SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: MOURNING THE AMIR SHIFTS TO THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 000216 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PA, NEA/AIA, INR/NESA, R/MR, I/GNEA, B/BXN, B/BRN, NEA/PPD, NEA/IPA FOR ALTERMAN USAID/ANE/MEA LONDON FOR TSOU PARIS FOR ZEYA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KPAO PREL KDEM IZ KMDR KU SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: MOURNING THE AMIR SHIFTS TO THE SUCCESSION STRUGGLE Selected Headlines -------------- ¶1. Sunday, January 22, 2006 -- Al-Qabas front page "Two parallel lines: Activating article 3 and opening door for settlement"; "Council of Ministers keeps its sessions open"; "Speaker Al-Khrafi: Matters are in wise hands"; "Royal family meeting Al-Shaab Palace cancelled"; "Informed Sources: Medical report is ready"; "Amir sent a letter to National Assembly Speaker to set a date for oath-taking special session" -- Al-Qabas p. 4 "National Assembly's Bureau discussed request to hold oath-taking session" -- Al-Qabas p. 5 "Council of Ministers decides to use article 3 of the Succession Law" -- Al-Qabas p. 7 "Women's Forum tomorrow to eulogize Jaber Al-Ahmad" -- Al-Qabas p. 23 "Adel Al-Qassar: Royal family icons should rise above disputes and differences" -- Al-Qabas back page "Dr. Ahmad Al-Rubei: Homeland is bigger than individuals" -- Al-Rai Al-Aam front page "Fahd Al-Saad regretted not being able to set a date for Speaker Al-Khrafi to meet with the Amir"; "Window of hope on possibility of avoiding tough constitutional and political scenarios deadlocked" -- Al-Rai Al-Aam p. 2 "Al-Tabtabaei: National Assembly cannot ignore Amir's letter" -- Al-Rai Al-Aam p. 3 "Council of Ministers decided to activate article 3 of the succession law" -- Al-Rai Al-Aam p. 29 "Al-Rai Al-Aam cartoon: All Kuwaitis are constitutional experts these days" -- Al-Watan front page "Council of Ministers commences 'settlement' procedures"; "Government will ask for "urgent special session" within 48 hours"; "Sharar: Cohesion and solidarity in favor of Kuwait's interest" -- Al-Watan p. 3 "American Congressional delegation: Shaykh Jaber boosted relations between Kuwait and America" -- Al-Watan p. 50 "Dr. Ismail Al-Shatti: Potentials of Success of Continuation of Al-Sabah Family Rule" -- Al-Seyassah front page "Final word for the National Assembly and decision is on Wednesday"; "Amir refused to receive Speaker Al-Khrafi and experts affirmed non-constitutionality of request to hold oath-taking session"; "Al-Khrafi: Kuwait in safe hands and wisdom will ultimately prevail"; "Speaker Al-Khrafi: National Assembly's Bureau authorized me to meet the Amir and 'request to hold oath-taking session' was referred to constitutional experts" Block Quotes -------------- ¶2. Friday, January 20, 2006 -- Al-Qabas progressive daily newspaper's staff wrote on the front page under the title "The difficult decision for the big man of Kuwait": "Here is Kuwait today before the moment of truth. This is an occasion to turn to His Highness the Amir Shaykh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, the man who has constantly dedicated his efforts and work to Kuwait for close to half a century and was a hero in the battle to rescue its legitimacy. He is also a hero of its liberation from Saddam's destructive invasion alongside Jaber Al-Ahmed. This is an occasion for us to call him to continue his work for Kuwait and make another sacrifice. He will not shy away from presenting Kuwait with another sacrifice in order to spare her problems or maybe even crises. His ceding of power to he who is able from the ruling family will be looked upon by the people of Kuwait as another initiative added to his great record of initiatives for the good of Kuwait and its people. By doing so, he will maintain his national value.... He has a very high place in the Kuwaiti people's hearts and will gain even more favor if he was to allow for someone to take KUWAIT 00000216 002 OF 003 over who is able to serve Kuwait in the future." -- Baraa Hamoud Al-Roumi wrote in the moderate daily newspaper Al-Rai Al-Aam under the title "Let's continue on the path of success and superiority": "The path of success begun by Shaykh Jaber is a long and hard path but to maintain what we have achieved will be harder than getting to it especially with the dangers looming in the future of the country. I hope of all loyal Kuwaitis to hold steadfastly to that which benefits Kuwait and to fight corruption in all its types and shapes. I urge you to stand together and cooperate for the sake of our country and our Arab nation." ¶3. Saturday, January 21, 2006 -- Editor-in-chief of the moderate daily newspaper Al-Rai Al-Aam Jasim Boodai wrote under the title "Why Sabah Al-Ahmed?": "Kuwait has rarely known such a dynamic, calm, and cautious personality. He was raised alongside the departed Amir and experienced everything with and was also with His Highness Shaykh Saad Al-Abdullah throughout all the stages of international relations and has benefited from both of them. In short, he was a man with a pivotal role in the rule of Kuwait. He is a school of Arab diplomacy to whom all seeking knowledge flock. He lived through the domestic politics