FREEDOM AGENDA: REACTIONS TO PARLIAMENT DISSOLUTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001852

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE, SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM KU FREEDOM AGENDA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
SUBJECT: FREEDOM AGENDA: REACTIONS TO PARLIAMENT DISSOLUTION

REF: A. Kuwait 01833

B. Kuwait 01789


1. (U) Summary: The Amir's May 21 decision to dissolve Parliament
has Kuwaitis focused on the prospects for meaningful political
reform and the impact of women voting in national elections for the
first time. A number of public figures have already declared their
intent to run for office, among them several women. Some MPs
commented that the dissolution was a necessary response to
Parliament's failure to resolve the electoral redistricting impasse
and to the unprecedented threats to "grill" the Prime Minister.
Others accused the Government of failing to take reform seriously
and expressed embarrassment at the political in-fighting. End
summary.

Mixed Reaction to Dissolution
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2. (U) The news that the Amir was to dissolve Parliament spread
through Kuwait hours before the official announcement was made. The
dissolution forces new elections which many hope will bring fresh
faces and new views to Parliament. (Note: In every Parliamentary
election in Kuwait, 40 to 50 percent of the members have changed and
people expect the pattern to continue this time out.) The
announcement was met with little surprise as the intensity of the
recent debate had for many reached a point of no return. Kuwaiti
society is almost evenly split on the decision to dissolve
Parliament. According to a spot poll conducted by Arabic daily
Al-Qabas, 48 percent of those questioned favored the decision and 47
percent opposed it. In addition, 48 percent do not believe there is
ample time to prepare for the June 29 elections.

Dissolution the Only Solution
--------------


3. (U) A typical pro-Government view was expressed by MP Issam
Al-Dabbous, who said the dissolution was taken due to the Amir's
desire to "protect the country against practices which disunite"
Kuwaitis. A ruling family member noted that dialogue had broken
down, with both sides dug in to their positions. However, some
opposition voices also welcomed the Amir's decision. Parliamentary
candidate Dr. Rola Dashti, Chairman of the Kuwait Economic Society,
said that there was "a lack of wisdom in the [constituency] debate"
and welcomed the "Amir's wisdom...in taking the right decision."

Disappointed by Dissolution
--------------


4. (SBU) While avoiding direct criticism of the Amir's action,
other Kuwaitis are expressing unhappiness with the decision, saying
that Kuwait is embarrassed by the fact that the Government could
not resolve the electoral dispute. One of the sons of late Amir
Shaykh Jaber said he was "shocked" a deal had not been brokered to
ensure the Parliament was not dissolved. Even some of those who may
benefit from the upcoming elections expressed concern with the
handling of the impasse. Parliamentary candidate Aisha Al-Reshaid
said, "I blame both Government and Parliament: they did not solve
the problem wisely." Dashti's campaign manager, Nadia Al-Sharrah,
chided the Government for not calling for resignations rather than
opting for dissolution." Parliamentary candidate Khawla Al-Ateeqi,
a member of the conservative Kuwait Teacher's Society asked, "Where
is democracy if a big government can't solve a small problem like
this? It is both parties fault that the Parliament was dissolved."
A Kuwait Stock Exchange representative who previously predicted the
dissolution expressed disappointment with the GOK's decision,
asserting that "this is not the way to solve a political impasse,
particularly one that involved the demands of the people."

A Real Lesson in Democracy
--------------


5. (U) A number of MPs have tried to put a positive spin on the
dissolution, arguing that the elections would advance national
political interests. Pro-government Shi'a MP Saleh Ashour argued
that the June 29 elections would help Parliament learn to be more
"realistic" about how to affect change and it would "ripen the
Kuwaiti arena politically." Islamist MP Dr. Nasser Al-Sane noted
that the current political turmoil is unifying disparate groups in
the campaign against corruption.


6. (U) Popular involvement in the political debate is another
trend that several observers hope will be sustained. Pro-reform MP
Abdul Wahab Al-Haroun called on his colleagues to "capitalize on the
popular tide that was supporting us during our rallies... to make
sure that this support continues." Reinforcing this view, MP Nasser
Al-Sane stated:
"What we have won is the confidence of the people. We are now
strongly supported by the people in our campaign to combat
corruption. We will witness a great wake-up."

Off and Running

KUWAIT 00001852 002 OF 002


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7. (U) The dissolution is providing women an early opportunity to
run for a seat in the 50-member Parliament. According to a May 22
poll, 55 percent of Kuwaitis believe "women's participation will
revamp elections." While there is not great optimism that a woman
will be elected, several have launched campaigns. Dashti began
assembling her advisors and campaign staff hours before the official
dissolution announcement. She is joined by several other women
including journalist Al-Reshaid, who has been campaigning for months
in more conservative neighborhoods; educator Adela Al-Sayer; media
activist Iqbal Al-Ahmad; political activist and Kuwait Oil Company
executive Dr. Fatima Al-Abdali; Shi'a and Islamic National Consensus
Movement candidate Khadija Al-Mahmeed; and newcomer Fatima
Al-Mutairi.


8. (U) Among the men, Commerce Minister and former MP Yousef
Al-Zalzalah announced he will resign his Cabinet post and again run
for a Parliament seat. Dr. Saad Bin Tefla, a Kuwait University
linguistics professor and former Minister of Information, told the
press he too would run for office, siding with those who advocated
five electoral districts.

Beat the Heat
--------------


9. (U) While parliamentary dissolution came as no surprise, the
five week period to prepare for the June 29 election has caught some
candidates off guard. The constitution requires that elections be
held within two months of the dissolution. The June 29 date is
probably dictated by practical considerations. A significant
percentage of Kuwaiti society vacations during the summer months
when temperatures often exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Holding
elections before the peak travel season maximizes the opportunity
for the Kuwaiti people to actively participate in the electoral
process.

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LEBARON