KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - LEBANON

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SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - LEBANON


Block Quotes
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Saturday, July 15, 2006

-- Ghassan Suliman Al-Otaibi penned in progressive Arabic daily
Al-Qabas under the title "Israel" (7/15):

"Most of our problems with Israel involve borders and land. As for
Israel's problems with us, they involve normalization of relations
and its existence as a Jewish entity next to Arab Muslims. The best
evidence for this is the Camp David Accords. Israel pressed for
normalization of relations in return for giving back land. An
objective look at Israel reveals that it is an economically and
scientifically advanced country. It wants to become a regional
hegemon through its human and natural resources. After that, it
would use its commercial and public relations expertise along with
its scientific advances to establish a strong economy and state."

-- Liberal writer Mr. Abdul Latif Al-Duaij stated in progressive
Arabic daily Al-Qabas under the title "Take Your Hands off of
Lebanon" (7/15):

"We salute the Saudi position that has shown a courage missing in
most Arabs since the days of Sadat. We call for Arab condemnation
not only of Hezbollah but of the dark powers hiding behind it. The
Lebanese have suffered greatly and lost everything, not only because
they are Israel's neighbors and not because they were chosen to
sacrifice their land, youth, and future on behalf of others. They
lost everything because they were a model for Arab social and
political development and advancement. The things feared most by
the bats of darkness and the powers of repression, even more than
Israel."

-- Al-Qabas staff editorialized on the progressive Arabic daily's
front page under the title "Lebanon is Our Collective
Responsibility" (7/15):

"It is time to regain Lebanon and for independent decision-making to
take hold. Arab countries should protect this return with support
for the Lebanese government and a refusal of any transgressions
against it or any interference, domestic or external. Every time
Lebanon alone would pay the price. What is needed is for this not
to be repeated and for Lebanon not to be used for others' purposes
to fight Israel to the last Lebanese."

-- Under the title "Allah, Allah, Hezbollah," Dr. Sami Nasser
Khalifa remarked in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam (7/15):

"With the taking of two Zionist soldiers and the killing and
injuring of dozens of others, Hezbollah adds another great
achievement to its portfolio. It sits high on Arab dignity and
Islamic pride. It has tipped the scales in Palestine, causing the
Zionists to run out hysterically randomly bombing everywhere in an
attempt to restore morale among its soldiers. Hezbollah did not
leave the Palestinians alone to suffer and sends a message today
that the time for Zionist arrogance is long gone."

-- Qassim Hussein Awad argued in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam
under the title "Heroes of the Lebanese South" (7/15):
"We all stand today with respect and admiration for Mr. Hassan
Nasrallah and the heroes of the Islamic resistance in Southern
Lebanon for their steadfastness. The heroes of the south have
proven that they have a right to work towards a single goal and that
is not to live repressed and disgraced."

-- Mohamed Gharib Hatem inquired in moderate Arabic daily Al-Watan
under the title "Lebanon is Bleeding, Arabs" (7/15):

"Lebanon of all sects and religions screams Arabs, where is the Arab
nation, where is the League of Arab States, where is the Islamic
Conference, where is the International Islamic Committee, and where
is the United Nations from this barbaric invasion of Lebanese
soil?"

-- Political Science Professor at Kuwait University, Dr. Abdullah
Khalifa Al-Shaijy noted in a piece in moderate Arabic daily Al-Watan
titled "The Expansion of the Crisis: It is War... The Middle East on
Hot Tin" (7/15):

"The only consistent aspect in Israel's policy of being on the edge
is the transgression against Lebanese sovereignty. This is all
taking place before our eyes on the television screens. It is live
coverage of the humiliation of all Arabs who stand unable to move

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and divided. These Arab divisions and weaknesses are met on the
other side by international acquiescence of Israeli arrogance."

-- Editor-in-chief of pro-government Arabic-language daily
Al-Seyassah Ahmed Al-Jarallah penned on the front page of the
newspaper, "No to the Adventurers, Tehran and Damascus's Hands"
(7/15):

"Under the name of resistance against Israel, a slogan that is
overstated, Arab peoples have been hijacked, specially the
Palestinians and Lebanese. Arab governments have been put in an
awkward spot between political reality and popular views, the
results of which will only be more political and economic
destruction."

-- Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University, Dr. Shamlan
Yousef Al-Issa commented in pro-government Arabic daily Al-Seyassah
in an article titled "Mass Punishment" (7/15):

"What is needed today after the Israeli assaults on Beirut and Gaza
is a review of the peace process in the Middle East. The two
possibilities are either a real peace that guarantees the rights of
the Palestinians, the 1967 borders, and the declaration of a
Palestinian state, or a return once again to the cycle of violence
and terrorism forever. The latter means the return of the entire
region to the cycle of violence."

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For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
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Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
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