TFLE01: KUWAIT BLOGGERS RANT ABOUT CASUALTIES IN LEBANON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002881 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PA, NEA/AIA, NEA/P, 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 PGOV XF KU MEDIA REACTION SUBJECT: TFLE01: KUWAIT BLOGGERS RANT ABOUT CASUALTIES IN LEBANON AND ARAB WEAKNESS IN RESOLVING THE CRISIS ¶1. Summary and comment: Kuwaiti bloggers are filling cyberspace with thoughts and analysis of the violence in Lebanon and Gaza. A review of several blog sites shows much sympathy for civilian casualties and regret for damage to infrastructure in Lebanon. "Just one picture of a dead little girl disturbed me emotionally and drained me physically. I wonder how can Nasrallah and Olmert go to sleep at night," . Some anti-U.S. sentiment surfaced as has some recognition of Hezbollah's role in sparking the crisis. "We don't know who is to blame more - the rabid Israeli criminality, or Hezbollah's recklessness for involving all of Lebanon in its suicidal adventure . . . ," . The comments found on the blog sites give insight into the younger generation of Kuwaitis. They underscore their genuine frustration over events in Lebanon as well as their support for U.S. policy and moderation in the region. End summary and comment. ¶2. Kuwaiti bloggers are filling cyberspace with thoughts on and analysis of the violence in Lebanon and Gaza. A review of several blog sites shows much sympathy for civilian casualties and regret for damage to infrastructure in Lebanon. Some anti-U.S. sentiment surfaced as has some recognition of Hezbollah's role in sparking the crisis. Blog sites in Kuwait give insight into the younger up-and-coming generation of Kuwaitis in the 20-35-year age bracket. ¶3. Sympathy for the victims of the violence is at the heart of most bloggers postings. "Just one picture of a dead little girl disturbed me emotionally and drained me physically. I wonder how can Nasrallah and Olmert go to sleep at night," , and "I am extremely dismayed with what is happening and watching the news . . . just makes me gasp with shocked horror," are how two bloggers put their feelings into words. Some bloggers took shots at the U.S. and the United Nations. Referring to the U.S. veto of a Qatari-sponsored UNSC resolution condemning the violence in Gaza, one blogger wrote, "What is the point of having a Security Council to vote on issues when the U.S. always has the upper hand and may choose to veto any decisions thus making all the other voices amount 
to nothing," . ¶4. In addition to anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli postings, there were also some bloggers who criticized Hezbollah for its role in the crisis. The following blogger combined his comment with criticism of CNN coverage of events. "During the first day of the aggression I was overseas watching CNN's pitiful coverage, and I did not feel the enormity of the situation. However, as soon as I returned to Kuwait and began watching the Arab news coverage I began to feel great sadness. We don't know who is to blame more - the rabid Israeli criminality, or Hezbollah's recklessness for involving all of Lebanon in its suicidal adventure . . . we can only pray," . Some also reached out to Israelis, "I know there are many moderate Jews that object to the expansionist ambitions of Israel and who share the same principles as other rational people. I just hope that their voice can be heard among the rancor," . ¶5. Many of the comments express a sense of frustration at the perceived inability of Arab leaders to effectively influence events in Lebanon. "I wish us Arabs knew better how to use public relations, the media and even our own money to improve our image . . . If we knew how to better utilize this to our advantage, then we could influence the policies of other countries much more effectively," was how one blogger put it at . The sarcasm of one blooger's post on this topic stands out, "'The Arab League: Minutes of Meeting, July 15, 2006, Morning session: Blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah. Lunch break. Afternoon session: Blahblahblahblahblahblahblah. Hometime: Yeah!' Oops, almost forgot statement to press, 'Ummm, we agree that we don't agree and we have thus decided that we can't make any decisions. So we decided to have the U.N. decide for us. Well, that was a good day's work!'" . ¶6. Comment: Blog sites in Kuwait give insight into the younger up-and-coming generation of Kuwaitis in the 20-35-year age bracket. The postings also underscore the mixed feelings some Kuwaitis have expressed toward the U.S. regarding the crisis. Most in general support U.S. policy in the Gulf region and are grateful for the close U.S.-Kuwaiti relationship. However, many have expressed genuine frustration at what they perceive as the U.S.'s inability to understand and take into account their strong feelings for the plight of the Lebanese people during this violent time in their country. The balance of opinions found on Kuwaiti blog sites also underscores the support most Kuwaitis have in moderation. End comment. KUWAIT 00002881 002 OF 002 ********************************************* * 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