AMIR WARNS NATION ON THREATS TO NATIONAL UNITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001219 SIPDIS NEA/ARP, NEA/RA E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KU SUBJECT: AMIR WARNS NATION ON THREATS TO NATIONAL UNITY REF: A. KUWAIT 1195 ¶B. KUWAIT 1181 ¶C. KUWAIT 1216 ¶D. KUWAIT 1204 Classified By: POLITICAL Counselor Pete O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (U) In a rare televised address to the nation the evening of December 29, Amir Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al Sabah reflected on the "charged and gloomy atmosphere" that has afflicted Kuwait in recent months and condemned those who engage in "threatens, skepticism, sensation and chaos," while underscoring the urgent necessity of maintaining Kuwait's unity, security and stability. A commitment to national unity, he noted, is essential to eliminate the scourges of tribalism and sectarianism that increasingly manifest themselves in Kuwaiti society. While emphasizing his firm commitment to democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law, the Amir acknowledged his concern that Kuwait's "democratic dispensation" could face a major setback "through the excessive politicization of issues and deviation from constitutional boundaries, particularly since the unhealthy relationship between the executive and legislative authorities has become a liability which risks undermining gains and accomplishments." The Amir continued that "both the government and parliament are duty bound to ensure a solid and real partnership and cooperation between the two authorities within the framework of the Constitution that separates powers. They should resort to decent dialogue and consider the public interest." The Amir also called on Kuwait's media outlets to pursue professional standards consistent with their role in a sound democratic system. ¶2. (U) Immediate public reaction to the Amir's address was overwhelmingly positive. Editorialists in leading dailies praised the speech, with the conservative Al-Watan re-affirming its allegiance to the Amir and expressing pride in the manner in which the Amir addressed "unacceptable recent practices by some" that undermine national unity. Several other leading dailies expressed similar sentiments, with pro-government Al-Anbaa stating that "the Prince of Wisdom's speech affirms that the ship is in safe hands and that people of all walks must follow his guidelines." Moderate Arabic daily Awan urged MPs to "study the speech carefully" and follow its advice. Public Parliamentary reaction was also strongly positive, with Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi hailing the Amir's "wisdom and sagacity and his wise directives." A range of MPs, including several pro-government tribalists, also lauded the speech, describing it as "wise," "a solution for Kuwait's continued progress," and as "coming at the right time and reflecting citizens aspirations and fears." Not surprisingly, those tribalist MPs who might have been less enthusiastic about the Amir's speech kept their comments to themselves, given Kuwait's legal and cultural inhibitions towards overt criticism of the Amir. Even perennial anti-government Salafi Islamist gadfly, Dr. Walid Al-Tabtabaie, managed to find a positive slant, stating that the Amir's speech was "impressive" and encouraging listeners to appreciate its underlying significance. ¶3. (C) Comment: While the Amir named no names in his address and spoke in rather regal generalities, the motivation and intent of the speech is clear. Angered and troubled by a growing rift between the government (allied with some liberal cosmopolitan MPs) and increasingly strident tribalists (allied with many Islamists) -- a rift that resulted in the unprecedented mid-December "grilling" or interpellation by parliament of Prime Minister Shaykh Nasser Al Sabah and three senior cabinet officials (refs A and B) and taken aback by the tempest aroused when the owner of a satellite TV station on December 18 uttered caustic remarks about the loyalty and right to citizenship of Kuwait's tribalists -- attacking some tribalist MPs by name (refs C and D) -- the Amir clearly has decided that enough is enough. Faced with the growing public frustration over stasis between the government and the MPs, growing tribal anger over perceived insults to their loyalty and status as Kuwaitis, and increasingly bold challenges to government authority reflected in the mid-December grillings and renewed calls for grillings of the PM, Interior Minister Shaykh Jaber Al Sabah and Information Minister Shaykh Sabah Al Sabah, the Amir laid down a clear warning that if MPs continue their attacks on the government and persist in their disruptive tactics, the Amir could be forced to consider a parliamentary dissolution. The Amir's speech also serves as a warning to public personalities and media outlets that, notwithstanding Kuwait's attachment to press freedoms, there is a limit to what it will tolerate by way of personal attacks and invective. The fact that Mohammed Al-Juwaihel -- author of the inflammatory December 18 verbal attacks on tribalists -- was arrested on December 23 and remains in detention, serves as a case in point. While most Kuwaitis have expressed relief at the Amir's strong rhetoric, cynical observers note this is not the first time he has threatened to take decisive, albeit unspecified, action to discipline a fractious parliament, with no consequence. End Comment. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES