MEDIA REACTION: INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

UNCLAS KUWAIT 004763 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARN, NEA/PA, NEA/AIA, INR/NESA, R/MR, I/GNEA, B/BXN, B/BRN, NEA/PPD, NEA/IPA FOR ALTERMAN USAID/ANE/MEA LONDON FOR POL PARIS FOR POL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO XF IZ KU SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. Moderate Arabic daily Al-Seyassah reprinted an article by Mohamed Yousef Al-Melaify titled "The audacity of the American report." Mr. Al-Melaify heavily criticized the International Religious Freedom Report. He questioned the authenticity of the report's information as well as the integrity of its authors. Al-Melaify also pointed out shortcomings of the U.S. Government and American society. End summary. -------------- Block Quote -------------- ¶2. Sunday, November 13, 2005 -- Mohamed Yousef Al-Melaify wrote for moderate Al-Seyassah on page 28, under the title "The audacity of the American report": "the Kuwaiti proverb that translates into `taking a bad situation and making it worse' best describes the American report on the alleged violations of religious rights in the world. The report was prepared by a suspicious group of so-called "neo-conservatives" and included our big sister the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other nations. I prefer Dr. Walid Al-Tabtabaei's response to this suspicious report where he said that while America's house is made of glass it continues to throw rocks at others. What freedom of religion do you (neo- conservatives) speak of when our holy Koran is still being violated in your prisons established in the East and the West? Of what freedom of religion do you speak when those released from your prisons are still telling tales of horror? Of what freedom of religion do you speak when you have given your blessings to the murder of the handicapped Sheikh Ahmed Yassin? And, what has he done other than give speeches and speak out? It is puzzling that the American report would mention women's rights when their number of illegitimate children exceeds those born to legitimate parents. It is puzzling that the American report would mention treatment of domestic workers when the exploitation of what they call `illegal aliens' is widely known--having them work for lower wages and threatening them with deportation in case they do not comply. It was only a few years ago that blacks were not allowed into white schools, cinemas, or restaurants. They were even prevented from sitting in the front half of the bus. And, what of the Oklahoma City bombing? It reeks of racism that is worse than anything we could have ever done." LEBARON