Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KUWAIT160
2007-02-04 06:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ, IRAN, AND SECTARIAN STRIFE

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO XF KU MEDIA REACTION 
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VZCZCXRO7254
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHKU #0160 0350630
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 040630Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8201
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// IMMEDIATE
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."

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