TFLE01: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - LEBANON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003044 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 LONDON FOR TSOU PARIS FOR ZEYA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO XF KU MEDIA REACTION SUBJECT: TFLE01: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - LEBANON Block Quotes -------------- Sunday, July 30, 2006 -- "Solidarity and Support" Ali Al-Baghli wrote in the moderate Arabic daily Al-Qabas (7/30): "Israel crossed many red lines in its war against Lebanon. It used cluster bombs against civilians - internationally banned weapons. It targeted ambulances and UN shelters and displaced more than a million Lebanese. For all those who suffered, this will certainly increase their hatred toward Israel. Therefore, we implore the international community to pressure Israel and stop battling because it is the stronger party and the least likely to sustain harm in this disproportionate conflict." -- "Hezbollah... Epic Determination" is Dr. Sajed Al-Abdali's piece in the moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-A'am (7/30): "Hezbollah proved that militarily and tactically it is more capable than all the modern Arab armies. With its resolve and determination, it accomplished what our armies failed to achieve in their eternal struggle with the Zionist enemy. Hezbollah proved that the example is not in the enormity of a military machine or the size of an army, but what is in the hearts of defenders. Not only did Hezbollah humiliate the Israeli army before their people and deepen the Arab peoples' disappointment toward their leaders and governments. They proved to the whole nation that they are able to change history, and this they will do." -- "Proud Lebanon" is how Shaker Awad commented in the moderate Arabic daily Al-Watan (7/30): "The weakness of the Arab governments and their indifference toward the barbaric Zionist attacks against Lebanon with America's blessing is a disgrace. However, the Lebanese resistance has demonstrated their steadfastness and their ability to inflict serious damage on the Zionists... to say that Hezbollah must be dismantled before peace can be achieved in Lebanon is a sham. The reason behind such statements is that without Hezbollah, Lebanon would be an open arena for Zionist expansion and control." -- "Death to Us" is how Mohammed Al-Shibani commented in the moderate Arabic daily Al-Qabas (7/30): "Who except America made and eliminated Saddam? Who but America foolishly creates terrorism? Who but America sells weapons around the world? America frightened the whole world, including its own people with the 'war on terrorism', a terrorism of their own creation. The battle moved from capturing Saddam to killing Zarqawi... to creating friction between the Sunnis and Shiites... all the handiwork of America. But, who could say 'Stop!' to America? Will the civil war in Iraq remain contained in Iraq, or will America spread it across the region through its stupid policy?" -- "Their Tears Are Holy" female columnist Mona Al-Ayyaf wrote moderate Arabic daily Al-Qabas (7/30): "While Lebanon turns into a bleeding and injured country, Italy holds a conference and invites all donor countries to participate and assist in rebuilding Lebanon. Isn't it comic that the U.S., one of the biggest international donors, is asking others to participate despite sending Israel thousand-ton bombs to shell Lebanon? Ask for international support and you will get it from the U.S., ask for aid and you will get it from hundreds of Zionist NGOs who will collect donations and recruit senators and enlist the press and media. Israel has owned the world for a long time through money, bribes, spying, and ownership of the largest media outlets. They influence the election of the president and the vice president." -- "Plot of the Disintegrated Middle East" is Ahmad Al-Dayeen's piece in the moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-A'am (7/30): "According to Ralph Peters' article in the 'Armed Forces Journal,' he proposed the repartition of the Middle East on ethnic and sectarian lines. That aside, two important facts must be addressed: 1) ninety years ago, in 1916, the Sykes-Picot Agreement allowed the two imperialist powers, France and Great Britain, to divide and redraw the map of the Middle East. Something not impossible to carry out today since subjugating the region is being accomplished by crushing all resistance in Lebanon and Palestine; 2) Western NGOs and their specialized publications are effective academic KUWAIT 00003044 002 OF 002 institutions unlike their Arab counterparts. They are influential entities with strong links to government decision makers. Some are even active participants in decision making. We must not naively disregard what is plotted and planned for us." -- "Lebanon Will Not Be Vanquished" is the title of Columnist Mohammed Zein's piece in the moderate Arabic daily Al-Seyassah (7/30): "In his latest statement, President Bush called on Syria and Iran to intervene to stop Hezbollah from shelling north Israel with rockets. This means that Bush is convinced that Syria and Iran are the only two countries able to reign in Hezbollah. So, why doesn't he send an envoy from his administration to Syria and Iran, and why hasn't he invited the two countries to the Rome conference since they control the cards vis-`-vis southern Lebanon? How could Bush isolate Syria and Iran, and then ask them to intervene and save the situation?" -- "How Will the New Middle East Be Born" is how Editor in chief Ahmad Al-Jarallah commented in the moderate Arabic daily Al-Seyassah (7/30): "According to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, current events in Lebanon will pave the way for the birth of a new Middle East. However, it appears that nothing will materialize until Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan are reduced to rubble... Iran and Syria are the only two counties resisting the project... the birth of a new Middle East has become a precondition for ending the war in Lebanon. Lebanon's devastation and loss of life is the price for the birth of a new peaceful, democratic and free Middle East. What we don't want is a patchwork of solutions that would render Lebanon vulnerable to additional wars." -- "Who Will Shout First?" is Salah Al-Fadhli's piece in the moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-A'am (7/30): "Who will win the war? Israel's goal is to eliminate Hezbollah so it will not harm Israel. Hezbollah's goal is to create a terror balance against Israel so that Lebanon won't be a tasty morsel easily swallowed by Israel... Condoleezza Rice's statement about a new Middle East is wishful thinking. The reality is what happens on the ground; what Israel cannot achieve with power cannot be imposed by diplomacy. If Israel can eliminate Hezbollah, then let it. But, if it fails, which is assured, then the new Middle East dream will not happen. The winner will be the one who can bear more and shout first. Hezbollah's determination, resolve, sacrifice and planning should be a model to all armies... If they are really serious about martyrdom, then the imbeciles who are committing suicide operations and killing innocent civilians in Iraq should go to Lebanon and Israel." ********************************************* * 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