KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ, IRAN, AND SECTARIAN STRIFE

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000160 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 - IRAQ, IRAN, AND SECTARIAN STRIFE Block Quotes -------------- Sunday, February 04, 2007 -- Editor-in-chief of the pro-government Arabic daily Al-Seyassah Ahmed Al-Jarallah penned on the front page and under the title "With Decisiveness and Power, Not Democracy" (02/04): "Americans should have realized from the beginning that there is no room to open up Iraq to freedom and democracy. This is the case of the neighboring countries as well; we do not recognize freedom and do not believe in democracy.... Had the Americans been firm from the beginning, Iraq would not have turned into a venue for the settlement of accounts where Iran roams free and Syria destroys without fear or apprehension." -- Under the title "May God Spare Kuwait" Mona Al-Ayyaf editorialized in progressive Arabic daily Al-Qabas (02/04): "Over the horizon looms the ghost of catastrophe. We can feel it and smell it. It is the heinous smell of sectarianism, which, once ignited, leaves room for nothing else to exist." -- Columnist Dr. Yacoub Al-Sharrah contended in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai under the title "Uncontrolled Behavior" (02/04): "The region is experiencing tense times that force us to be cautious and to take all necessary cautions to prevent the outgrowth of any sectarian strife. Such destructive activity would affect the security and stability of society, especially when considering the current tragic situation in Iraq and Lebanon and the international confrontation with Iran. We are targeted, and we are not far from sectarian strife." -- Columnist Fahd Hamed stated in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai under the title "America and Iran, and the Suspended War" (02/04): "A voice must be raised to state that the region is not once again ready to pay the price of war, which could be more destructive than any of the past. Nevertheless, Iran needs to realize the gravity of the situation and review its policies in the region." -- Under the title "As We Leave a Tyrant We stumble Upon an Aggressor" Abdulla Al-Hadlaq remarked in conservative Arabic daily Al-Watan (02/04): "I hope that Iran would be reasonable and wise enough to avoid any confrontation with the United States and NATO because Iran would be completely crushed in the first round of any such bout. NATO's bases surround Iran are as a bracelet around the wrist. Moreover, there is no comparison between the military capabilities of NATO and Iran's fireworks." ********************************************* * 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