VZCZCXRO6890
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHKU #2634/01 1821207
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 011207Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5550
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002634 
 
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 FOR ALTERMAN 
LONDON FOR TSOU 
PARIS FOR ZEYA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO KDEM PGOV KU MEDIA REACTION
 
SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - ELECTIONS: RESULTS AND PREDICTIONS 
 
Block Quotes 
------------ 
 
Saturday, July 01, 2006 
 
-- The staff of the progressive Arabic daily Al-Qabas' inquired on 
the front page under the title "Lessons of the Dissolution and the 
Solution" (7/1): "Now that the elections are over, the results are 
out, and a new balance of power has formed in the National Assembly, 
Kuwaitis are questioning whether the government and the assembly 
will succeed in getting the country out of the electoral districts 
crisis. Or will we instead run around in circles at the expense of 
the country's stability and prosperity?" 
 
-- Khalid Ahmed Al-Tarah penned in the progressive Arabic daily 
Al-Qabas under the title "After the Elections and Before the 
Formation of Government" (7/1): "The problem with the government is 
not the absence of the desire to work and achieve results.  Rather, 
it is the lack of mechanisms that guarantee harmonious performance 
of all members of government.  As for the National Assembly, the 
office of the chairman should quickly issuance long-awaited 
organizational guidelines.  This will streamline discussion and 
dialogue among the Assembly members and also between the Assembly 
and the government.  This should help focus on priorities and 
goals." 
 
-- Jaber Mohamed Al-Hajri commented in the progressive Arabic daily 
Al-Qabas under the title "For Kuwait Only" (7/1): "No matter what 
the results of the elections and no matter who is in the green 
chairs, the important thing is Kuwait.  We have heard enough curses, 
accusations, and seen enough doubts raised.  These are not the 
characteristics of the real Kuwaitis.  No one refuses criticism, 
even if it is harsh, so long as it aims at the betterment of the 
country and its citizenry." 
 
-- Liberal writer Mr. Abdul Latif Al-Duaij stated in the progressive 
Arabic daily Al-Qabas under the title "They Ate Them for Breakfast" 
(7/1): "Not the council we wished for, as it is based on 25 
districts.  It is also the result of the government's divisive 
policies that seek to bolster the powers of corruption.... The 
victory of the Kuwaiti voter will be of no importance.  Free 
elections will not be a determining factor.  This is because the 
government that did not accept democratic decisions 40 years ago 
will not accept them now.  It will not be difficult for the 
government to ignore it today.  That is why we are confident that 
yesterday's crisis will continue with more divisions between the 
ruling family and the people." 
 
-- Columnist Ahmed Al-Deyain editorialized in the moderate Arabic 
daily Al-Rai Al-Aam under the title "Advise That Must be Given" 
(7/1): "Hopes remain high that the Amir's wisdom and ability will 
contain the crisis in our country.  We hope that he will strive to 
realize our hopes of harmony between the government and the nation. 
Kuwaitis outlined their aspirations through the electoral seminars 
and the results of the elections.  We hope that the elements of 
corruption and crisis will not be in the new government and that the 
electoral system will be reformed so that the grilling of the Prime 
Minister will not be necessary." 
 
-- Mahmed Gharib Hatem remarked in the moderate Arabic daily 
Al-Watan under the title "We Want the Government to Awaken Now" 
(7/1): "We as citizens call on the government to bring into 
government clean elements who are technocrats.  Not those who want 
crises and to limit the revenues of the Kuwaiti people.  We want 
Kuwait to regain its status regionally and globally....  Yes, we 
want the government to wake up and select ministers who are 
responsible and who do not fear the oversight of the Assembly.  We 
want them to cooperate with their brothers -- the representatives of 
the people --for the interest of Kuwait.  Lastly, we say 'no' to 
those predicting that the current Assembly will have a short 
lifespan." 
 
-- Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University, Dr. Shamlan 
Yousef Al-Issa commented in the pro-government daily Al-Seyassah 
under the title "The Message Behind the Elections" (7/1): "The 
phenomenon of youth dissatisfaction with the National Assembly and 
the government and speaking out against it is something from which 
the government did not benefit. It also did not listen to their 
reformist demands and their objection to political hiring and the 
rampant corruption throughout the government's organizations.  These 
youths embraced the opposition and achieved what they demanded. 
These youths are fed up with the delays by the government on reform, 
fighting corruption, and the transgression against the law." 
 
 
KUWAIT 00002634  002 OF 002 
 
 
-- Secretary General of the Journalists' Association, Faisal 
Al-Qanai penned in the pro-government daily Al-Seyassah under the 
title "Readers of the Elections' Results" (7/1): "A quick look at 
the results of the elections leads one to the conclusion that, in 
case of the implementation of the five or ten district solution, the 
elections will not bring about much change in the names of those 
elected.  The factors leading to a candidate's win depend on the 
support of the tribe, sect, or party.  A few candidates won in 
certain limited districts based on their proposed platform.... We do 
not want the National Assembly to become a battle field for settling 
accounts.  We did not leave our homes to vote for that." 
 
-- Media Advisor and columnist, Sami Abdul Latif Al-Nesf commented 
in the moderate Arabic daily Al-Anbaa under the title "After the 
Dust Settled" (7/1): "We need a roof under which can meet the 
newly-elected MPs, members of the current government (and possibly 
the next one), former chairmen of the Assembly, the leaders of 
political blocs, and those known for their wisdom and 
decision-making.  This meeting should aim to heal the deep wounds 
caused by the elections and the improper maneuvering that took 
place.  All those aboard our ship should cooperate so that we can 
raise our sails and set out to sea.  Anything else will leave us in 
a circle of crises on a ship whose hull is being eaten by rotten 
water and lime." 
 
********************************************* * 
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/ 
********************************************* * 
 
TUELLER