KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - IRAN, IRAQ AND HEZBOLLAH

UNCLAS KUWAIT 003831 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 - IRAN, IRAQ AND HEZBOLLAH Block Quotes -------------- Monday, September 25, 2006 -- Liberal Political Science professor Dr. Shafiq Al-Ghabra held in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam under the title "Iran Approaches a Critical Stage" that (9/25): "Israel may carry out a strike against Iran -- if the United States does not -- if Iran continues on the nuclear enrichment path. However, this would create a violent reaction that Israel would not survive. This confrontation would create new front-lines and unleash new bloodshed between Muslims and Israel. We can say that it is in Israel's short-term and long-term interest to not get involved in this confrontation." -- Under the title "Victory Speech" radical Shiite anti-U.S. Dr. Sami Khalifa penned in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam (9/25): "It was an indescribable feeling watching an historic day not only for Lebanon, but for all Arab and Muslim nations. It was an historic day for all the people seeking to end their humiliation and subjection and to warn the West and the Arab regimes of a new era based on the rise of the people. A call for change has begun for an era with no place for weakness and servitude. No return to surrendering to the wishes of the unjust and the weak. We can say that the winds of freedom and hope are tipping the scales, changing the status quo and taking hold amongst the peoples." -- Academic and columnist Dr. Jalal Mohamed Al-Rasheid editorialized under the title "Iraq's Occupation Is the Reason for Infighting There" in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam (9/25): "There is no solution in Iraq except for the expulsion of the criminal occupation. The occupation encourages and protects terrorism because it prevents a national dialogue amongst the sects of the Iraqi people. Resolution of conflict amongst Iraqis would be a nightmare to the occupation forces. Therefore, no one expects the occupation to go against its own interests and help the Iraqis resolve their issues." -- Liberal Dr. Ahmad Al-Baghdai stated in pro-government daily Al-Seyassah under the title "A Nation Without a Sword or a Pen" (9/25): "The Arab nation with its broken sword in the face of the Zionist enemy finds an excuse in the American support for Israel. But what excuse is there for the high illiteracy rates despite the availability of vast wealth? The answer is that we are simply not a knowledge-seeking nation." ********************************************* * 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