VZCZCXRO2091
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHKU #2881/01 1991315
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181315Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5822
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002881 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PA, NEA/AIA, NEA/P, 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 PGOV XF KU MEDIA REACTION
SUBJECT: TFLE01: KUWAIT BLOGGERS RANT ABOUT CASUALTIES IN LEBANON 
AND ARAB WEAKNESS IN RESOLVING THE CRISIS 
 
¶1. Summary and comment: Kuwaiti bloggers are filling cyberspace with 
thoughts and analysis of the violence in Lebanon and Gaza.  A review 
of several blog sites shows much sympathy for civilian casualties 
and regret for damage to infrastructure in Lebanon.  "Just one 
picture of a dead little girl disturbed me emotionally and drained 
me physically.  I wonder how can Nasrallah and Olmert go to sleep at 
night," .  Some anti-U.S. sentiment 
surfaced as has some recognition of Hezbollah's role in sparking the 
crisis.  "We don't know who is to blame more - the rabid Israeli 
criminality, or Hezbollah's recklessness for involving all of 
Lebanon in its suicidal adventure . . . ," 
. The comments found on the blog 
sites give insight into the younger generation of Kuwaitis. They 
underscore their genuine frustration over events in Lebanon as well 
as their support for U.S. policy and moderation in the region.  End 
summary and comment. 
 
¶2. Kuwaiti bloggers are filling cyberspace with thoughts on and 
analysis of the violence in Lebanon and Gaza.  A review of several 
blog sites shows much sympathy for civilian casualties and regret 
for damage to infrastructure in Lebanon.  Some anti-U.S. sentiment 
surfaced as has some recognition of Hezbollah's role in sparking the 
crisis. Blog sites in Kuwait give insight into the younger 
up-and-coming generation of Kuwaitis in the 20-35-year age bracket. 
 
 
¶3. Sympathy for the victims of the violence is at the heart of most 
bloggers postings.  "Just one picture of a dead little girl 
disturbed me emotionally and drained me physically.  I wonder how 
can Nasrallah and Olmert go to sleep at night," 
, and "I am extremely dismayed with what 
is happening and watching the news . . . just makes me gasp with 
shocked horror,"  are how two bloggers 
put their feelings into words.  Some bloggers took shots at the U.S. 
and the United Nations. Referring to the U.S. veto of a 
Qatari-sponsored UNSC resolution condemning the violence in Gaza, 
one blogger wrote, "What is the point of having a Security Council 
to vote on issues when the U.S. always has the upper hand and may 
choose to veto any decisions thus making all the other voices amount 
to nothing,"  . 
 
¶4. In addition to anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli postings, there were 
also some bloggers who criticized Hezbollah for its role in the 
crisis. The following blogger combined his comment with criticism of 
CNN coverage of events.  "During the first day of the aggression I 
was overseas watching CNN's pitiful coverage, and I did not feel the 
enormity of the situation.  However, as soon as I returned to Kuwait 
and began watching the Arab news coverage I began to feel great 
sadness.  We don't know who is to blame more - the rabid Israeli 
criminality, or Hezbollah's recklessness for involving all of 
Lebanon in its suicidal adventure . . . we can only pray," 
. Some also reached out to 
Israelis, "I know there are many moderate Jews that object to the 
expansionist ambitions of Israel and who share the same principles 
as other rational people.  I just hope that their voice can be heard 
among the rancor," . 
 
¶5. Many of the comments express a sense of frustration at the 
perceived inability of Arab leaders to effectively influence events 
in Lebanon.  "I wish us Arabs knew better how to use public 
relations, the media and even our own money to improve our image . . 
. If we knew how to better utilize this to our advantage, then we 
could influence the policies of other countries much more 
effectively," was how one blogger put it at 
. The sarcasm of one blooger's 
post on this topic stands out, "'The Arab League: Minutes of 
Meeting, July 15, 2006, Morning session: 
Blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah.  Lunch break.  Afternoon session: 
Blahblahblahblahblahblahblah.  Hometime: Yeah!' Oops, almost forgot 
statement to press, 'Ummm, we agree that we don't agree and we have 
thus decided that we can't make any decisions. So we decided to have 
the U.N. decide for us.  Well, that was a good day's work!'" 
. 
 
¶6. Comment: Blog sites in Kuwait give insight into the younger 
up-and-coming generation of Kuwaitis in the 20-35-year age bracket. 
The postings also underscore the mixed feelings some Kuwaitis have 
expressed toward the U.S. regarding the crisis. Most in general 
support U.S. policy in the Gulf region and are grateful for the 
close U.S.-Kuwaiti relationship.  However, many have expressed 
genuine frustration at what they perceive as the U.S.'s inability to 
understand and take into account their strong feelings for the 
plight of the Lebanese people during this violent time in their 
country. The balance of opinions found on Kuwaiti blog sites also 
underscores the support most Kuwaitis have in moderation. End 
comment. 
 
KUWAIT 00002881  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
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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/ 
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TUELLER