Media Reaction: Ongoing Commentaries about Recent

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000321

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: Ongoing Commentaries about Recent
Confrontations Between Kuwaiti Security Forces and
Terrorists;Kuwait City

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1. Summary
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Most columnists blame the GOK for "having failed to contain a
rising tide of radical Islamic thought" and call for legislation
to combat terrorism. End Summary.

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2. Block Quotes
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A. One liberal columnist with independent Al-Qabas wrote (1/19):
"Presently, most of our schools are afraid to...face up to the
religious currents for fear of vilification. Like other
ministries, the Ministry of Education does not encourage conflict
with religious entities..."


B. A liberal columnist with independent Al-Qabas commented
(1/19): "Keeping quiet about a crime, is tantamount to condoning
it. The mentality of prohibition, intimidation, threats and
punishment must stop."


C. One contributor to independent Al-Qabas wrote (1/19): "After
last week's deadly gunfight, the lack of legislation to combat
terrorism is a dangerous deficit."


D. A women member of Kuwait's ruling family wrote in Al-Qabas
(1/19): "It is essential that our government wake up and deal
firmly and powerfully with those who support terrorism."


E. A regular columnist writing for independent Al-Watan said
(1/19): "Recent criminal and terrorist acts in Kuwait place us
under the microscope regionally and internationally. We are
targeted and monitored. Someone is compiling a file on terrorist
activities in Kuwait."


F. A liberal columnist with independent Al-Seyassah wrote (1/19):
"The government alone is responsible for the security crisis in
Kuwait. Young people can't find outlets for entertainment and
eventually fall victim to those who preach extreme religion."


G. A regular liberal columnist writing for Al-Rai Al-A'am
observed (1/19): "It is the height of stupidity to call on the
services of the Muslim clergy to combat fundamentalism. This
would inevitably eliminate the rule of law."

LeBaron