MEDIA REACTION - IRAQI ELECTIONS;FEBRUARY 1

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000447

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 - IRAQI ELECTIONS;FEBRUARY 1

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Summary
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1. Kuwait TV reports on the Iraqi elections ran as a second lead
due to the competing news of security operations against militants
in Kuwaiti City. Editorials continue to praise the election
process, which took place despite "threats of terrorism." Only
one columnist voiced pessimism believing that the United States is
trying to consolidate its power through the Iraqi elections. End
summary.


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Kuwaiti TV
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2. Iraqi elections ran as the second lead story on February 1 due
to Kuwait's security operations against terrorists. A quarter hour
of straight reporting on the "historical" elections of Iraq as
aired.


3. From Iraq: Reports from areas in Iraq (Karkouk, Basra, and
Baghdad) were filed showing Iraqis celebrating after casting their
votes. The TV moderator summarized saying: "Iraqis celebrate
their election `wedding.' ...After these hard times, the Iraqi
people will have to wait for another two weeks to receive the
results."


4. From London: The TV news reported on Tony Blair's speech
about the elections and on Parliament's debate about the timing of
withdrawal of British troops.


5. From Washington: An interview with editor-in-chief of Al-
Hayat also focused on troop withdrawal and requisite "next steps."
He said: "The new government will have to make agreements with
the UK and the U.S. regarding the future relationship and to
demonstrate that the fall of Saddam and their intervention
actually has brought in democracy."


6. From the UN: In addition, a translated report on Kofi Anan's
speech on the Iraqi elections stated: "The UN is ready to help
the Iraqis after the election results are ready."

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Block Quotes
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7. Dr. Badriya Al-Awadhi wrote in independent Al-Qabas: "The
sight of Iraqi women, with smiles on their faces, from various
regions submitting their votes while standing next to the men,
even with the threat of terrorism, proves to Arab regimes the need
to give each Arab his right to participate in choosing those who
represent him in elections without that fear or oppression used in
the days of Saddam and that still exists in a number of Arab
countries. Maybe the experience of free and noble Iraqi elections
will set a democratic precedent for Arab countries to respect the
human right of each Arab in freely choosing, without fear or
terrorist ideology, which political party governs him."


8. Liberal columnist Ali al-Baghli wrote in independent Al-Qabas:
"The Iraqi elections are a blow to all those who are enemies of
democracy in the Arab world and especially in Iraq where a 65
percent voter turnout demonstrates the thirst Iraqis have for the
mere smell of democracy after the nightmare of the Baathist party.
As for Sunni who decided to boycott the elections, that is their
business; but to all those who bet on the failure of the Iraqi
elections, we say: "Die of Envy."


9. Dr. Jassem Al-Fuhaid wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-A'am:
"The reality is that the United States' insistence on holding the
Iraqi elections on January 30 was meant to consolidate her
supremacy and ratify its process of democratizing the new Iraq.
The (real) issue was not about securing polling stations, but in
providing a secure democratic climate where electoral nominees
could freely circulate among the electorate. The United States'
failure to set a specific timetable for expanding security in Iraq
was the main reason for her refusal to postpone the elections.
Having staged elections at this tense and gloomy period does not
solve the Iraqi problem."


10. Dr. Abdullah Sahar, Kuwait University political science
professor and moderate Islamist wrote in Al-Anba: "All Iraqi
political powers will, without a doubt, be affected in varying
degrees by the outcome of and the implications the Iraqi elections
on the region and the entire world. The victorious party will
gain legitimate authority to deal with the political powers in the
"center" and outside of Iraq. This will enable the winning party
to have a clear vision for the future and three options: to
cooperate; to rebel; or, to adopt a marginal role without directly
tackling Iraqi reality. This is why the United States and Iran,
even though they appear to be adopting opposite positions toward
Iraq and other affairs, are in agreement about the necessity of
holding elections in Iraq. Kuwait also sees the need for a
representative democratic regime in Iraq, provided that it is a
peaceful one that respects her autonomy."


11. Ibarhim Al-Thuwaini wrote in independent Al-Anba: "The Iraqi
people are waging a decisive battle against terrorism and the
remnants of the Ba'ath party and other factions which deny freedom
and democracy to Iraq. Every voting ballot cast by an Iraqi
citizen is a "fatal bullet" to the enemies of freedom and
dictators. The campaign of terror will not succeed in "repeating
history" in Iraq. The will of the people in Iraq will guarantee
them a new Iraq: one with dignity in which it will be able to
coexist peacefully with neighboring countries and to take its
rightful place in the international community.


12. Liberal and pro-government columnist Ahmad Al-Jarrallah wrote
in independent Al-Seyassah: "Iraqis are now free and democracy
has been returned to the people of Iraq. When President Bush
described the elections in Iraq as a `resounding success,' he
meant `the political tsunami' which established a link between the
operation to liberate Iraq and its ultimate objective of freedom.
The election has succeeded in giving Iraq back to its people. At
the same time, these elections created tidal waves, which will
flood the entire region with ideas about democracy, freedom, and
human rights. Iraqis have now won their self-rule and are
teaching other people the concepts of law just as in the days of
Hammurabi, the man of law."

LeBaron