KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - ELECTIONS: WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION, REFORM, AND CORRUPTION

UNCLAS KUWAIT 002296 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, 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 KDEM PGOV KU SUFFRAGE SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - ELECTIONS: WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION, REFORM, AND CORRUPTION Block Quotes -------------- Wednesday, June 14, 2006 -- Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University, Dr. Shamlan Yousef Al-Issa maintained in the pro-government daily Al-Seyassah under the title "Elect Women" (6/14): "Following the platforms presented by women candidates, we find most of them have a nationalist reformist flavor, unlike those presented by the men that have a repetitive boring flavor, and always blame the government, as if they are angels and prophets. Kuwait women candidates' proposals are closer to the interests of the majority of Kuwaiti women. These are interests with more of a humanitarian flavor that is more in tune with women's nature. Lastly, we believe that all segments of society should support women in her quest for justice and equality in society. These elections are the biggest chance for the government and society to prove how serious they are in achieving justice, equality, and general reform. We hope women will vote for women rather than voting for men." -- Liberal columnist Ahmed Al-Deyyain noted in the moderate Arabic-language daily Al-Rai Al-Aam under the title "Yesterday's Opponents Today's Allies" (6/14): "The upcoming elections are different from any past elections held in Kuwait. These elections are being held during an acute crisis that is a few months old and a political battle for reforming the corrupt electoral system. These elections have a special character to them, and therefore calculations, more specifically vote calculations, should be different from what we have become accustomed to in other elections.... The battle is not for women's rights which have become a reality. Nor is it a battle over coed gatherings, book censorship, party guidelines, or one of liberal vs. Islamist. It is a determined battle to reform the electoral system and combat the symbols of corruption." -- Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim commented in the progressive Arabic-language daily Al-Qabas under the title "Women's Vote" (6/14): "This is the time for Kuwaiti women to help themselves by owning their decision and giving their votes to those who helped them and got them their rights with transparency and responsibility. It is our conviction that for Kuwaiti women to support themselves in that fashion is the path capable of making the upcoming parliamentary elections a turning point in the social voyage of this country...." ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * TUELLER