MEDIA REACTION KUWAIT MARCH 18-23: SECRETARY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 000951

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 MARCH 18-23: SECRETARY
POWELL'S VISIT, GMEI, IRAQ, SHEIKH YASEEN ASSASSINATION



1. SUMMARY: The assassination of Sheikh Yaseen has pushed
an evolving positive perception of the Greater Middle East
Initiative resulting from Secretary's Powell's recent visit
to Kuwait off the op/ed pages March 23, with the US now
being cast as the willing stooge of Israeli perfidy. "Jews
are known to be the killers of prophets and the inciters of
wars," says Kuwaiti Islamist MP Walid al-Tabtabaei in an
op/ed in independent "Al Watan," while the editor-in-chief
of leading Arabic daily "Al Rai al Amm" opines bitterly that
the Yaseen's death occurred "because his killer holds power
of attorney over us, power of attorney from the one known to
all." END SUMMARY.



2. "Why Has Sheikh Yaseen Fallen"
Jassem Boodai editor-in-chief of independent Al-Rai Al-A'am
wrote: "Ariel Sharon finally succeeded to pin one more star
of criminality on his shoulder. Sharon successfully
exploited absolute American support from an "ideal partner"
in the war on terrorism. He also exploited Arab weakness,
collusion, primitivism, and Arab division to accomplish a
new massacre. Whether one agrees or not with Sheikh
Yaseen's political or military methods, one cannot but
respect his resistance. Ahmad Yaseen fell because he was
active and a doer, and because his killer holds power of
attorney over us, power of attorney from the one known to
all."


3. "How Sad"
Ahmad Al-Jarallah editor-in-chief of independent Al-
Seyassah: "Sheikh Yaseen's assassination as he was coming
out of a mosque exposed the weakness of all Arabs. The
Arabs' complete and utter weakness presented Israel's PM the
opportunity to implement his plans in the region. Now that
Sheikh Yaseen is dead, what have the Arab leaders done other
than to express outrage? No amount of condemnation is going
to stop Sharon from going forward with his plans. Instead
of condemning the act, Arabs must prepare a strategy to
counter and foil Sharon's plans. It is sad that the most
vicious attacks by Sharon are not drawing the attention of
Europe or America."


4. "Sharon"
Dr. Waleed Al-Tabtabai wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/23):
"The Jews have finally done it and killed the dignified
sheikh. However, it is no surprise, since Jews are known to
be the killers of prophets, and inciters of wars. Israel,
who is armed to the teeth with the most dangerous weapons,
conspires against an old frail sick quadriplegic. This sick
old man who suffered various illnesses was considered by
Israel as its most dangerous of enemies and eventually
killed him. What cowards you are, Arab rulers."


5. "The Martyr"
Fuad Al-Hashem wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/23): "The
assassination of the founder and leader of Hamas, sheikh
Ahmad Yaseen, was a stupid Israeli act. No more stupid than
their decision to occupy southern Lebanon for twenty-two
years, without any clear advantage, only to eventually
withdraw as if nothing ever happened. Israelis believe that
death is the best sort of punishment for the Palestinians.
But, they don't know that for Palestinians who live on less
than three dollars per month, without housing, or education
and with no health care, death is the best solution, and no
harm in taking a few Israelis on the way [suicide bombers].
It can also be said, that for the Israeli extreme right,
Sheikh Yaseen's assassination was clever, because it would
prolong the cycle of violence for another fifty years, which
by then, Jews will have been able to control the whole of
Palestine."


6. "Reforms From Within"
Mohammed Khalil wrote in independent Al-Anba (3/23):
"Secretary of State Colin Powell's announcement that he
discussed Middle East reforms with Kuwaiti officials and
agreed that reforms must occur from within, in fact,
consolidated this American project which encountered strong
opposition from most Arab countries. All agreed that as
long as distinctive social and cultural characteristics
within the Arab world were not abused, reforms should not
cause any problems. One aspect of criticism taken up by the
Kuwaiti officials during their meetings with the Secretary
was the way in which Washington initially put forward the
reforms initiative. It was brought up in a provocative
manner, where various countries were required to implement
it, without holding dialogue or discussion on the issue.
Washington must be more transparent, so that the doors of
dialogue can be opened to all."


7. "The Unfortunate Middle East"
Emad Al-Seif wrote in independent Al-Qabas (3/20): "A great
argument is taking place these days about the United States
adopting and marketing the Greater Middle East Initiative.
As usual, for us Arabs, our political and traditional
positions come before anything else. Therefore, a large
section of intellectuals are against the American initiative
because of the latter's bias toward Israel. The crux of the
matter is that the responsibility of achieving reforms falls
on the Arab nations. Achieving democracy, respect for human
rights, education and economic reforms are the goals of all
reform movements in the Arab world. Arab peoples do not
need an initiative or advice from anyone."


8. "Great Middle East in a Narrow Scope"
Abdul Jalil Al-Gharaballi wrote in independent Al-Qabas
(3/21): "The goal of the GMEI is to eradicate the cores of
extremism in the Arab world and to thrust Arab countries
toward economic reforms. However, the areas of tension
existing in the Arab world are the result of a domestic
imbalance of justice. Another face of injustice is
represented by the United States and its direct involvement
and collusion with the Zionist entity in confiscating the
rights of the Palestinian people. If the US is serious
about eliminating extremism, then equally it must reign in
Israeli violations. It serves no purpose to see the
situation in the Arab countries from one eye, and close the
other on the Palestinian situation."


9. "Spain . An Emotional Decision"
Dr. Ahmad Al-Rubei wrote in independent Al-Qabas (3/20):
"The new Spanish Prime Minister sounds like a Middle Eastern
politician, who is more moved by personal emotions than by
his nation's interests. His decision to withdraw Spanish
troops from Iraq will weaken the international front against
terrorism. It is a surrender to International terrorism.
It is naive to believe that this position would protect
Spain against terrorism. His decision holds a great
symbolic value, in that it sends a message to all terrorists
that the recent Spain terrorist operation can lead to the
unsettling of the international coalition against terrorism.
The Spanish PM knows well, that without security in Iraq,
and without defeating the idea of the division of Iraq,
international terrorism will grow and increase."


10. "The War for Freedom"
Dr. Ayed Al-Manna wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/20):
"Whatever drawbacks or shortcomings caused by foreign or
American occupation, there is no doubt that the liberation
of Iraq would not have been possible in any other way. If
the Iraqis are suffering now because of lack of security,
the near future is looking up to the Iraqis with hope,
security, political freedom and economic development. If
some Iraqis are complaining about the state of affairs now,
it won't hurt to wait until June 30 when they will be handed
over authority to rule their country."


9. "One Year After Iraq's Occupation"
Hamed Abdullah Al-Ali wrote in independent Al-Watan (3/20):
"On this day one year ago, the United States and Britain
invaded Iraq on the premise of liberating the people of Iraq
and to make the world a safer place. Things are worse after
one year. While the American President stood before his
troops, and declared the world today is living a crucial
hour in defending freedom, Baghdad was vibrating from
explosions which targeted hotels frequented by westerners.
After one year of Iraq's occupation, events in Iraq signify
1) the extent of ignorance, prejudice and barbarity of the
neo-cons who are drawing up America's policy; 2) the extent
of stupidity of all followers of the neo-cons; 3 the extent
of hypocrisy and lies of the engulfing the politics and
media world that we live in."

Urbancic