Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUWAIT2296
2006-06-14 16:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - ELECTIONS: WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION,
how-toVZCZCXRO8853 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK DE RUEHKU #2296 1651622 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 141622Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5176 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// IMMEDIATE
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
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