KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - IRAN AND THE LATEST ARMS DEAL

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001237 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 - IRAN AND THE LATEST ARMS DEAL Block Quotes -------------- Wednesday, August 08, 2007 -- Conservative Shiite Jaber Sayed Khalaf Al-Behbehani inquired in conservative Arabic daily Al-Watan under the title "Wish the Six-Plus-Two States were Minus-2" (08/08): "The United States designated Iran as part of the 'Axis of Evil' that must be eliminated so that the 'Axis of Good' can rule. The 'Axis of Good' is composed of the alliance of the Jews and Christians. This is no mere allegation, but the stated purpose of the right-wing Republican Party in the United States. Is it logical then for elected officials in Iran to stand by with their hand tied as they watch their enemy do all that it can to destroy them?" -- Liberal Islamist/critic of U.S. policies Dr. Abdulla Khalifa Al-Shayji commented on the recent U.S.-Middle East arms sale in moderate Arabic daily Al-Wasat under the title "Militarizing the Moderates to Confront the Extremists" (08/08): "Militarizing the moderate elements of society and arming them with the most advanced weaponry will not bring stability or security to the region. This is because such a tactic does not address the political, social, and popular problems that give rise to extremism. What is needed is to address these pressing issues with reason and legitimacy rather than depleting our resources on arms purchases and the militarization of our societies." ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * MISENHEIMER