KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - Debating the Lebanon War

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SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - Debating the Lebanon War


Block Quotes
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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,

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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."

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LEBARON