KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI PARLIAMENTARY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 005165 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, 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 TSOU PARIS FOR ZEYA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KPAO PREL KDEM IZ KMDR KU SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS - WEEKEND COVERAGE ¶1. Summary: Over the Kuwaiti weekend, Arabic dailies provided a low volume of coverage of the Iraqi parliamentary elections. For the most part, offering only news of wide participation by Sunnis. Sporadic reports of the alleged Iranian truck full of forged ballot boxes being seized as it attempted to cross into Iraq also appeared. The focus was mainly on the peaceful nature of the elections and the participation of Sunnis. End Summary. Selected Headlines -------------- ¶2. Thursday, December 15, 2005 -- Al-Rai Al-Aam p. 27 "Paralysis in Iraq the night of the parliamentary elections; 307 political entities, 19 of which are coalitions fighting together the battle today" -- Al-Watan front page "Iraqi elections: A decisive step towards stability and the Sunnis participate in search of a role" -- Al-Watan p. 25 "The American Congress: The Iraqi government may not be formed before April" -- Al-Seyassah front page "Iraqis decide the future of their country today" -- Al-Seyassah p. 35 "The foiling of an Iranian plot to forge Iraqi parliamentary elections" -- Al-Anbaa p. 27 "Seizure of Iranian trucks loaded with forged ballot boxes" ¶3. Friday, December 16, 2005 -- Al-Qabas front page "The intense Sunni participation paves the way for a balanced parliament" -- Al-Qabas p. 36 "Iraq voted quietly for the first free and comprehensive parliament"; "Iraqi Kurds voted for their identity" -- Al-Rai Al-Aam front page "A historic day for Iraq" -- Al-Rai Al-Aam p. 26 "Iraqis chose their representatives in the second parliamentary elections since the fall of Saddam's regime" -- Al-Watan front page "Iraqis vote to choose their first elected parliament: big turnout in Sunni areas increases competition" -- Al-Watan p. 15 "A democratic wedding in Iraq: 15 million voted to choose their first elected parliament" -- Al-Watan p. 17 "The elections: A struggle for power, wealth, and influence" -- Al-Seyassah front page "The Iraqis challenged `the shadows of death' and elected freedom" ;-- Al-Anbaa front page "Iraqis voted for sectarianism and ethnicity amidst explosions and the results will be out next year" -- Al-Anbaa p. 19 "Sunnis voted intensely in Saddam's home town to bury his era" -- Arab Times p. 18 "Jaafari's party tipped to win" Block Quotes -------------- ¶4. Thursday, December 15, 2005 -- Amar Taqi wrote for the moderate daily Al-Rai Al-Aam under the title "Allawi and the triple five list": "Today Iraqi voters head to the ballot boxes all over Iraq for the KUWAIT 00005165 002 OF 002 third time this year. There are 7,000 candidates in 18 electoral districts competing for 275 seats. This system is aimed to guarantee fair representation to the different sects and ethnic groups in parliament. These elections are different from the last ones held in that there is fierce competition, whereas the last elections were characterized by a relative calm. An example of the ferocity of these elections is the attacks that the United Iraqi Coalition List (555) has sustained and some of the `below the belt' shots from other candidate lists. The most antagonistic has been the National Iraqi List (731) led by the former Iraqi Prime Minister Eiad Allawi. All we hope for is that all parties refrain from forgery and that the election process be carried out in an honest manner so that we see the rise of a democratic, federal Iraq that preserves the rights of all of its citizens without discrimination. We are all hopeful that Iraqis will pay attention to their country's future and what is being plotted against it by the Baathists and Zarqawists." ¶5. Friday, December 16, 2005 -- Humaid Al-Malki wrote for the moderate daily Al-Rai Al- Aam under the title "Where is the Iraqi situation heading, and how?": "For the sake of continuing on the same path for Iraq to achieve its goals the participation of everyone in the political process on an equal footing is a must. Also, the basis of participation must be nationalism without any consideration for religion or ethnicity. Loyalty must to Iraq as a government and a people only. Iraqis must distance themselves from any and all divisions, because that is the only way to guarantee their safety and security as they walk the path of Iraqis who love their country and are loyal to it; those who unite for rebuilding Iraq and making it prosperous." ********************************************* Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website ********************************************* TUELLER