KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - ELECTIONS: CORRUPTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002588 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: CORRUPTION Block Quotes -------------- Wednesday, June 28, 2006 -- Badr Jassim Al-Smait inquired in progressive Arabic daily Al-Qabas under the title "Will Youth Bring Back Representatives of [Noble] Positions and Values?" (6/28): "We call on the good people of Kuwait. Tomorrow is the day of test of choice between the powers of goodness and reform and corruption. It is a simple decision once the voter allows his conscience to make the honest decision and chooses those who will work in the interest of the country and its people. Everyone knows who the corrupt are, without mentioning names, and who their candidates are. Let us eliminate them by choosing the best candidates." -- Yousef Mubarak Al-Mubaraki penned in the progressive Arabic daily Al-Qabas under the title "Political Powers against Corruption" (6/28): "The young men and women of the 'We Want It Five' movement were the main reason behind the 29 MPs uniting on one issue. More importantly, there is agreement among political powers that previously disagreed.... What we are witnessing is a spontaneous uprising against the symbols of corruption. While they are accustomed to facing the Members of Parliament, what disturbed them most was the transfer of the battle from the National Assembly to the streets." -- Liberal columnist Abdul Latif Al-Duaij commented in progressive Arabic daily Al-Qabas under the title "Let Us Vote Tomorrow for That Which Will Come Afterwards" (6/28): "Let us look towards tomorrow and what will come after tomorrow as we head to the polling stations to vote. Let us take an in-depth look at our pathetic situation today, which is plagued by corruption, a stall in development, a lack of planning, and a complete disregard for the will of the people. Let us vote tomorrow for reform, development, and for regaining the will of the people and the sovereignty of the nation that has been stolen from us." -- Engineer and Municipal Council Member, Shaykha Fawzia Salim Al-Sabah stated in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam under the title "Kuwait is Entrusted to Us" (6/28): "After the electoral battle in which legitimate and illegitimate means were used by the candidates--the heavy meals, the fake slogans, the curses, the accusations, the yelling, and the denunciation of friendly states--the decision is now up to the voters.... They thought the applause of their relatives and acquaintances was evidence of the quality of their principles and the strength of their position. That is because they only live for crises and plots. That is why the matter is in the hands of the voters now. They will either lead Kuwait to safety or, God forbid, take us to new crises." -- Political Science professor and former President of American University of Kuwait Dr. Shafeeq Nazem Al-Ghabra editorialized in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam under the title "New Elections and the Same Reform Issues" (6/28): "In the coming era, Kuwait needs to prepare for lower oil prices and an economy based on knowledge, skills and expertise, with an emphasis on investing in people. These preparations with their educational, cultural, political, economic, and administrative ramifications will remain open to discussion until they are treated seriously. The need for reform hangs over the heads of the National Assembly and the Government. If they achieve these strategic goals, they will do so for Kuwait's interests. If they fail, they will let Kuwait down again and both will have lost the rhetorical battle and will end up back in the situation that created the crisis and the dissolution of Parliament." -- Columnist Zaban Hamad Al-Bazal inquired in pro-government Arabic daily Al-Seyassah under the title "Letter to the Voters" (6/28): "Will the candidate who is involved in dirty ways really turn to his constituency's interests and defend them? Of course, the answer is 'no.' Then, why do some of us fool ourselves and unjustly ruin his reputation and that of his family with these forbidden monies and gifts? We must denounce bribery in all its forms and not allow for anyone to use it even if they are members of our tribe, family, or sect. Our ultimate goal must be in the best interest of Kuwait." ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * KUWAIT 00002588 002 OF 002 TUELLER