VZCZCXRO1003
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHKU #2148/01 1581742
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 071742Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4993
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 002148 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KU FREEDOM AGENDA
SUBJECT: FREEDOM AGENDA AND JUNE 29 ELECTIONS: PROGRESS ON 
 
REFORM DEFINED BY PARTICIPATION AND ACTIVISM 
 
REF: A. KUWAIT 2026 AND PREVIOUS 
     ¶B. 99 KUWAIT 3570 
     ¶C. 99 KUWAIT 3562 
     ¶D. 99 KUWAIT 3266 
 
Classified By: CDA Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
¶1.  (S/NF) Summary and comment:  The June 29 Kuwaiti 
parliamentary election campaign has commenced.  Some 
observers will be tempted to use votes for women and reform 
candidates as a litmus test for the pace and success of 
political reform in the Gulf region.  A more nuanced view is 
required.  The grassroots activism and public debate that led 
to the constitutional dissolution of Parliament and call for 
new elections already demonstrate widespread support for 
further democratization and political reform in Kuwait. 
While election results may not yield substantial change for a 
variety of reasons -- election inexperience of women, lack of 
change in size and demographics of electoral districts, short 
campaign period, and strong organization skills of 
established groups -- change is underway in this conservative 
society. There are three overriding reasons for continued 
optimism in prospects for reform whatever the outcome of the 
June 29 vote: 1) the participation of women is challenging 
conservative social ideas, shaping campaign rhetoric, and 
forcing men to deal with women as political equals; 2) a 
grassroots pro-reform youth movement has emerged, erasing 
traditional political apathy and demonstrating the power and 
potential of political activism in Kuwait; and 3) the intense 
public debate over electoral reform has highlighted the 
problems of corruption and the need for reform. 
 
¶2. (S/NF)  This optimism should be tempered with the 
realization that well-established interest groups will try to 
use the elections to either delay political reform or 
consolidate their own political power.  There is also likely 
to be some degree of truth to allegations of corruption and 
Government intervention, though it is important to keep in 
mind that many of these accusations are politically 
motivated.  With women participating for the first time, 
these elections represent a new era in Kuwaiti political life 
and it is important to assess the broader political 
environment and not focus solely on the outcome of a few high 
profile campaigns.  As we report on the elections over the 
next three weeks, we will focus on what the campaigning and 
the outcome means for our Freedom Agenda.  Finally, any 
election outcome is unlikely to have a direct impact on 
U.S.-Kuwaiti security cooperation, specifically continued 
support for OIF, and the GOK's close relationship with the 
United States will allow for continued engagement with the 
Government and civil society on the full range of reform 
issues.  End summary and comment. 
 
Kuwait's Election Mechanics 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU/NF) The June 29 parliamentary elections will be 
conducted on the basis of Kuwait's current 25 constituency 
electoral system.  With the addition of female voters, there 
are an average of 13,600 voters per constituency, up from 
5,500 when only men were allowed to vote.  Those ineligible 
to vote include members of Kuwait's army and police, persons 
under 21 years of age, naturalized citizens who have held 
their citizenship for less than 20 years, and people living 
in areas outside the boundaries of the current electoral 
constituencies.  Each voter can vote for two separate 
candidates; the electoral system is first-two-past the post. 
In the 2003 elections, voter turnout averaged 73 percent.  In 
all, 386 candidates, including 31 women, have registered for 
the elections.  Competition is intense; in some 
constituencies, as many as 29 candidates are competing for 
two seats, though this number is expected to drop as tribal 
primaries and other factors weed out candidates who have 
until June 25 to withdraw.  Election results will be 
announced within 48 hours of polling stations closing.  Per 
constitutional procedures, a new Cabinet must be formed after 
every parliamentary election.  Thus, the sitting Cabinet must 
submit its resignation and a new Cabinet approved by the Amir 
within two weeks of the announcement of the election results. 
 Few, if any, changes are expected in the new Cabinet.  The 
new Parliament is expected to meet only once or twice in July 
before recessing for the summer. 
 
¶4.  (SBU/NF) There are no regulations on campaign financing 
in Kuwait, nor are there strict oversight procedures to 
ensure candidates do not misuse funds received (ref C). 
Campaign costs can be exorbitant as many candidates are 
expected to provide lavish buffets and refreshments to 
prospective voters at their campaign tents, in addition to 
 
KUWAIT 00002148  002 OF 003 
 
 
the many banners and assorted paraphernalia they must 
purchase (septel).  Most support is raised informally through 
familial, tribal, or religious networks, though many 
candidates also bear a considerable amount of campaign costs 
personally.  Given the complete absence of regulatory 
oversight, allegations of fraud and corruption are 
widespread.  Though few people can offer concrete proof of 
such corruption, there is certainly a measure of truth to 
their accusations.  Despite this fact, most Kuwaitis see the 
elections as a legitimate, albeit somewhat flawed, means of 
voicing their political views, and accept the results, though 
there are inevitably some candidates who file lawsuits 
alleging misconduct on the part of their opponents. 
 