of Kuwait with great ability. Sabah Al-Ahmed is a man who was and will remain the voice of Kuwait and its image. His wisdom is needed now more than any other time to close the files forced open by circumstances. Your vision is required now more than any other time in order to turn over a new leaf. Your strength is needed now more than any other time to promote the Kuwait experience to the entire region; the experience of promise and contract between the ruled and the ruler. Why Sabah Al-Ahmed? Because, he is strong and trustworthy; strong with Kuwait and is to be trusted with it." -- Suliman Al-Fahd wrote in the progressive daily newspaper Al-Qabas under the title "The displacement celebration": "I will not repeat what has been said and understood about Shaykh Saad's unmatched love for his people and his country. As the people of Kuwait have become accustomed to being surrounded by love and appreciation and being overwhelmed with loyalty and allegiance, I think it is Shaykh Saad's right and the people's duty to turn the day of displacement into a national holiday. A holiday during which we find all the slogans of national unity and the steadfastness of the ruling family as his displacement is inline with the sacrifices he has made for the country and its people. Yes, the displacement should be done within a framework that respects the heritage of love that flourishes within the hearts of Kuwaitis towards this popularly loved Shaykh." -- Abdul Latif Al-Daiej also wrote in the progressive daily newspaper Al-Qabas under the title "We started with consultation...we should end with it": "Today Kuwait is experiencing what can be called its darkest days. In addition to losing the leader of its rise, civilization, and economy it is suffering political instability resulting from his absence. And this was the state that remained politically stable and nationally united even when all of its territory was lost and its organizations fell during Saddam's invasion. It was not easy for Kuwait's leadership and people to remain standing during the invasion and it is not easy...today to lose all of that. We do not want to give advice to anyone and we certainly do not want to point out the mistakes of one party or another, but this is our country and this is our fate. Kuwait was established from beginning to end on democratic principles and consultation; today it faces a crisis of such magnitude the exit can only be through adherence to the constitution and the principles of rule. We are confident of the Shaykhs' wisdom, hence we are not going to offer advice, and we shall save our agreements and disagreements until the matter is settled." -- Nabil Al-Fadl wrote in the moderate daily newspaper Al-Watan under the title "They should have respected him": "Who do we believe? What we see and know of His Highness Shaykh Saad's deteriorating health? Or, do we believe the wishes that say he is able to take over and run the country starting with naming a Crown Prince and a Prime Minister to being the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces? Who do we believe? The Council of Minister, which de facto has the power constitutionally under these circumstances? Or, do we believe those who allege that His Highness's health is good enough to allow him carry out his constitutional duties? What is amazing is that His Highness Shaykh Salim Al-Ali jumps in the middle of this turmoil and he is the one that has spent the last half-century having nothing to do with the government.... That is why we ask with amazement where is the wisdom in having a few member of the family destabilize the family pledge of allegiance and KUWAIT 00000216 003 OF 003 disturbing the smooth transfer of power within considering Shaykh Saad's health condition? They should have respected Kuwait and its people and did not want Shaykh Saad to become the Amir after his God's will to deteriorate his health, his strength and his mind. They should have respected the ruling family. They should have respected Shaykh Saad himself as they pushed him through rough roads littered with disagreements with the rest of the family, the constitution, and logical thinking. What evil advice are they listening to? And, do they not see its negative effects on the stock market and the people? What black intentions are they hiding behind their irrational and illogical demands? May God protect Kuwait from the evil deeds of its sons and their greed. As for that which is outside, our friends are protecting us from that." -- Al-Anbaa moderate daily newspaper's staff wrote on the front page under the title "Yes 'Bu Fahd' Kuwait first": "Kuwait first Kuwait first Kuwait first That is what His Highness Shaykh Saad Al-Abdullah swore to and it is the same ideal that rejuvenated itself in the conscience of the Kuwait people and shined through the decision of its wise ones when they came to act on it and not only speak it. Because Kuwait is first, we should act based on wisdom and not emotions. Now is the time for Kuwait to be first through action not words. You have called on us to take the oath of 'Kuwait first' Bu Fahd and here we are today acting on it." ********************************************* 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