WELL WORTH THE WAIT: KUWAITI WOMEN GAIN FULL

UNCLAS KUWAIT 002064 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI AND S/ES-O E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV KWMN KDEM KU NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WOMEN POLITICAL RIGHTS SUBJECT: WELL WORTH THE WAIT: KUWAITI WOMEN GAIN FULL POLITICAL RIGHTS REF: A. KUWAIT 2041 ¶B. KUWAIT 1947 ¶C. KUWAIT 1907 ¶D. KUWAIT 1901 ¶E. KUWAIT 1836 ¶1. After six hours of debate, the National Assembly passed May 16 an amendment to Article 35 of the election law granting Kuwaiti women full political rights, including voting in parliamentary elections and running for national office starting in 2007, the date of the next elections. Of the 59 MPs and Ministers present, 35 voted in favor and 23 against. After the second reading of the bill that confirmed the 35-23 vote, apprehensive applause crescendoed to rapturous clapping and singing of the Kuwaiti national anthem. Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah thanked every voting Assemblyman, even those who opposed women's rights. He added that the inclusion of dissenting voices is the sign of a true democracy. The decision comes two weeks after an unresolved vote on women's political participation at the municipal council level (ref E). The amended article now reads: "every adult Kuwaiti citizen, aged 21, has the right to vote, except a naturalized citizen, who has not been in the status for at least 20 years...a Kuwaiti woman, voting and running for political office, should do so while fully adhering to the dictates of Islamic Shari'a." (Note: It is not yet clear what Shari'a requirements will have to be met, but they are not expected to limit women's political participation. End note.) Kuwaiti women responded to the decision by staging an impromptu celebratory motorcade on the Gulf Road. ¶2. The National Assembly agreed that the women's suffrage issue would be the third item on the day's agenda behind a vote on a proposed salary increase for government workers and retirees, one of the bargaining issues to which the Al-Sabah Government apparently acceded in exchange for support on women's political rights. The increase passed at midday with a hand count vote of 31 in favor. (Note: The increase will benefit 203,000 Kuwaitis. Most will receive an increase of KD 50 (approx. USD 170) per month effective July 2005. The increase is expected to cost the state approximately KD 110 million (approx. USD 375 million). End Note) ¶3. Post submitted draft press guidance to NEA/ARPI. Further response to the decision will be reported septel. ********************************************* Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website ********************************************* LEBARON