VZCZCXRO2675
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHKU #1102/01 3091353
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041353Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2294
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 001102 
 
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. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 
 
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SUMMARY 
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Tuesday, November 4, 2008 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary and Comment.  On the day of the American 
presidential elections, many of the Arabic language Kuwaiti print 
dailies ran editorials that speculated as to who would win the 
election, as well as the possible consequences for Kuwait.  While 
one liberal Kuwaiti daily, Al-Rai, predicted Democratic candidate 
Barack Obama to be the winner, it opined that an Obama victory would 
bring about "the fall of America."  All other Kuwaiti print dailies 
predicted an Obama victory, and characterized as positive the 
consequences of such a victory.  Interestingly, none of the Kuwaiti 
Arabic language dailies criticized nor mentioned Republican 
candidate John McCain in their editorial sections.  End Summary and 
Comment. 
 
¶2. (U) Block Quotes 
 
-- Carrying the headline, "The fall of America is coming no matter 
what," daily editorialist in the liberal Arabic language daily 
Al-Rai, Dr. Sami Nasser Khalifa, wrote: 
 
"The financial crisis that hit the U.S. is a sign of the beginning 
of the end.  After today, the U.S. is not going to have a dominant 
voice outside of its frontiers.  After today, the U.S. will not be 
able to go back to what it called the system of single polarity, 
which it has enjoyed since the collapse of the former Soviet Union. 
The U.S. can no longer exercise its previous powers to dominate and 
abuse the resources of other nations, and steal the will of their 
people.  Today the U.S. will decide to vote for presidential 
candidate Barack Obama, who has called for inward-focused policies, 
as well as a focus on dealing with the crisis at home.  This is no 
doubt a step that signals the beginning of the end." 
 
-- Under the headline "The White House and the Tan President," 
former MP Dr. Hassan Abdullah Jawhar opined in the Arabic language 
daily Al-Jarida: 
 
"In spite of his tan skin, Obama managed to defeat his fierce 
competitors in the Democratic Party.  Being of African origin and a 
minority did not stop him from marketing his ideas and reaching the 
hearts of millions of white voters.  Even more important, he has 
managed to translate slogans about bringing the nation together into 
action.  He is promising to end the long reign of the right wing 
radicals over U.S. foreign policies and the decision-making process. 
 He promises to put matters into the hands of all Americans.  In 
doing so, he did not need vote buying, or giving favors to some 
people!" 
 
-- In an editorial headlined "Obama's Victory," political science 
professor and daily columnist Dr. Shamlan Al-Essa wrote in the 
conservative Arabic daily Al-Watan: 
 
"U.S. foreign policy in the Gulf will remain unchanged.  Perhaps we 
will see an increased American influence and presence if a security 
agreement is not reached between Baghdad and Washington.  In the 
Obama administration, the U.S. will not abandon its Gulf allies." 
 
-- Liberal Arabic daily Al-Qabas published an Op-Ed by Ms. Suad 
Al-Mi'jil, where she writes: 
 
"Over several months, not only in the United States, but throughout 
the entire world people have been pre-occupied with the American 
elections.  Even though many expect Obama to win the race to the 
White House, there are some who doubt this, taking into 
consideration the mentality of American society, which has yet to 
accept being led by an African-American.  The polls, however, 
contest this fact.  American society might once again confirm that 
the "American Beauty" of respecting minority rights and rejecting 
racism is still a beauty without substance, just like the rose 
petals in the film "American Beauty."  Those of us in the Middle 
East have dealt with the "American Beauty" because of its project of 
spreading democracy, which was the reason for the wars in Iraq and 
Afghanistan.  These wars were among many other problems caused by 
the "American Beauty," which left us without any solutions.  America 
may elect a black or minority president but this does not mean that 
the "American Beauty" has any substance.  This is attested by the 
fact that civil rights for African-Americans took around 100 
years." 
 
-- Under the headline "Barack Obama, the Hollywood Hero" Nizar 
Al-Kortas, a columnist in the pro-government Arabic language daily 
 
KUWAIT 00001102  002 OF 002 
 
 
Al-Anbaa, wrote: 
 
"Today, Barack Obama represents all of the minorities, as well as 
all of the categories that have suffered from oppression, poverty, 
and racism under the American regime.  Barack Obama is the one to 
realize what has previously been characterized as impossible -- an 
African-American governing the United States.  He does not have the 
same ingredients as his predecessors.  He possesses a logical mind 
and unlimited ambition.  We have to wait to see Obama as the top 
American leader.  It might be a historical step that will change the 
world's view of the American Government from being arrogant to being 
acceptable." 
 
********************************************* * 
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/ 
********************************************* * 
 
JONES