MEDIA REACTION: Iran

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001396 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PA, NEA/AIA, NEA/PI, INR/NESA, R/MR, I/GNEA, B/BXN, B/BRN, NEA/PPD, NEA/IPA FOR ALTERMAN LONDON FOR TSOU PARIS FOR ZEYA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PREL KDEM PGOV KU SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: Iran Block Quotes -------------- -- The moderate Arabic-language daily Al-Watan printed "How can we believe the Americans?" by Mesaed Adel Al-Zafiri in which he questioned American motives: "I do not believe in American legitimacy and I do not see any hope in its direction. This is not new and many people share the same opinion, but what is new is that some of our 'Arab liberals' continue to absolutely believe in America's deceptions and lies. By God, liberals, how can you trust an administration that may turn on you, as it turned on others before you, at the first sign of feeling that you are no longer of use to them or when you start becoming a financial or political liability to it?" -- The pro-government daily Al-Seyassah published "The Gulf and the nuclear demon" by Dr. Shamlan Yousef Al-Issa in which he stated: "I do not envy the position the Gulf leaders are currently in. They got used to running their small, safe, and peaceful states that have always been wary of its more powerful neighbors' hegemony, Iraq and Iran. The Gulf leaders are worried of Iran's influence in Iraq growing and are scared of Iran possessing a nuclear weapon, but at the same time they are unable to pressure Iran to back away from its nuclear ambitions. That is why they are trying to take a neutral stance and call for peaceful negotiations. At the same time that they seek to bolster their relations with the West, especially with the United States, England, and France, it is in their advantage to maintain good relation with Iran." --The pro-government daily Al-Seyassah also published, "Iranian nukes... crowning of a power dream" by Mahmoud Karam in which he wrote: "I Cannot comprehend the logic of those who support a country that spends millions of dollars on building a nuclear program and turns a blind eye to building the Iranian people and perceive it as an example of power and righteousness. Without thinking of what nuclear weapons could add to the Islamic republic at the same time that it is drowning in poverty, lack of freedom, violations of human rights, and religious fanaticism, they support the acquisition of nuclear weapons." ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * LEBARON