KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - Debating the Lebanon War

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003360 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: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - Debating the Lebanon War Block Quotes -------------- Saturday, August 19, 2006 -- On the opinion page of progressive Arabic daily Al-Qabas and under the title, "War Questions," Al-Sayed Yassin wrote (8/19): "The first question is: was the abduction of the two soldiers the real spark that ignited the flames of the war? The second question is: did Hezbollah expect Israel's response to be of such magnitude? The lessons to be learned from the Lebanon war are many and they do not only pertain to the present but also to the Arab future in the shadow of savage globalization and absolute American hegemony." -- "For Lebanon Only," was the title of Jaber Mohamed Al-Hajri's piece in progressive Arabic daily Al-Qabas in which he commented (8/19): "The Lebanese people's unity is the dream of every Arab people from the Gulf to the Ocean. Israel is hoping for a civil war in Lebanon so it can have its revenge on this hardened country that broke its morale. For Lebanon only, for its future, its children, for its evergreen trees we hope its leaders will rise above all the small quarrels. We hope that they will rise to the level of national interest and not make their own interests a priority over those of their country for which they will not find a substitute." -- Under the title "What Do You Want, Iran's Rulers?" Dr. Abdul Mohsen Al-Jarallah Al-Kharafi inquired in progressive Arabic daily Al-Qabas (8/19): "Gentlemen, have all the Iranian people's problems been solved for you to create problems in our countries? Who is more deserving of the billions you pour into arms in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria? Are the Iranian people not our brothers? I need not go into more detail as the evidence is clear to everyone." -- Dr. Abdul Mohsen Yousef Jamal penned in progressive Arabic daily Al-Qabas under the title, "Hezbollah and the Reconstruction" (8/19): "Those returning to their homes will receive a rent allowance and furniture allowance for their homes that were demolished by Mr. Bush's and Ms. Condoleezza Rice's missiles and Zionist hands. Their homes will be rebuilt better than before despite all the aggressors' knavery." -- "Reading into the 'Victorious' Bashar Al-Asad's Speech," was the title of Khair Allah Khair Allah's piece in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam in which he commented (8/19): "It seems that it is the Syrian President's right to claim victory as his own; that is of course if we were talking about a victory. This is not because he was able to prove his capability to destroy part of the country and displace a quarter of its people, and take revenge on all that is civilized in Lebanon through the Israeli destruction machine only. He also knew how to use his investment in Hezbollah a long time ago." -- In "Bravo Hezbollah" Ahmed Mohamed Al-Fahd commented in moderate Arabic daily Al-Watan (8/19): "Yes, this is the definition of an historical victory, as victory these days does not require negotiations without preconditions and does not need the return of Lebanese prisoners, amongst whom is Samir Qantar [a Lebanese man jailed by Israel since 1979]. The historical victory is the halting of Israel's bombardment and Hezbollah resilience." -- In "Who is discussing the Results of the War," Abdul Mohsen Mohamed Al-Hussainy editorialized in moderate Arabic daily Al-Watan (8/19): "The Israeli Knesset began discussing the war in Lebanon in order to put together a comprehensive report about the losses and gains of the war. The Lebanese parliament should also put together a comprehensive report about the war and appoint responsibility to the external elements that stood behind the continuation of the war." -- "Islamic Fascism and Bush" was the title of Ali Fahd Al-Ajmi's piece in moderate Arabic daily Al-Watan in which he penned (8/19): "What democracy do you seek and what new Middle East do you want, KUWAIT 00003360 002 OF 002 all for your ally and spearhead in the Arab East, the sons of Zion gang? There are 18 million Palestinians and a million Lebanese displaced and homeless. We, as moderate Muslims, are not concerned with external gangs that work against God and his prophet's teachings. You are who invaded them first and now reap what you have sowed." -- "The Victorious George Bush" was the title of Hassan Mohamed Al-Ansari's piece in pro-government daily Al-Seyassah in which he maintained (8/19): "Excuse me Mr. President, George Bush. In the recent past I used to believe most of what you said. I believed you when you bombed Afghanistan and I believed you when you fought Iraq out of hatred for 'the criminal Saddam.' But, until now you have not fulfilled your promise about his weapons of mass destruction. For me to believe you that Israel was victorious, you must bring me two just witnesses of the sons of Israel who have not participated in the killing of the innocent men, women, children, handicapped, and elders in Lebanon or Palestine." ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * LEBARON