TFUSO1: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: AMBASSADOR'S

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003970

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI (DBERNS),NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPAO PREL KU KATRINA AID
SUBJECT: TFUSO1: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: AMBASSADOR'S
"THANK YOU" FRONT-PAGE NEWS; KUWAITI SUPPORT CONTINUES

Ref: A. 3961
Ref: B. 3957
Ref: C. 3951


1. Summary: Major daily newspapers gave front-page, banner
headline coverage to the Ambassador's remarks thanking
Kuwait for its generous offer of $500 million in aid for
Hurricane Katrina victims. The remarks came on the heels of
a meeting, also widely reported, between the Ambassador and
the Acting Speaker of the National Assembly, during which
the Ambassador thanked the parliamentarian for his
government's support. Kuwaiti writers across the political
spectrum continued their chorus of support for Kuwaiti aid
to the hurricane victims. End Summary.

"The Biggest Aid Extended in the Entire World"
-------------- -


2. Kuwaiti dailies Al-Watan, Al-Seyassah and Al-Rai Al-Aam
carried front-page coverage of the Ambassador's meeting
with Acting National Assembly Speaker Abdul Wahab Al-Haroun
and his expressions of thanks after the meeting. A banner
headline in Al-Watan read: "American Ambassador: Thanks.
Kuwaiti Assistance is Enormous." A sub-headline noted that
the Ambassador described Kuwait's pledge as "the biggest
aid extended by an American ally in the entire world."


3. Coverage in the other papers echoed Al-Watan's coverage.
Al-Seyassah reported on its front page that the Ambassador
praised Kuwait as a "close ally" and other papers reported
Al-Haroun's statements reaffirming the relationship,
assuring that the aid was on the way, and reiterating that
such assistance was "the least that Kuwait should provide
under the circumstances to a friendly people."

"Give Donations to America"
--------------


4. Kuwaiti NGOs and columnists continued their near-
unanimous support for the Government of Kuwait's pledge.
The Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in a widely
reported statement, urged Kuwaiti businesses to donate
their funds to Hurricane Katrina's victims. Writers from
conservative, religious and liberal schools of thought
continued their unprecedented call for donations.


5. Writing in Al-Watan on Sept. 7, Conservative Ahmed Al-
Fahd, under the headline "Give Donations to America,"
wrote: "Yes, we agree with the Government of Kuwait for
extending financial assistance for America, Russia and
China because there is a humanitarian need, especially
during the time of natural disasters. This is one of the
fundamentals of our religion. We also agree with the
principal of assistance, whether we agree or disagree with
America's foreign policies. We also distinguish between
American policies and the American people who usually do
not like to interfere in politics."


6. Writing in Al-Watan on Sept. 7, Khalid Al-Sultan,
Chairman of the Traditional Salafi group, wrote: "It is a
sensitive issue whether we should offer assistance to the
people who engage in wars against us and kill other
Muslims. I have consulted with many leading religious
scholars on this issue. They have advised me that would be
possible to offer assistance to non-Muslim civilians due to
the higher interests of Muslim governments and other
considerations that serve Islam especially if there are
international treaties with those allies. In fact, there
are benefits to offering assistance since doing good deeds
will give us a 'higher hand.' According to the prophet: 'A
higher hand' (offering assistance) is better than 'a lower
hand' (not offering assistance.) Offering assistance will
also improve relations with stronger countries for the
benefit of weaker Muslim countries. It will also create
compassion and mercy between people and other nations.


7. Dr. Ayed Al-Manna, board member of the Kuwait
Journalists' Association, writing in Al-Watan on Sept. 7,
wrote: "The $500 million is not a small sum for any
friendly nation but not enough for a nation like the U.S.
Some Kuwaitis have objected not because Kuwaitis are not
generous enough but because the many crises that have
befallen Kuwait during the last few years. This has taught
Kuwaitis to scrutinize and question their financial
assistance and spending with all of its friends and allies.
Kuwaitis however, are most grateful to the American
brotherly and friendly nation that helped them liberate
their country and 'snatch victory from the jaws of defeat'
(Or Saddam). The U.S. did not only liberate Kuwait, but
also the Iraqis from Saddam on April 9, 2003. Therefore,
it is the duty of the Government of Kuwait, as well as the
people of Kuwait, to offer financial and moral assistance
on all national levels. This is only a small token of
friendship since the U.S. was a true friend in real times
of need."


8. Writing in Al-Qabas on Sept. 7, Soud Al-Samaka wrote:
"Those who oppose the donations for the Katrina Hurricane
are two groups: They are either supporters of Bin Ladin and
the Taleban, or the remnants of the Pan-Arab tide of hollow
slogans and dictator regimes like Saddam and the like. Our
Government is to be applauded for extending financial and
moral assistance to the U.S. during its time of need. It
is our duty to repay our debt to America from a
humanitarian and a moral standpoint. The Government took an
honorable and moral stand. This is why it does not concern
us who objects to the donations, if they do so as
individuals. We call on the Government of Kuwait to stand
firm by its decision and not to listen to other voices from
Parliament. We also salute the MP's who supported the
Donation decision.

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LEBARON