Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 06KUWAIT2478, KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - ELECTIONS

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06KUWAIT2478.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06KUWAIT2478 2006-06-24 14:20 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Kuwait
VZCZCXRO9588
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHKU #2478/01 1751420
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 241420Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5376
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 03 KUWAIT 002478 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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 FOR ALTERMAN 
LONDON FOR TSOU 
PARIS FOR ZEYA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO KDEM PGOV KU IR MEDIA REACTION
 
SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - ELECTIONS 
 
TODAY'S TOPICS: 
 
-- ELECTION SLOGANS 
-- A MESSAGE TO VOTERS 
-- YOUTH REVOLUTION 
-- A CHANGE OF MIND 
-- WOMEN AS A WEAPON TO FIGHT CORRUPTION 
-- IS THIS DEMOCRACY? (Full translation) 
 
Block Quotes 
------------ 
 
Saturday, June 24, 2006 
 
1. Secretary General of Kuwait's Journalists Association, Mr. Faisal 
Al-Qanai suggested a new election strategy, "Let's take it back to 
what it used to be."  In his daily column in pro-government Arabic 
daily Al-Seyassah that carried the same headline Mr. Qanai proposed, 
"The election campaign slogan of candidate Marzook Al-Ghanim 'Let us 
take it back to what it used to be' carries within it beautiful 
meanings, and at the same time reminds us of our disgraceful reality 
when we deserted our beautiful Kuwaiti values that used to bring 
people together.... Kuwait used to be a pioneer in politics, 
economy, socially, culturally, and in sports and art.  We used to be 
the model for neighboring countries, whose leaders looked upon us 
with envy and astonishment.  We need to recalculate and reorganize 
our priorities. The government must put in place a comprehensive 
development plan that carries the headline 'let us take it back to 
what it used to be.'" 
 
2. Kuwaiti writer Mr. Zubn Al-Bathal headlined his article in 
pro-government Arabic daily Al-Seyassah "a letter to voters." The 
letter of Mr. Al-Zubn advised women, "My sisters and fellow women 
voters: 'You represent a large number that out weighs men; that is 
why your choice must be right and unbiased.  You should not be 
swayed to vote based on tribal, clan, family, or sect loyalties. 
You should only vote for the qualified, and the best. You should 
only vote for who you think is going to be good for our country and 
people.'" 
 
3. Headline "We Want it One," an article by columnist Dr. Sami 
Nasser Khalifah in the independent Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam 
opined, "The coalition grouping changed its election slogan from 'We 
Want it Five' to 'We Want it Coalition', which signifies the 
importance of collective work in bringing large number of same 
minded candidates to the parliament. We now ask, why not change it 
to 'We Want it One?'.... Kuwait now needs an election bylaw that 
guarantees equal representation to all, and gives a equal 
opportunity to members of every residential district of the country. 
 We need a law that would not lose its effectiveness when the 
population of Kuwait expands.  Thus, an election system that 
supports one district would not contradict with the core of our 
constitution that guarantees our genuine Kuwaiti values: fairness, 
equality, and equal representation." 
 
4. Under the headline "I will vote for Waleed," Editor-in-Chief of 
independent Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam Mr. Jassem Boodai 
editorialized, "This election surprised everyone by its timing, 
length of period, the circumstances that surround it and even the 
reasons that lead to calling an election, and the political 
ammunition that has been used in it.  Voters are more lost and 
confused than the candidates.... If I put myself in the candidate's 
shoes, I would be confused and undecided as well. Everyone is 
talking the same talk, except for one man who was an exception to 
that rule. This man has put the interest of Kuwait before his own 
and took the right decision at the right time.  Mr. Waleed Al-Jari 
was a knight who dismounted a leading horse when he felt that real 
objectives have been lost.... Mr. Waleed Al-Jari, from now until 
Election Day and beyond, we will look for people like you to vote 
for; nevertheless, your withdrawal from the race had the greatest 
impact in all election campaign headquarters." 
 
5. Saud Al-Samaka, a liberal academic and columnist in the daily 
moderate Al-Qabas, wrote an article under the headline, "Youth of 
Kuwait Unite" where he encourages Kuwaiti men and women, stating 
"This political awakening movement must proceed regardless of the 
election results. If we as the political powers in this country want 
to lead Kuwait onto the right path, we must encourage and support 
this youth awakening and political awareness, which represents a 
turning point in our history. Today, I am repeating what I had said 
in previous columns; the ball is now in the young people's court. 
They are the ones who should work together and continue to do so for 
their future, and the future of their children, and for Kuwait. 
Youth of Kuwait unite and become a force of action and reform." 
 
