VZCZCXRO4790
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHKU #0542 1360600
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 150600Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1444
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000542 
 
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 -- REACTION TO THE DEATH OF THE 
FATHER AMIR, HIS HIGHNESS SHAYKH SAAD AL-ABDULLAH AL SABAH 
 
REF:  KUWAIT 0499, KUWAIT 0500 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 
 
¶1. Summary and comment:  On the evening of Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 
the Amiri Diwan announced the death of the "Father Amir" Shaykh Saad 
Abdullah al-Sabah.  Shaykh Saad enjoyed heroic stature in Kuwait due 
to his long service as Crown Prince, including high-profile 
leadership during the 1990-91 Iraqi occupation and its aftermath. 
He served as Amir for a few days following the death of Shaykh Jaber 
in 2006, but by that time was too ill to serve as head of state. 
Instead, he was effectively retired with the honorific title of 
"Father Amir."  As expected, all the newspapers are eulogizing him 
and his achievements, publishing op-eds, biographies and 
condolences.  End summary and comment. 
 
 
¶2.  Block Quotes: 
 
-- The editorial in Al-Watan, a conservative Arabic language Daily 
carried the headline "Saad of Kuwait.... Unforgettable Glory" 
(05/14): 'the late Sheikh Saad will remain alive in the memories of 
the Kuwaiti people, because it was the nature of great people to 
leave this world but to always be here in spirit.'  The newspaper 
also characterized Shaykh Saad as the 'knight of development, and 
the architect of economic, social, educational and sports 
advancements... forming, with the late Amir Shaykh Jaber Al-Ahmad 
Al-Jaber Al Sabah, a team that took Kuwait to the horizons of 
glory.'  It also recounted the heroic role of the late Shaykh Saad 
in the 1991 war to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. 
 
-- Al-Qabas, a moderate Arabic language Kuwaiti daily noted in its 
editorial (05/14):  'another great man has left us,' but he will 
'remain in the hearts of the people.'  It stated that Shaykh Saad 
left behind a legacy of sacrifice and giving, describing him as the 
'hero of the liberation from Saddam Hussein's invasion, the defender 
of Kuwait's sovereignty, and a man who spent his life consolidating 
the country's independence and prosperity.' 
 
-- The newly established pro-government Arabic language daily, Awan 
(05/14) bid 'farewell to the hero of the liberation,' wondering in 
its editorial whether one should remember him for defending Kuwait 
during its difficult time, or for his patriotism, his love for the 
people, or his contributions to the country's advancement'. 
 
 
********************************************* * 
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/ 
********************************************* * 
 
JONES