KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - NATO CONFERENCE

UNCLAS KUWAIT 004677 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 - NATO CONFERENCE Block Quotes -------------- Tuesday, December 19, 2006 -- In "Cooperation with the Atlantic" Columnist Nahar Mahfoud penned in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai (12/17): "Kuwait was the location of the dialogue conference between NATO and G.C.C. countries because of its geographic local close to the heart of the region's troubles, particularly Iran and Iraq. Kuwait's wounds from the Iraqi invasion have not yet healed, and memories of that barbaric invasion not yet forgotten. Kuwait is very concerned about its security, which would not be possible without security for the region in general, including stability in its neighbouring countries." -- In an article headlined "Dialogue Conference", which was a follow up to his article on December 17, 2006, columnist Nahar Mahfoudh continued in the moderate Daily Al Rai (12/19): "Cooperation between NATO allies and G.C.C. countries would open up more opportunity for Gulf countries in general -- and Kuwait, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates in particular -- to continue their human, economic, and commercial development plans. This would be a step forward in diversifying the sources on national income, as opposed to relying solely on oil revenues. Kuwait is still almost entirely dependent on oil revenues. That is why G.C.C. countries must take advantage of the results achieved at the conference to build political, economic and social infrastructures in the framework of democracy and to strengthen the values and culture of democracy." -- Liberal Kuwait University Professor, Dr. Ayed Al Mana'a noted under the title "The Atlantic Heads East" in conservative daily Al-Watan (12/17): "Building bridges of alliance between Kuwait, G.C.C. countries, and NATO would serve the interests of all. Gulf states need security to develop. But they also must be able to maintain security arrangements. This would be almost impossible to achieve with the current capabilities of the Gulf states alone. The NATO alliance is also developing other programs in addition to its military role. Its participation in rescue operations and relief efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Pakistan is one example of this complete change of direction" ********************************************* * 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