KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION -- AMIR CONSITUTIONALLY DISSOLVES

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000266 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, EEB LONDON FOR NEA WATCHER PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO EINO EPET OPRC KMDR XF KU MEDIA REACTION SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION -- AMIR CONSITUTIONALLY DISSOLVES KUWAIT'S PARLIAMENT -------------- SUMMARY -------------- Thursday, March 19, 2009 ¶1. (U) Summary and Comment. On Thursday, March 19, 2009 all Kuwaiti English and Arabic newspapers ran the news about the dissolution of the National Assembly as their lead story on the front page. Since the Amir Decree came at approximately 2100 hours on March 18, only one English newspaper, The Kuwait Times, and a couple of Arabic language dailies published editorial reactions to the constitutional dissolution. The general tone in all newspapers was in favor of the Amir's decision to dissolve the National Assembly in Kuwait. Post expects more editorials and opinion pieces to appear in local newspapers and online magazines over the weekend. End Summary and Comment. ¶2. (U) Block quotes: --Under the headline "A Wise Man," pro-government Arabic daily Al-Anbaa editorialized on the front page (3/19): "The Amir's patience had been exhausted, and the patience of the people of Kuwait had reached its limit after long period of political games that wasted valuable time and efforts, and came at a high price. These losses cannot be recovered without a national awakening plan with clear objectives and indications. However, the government alone should not bear the burden of this plan, but rather we should all as Kuwaitis, no matter where we are, contribute to the success of such a national plan." --Conservative Alam Al-Yawm also published an editorial on the front page under the headline (03/19): "Much Appreciation for the Amir's Wisdom." In its conclusion the editorial said, "The hope is that the next government formation will offer us new methodologies and new approaches in dealing with the nation's challenges. The anticipation is that the new government would be a coherent one, and one that includes qualified and loyal statesmen who will work with us on solutions to remedy the problems of our country. Thank God we have passed the crisis." --Kuwait's first English newspaper, The Kuwait Times, printed an editorial on the first page by CEO Ms. Badrya Darwish, where she wrote (03/19): "Congratulations and celebrations, honorable gentlemen -- aka ex-MPs. This is what you wanted and what you are getting. During his speech to the nation, the Amir asked the people of Kuwait when they get ready to vote in the next polls, they choose their representatives wisely. This is the core of the matter. I do not think there is much option in choosing if we are still on the same electoral system of five districts. We will end up having -- more or less -- the same faces, with the same attitudes and the same agendas. What will change? It is the same tribal system. Even if the person in the position of Prime Minister changes, I am sure the same faces will not give up their agendas and work even harder to get the new Prime Minister ousted. As for Kuwait, nothing new will have been accomplished." ********************************************* * 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/ ODONOHUE