KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION: International Conference on

UNCLAS KUWAIT 005289 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PA, NEA/PPD, INR/NESA LONDON FOR TSOU PARIS FOR ZEYA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV KPAO KMDR KISL OEXC KU SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION: International Conference on Using Education to Combat Terrorism and Extremism II Ref: Kuwait 5287 ¶1. Summary: Kuwaiti daily newspapers provided coverage on their pages of the first International Conference on the Educational Dimensions in the Treatment of Terrorism and Extremism Phenomenon, reporting on it as a news piece. Dr. Shamlan Yousef Al-Issa is a professor of political science at the University of Kuwait and is the only person who commented on the conference. End Summary. Block Quotes -------------- ¶2. Wednesday, December 28, 2005 -- Under the title "Education and terrorism," Dr. Shamlan Yousef Al-Issa wrote in the moderate Arabic-language daily Al-Seyassah: "Kuwait hosted the first International Conference on the Educational Dimensional Impact in the Treatment of Terrorism and Extremism Phenomenon. The goal of the conference as Dr. Rasha Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, stated, is to put a mark of knowledge on the road to moderation and the isolation of extremism and terrorism. More than 15 research papers were presented during the conference all dealing with the social, educational, religious, and cultural aspects of terrorism. I have noticed that some officials and academics attempted to explain what happened by speaking of terrorism as a foreign phenomena to Gulf and Arab societies and that Gulf societies are traditional, peaceful, and adhere to religion and its teachings of tolerance. This type of talk is an attempt to clear one's name from all the accusations that are falling onto the government from all sides. The importance of the Conference on the Educational Dimensional Impact in the Treatment of Terrorism and Extremism Phenomenon lays in the participation of youth, as they discussed many good ideas on how to better spend their free time in order to curb extremism and terrorism. Of most importance among the ideas put forth is that of assuring others the freedom of culture and the freedom of religion. They also called on the government to allow them to have a voice in the making of decisions that affect their future. We hope these suggestions will materialize and be implemented." ********************************************* 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 ********************************************* LeBaron