Three Reasons for Optimism 
-------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (S/NF) There are likely be those who charge that, 
regardless of the outcome, these elections based on existing 
constituencies represent a step backwards for reform in 
Kuwait.  This view misses the profound changes that have and 
are occurring in this conservative society.  Although these 
elections are being held earlier than many pro-reformers 
hoped, there are three reasons for optimism.  First, women's 
participation is having a profound impact on both the issues 
being discussed by voters and the strategies being adopted by 
candidates.  There are subtle, but significant indicators of 
this impact.  During a campaign rally, former Islamist MP Dr. 
Nasser Al-Sane, who voted against women's suffrage 
legislation in May 2005, brought his wife on stage to thank 
her for her support.  In a meeting with female voters in his 
district, former Speaker of Parliament Jassem Al-Khorafi was 
asked directly why he voted against women's suffrage 
legislation when it was first introduced in 1999.  Many 
liberal candidates, such as former Minister of Information 
Dr. Saad bin Teflah, are making women's issues a central 
element of their campaign platforms.  Women's participation 
has also forced conservative, male candidates to develop 
strategies to reach female voters, such as creating women's 
committees and separate female campaign tents.  The election 
of a female candidate, which is highly unlikely, should not 
be viewed as the standard by which to measure the progress of 
reform in Kuwait.  Rather, we should focus on the fact that 
women have emerged as a potent political force and are having 
a significant impact on election rhetoric; some are even 
openly and freely challenging conservative social values in 
Kuwait. 
 
¶6.  (S/NF) A second reason for optimism is the emergence of a 
grassroots reform movement.  The diverse coalition of 
pro-reform youth organizations called the "orange movement" 
that united to press for electoral reform clearly 
demonstrated the power of political activism in Kuwait.  In a 
large part, these elections are a result of their pro-reform, 
anti-corruption campaign.  The fact that they so openly 
challenged the Government and directly accused top Al-Sabah 
ministers of fueling widespread corruption was a major 
breakthrough in Kuwait.  As one pro-reform activist told 
Poloff, "This is our victory: we are no longer afraid to name 
names."  While the orange movement may have trouble 
maintaining cohesion and momentum, it has nonetheless 
challenged traditional political apathy in Kuwait and through 
websites and blogs given young pro-reformers an outlet to 
openly express their political views.  It has also made 
reform the central issue thus far of these elections.  The 
fact that candidates are campaigning on a pro-reform platform 
and are pictured in banners wearing orange scarves is a 
testament to the influence of this grassroots pro-reform 
movement in Kuwait. 
 
¶7.  (S/NF) The third reason to be optimistic is that the 
intense public debate over electoral reform has highlighted 
the problems of corruption in Kuwait and the need for reform. 
 Given the heightened public interest in this issue, there is 
a possibility that the next Parliament could be elected with 
a clear reform mandate.  Already several former MPs have 
openly declared that if they are re-elected they will walk 
out of Parliament if the new Cabinet includes "corrupt" 
members of the previous Cabinet.  This debate over reform is 
also likely to have an impact on the region as many in the 
Arab world, particularly Saudi Arabia, watch the election 
process in Kuwait, specifically women's participation, with 
great interest.  An example of how this impact could be felt 
is that Al-Jazeera Direct is planning to begin daily, 
30-minute reports on the elections for broadcast around the 
region.  A secondary effect of the reform debate has been an 
alliance between liberals and Islamists in support of 
political reform, the benefits of which each group hopes will 
accrue to them.  Traditionally, these groups have been at 
 
KUWAIT 00002148  003 OF 003 
 
 
odds with each other, but this tactical alliance could prove 
an important new political dynamic.  Nonetheless, some 
liberal activists expressed to NEA A/S Welch during a June 
2-3 visit to Kuwait skepticism at the sincerity of some 
Islamist politicians who joined ranks with the liberals. 
They said only time will tell how committed they are to 
reform.  Still, there is cause to hope that the focus on 
reform will carry on into the next Parliament and even more 
broadly throughout the region. 
 
But There Are also Issues of Concern 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶8.  (S/NF) This optimism should be tempered with the 
realization that certain groups will try to capitalize on 
these elections to either delay political reforms or to 
increase their own political influence.  Led by Energy 
Minister Shaykh Ahmed Al-Fahd Al-Sabah and other ruling 
family members with ambitions to succeed one day as ruler, 
some interest groups are likely to try to ensure the next 
Parliament is more amenable to the Government's interests and 
less unruly than the last one.  This will be all the more 
important to them given the key legislation that is likely to 
be addressed during the next four years.  Their efforts will 
almost certainly include the dispensing of patronage to 
support loyal MPs.  A second concern is that the next 
Parliament could include more Islamist MPs.  Most contacts 
expect the women's vote to primarily benefit Islamists who 
are better able to influence and mobilize conservative female 
voters.  The short campaign period is also likely to benefit 
Islamists who are better organized and funded than other 
groups.  Nonetheless, the election of more Islamist 
candidates should not be immediately seen as a setback since 
most of them support political reform. 
 
Post's Actions 
-------------- 
 
¶9.  (S/NF) Analyzing what these elections mean to the U.S. 
and to the region will drive our monitoring and reporting of 
electoral developments as they occur.  To this end, we are 
attending nightly campaign rallies and meeting with a variety 
of contacts to hear their views on the election process, and 
the implications for reform.  Our immediate focus will be on 
the potential impact of the elections on our Freedom Agenda. 
We will also concentrate on the role of women, the influence 
of Islamists, the ruling family's view of the elections, and 
the alliances between different political groups. 
 
¶10. (SBU/NF)  Post has also directed MEPI programming to 
support reforms during the campaign.  Several projects to 
provide campaign advice and support to female candidates, and 
help youth groups to organize voter education campaigns are 
underway.  In addition, MEPI funding will support a two-day 
seminar for journalists on covering elections. 
 
********************************************* * 
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