KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - ELECTIONS: POLITICAL CORRUPTION,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002449 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 MEDIA REACTION SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - ELECTIONS: POLITICAL CORRUPTION, CENSORSHIP, DECEPTION, AND ALLIANCES Block Quotes -------------- Friday, June 23, 2006 -- Pro-government Arabic daily Al-Seyassah reprinted statements made by Chairman of the National Committee for Honest Election Dr. Sajjed Al-Abdally. In his statement to the press Dr. Al-Abdally observed, "In the past few days we have witnessed several new developments in the election process; while some may be classified as positive changes, we continue to see developments that would negatively affect the honesty of this election." Dr. Al-Abdally clarified, "Vote buying and political financing practices are not necessarily taking place only in the form of money exchange; bribes are conducted in the form of intangible services, airline tickets, expedition of government processes, and promises to perform a service or provide a product in the future." He also criticized that: "The request by the Minister of Information to close satellite channels is a setback to the freedom of speech and expression of opinion.... During an election, the media must be allowed to operate without restrictions. The government instead was selective in its implementation of bylaws." -- Under the headline "Not like any other election," Ms. Fatima Othman Al-Bakr wrote in the progressive Arabic daily Al-Qabas, "This year's election is not like previous elections we have had. This year, for the first time, we witness the liberal, independent, and Islamist candidates join hands and campaign for the same goals. This election also has witnessed the birth of a reform document signed by members of various political groups, which included terms like financial transparency and implementation of accountability laws. This is also the first time that women have been permitted to play an active role, and participle both as voters and candidates. This last change is quite significant because the rules of the game changed when women became players. Opponents of women's political rights in the past are now inviting the same women to join their campaigns, and attempting to gain their votes. As it has been said: 'In politics you have neither permanent enemies nor friends; rather you have mutual benefits and temporary alliances.' The average citizen is only concerned with his or her own interests. People want to know that election promises will be translated into action. The issues that matter to them are: health, education, employment, housing, and a vigorous economy, which is the most important of all." -- An opinion column in the progressive Arabic daily Al-Qabas, which carried the headline "Political Deception Against Women," by Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijry opined, "Women of Kuwait do not lack political awareness or maturity. The majority of women are graduates from colleges or universities; however, women honestly need better organization, and they need to learn how to play the game collectively. Women are at a disadvantage in spite of having won their political rights. To prove my point, I only have to point to the fact that only 11% of women today occupy leadership positions in our society. In addition to that, women today are falling victims to a dirty game of political deception. Yesterday's enemies have transformed overnight into loyal supporters!" -- Conservative Arabic daily Al-Watan published an article by Mesfer Al-Na'ise with the headline, "The Government and the Election Game." Mr. Al-Na'ise penned, "When everyone admits that the election law is corrupt this means that any result from this legislation is crooked too. There is no doubt that the silent MPs and the MPs of the service sector are going to be re-elected. On Election Day people must work collectively and objectively to forget tribal loyalties, ethnic and family alliances; otherwise we would have wasted a golden opportunity for change. Election is a dangerous game. He who decides to play it must know the rule before getting involved. The government has gone into this election with full force. This is what any government in the world would do. Because the government has an interest in failing some candidates, and making sure that certain others win. This is a real battle, with a winner and a loser. I hope we can forget our tribal, clan, and family alliances on June 29, and vote for the most qualified, and the person with experience. The candidate who makes it to the Parliament is going to represent the people. People are not going to be deceived by those who change their minds once they secure a seat in the Parliament." ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s KUWAIT 00002449 002 OF 002 Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ************************* TUELLER