VZCZCXRO2531
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHKU #0059/01 0221346
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221346Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2673
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 000059 
 
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, EEB 
LONDON FOR NEA WATCHER 
PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON EINO EPET OPRC KMDR KPAO XF KU MEDIA REACTION
SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION -- JANUARY 20 INAUGURATION 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
Thursday, January 22, 2009 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary and Comment.  As of Thursday, January 22, all the 
Arabic and English dailies continued to publish headlines and 
pictures about the January 20 Inauguration Day ceremony.  In 
addition to the front-page coverage, many columnists commented 
positively on the event from different perspectives.  While some 
columnists opined regionally, others commented on the story from a 
local point of view.  A number of columnists believed that President 
Obama's biggest challenge will be Palestine.  Other columnists 
focused on the all-inclusive religious aspects of the inauguration, 
as well as President Obama's allusions to reconciliation with the 
Muslim world.  One columnist considered the inauguration to be a 
platform used by Americans to demonstrate that democracy is the best 
form of government.  Finally, one prominent columnist wrote an 
article in the form of a letter addressed to President Obama asking 
what will happen to the 'Roadmap' for Middle East peace. End Summary 
and Comment. 
 
¶2. (U) Block quotes: 
 
--Under the headline 'Obama's Inauguration:  Highest Cost in 
History,' the moderate Arabic daily Al-Jarida printed an Op-Ed by 
liberal columnist Dr. Ghanim Al-Najjar where he concluded (1/20): 
"The cost of Obama's inauguration is the highest in U.S. history, 
but I do not know how much other countries, where people are 
oppressed and are forced to re-elect the same leader for decades, 
have paid for the re-elections and birthdays of their leaders.  But 
what is more important than this is what Obama will bring to the 
world.  The entire world is watching his first steps.  Perhaps the 
latest Israeli aggression in Gaza is directly related.  Obama has 
taken important and noticeable steps so far on Guantanamo Bay, 
global warming, stem cell research, etc.  But his biggest challenge 
will be Palestine, and if he can push forward a lasting resolution. 
Will he pass this test?  I wonder!  I am not optimistic; if Obama's 
inauguration was the most expensive in U.S. history, it would be 
justified if he can bring basic changes to U.S. policy, especially 
in regards to our region." 
 
--Under the headline "Even If They Were Palestinians!" in the newly 
established pro-government Arabic daily Awan, the regular columnist 
Mutlaq Msaed Al-Ajmi commented (01/22):  "After taking the oath of 
office, President Obama gave an inauguration speech, in which he 
admitted that America is now facing such challenges as the economy 
and terrorism.  He promised to face them along with allies and 
friends.  He also noted that America would not stand in the way of 
those who are seeking freedom.  This is a general principle.  We 
cannot predict how it would be executed in real life.  However, we 
certainly hope that this includes the Palestinian people.  Perhaps 
some will not surrender to dreams and illusions that America may 
change its mind after the inauguration of a new president of a 
different race.  However, America is not ruled by a president alone, 
but rather by laws, institutions, and interests.  For that reason, 
President Obama was clear when he said that some of his Republican 
predecessor's policies will continue since they are American 
policies and not the President's even if he were Afghan, Iraqi, 
Palestinian, or Israeli." 
 
--The regular columnist in the moderate Arabic language daily 
Al-Qabas, Ali Al-Baghli commented (01/22):  "I have seen hundreds of 
millions of persons around the world who were watching the 
Inauguration Ceremony of President Obama, the first African-American 
U.S. President.  It was truly a historic moment.  What made the 
speakers proud on that day was that the transition was peaceful and 
civilized.  A Christian pastor gave a sermon in which he thanked God 
for his grace and praised the American society, a society of values 
and forgiveness.  The pastor did not insult those who are not 
Christians and did not call them nonbelievers.  Instead, he admired 
every human being regardless of his or her religion and called for 
co-existence in peace.  However, the most powerful words were those 
of President Obama, who called for reconciliation with the Muslim 
World.  I could not help but to think sadly of the views that we 
have towards other races and genders.   We in Kuwait still call the 
'black' people who are citizens and Arabs 'Abeed' [literal Arabic 
translation of slaves].  This view is rooted in the mentalities of 
many of us and it shows clearly the gap that lies between our 
mentality and the American mentality." 
 
--Abdul Latif Al-Duaij, the regular and liberal columnist in the 
moderate Arabic daily Al-Qabas, noted that (01/22):  "The 
Inauguration Ceremony of President Obama was not only a highly 
 
KUWAIT 00000059  002 OF 002 
 
 
prestigious show.  It was rather a special occasion through which we 
became aware of how much democratic principles are rooted in the 
world at large, particularly in the United States.  Even though 
religion dominated the majority of the festivities, it encompassed 
all religions.  This religion was expressed by the pastor who prayed 
for the President-elect and the occasion.  Equality was indeed very 
present.  The occasion was special since the President-elect was the 
first African-American U.S. President." 
 
--Dr. Nabil Hawi, head of International News in the moderate Arabic 
daily Al-Qabas noted (01/21):  "To the President of the United 
States:  please accept our congratulations.  We salute your 
insisting upon opening a new chapter with the Islamic world.  We are 
deeply relieved about your commitment to end civil wars and 
segregation.  We -- the Arabs -- are hoping to send you a heartfelt 
letter of congratulations in which we enclose our requests at a very 
hard time.  We would like to open a new blank page in our dealings 
as one Arab nation.  Today, we address you as we are wrapping up our 
Arab Summit to confirm that we are able to find a common 
understanding to save the peace process in the region.  The crises 
are so many and solutions are not impossible.  This starts with 
issues such as oil prices, and includes the ramifications of the 
economic turmoil, Kuwait's support of Iraq during their transition 
period, as well as a solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.  Last 
but not least, the only issue that remains is the Israeli war on 
Gaza and the West Bank.  On this issue we urge you that those 
responsible should be punished for war crimes.  However, we find 
ourselves obliged to ask you:  What is the status of the roadmap and 
the results of the Annapolis Conference?" 
 
********************************************* * 
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