KUWAIT 00002478  002 OF 003 
 
 
 
6. Political activist in women's issues Ms. Iqbal Al-Ahmed 
criticized in progressive Arabic daily Al-Qabas, "When some 
candidates were asked why they segregated women in their election 
campaigns, and sometimes screened their presentations to an audience 
of women on pre-recorded tapes, they replied: 'We are trying to save 
our sisters the trouble of having to come to our diwaniyas.  In 
addition, the majority of our sisters wear veils, which make it 
uncomfortable to sit in this hot weather and listen to speeches.' To 
those people I say, if this is your excuse, then you had better 
print what you wanted to say on pamphlets and distribute them to all 
women in Kuwait, so that they could read your election program in 
the comfort of their homes.  At his election campaign headquarters 
former MP Dr. Waleed Al-Tabtabaei clarified his previous position 
that opposed the appointment of Dr. Masouma Al-Mubarak to the 
council of ministers saying, 'Our decision was based on 
constitutional grounds, and not on religious convictions. At that 
time the lady minister's name was unlisted on election lists.' It is 
strange to hear Dr. Tabtabaei say that now, when back during the 
voting on the appointment he used to say, 'giving a woman 
ministerial position meant giving her general sovereignty, an action 
that is banned by Shariah and Islamic laws.'...  Today Islamists 
need the votes of women in their alleged fight against corruption; 
therefore we see that their positions have changed. The same woman, 
who yesterday was considered by them to be unfit mentally and 
physically to practice politics, today has become their weapon with 
which they will fight corruption!" 
 
Full Translation 
---------------- 
 
7. Under the banner "Is this a true democracy?" Editor-in-Chief of 
pro-government Arabic daily Al-Seyassah and English-language Arab 
Times Mr. Ahmed Al-Jarallah editorialized, "Ever since HH the Amir 
issued a decree to dissolve the National Assembly and even before 
dissolution of the Parliament was officially announced, the 
government has been on the receiving end of some vicious accusations 
and harsh criticism, which won't end until June 29, 2006, Election 
Day.  During their election campaigns, almost every candidate has 
accused the government of selling Kuwait through the Northern 
Oilfields project and jeopardizing the country's natural resources 
and the future of its citizens by allowing foreign companies to 
steal the nation's wealth leaving only some small pennies for the 
citizens. 
 
8. Some pessimistic candidates have accused the government of 
helping the rich become richer and closing the doors in the face of 
citizens with limited incomes.  Soon others may go around wearing 
T-shirts bearing the slogan 'Donate to poor Kuwaitis,' to paint a 
bleak future for citizens.  Almost all candidates have blamed the 
government for the deterioration of medical and educational services 
offered to the people of Kuwait. 
 
9. A citizen has criticized the government for the demise of his 
friend, who died while he was being taken to a medical center as the 
first polyclinic to which he was taken was closed. Even the current 
water shortage in the country is being exploited by some candidates 
to blame the government. A candidate described the water shortage as 
'an artificial crisis created to help the thieves at the Energy 
Ministry.' A former MP, an Islamist who is competing in the 
elections, said 'the government has created a shortage as a part of 
its preparations to sign a deal to get water from Iran.' 
 
10. We wonder what kind of government would allow its citizens to go 
thirsty and suffer from unhealthy conditions to import water from 
another country for a few million dinars.... If these dangerous 
accusations are true and supported with incontrovertible proof, then 
the concerned officials should be tried immediately to ensure they 
receive suitable punishment. 
 
11. Amidst all these accusations what is intriguing is the strange 
silence being maintained by the government. The official spokesman 
of the Information Ministry has not responded to any of these 
accusations except the one over the closure of satellite TV 
channels. Maybe he has chosen to counter this accusation as it 
specifically concerns the Information Ministry.  As a result 
citizens are confused and do not know whom to trust for their 
future. 
 
12. Citizens are in a dilemma, because we will be in a crisis if the 
candidates are liars.  On the other hand, the situation will be even 
worse if the candidates are not lying and what they say is true. 
This means citizens can't trust the government, not only the current 
one but also all the earlier governments and the future ones.  If 
 
KUWAIT 00002478  003 OF 003 
 
 
what the candidates are saying is true, all the past, present and 
future governments really should be held responsible for destroying 
the lives of citizens.  If the accusations of the candidates are 
true, the government will remain accused of stealing the nation's 
wealth day in and day out. 
 
13. Why does the government remain silent when its reputation is 
being tarnished?  Why is its official spokesman not explaining, 
defending, or clarifying the situation?  In a democratic country 
such as the United States, the official spokesman of the White House 
or the State Department could not ignore such an issue, even if it 
were published by a newspaper with a miniscule circulation or 
contained in a videotape sent by bin Laden or his deputy 
Al-Zawahari. The U.S. administration wouldn't dare allow any such 
criticism to pass without offering a proper explanation, because it 
is committed not only to its citizens, but also to the entire 
world. 
 
14. While the U.S. government believes in revealing facts to 
identify the truth, in Kuwait it appears there is a 'gentleman's 
agreement' between the government and candidates. This agreement 
allows election candidates to level all kinds of accusations against 
officials, while the government acts deaf or pretends the charges 
are directed at someone else. All citizens have realized the 
government and candidates have a hidden deal. As a result they don't 
care for these meaningless accusations. 
 
15. However, they don't mind listening to them as a pastime. We must 
reconsider and re-evaluate such dangerous political practices. We 
have to reexamine many simple and common practices that are 
dominating our political life and then ask ourselves: is this a true 
democracy?" 
 
********************************************* * 
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/ 
********************************************* ** 
 
TUELLER