Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUWAIT501
2008-05-07 10:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - U.S. SOLDIERS ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO XF KU MEDIA REACTION 
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VZCZCXRO7242
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHKU #0501/01 1281030
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 071030Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1363
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000501

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 - U.S. SOLDIERS ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN
ROAD RAGE INCIDENT

--------------
Summary
--------------
Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Summary and comment: Three Kuwaiti dailies, one English language
and two Arabic language, published front page articles about an
altercation that allegedly occurred between U.S. military personnel
and Kuwaiti nationals. The incident allegedly took place on the
evening of Monday, May 5 on Arabian Gulf Road, a major thoroughfare
in downtown Kuwait City. As of 1100 Kuwaiti time on May 7, U.S.
Army Central Command (ARCENT) has not publicly confirmed any details
surrounding the alleged incident. All three stories report that the
soldiers' operation of a U.S. military vehicle led to an altercation
that resulted in U.S. military personnel firing shots into the air.
This alleged altercation is unprecedented in memory and contrary to
the long-standing history of excellent relations between U.S.
military serving in Kuwait and the Kuwaiti government. It should be
noted that although the English daily, Kuwait Times, did not report
on the alleged incident, it published a pro-U.S. military editorial
on page two. End Summary.


Block Quotes:

--The English daily, The Arab Times reporter (05/07): "A fight
broke out between Kuwaitis and U.S. Army soldiers on Arabian Gulf
Street Monday evening, when the driver of the bus belonging to the
U.S. Army allegedly drove recklessly and almost caused several
accidents. The incident led to a clash between the Americans and
the Kuwaitis, causing a serious traffic jam on the street. A
retired Kuwaiti army officer who happened to be in the vicinity
intervened and tried to resolve the matter, but the American
soldiers allegedly behaved highhandedly and said that no one could
prevent them from doing what they want. They allegedly even said
that there is no authority over them in this country and fired
several warning shots in the air to disperse and terrify the crowd."
The story goes on to add: "Eyewitness called on concerned
authorities to act and stop the soldiers from mocking Kuwaitis."

--The newly established moderate Arabic language daily, Awan,
mentioned the story as well. Awan reported the same story, but
began the story with the allegations of the U.S. soldiers firing
shots in the air. The story specifies (05/07): "U.S. soldiers
fired warning shots in the air on Arabian Gulf Street the night
before yesterday. Eyewitnesses added that many U.S. soldiers were
in a U.S. Army vehicle and that they caused a traffic jam because of
their operation of that vehicle." The article went on to opine that
because of the U.S. soldiers' reckless operation of the vehicle,
several accidents almost occurred, leading to the altercation.

--The pro-Kuwaiti government Arabic daily, Al-Seyassah, reported
(05/07): "For the first time in Kuwait, an altercation broke out
between some Kuwaiti drivers and a number of U.S. military personnel
on Arabian Gulf Street. The bus operated by the U.S. military
personnel almost caused several accidents because of carelessness.
Eyewitnesses also mentioned that the U.S. military personnel
provoked the passengers. Eyewitnesses also urged authorities at the
scene to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future."

--The English daily, Kuwait Times, published a pro-U.S. military
editorial on page two. The article, by columnist Muna Al-Fuzai,
argues that a strong U.S. military presence is needed in Kuwait, not
only during the 1991 Gulf War, but also in the period after the fall
of Iraqi Saddam Hussein and in the future. She writes, "The U.S.
has given us a lot, most importantly its youth. Young American
soldiers came to protect us and many died carrying out their
mission. Many of which left their family and friends back home just
so they can complete their mission in Kuwait. The U.S. made many
sacrifices for us and gratitude is the least that we can offer
them." She adds, "Kuwait is a small country located between two
enemies, so Saddam is not the only nightmare that we can expect;
there could be worse...the United States has given us a lot, and has
even shed blood for us. It is our time to think about what is next,
and not feel helpless about how to defend ourselves."


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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/
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