LOW TURNOUT AT SALAFI MOVEMENT-ORGANIZED PUBLIC DINNER FOR

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000851 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER KISL KU ISLAMISTS SUBJECT: LOW TURNOUT AT SALAFI MOVEMENT-ORGANIZED PUBLIC DINNER FOR GITMO DETAINEES OUT ON BAIL REF: KUWAIT 749 In ads published March 11 in the Arabic-dailies Al-Rai Al-Aam and Al-Watan, the Salafi Movement, a conservative Islamist political association, extended an open invitation to all Kuwaitis to attend a dinner in honor of the "brothers released from Guantanamo detention." The guests of honor were the five Kuwaitis repatriated from Guantanamo in November 2005 and released on bail March 5 while their trial continues (reftel). Turnout was low at the dinner which took place under security and no Government officials attended, although the press reported that some MPs called the former detainees to congratulate them on their release. ********************************************* * 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