Our experiences with parliamentary
inquiries are bitter, because after numerous previous
inquiries, justice was never achieved. The Halliburton case
requires transparency on a national scale, a clean
conscience and a calm solution."


9. "Winds of Valentine"
Nabil Al-Fadhel wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am (2/16):
"Halliburton's shockwaves continue to ripple through the
Kuwaiti arena, especially in the absence of parliamentary
transparency, due to lack of information. Our concern is,
was there foul play on the Kuwaiti side? It is clear that
public funds were not violated, since Al-Tanmiya (Kuwaiti
subcontractor) offered twenty million dollars as a bank
guarantee. As for the affair being reported in the American
press, its relevance will not pass unnoticed by the two
political parties fighting a vicious tactical strategy in an
election year."

Urbancic