Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KUWAIT3246
2005-07-24 04:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

Engaging Kuwaitis On Terrorism and Islam

Tags:  PTER KPAO KISL PREL PHUM KU TERRORISM 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003246 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI; NEA/PPD; LONDON FOR TSOU; PARIS FOR
ZEYA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER KPAO KISL PREL PHUM KU TERRORISM
SUBJECT: Engaging Kuwaitis On Terrorism and Islam

Ref: A) State 131453
B) State 121757


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003246

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI; NEA/PPD; LONDON FOR TSOU; PARIS FOR
ZEYA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER KPAO KISL PREL PHUM KU TERRORISM
SUBJECT: Engaging Kuwaitis On Terrorism and Islam

Ref: A) State 131453
B) State 121757



1. (U) SUMMARY: The July 7 terror attacks in London,
followed closely by increasingly horrific and deadly
suicide attacks in Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt, have deeply
affected Kuwaiti leaders and opinion makers. Some contacts
have said that the London attacks, in particular, hit them
harder than the 9/11 attacks, because so many Kuwaitis
travel often to London. Post continually engages contacts
from the Government and media in discussions about
terrorism and regional security, reiterating the need for
the unequivocal condemnation of violence to come from
Kuwaitis themselves. The tragic spate of recent,
spectacular attacks has offered post yet another
opportunity to engage interlocutors on terrorism, Islam,
and security in Iraq, as encouraged in reftels A and B, and
contacts have responded. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) IO actively sought meetings with editors, columnists
and opinion-makers in the wake of the attacks. Engagement
included both encouraging contacts to condemn the terrorist
acts in the strongest religious terms, and seeking longer-
term solutions in addressing terrorism and the threat of
extremism. Sami Al-Nesf, the media advisor to the Prime
Minister and a columnist with pro-government Al-Anba
newspaper, wrote a column July 9 calling for a fatwa
(religious decree) condemning Osama bin Laden and his
actions. Al-Nesf and PDOff have had ongoing conversations
since then to discuss how best to condemn continued
violence in Iraq.


3. (SBU) IO met with Adnan Qakoon, the editor in charge of
local news for pro-government Arabic daily Al-Qabas, to
discuss his paper's coverage of terrorism. While the paper
already takes a firm line against terrorism, Qakoon said
that he was working on a series of reports highlighting the
reactions to the terrorist attacks of prominent Kuwaiti
Islamist politicians such as Salafi Members of Parliament
Walid Al-Tabtabaei and Fahd Al-Khanna. After U.S. military
action in Fallujah in November 2004, Qakoon said, these MPs
led Islamists in condemning the U.S. actions as "genocide"
and "massacre." By contrast, Al-Tabtabaei responded to the
London bombings by writing a column encouraging the

terrorists to spare London but attack Israel instead, and
gave a lengthy interview blaming terrorism on American
policy in the region, in particular Abu Ghraib and
Guantanamo. Qakoon said that by spotlighting such
contradictory reactions, he hoped to discredit these
lawmakers in the eyes of all but their most ardent
supporters.


4. (SBU) In meetings with Ali Ruz and Ali Ballout, the
managing editor and deputy managing editor, respectively,
of Al-Rai Al-A'am, Kuwait's largest Arabic daily, the men
explained their determination to condemn the London
bombings and other attacks in the strongest terms. Ruz, who
rarely writes columns under his own byline, preferring to
edit the work of others at the paper, wrote a stark column
condemning the London attacks on July 10. In a series of
rhetorical questions, Ruz questioned the motivations of the
bombers and the so-far inadequate response of the societies
that have spawned such acts. Both men said that they would
continue to seek opportunities to address this issue in the
paper.


5. (U) Other PD contacts have responded independently,
without encouragement from post. Khalil Ali Haider, a
moderate Shi'a writer, wrote a column in independent Arabic
daily Al-Watan on July 19 encouraging Arabs to stand up and
examine their faith. He wrote: "Why do terror attacks
continue? We point fingers. We don't look in. We don't
blame ourselves. There are those among us who tolerate
takfir ideology and as long as they do, the terror will go
on." (Note: "takfir" refers to the practice of accusing
others, including some Muslims, of apostasy, a crime
punishable by death in some extreme interpretations of
Islam. End note.)


6. (U) PD contact Dr. Ayed Al-Manna, an advisor to the
Kuwait Journalist's Association and frequent critic of U.S.
policy towards the Palestinians, slammed those who
attempted to justify the recent bombings on religious
grounds in his July 19 column in Al-Watan. He wrote: "Some
people interpret the original religious texts to serve
their interests and call leaders of the nations 'Infidels.'
These are the same people who legitimize suicide operations
although their claims are neither supported by religion nor
the nation's prominent scholars . Can anyone justify the
terrorist operations and the murder of innocent Iraqi
children in one area and another brutal operation in Al-
Mussaiab which killed more than 98 Iraqis and injured
scores? Can these operations be considered jihad, or crime
motivated by malice?"


7. (U) Among Islamists, Dr. Wael Al-Hassawi, the former
editor of Salafi magazine Al-Furqan, and a frequent
interlocutor for both PD and POL on Islamist issues,
denounced the terrorist attacks in religious terms. In his
July 10 column in Al-Rai Al-Aam, he wrote: "Historically,
it is the Muslims who have built bridges of civilization to
improve the image of Islam in the West and to promote this
sublime religion in that part of the world, leading
millions of Westerners to freely embrace Islam. However,
suddenly and without any premises, the terrorists are
striving to destroy what the Muslims have achieved over the
past centuries . Unfortunately, all this has happened in
the name of Islam - the religion of love and peace."


8. (U) Post is also undertaking more formal outreach
efforts to address the advice contained in Reftel B. The
Charge is hosting an afternoon gathering at his home July
26 for a wide spectrum of Kuwaiti Islamists drawn from the
realms of politics, academia, the media and the private
sector. The purpose of the meeting is to engage these
leaders about what role religion plays in society and how
best to engage Muslim leaders to promote moderation and
condemn violence. Post plans to arrange a similar gathering
in the same venue, again under the CDA's auspices, for
columnists and other media figures.

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