Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUWAIT2449
2006-06-23 15:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - ELECTIONS: POLITICAL CORRUPTION,
how-toVZCZCXRO8990 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK DE RUEHKU #2449/01 1741540 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 231540Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5345 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// IMMEDIATE
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
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