VZCZCXRO7242
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHKU #0501/01 1281030
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 071030Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1363
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000501 
 
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 - U.S. SOLDIERS ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN 
ROAD RAGE INCIDENT 
 
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Summary 
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Wednesday, May 7, 2008 
 
Summary and comment:  Three Kuwaiti dailies, one English language 
and two Arabic language, published front page articles about an 
altercation that allegedly occurred between U.S. military personnel 
and Kuwaiti nationals.  The incident allegedly took place on the 
evening of Monday, May 5 on Arabian Gulf Road, a major thoroughfare 
in downtown Kuwait City.  As of 1100 Kuwaiti time on May 7, U.S. 
Army Central Command (ARCENT) has not publicly confirmed any details 
surrounding the alleged incident.  All three stories report that the 
soldiers' operation of a U.S. military vehicle led to an altercation 
that resulted in U.S. military personnel firing shots into the air. 
This alleged altercation is unprecedented in memory and contrary to 
the long-standing history of excellent relations between U.S. 
military serving in Kuwait and the Kuwaiti government.  It should be 
noted that although the English daily, Kuwait Times, did not report 
on the alleged incident, it published a pro-U.S. military editorial 
on page two.  End Summary. 
 
 
Block Quotes: 
 
--The English daily, The Arab Times reporter (05/07):  "A fight 
broke out between Kuwaitis and U.S. Army soldiers on Arabian Gulf 
Street Monday evening, when the driver of the bus belonging to the 
U.S. Army allegedly drove recklessly and almost caused several 
accidents.  The incident led to a clash between the Americans and 
the Kuwaitis, causing a serious traffic jam on the street.  A 
retired Kuwaiti army officer who happened to be in the vicinity 
intervened and tried to resolve the matter, but the American 
soldiers allegedly behaved highhandedly and said that no one could 
prevent them from doing what they want.  They allegedly even said 
that there is no authority over them in this country and fired 
several warning shots in the air to disperse and terrify the crowd." 
 The story goes on to add:  "Eyewitness called on concerned 
authorities to act and stop the soldiers from mocking Kuwaitis." 
 
--The newly established moderate Arabic language daily, Awan, 
mentioned the story as well.  Awan reported the same story, but 
began the story with the allegations of the U.S. soldiers firing 
shots in the air.  The story specifies (05/07):  "U.S. soldiers 
fired warning shots in the air on Arabian Gulf Street the night 
before yesterday.  Eyewitnesses added that many U.S. soldiers were 
in a U.S. Army vehicle and that they caused a traffic jam because of 
their operation of that vehicle."  The article went on to opine that 
because of the U.S. soldiers' reckless operation of the vehicle, 
several accidents almost occurred, leading to the altercation. 
 
--The pro-Kuwaiti government Arabic daily, Al-Seyassah, reported 
(05/07):  "For the first time in Kuwait, an altercation broke out 
between some Kuwaiti drivers and a number of U.S. military personnel 
on Arabian Gulf Street.  The bus operated by the U.S. military 
personnel almost caused several accidents because of carelessness. 
Eyewitnesses also mentioned that the U.S. military personnel 
provoked the passengers.  Eyewitnesses also urged authorities at the 
scene to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future." 
 
--The English daily, Kuwait Times, published a pro-U.S. military 
editorial on page two.  The article, by columnist Muna Al-Fuzai, 
argues that a strong U.S. military presence is needed in Kuwait, not 
only during the 1991 Gulf War, but also in the period after the fall 
of Iraqi Saddam Hussein and in the future.  She writes, "The U.S. 
has given us a lot, most importantly its youth.  Young American 
soldiers came to protect us and many died carrying out their 
mission.  Many of which left their family and friends back home just 
so they can complete their mission in Kuwait.  The U.S. made many 
sacrifices for us and gratitude is the least that we can offer 
them."  She adds, "Kuwait is a small country located between two 
enemies, so Saddam is not the only nightmare that we can expect; 
there could be worse...the United States has given us a lot, and has 
even shed blood for us.  It is our time to think about what is next, 
and not feel helpless about how to defend ourselves." 
 
 
********************************************* * 
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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KUWAIT 00000501  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
JONES