Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUWAIT2568
2006-06-27 14:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
ELECTION COUNTDOWN: YOUTH ACTIVISTS HIGHLIGHT
how-toVZCZCXRO1915 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK DE RUEHKU #2568/01 1781424 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 271424Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5475 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002568
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KU FREEDOM AGENDA
SUBJECT: ELECTION COUNTDOWN: YOUTH ACTIVISTS HIGHLIGHT
FRAGILITY OF LIBERAL-ISLAMIST ALLIANCE FOR REFORM
REF: A. KUWAIT 2271
B. KUWAIT 2150
Classified By: CDA Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002568
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KU FREEDOM AGENDA
SUBJECT: ELECTION COUNTDOWN: YOUTH ACTIVISTS HIGHLIGHT
FRAGILITY OF LIBERAL-ISLAMIST ALLIANCE FOR REFORM
REF: A. KUWAIT 2271
B. KUWAIT 2150
Classified By: CDA Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C/NF) In a June 26 meeting with Poloff, "orange
movement" (ref B) leaders Kahled Al-Fadhalah, Jassem
Al-Maqamis, and Dana Al-Salem shared their views on the
upcoming elections. All three studied in the U.S. and were
active in the U.S. branch of the National Union of Kuwait
Students (NUKS). Both Al-Fadhalah and Al-Maqamis cited their
experience in the U.S., and specifically their involvement in
student organizations, as the primary impetus for their
activism in Kuwait. Al-Maqamis, who volunteered for the
Kerry campaign, said he learned first-hand the power of
political activism and was inspired to do something about the
problems he saw in Kuwait rather than just sit back
apathetically. Likewise, the three activists' example
inspired other Kuwaitis to join them in calling on the
Government to adopt political reforms. All they needed was a
spark, Al-Fadhalah said.
A Fragile Alliance
--------------
2. (C/NF) They acknowledged, however, the difficulties in
maintaining the pro-reform momentum. Already, there were
some signs that the liberal-Islamist alliance at the heart of
the pro-reform movement was beginning to fragment as each
group jockeyed for political position in these elections, a
development noted recently by several columnists.
Al-Fadhalah claimed the Kuwaiti Muslim Brotherhood (KMB) in
particular was playing politics, backing conservative
candidates running against more liberal incumbents, like
veteran MP Ahmed Al-Saadoun. The KMB's willingness to
undermine more liberal pro-reform MPs merely to increase
their own influence could "leave a bad taste in our mouth"
and undermine the cohesion of the new pro-reform block in
Parliament, he explained. (Comment: Other liberal contacts
have similarly questioned the Islamists' commitment to reform
(ref A). Islamist contacts, on the other hand, insist that
their support for reform is genuine and point out that they
have long been vocal advocates of political reform. End
comment.)
3. (C/NF) Ironically, Al-Fadhalah said Salafi candidates
were less duplicitous and more willing to work together with
liberals to promote reform. He cited as an example Waleed
Al-Tabtabaei, an outspoken Islamist incumbent, whom he said
they found "kinda cute" once they got to know him.
Ultimately, though, they were not overly optimistic that the
pro-reform alliance would hold together into the next
Parliament. They were also skeptical that newly elected MPs,
having spent so much money getting elected, would be willing
to put their political careers on the line to pressure the
Government to adopt political reforms. Despite these
concerns, they said they would keep up their pro-reform
campaign and hoped the new MPs would make electoral reform a
top priority.
A "Vision for Reform"
--------------
4. (SBU/NF) These youth activists are not the only ones
championing reform and working to combat corruption, however.
The Kuwait Transparency Society (KTS),a local NGO, has
drafted a document entitled, "Kuwait Vision for Reform," that
outlines 12 reform objectives (see para 6). According to
local press reports, "a large number of candidates, political
activists, and members of trade unions" have already signed
the document. A number of prominent Islamist candidates,
like Al-Tabtabaei and Jassem Al-Kandari were among the
signatories. It remains to be seen what influence this and
other similar measures will have on the new Parliament.
5. (C/NF) Comment: Post shares these youth activists'
concern that popular enthusiasm for reform will diminish
after the elections, particularly as many Kuwaitis leave for
extended summer vacations abroad. We are currently examining
ways to engage pro-reform activists and to use MEPI funds to
maintain the momentum for reform. Just one example, on July
3 the Charge is hosting an ice cream social for youth
activists to discuss how they can continue to constructively
advocate for change in Kuwait. The grassroots, pro-reform
activism and anti-corruption campaigns of these elections
present a unique opportunity for the USG to support political
reform in Kuwait. End comment.
6. (U) Begin text of "Kuwait Vision for Reform."
KUWAIT 00002568 002 OF 002
On the occasion of the elections for the 11th Kuwaiti
Parliament and given the current problems of vote-buying and
all sorts of corruption that Kuwait is facing, we the
undersigned vow by signing this document to realize the
following goals:
1. Present an amendment to the law on constituencies
slashing them to five or one during the first session of the
upcoming Parliament.
2. Ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
3. Re-introduce the law on financial accountability that was
approved by the 10th Parliament's Budget and Closing Accounts
Committee.
4. Issue a law establishing a board for combating corruption.
5. Ratify the proposal for an administrative reform
organization to combat administrative corruption in
governmental agencies.
6. Issue a law streamlining election campaigns, reinforcing
freedoms, and prohibiting electoral corruption.
7. Review the State property systems to better protect and
maintain public funds.
8. Revise the State's procurement systems.
9. Insist that the Ministry of Education teach the
importance of transparency, social development, and combating
corruption.
