SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: KUWAITI OPINION ON IRANIAN

UNCLAS KUWAIT 002893 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, G/TIP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPAO KISL PHUM PINR KU SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: KUWAITI OPINION ON IRANIAN ELECTIONS ¶1. Summary: The election of Iranian president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stirred unease among Kuwaiti observers. While few voices predict Iranian foreign policy will substantially change under the new president, the perceived continuation of the status quo has prompted calls for GCC unity and warnings of possible confrontation. Writing in pro-government daily Al-Anba, Columnist and Media Advisor to the Prime Minister Sami Al-Nisif wrote, "This may bode for a heated confrontation in an already tense region, where a barrel of oil may eventually reach the hundred- dollar mark." End summary. ¶2. Writing in pro-government daily Al-Anba on June 25, Columnist and Media Advisor to the Prime Minister Sami Al- Nisif wrote, "Competition in the Iranian elections is black and white, represented by Ahmadinejad and Rafsanjani, with no gray which represents real openness toward the world and neighbors. The outcome will result in limited change of Iran's policy toward Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, the Gulf counties, and the nuclear file and not least toward the International community. This may bode for a heated confrontation in an already tense region, where a barrel of oil may eventually reach the hundred-dollar mark." ¶3. Writing in pro-government daily Al-Anba on June 26, Columnist Salah Al-Sayer wrote, "There is an Arabic saying: when a wolf howls, scared sheep stick together. After reformists gained power in Iran, and after the fall of the Ba'ath regime in Iraq which put an end to Saddam's crazy adventures, the GCC countries were beset by weakness. The collective 'dream' no longer became a common goal. The Free Trade Agreements signed with the United States, in addition to pending border disputes within the GCC countries, further weakened this regional entity. However, the result of the Iranian elections, which have brought conservative hardliners back to executive power, may in turn scare the region into uniting once again just as the saying goes." ¶4. Writing in independent daily Al-Qabas on June 27, Liberal Columnist Fuad Al-Hashem wrote, "A female Iranian citizen responded to a news agency, that the new [Iranian] president would impose on them a Taliban regime. Another citizen commented that the new president would deal with his people similar to the way the Khmer Rouge treated Cambodians. The Islamic Republic of Iran is not in need of an ultra-conservative leader at this particular juncture. It is in need of a man like Rafsanjani. I don't believe the Iranian people played any role in delivering the 'mayor' to the seat of power, given that around a million Iranian soldiers and revolutionary guards received orders from the highest echelons of power to vote for Ahmadinejad. I fully concur with the opinion of the Iranian opposition abroad, that the results of this election are disastrous for this current regime." ¶5. Writing in Arabic daily Al-Qabas on June 27, Conservative Former MP Dr. Abdel Muhsin Yousef Jamal wrote: "Iran today is facing a forceful line-up of nations, represented by the United States, France, England and Germany, whose aim is to prevent Iran from utilizing nuclear power albeit for peaceful purposes. Despite western media attempts to classify candidates as conservative and reformist, people have chosen the candidate who spoke to them about their domestic concerns and not to the outside world. That is why President Ahmadinejad won. His policy will focus on domestic issues greatly, such as elevating living standards and fighting corruption. However, no changes are anticipated on the foreign policy arena, particularly the nuclear file. Iran has the support of most world counties, except the United States and Israel." ******************************************* 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 ********************************************* TUELLER