Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUWAIT2588
2006-06-28 11:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - ELECTIONS: CORRUPTION
how-toVZCZCXRO3083 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK DE RUEHKU #2588/01 1791147 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 281147Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5496 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 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
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