10. Insist that the Information Ministry work to combat all
forms of corruption through news and other programming.
11. Stand by all issues of reform and ratifying all relevant
legislation.
12. Work to combat all forms of corruption through effective
parliamentary tools.
End text.
********************************************* *
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
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KU FREEDOM AGENDA
SUBJECT: ELECTION COUNTDOWN: YOUTH ACTIVISTS HIGHLIGHT
FRAGILITY OF LIBERAL-ISLAMIST ALLIANCE FOR REFORM
REF: A. KUWAIT 2271
B. KUWAIT 2150
Classified By: CDA Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C/NF) In a June 26 meeting with Poloff, "orange
movement" (ref B) leaders Kahled Al-Fadhalah, Jassem
Al-Maqamis, and Dana Al-Salem shared their views on the
upcoming elections. All three studied in the U.S. and were
active in the U.S. branch of the National Union of Kuwait
Students (NUKS). Both Al-Fadhalah and Al-Maqamis cited their
experience in the U.S., and specifically their involvement in
student organizations, as the primary impetus for their
activism in Kuwait. Al-Maqamis, who volunteered for the
Kerry campaign, said he learned first-hand the power of
political activism and was inspired to do something about the
problems he saw in Kuwait rather than just sit back
apathetically. Likewise, the three activists' example
inspired other Kuwaitis to join them in calling on the
Government to adopt political reforms. All they needed was a
spark, Al-Fadhalah said.
A Fragile Alliance
--------------
2. (C/NF) They acknowledged, however, the difficulties in
maintaining the pro-reform momentum. Already, there were
some signs that the liberal-Islamist alliance at the heart of
the pro-reform movement was beginning to fragment as each
group jockeyed for political position in these elections, a
development noted recently by several columnists.
Al-Fadhalah claimed the Kuwaiti Muslim Brotherhood (KMB) in
particular was playing politics, backing conservative
candidates running against more liberal incumbents, like
veteran MP Ahmed Al-Saadoun. The KMB's willingness to
undermine more liberal pro-reform MPs merely to increase
their own influence could "leave a bad taste in our mouth"
and undermine the cohesion of the new pro-reform block in
Parliament, he explained. (Comment: Other liberal contacts
have similarly questioned the Islamists' commitment to reform
(ref A). Islamist contacts, on the other hand, insist that
their support for reform is genuine and point out that they
have long been vocal advocates of political reform. End
comment.)
3. (C/NF) Ironically, Al-Fadhalah said Salafi candidates
were less duplicitous and more willing to work together with
liberals to promote reform. He cited as an example Waleed
Al-Tabtabaei, an outspoken Islamist incumbent, whom he said
they found "kinda cute" once they got to know him.
Ultimately, though, they were not overly optimistic that the
pro-reform alliance would hold together into the next
Parliament. They were also skeptical that newly elected MPs,
having spent so much money getting elected, would be willing
to put their political careers on the line to pressure the
Government to adopt political reforms. Despite these
concerns, they said they would keep up their pro-reform
campaign and hoped the new MPs would make electoral reform a
top priority.
A "Vision for Reform"
--------------
4. (SBU/NF) These youth activists are not the only ones
championing reform and working to combat corruption, however.
The Kuwait Transparency Society (KTS),a local NGO, has
drafted a document entitled, "Kuwait Vision for Reform," that
outlines 12 reform objectives (see para 6). According to
local press reports, "a large number of candidates, political
activists, and members of trade unions" have already signed
the document. A number of prominent Islamist candidates,
like Al-Tabtabaei and Jassem Al-Kandari were among the
signatories. It remains to be seen what influence this and
other similar measures will have on the new Parliament.
5. (C/NF) Comment: Post shares these youth activists'
concern that popular enthusiasm for reform will diminish
after the elections, particularly as many Kuwaitis leave for
extended summer vacations abroad. We are currently examining
ways to engage pro-reform activists and to use MEPI funds to
maintain the momentum for reform. Just one example, on July
3 the Charge is hosting an ice cream social for youth
activists to discuss how they can continue to constructively
advocate for change in Kuwait. The grassroots, pro-reform
activism and anti-corruption campaigns of these elections
present a unique opportunity for the USG to support political
reform in Kuwait. End comment.
6. (U) Begin text of "Kuwait Vision for Reform."
KUWAIT 00002568 002 OF 002
On the occasion of the elections for the 11th Kuwaiti
Parliament and given the current problems of vote-buying and
all sorts of corruption that Kuwait is facing, we the
undersigned vow by signing this document to realize the
following goals:
1. Present an amendment to the law on constituencies
slashing them to five or one during the first session of the
upcoming Parliament.
2. Ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
3. Re-introduce the law on financial accountability that was
approved by the 10th Parliament's Budget and Closing Accounts
Committee.
4. Issue a law establishing a board for combating corruption.
5. Ratify the proposal for an administrative reform
organization to combat administrative corruption in
governmental agencies.
6. Issue a law streamlining election campaigns, reinforcing
freedoms, and prohibiting electoral corruption.
7. Review the State property systems to better protect and
maintain public funds.
8. Revise the State's procurement systems.
9. Insist that the Ministry of Education teach the
importance of transparency, social development, and combating
corruption.
10. Insist that the Information Ministry work to combat all
forms of corruption through news and other programming.
11. Stand by all issues of reform and ratifying all relevant
legislation.
12. Work to combat all forms of corruption through effective
parliamentary tools.
End text.
********************************************* *
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