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

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SUMMARY
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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."
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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/

ODONOHUE