VZCZCXRO9745
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHKU #2831/01 1960938
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 150938Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5766
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 002831 
 
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 XF KU MEDIA REACTION
 
SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - LEBANON 
 
 
Block Quotes 
------------ 
 
Saturday, July 15, 2006 
 
-- Ghassan Suliman Al-Otaibi penned in progressive Arabic daily 
Al-Qabas under the title "Israel" (7/15): 
 
"Most of our problems with Israel involve borders and land.  As for 
Israel's problems with us, they involve normalization of relations 
and its existence as a Jewish entity next to Arab Muslims.  The best 
evidence for this is the Camp David Accords.  Israel pressed for 
normalization of relations in return for giving back land.  An 
objective look at Israel reveals that it is an economically and 
scientifically advanced country.  It wants to become a regional 
hegemon through its human and natural resources.  After that, it 
would use its commercial and public relations expertise along with 
its scientific advances to establish a strong economy and state." 
 
-- Liberal writer Mr. Abdul Latif Al-Duaij stated in progressive 
Arabic daily Al-Qabas under the title "Take Your Hands off of 
Lebanon" (7/15): 
 
"We salute the Saudi position that has shown a courage missing in 
most Arabs since the days of Sadat.  We call for Arab condemnation 
not only of Hezbollah but of the dark powers hiding behind it.  The 
Lebanese have suffered greatly and lost everything, not only because 
they are Israel's neighbors and not because they were chosen to 
sacrifice their land, youth, and future on behalf of others.  They 
lost everything because they were a model for Arab social and 
political development and advancement.  The things feared most by 
the bats of darkness and the powers of repression, even more than 
Israel." 
 
-- Al-Qabas staff editorialized on the progressive Arabic daily's 
front page under the title "Lebanon is Our Collective 
Responsibility" (7/15): 
 
"It is time to regain Lebanon and for independent decision-making to 
take hold.  Arab countries should protect this return with support 
for the Lebanese government and a refusal of any transgressions 
against it or any interference, domestic or external.  Every time 
Lebanon alone would pay the price.  What is needed is for this not 
to be repeated and for Lebanon not to be used for others' purposes 
to fight Israel to the last Lebanese." 
 
-- Under the title "Allah, Allah, Hezbollah," Dr. Sami Nasser 
Khalifa remarked in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam (7/15): 
 
"With the taking of two Zionist soldiers and the killing and 
injuring of dozens of others, Hezbollah adds another great 
achievement to its portfolio.  It sits high on Arab dignity and 
Islamic pride.  It has tipped the scales in Palestine, causing the 
Zionists to run out hysterically randomly bombing everywhere in an 
attempt to restore morale among its soldiers.  Hezbollah did not 
leave the Palestinians alone to suffer and sends a message today 
that the time for Zionist arrogance is long gone." 
 
-- Qassim Hussein Awad argued in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam 
under the title "Heroes of the Lebanese South" (7/15): 
"We all stand today with respect and admiration for Mr. Hassan 
Nasrallah and the heroes of the Islamic resistance in Southern 
Lebanon for their steadfastness.  The heroes of the south have 
proven that they have a right to work towards a single goal and that 
is not to live repressed and disgraced." 
 
-- Mohamed Gharib Hatem inquired in moderate Arabic daily Al-Watan 
under the title "Lebanon is Bleeding, Arabs" (7/15): 
 
"Lebanon of all sects and religions screams Arabs, where is the Arab 
nation, where is the League of Arab States, where is the Islamic 
Conference, where is the International Islamic Committee, and where 
is the United Nations from this barbaric invasion of Lebanese 
soil?" 
 
-- Political Science Professor at Kuwait University, Dr. Abdullah 
Khalifa Al-Shaijy noted in a piece in moderate Arabic daily Al-Watan 
titled "The Expansion of the Crisis: It is War... The Middle East on 
Hot Tin" (7/15): 
 
"The only consistent aspect in Israel's policy of being on the edge 
is the transgression against Lebanese sovereignty.  This is all 
taking place before our eyes on the television screens.  It is live 
coverage of the humiliation of all Arabs who stand unable to move 
 
KUWAIT 00002831  002 OF 002 
 
 
and divided.  These Arab divisions and weaknesses are met on the 
other side by international acquiescence of Israeli arrogance." 
 
-- Editor-in-chief of pro-government Arabic-language daily 
Al-Seyassah Ahmed Al-Jarallah penned on the front page of the 
newspaper, "No to the Adventurers, Tehran and Damascus's Hands" 
(7/15): 
 
"Under the name of resistance against Israel, a slogan that is 
overstated, Arab peoples have been hijacked, specially the 
Palestinians and Lebanese.  Arab governments have been put in an 
awkward spot between political reality and popular views, the 
results of which will only be more political and economic 
destruction." 
 
-- Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University, Dr. Shamlan 
Yousef Al-Issa commented in pro-government Arabic daily Al-Seyassah 
in an article titled "Mass Punishment" (7/15): 
 
"What is needed today after the Israeli assaults on Beirut and Gaza 
is a review of the peace process in the Middle East.  The two 
possibilities are either a real peace that guarantees the rights of 
the Palestinians, the 1967 borders, and the declaration of a 
Palestinian state, or a return once again to the cycle of violence 
and terrorism forever.  The latter means the return of the entire 
region to the cycle of violence." 
 
********************************************* * 
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