VZCZCXRO1905
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #1565 2621207
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 191207Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9733
RHMFIUU/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1223
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001565 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA; INR/NESA; INR/B; 
RRU-NEA 
IIP/G/NEA-SA 
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC 
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA 
USCINCCENT FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC
SUBJECT:  SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: US AND IRAQ 
 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  An editorial in "Al-Khaleej" suggests that the 
objectives of America's war in Iraq will not be satisfied until the 
country is divided, its oil put under U.S. control and the entire 
region disrupted.  A Kuwaiti writer in "Al-Ittihad" urges Gulf 
States to unite against what may happen in Iraq and Iran and not to 
remain mere spectators waiting for America to take a position.  A 
Kuwaiti intellectual in "Al-Ittihad" believes that the Bush 
Administration's dependence on weak players who cannot bring peace, 
stability or national reconciliation to their people is a clear sign 
that it is a lame duck.  End Summary. 
 
 
¶2. Under the headline "Objectives not yet realized", the editorial 
in Sharjah-based Arabic daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000) 
09/16 read: 
 
"President Bush wants an endless war.  His war's objectives never 
focused at weapons of mass destruction, Iraq's relationship with 
Al-Qaeda or spreading democracy. His objectives were to divide Iraq 
into factional and ethnic entities, control Iraqi oil, establish 
permanent military bases to threaten Iraq's neighbors, and continue 
disrupting countries of the region.  Bush is committed to the 
neoconservative agenda; even though most of them have left the 
scene, their influence will continue to serve Israeli interests." 
 
¶3.  Under the headline "What about our vision for the future of 
Iraq", Kuwaiti writer, Dr. Shamlan Yousef Al-Eissa, wrote on 09/16 
in Abu Dhabi-based Arabic semi-official daily "Al-Ittihad" 
(circulation 65,000): 
 
"Will the Iraqi security forces -- the army, police and state 
intelligence -- be able to assume their responsibilities if U.S. 
occupation forces leave?  American security reports indicate that 
army forces are in a better position than Interior Ministry forces 
because the latter have been infiltrated by Iraqi Shiite militias 
influenced by Iran.  The Kuwaiti cabinet discussed the security 
situation on the Iraq-Kuwait border and concerns arising from the 
British military withdrawal, which may create political and security 
problems in Kuwait.  Kuwait fears security problems on its borders 
because the Iraqi side of the border is at the mercy of militias 
such as the "Badr Brigades" and "Al-Mahdi Army", each with its own 
agenda." 
 
"The Gulf States, in our view, have failed to support Iraqi 
refugees, most of whom have fled to Iran, Syria, and Jordan, and 
others to the Gulf, Europe and the United States.  We understand 
that the Gulf States fear a collapse in Iraq; sadly, they have been 
mere spectators, doing nothing but waiting for America to take a 
position.  The time has come to unite against what might happen to 
Iraq or Iran." 
 
 
¶4.  Under the headline "Washington's allies and the season of the 
lame Duck", a Kuwaiti intellectual, Dr. Abdullah Khalifa Al-Shayegi, 
wrote a 09/17 op-ed "Al-Ittihad" 
 
"Following the assassination of the Iraqi Sunni Sheikh Abu Risha, it 
is apparent that U.S. strategy in the Middle East depends heavily on 
weak or cornered players who cannot bring peace, stability or 
national reconciliation.  It [the assassination] is a message from 
Al-Qaeda that anyone who collaborates with President Bush will face 
the same destiny.  It seems that the Bush Administration has already 
started its lame duck season." 
 
QUINN