Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KUWAIT768
2005-02-21 13:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
"SYRIAL KILLERS:" MARCHERS IN KUWAIT PROTEST
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS KUWAIT 000768
SIPDIS
FOR BERNS AT NEA/ARPI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KU LE PDEM
SUBJECT: "SYRIAL KILLERS:" MARCHERS IN KUWAIT PROTEST
MURDER OF RAFIQ HARIRI
UNCLAS KUWAIT 000768
SIPDIS
FOR BERNS AT NEA/ARPI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KU LE PDEM
SUBJECT: "SYRIAL KILLERS:" MARCHERS IN KUWAIT PROTEST
MURDER OF RAFIQ HARIRI
1. A crowd of 100-200 peaceful protesters chanted anti-Syrian
slogans, waved Lebanese flags and carried pictures of the
late Rafiq Hariri near the Embassy of Lebanon in Kuwait on
February 21, coinciding with a protest through the streets of
downtown Beirut. This was the second such rally in Kuwait in
as many days. Kuwaiti police looked on as marchers sang the
Lebanese national anthem, recited the opening verse
(al-fatihah) of the Koran and displayed signs (in Arabic,
English and French) with slogans such as: "syrial killers,"
"Syria out," "leave us alone" and "yes to freedom, no to
occupation."
2. Poloff attended the rally and observed that the majority
of the protesters ranged in age from 20 to 40 years old. From
the number of people reciting the Koranic verse, many
marchers were Muslim although Christians were present,
identified by the common practice of wearing a cross on one's
outer garment. The protesters, some of whom donned red and
white scarves, displayed handwritten and pre-printed signs as
they walked up and down Istiqlaal Street in the diplomatic
quarter. Police, however, prevented marchers from approaching
the embassy itself. The primary role of the police seemed
traffic control as they were wearing regular uniforms without
visible body armor. The gathering lasted approximately 30
minutes before the crowd began to disperse.
3. Comment: Such rallies are not common in Kuwait, and this
gathering is indicative of the high esteem in which Hariri
was held. A rally organizer is required to obtain prior
permission from the Ministry of Interior if there will be
more than 25 participants. Police dispersed February 20's
rally peacefully indicating that the protesters did not
possess the proper authorization. Those who returned on
February 21 apparently were in compliance as police made no
attempts to end the rally prematurely. End comment.
TUELLER
SIPDIS
FOR BERNS AT NEA/ARPI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KU LE PDEM
SUBJECT: "SYRIAL KILLERS:" MARCHERS IN KUWAIT PROTEST
MURDER OF RAFIQ HARIRI
1. A crowd of 100-200 peaceful protesters chanted anti-Syrian
slogans, waved Lebanese flags and carried pictures of the
late Rafiq Hariri near the Embassy of Lebanon in Kuwait on
February 21, coinciding with a protest through the streets of
downtown Beirut. This was the second such rally in Kuwait in
as many days. Kuwaiti police looked on as marchers sang the
Lebanese national anthem, recited the opening verse
(al-fatihah) of the Koran and displayed signs (in Arabic,
English and French) with slogans such as: "syrial killers,"
"Syria out," "leave us alone" and "yes to freedom, no to
occupation."
2. Poloff attended the rally and observed that the majority
of the protesters ranged in age from 20 to 40 years old. From
the number of people reciting the Koranic verse, many
marchers were Muslim although Christians were present,
identified by the common practice of wearing a cross on one's
outer garment. The protesters, some of whom donned red and
white scarves, displayed handwritten and pre-printed signs as
they walked up and down Istiqlaal Street in the diplomatic
quarter. Police, however, prevented marchers from approaching
the embassy itself. The primary role of the police seemed
traffic control as they were wearing regular uniforms without
visible body armor. The gathering lasted approximately 30
minutes before the crowd began to disperse.
3. Comment: Such rallies are not common in Kuwait, and this
gathering is indicative of the high esteem in which Hariri
was held. A rally organizer is required to obtain prior
permission from the Ministry of Interior if there will be
more than 25 participants. Police dispersed February 20's
rally peacefully indicating that the protesters did not
possess the proper authorization. Those who returned on
February 21 apparently were in compliance as police made no
attempts to end the rally prematurely. End comment.
TUELLER