KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - PAKISTAN: RED MOSQUE SEIGE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001135 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 NEA WATCHER PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO XF KU MEDIA REACTION SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - PAKISTAN: RED MOSQUE SEIGE AFTERMATH, IRAQ, IRAN, AND TERRORISM Block Quotes -------------- Sunday, July 15, 2007 -- Headlined "With So Much Disease... Death is a Relief" Liberal Abdullah Al-Hadlaq wrote in independent Al-Watan (07/15) "The Red Mosque sedition ended after the Pakistani army took control of the Mosque from terrorists. The event began when a group of terrorists seized the mosque and attacked members of the Pakistani army and police taking along women and children and using them as human shields." -- Mubarak Al-Hajri wrote in independent Al-Rai under the headline "How Many Red Mosques Do We Have?" (07/15) "After all peaceful means where exhausted, Pakistan's President Musharraf did the right thing when he ordered his troops to storm the Red Mosque and kill those who advocate violence. Such events may be repeated in any Islamic country in case the authorities do not regulate the work of charitable organizations especially the ones who claim to work through religious endeavours... this started to occur only with the emergence of Bin Laden, who, with his fundamentalist ideals is continuously trying to spread subversion and incitement throughout the Muslim world." Monday, July 16, 2007 -- The Opinion Section of Al Rai, a moderate Arabic daily, included an Op-ED by Dr. Shafeeq Al Ghabra, former Director of American University in Kuwait, and Political Science Professor. Headlined "Iraq's American predicament, and Iraq's own dilemma," Dr. Al Ghabra concluded (07/16): "A withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq would end the Iraqi government as we know it today. But, this would impose on Iraq a new agenda to find a comprehensive solution to Iraq's problems before the withdrawal. Iraq and the U.S. do not have many alternative solutions except to continue to implement an effective security plan, and simultaneously establish a consensus on the political solution. This must be accomplished before withdrawal begins." -- Headlined "Israel Controls America," Political Science Professor and moderate columnist Dr. Hadban Al Shayji wrote in the daily Al Wasat (07/16): "Israel, who is daily violating the human rights of American people, by continuously spying on them, and who may actually be behind the attacks on Sep 11, is immune from being charged of any crime. This is because President Bush, driven by his religious and Zionist beliefs has placed loyal citizens of the Hebrew state as his top security and trusted officials. The American people will continue to suffer because no one dares to challenge Israel or doubt the loyalty of America's Jews. To challenge that, would be considered anti-Semitic... a fatal accusation for any U.S. citizen or official. " Tuesday, July 17, 2007 -- Headlined "Besieged America... will explode Iranian style" Dr. Hela Al Mekemi wrote in independent Al Wasat (07/17) "Iranians lay a lot of weight on the premise that Americans will drown in the Iraqi quagmire, therefore making them unable to direct military attacks against Iran; opening a new front in addition to Iraq seems unfeasible. I believe in this case, the Iranians have gone too far, because, the Americans are completely convinced that Iraq's stability will be achieved only through a military strike against Iran." -- Headlined "Terrorism will not End in Discussion" Dr. Abdullah Sahar wrote in independent Al Wasat (07/17) "If we could weave a strategy where ordinary people can actively participate in combating terrorism, where the main foundations rely on popular support, then, to a large extent we can contain this imminent danger. I don't want the reader to think I am advocating an American recipe to combat terrorism; this recipe does not correspond to the standards of justice or with reality... all that I am advocating is that we should have our own formula which KUWAIT 00001135 002 OF 002 corresponds to our national interests, Islamic principles and constitutional foundations." -- Under the headline, "The Persian Gulf Dream," Political Activist and columnist Dr. Wael Al Hasawi opined in the daily moderate Al Rai (07/17): "We have to reinforce our Gulf unity, and strengthen our relations so that we would have a strong unified voice. We should also expedite our efforts to establish a sturdy Gulf Army with modern military capabilities. In addition we ought to deal very seriously with the premeditated insults from Iran against our nations, even if that means withdrawing ambassadors." -- Headlined, "Iran unveils its ugly face," Talal Abulkarim Al Arab wrote in the daily moderate Al Qabas (07/17): "We are not calling for a confrontation with Iran; instead we are proposing that we use the tools and resources that we own, which Iran does not; such as our economic, financial, political, and diplomatic powers... One last word we say to the Syrian regime and to the Hezbollah Parties that have been planted in our countries, 'you are required to make your loyalties clear. Are you Arab or Iranian?'" ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * LENDERKING