KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION: Iran's Nuclear Program

UNCLAS KUWAIT 005290 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PA, NEA/PPD, INR/NESA LONDON FOR TSOU PARIS FOR ZEYA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO KMDR KU XF SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION: Iran's Nuclear Program ¶1. Summary: Kuwaiti Arabic-language daily newspapers have not covered the Iranian nuclear program and its international implications with great depth. Articles and news pieces have appeared sporadically when there have been major developments. The article below was published in a daily newspaper that is considered to be moderate. End Summary. Block Quotes -------------- ¶2. Wednesday, December 28, 2005 -- Under the title, "Which is more dangerous Israel or Iran?," Salah Al-Fadly wrote in the moderate Arabic-language daily Al-Rai Al-Aam: "The Gulf Cooperation Council summit meeting held last week in the UAE called for making the Middle East a region free of weapons of mass destruction. Despite the fact that this call includes all countries that possess nuclear weapons or nuclear programs, it seems that it was aimed at the Iranian nuclear program. When speaking of tensions, worries, and fears experienced by the countries in the region towards the Iranian nuclear program, we must examine the likelihood of the Iranian nuclear program posing a threat to Gulf States. If Iran had any hostile intentions towards the Gulf States, it would certainly not need nuclear weapons. Iran's rhetoric has been and continues to be one of friendship despite the harm caused by the Gulf States to it during the Iran-Iraq war. Some may claim that Gulf States are afraid of technical malfunctions or the case of Israel deciding to strike against Iranian reactors and that they (Gulf states) would suffer the most. That is a legitimate fear and one that Iran should address. It is Iran's right as it is the right of any state to develop its capabilities. Even if the program's ultimate goal is to develop a nuclear weapon, that is still Iran's right. More precisely, it is a duty, as nuclear weapons are the only deterrent against Israel in case of it deciding to attack Iran. Iran should speed up its program and obtain nuclear weapons as Israel is not to be trusted. Gulf States should be comfortable with this, because if there is a danger threatening them, it most certainly is not Iran." ********************************************* 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