Have Kuwaitis lost their love for the American presence that has defined the country in the post-Gulf War era, asks Soha Abdelaty Eleven years ago, when the senior President George Bush visited Kuwait, national television broadcast nothing but songs in praise of America and the American president. Pax-Americana seemed there to stay, with popular songs like Khosh Bush (great Bush) and many actually naming Kuwaiti new-borns after the American leader. Kuwaiti society emerged from the Iraqi invasion in 1990 filled with gratitude and appreciation for American leadership in the Gulf War. Eleven years after its liberation, Kuwait remains very appreciative of the American role in the war and Kuwaitis seem to embrace the American presence in the country. Like other countries in the Gulf, Kuwaiti streets are dotted with Starbucks and US servicemen patronising the malls. These things have become part of the fabric of life in the Gulf. But not so for at least two Kuwaities -- Anas Al-Kandari and his cousin, Jassem Al-Hajiri. On 8 October, Kandari and Hajiri opened fire on US marines on the Kuwaiti island of Failaka, 10 miles off the coast of Kuwait City. An exchange of fire ensued, resulting in the deaths of the cousins while one American died and the other was wounded. Sheikh Mohamed Al- Khaled Al-Sabah told reporters on Saturday investigations indicate that only Al-Kandari had any obvious links with Al-Qa'eda. Kuwaiti police are holding 15 Kuwaiti nationals for alleged involvement in the attack. They are being referred to the Kuwaiti judicial system for prosecution. The minister said that this "terror group" was planning further attacks on American installations in the country, but provided no further details. On Monday, the US Embassy in Kuwait said that American troops training in the desert were shot at from two vehicles. A statement issued by the embassy said that no one was harmed and that the soldiers did not shoot back. The Kuwaiti government dismissed the shooting incident, suggesting that shots were fired by a group of game hunters. The incident took Kuwaitis and the rest of the Arab world by surprise. Many were surprised to hear of such violent anti-American sentiment emanating from Kuwait. In fact, Kuwait is regarded as the US's staunchest ally in the Gulf. However, this was the first act of its kind and it does not seem to reflect the overall attitude towards American presence in the country. "It was very shocking to hear the news as Americans have always been considered strong allies especially after their role in the Gulf War and later in the liberation of Kuwait," says 25-year-old Farah Al-Essa, a Kuwaiti citizen. Furthermore, no one could have predicted this would happen in Kuwait. The overwhelming anti- American sentiment that has struck almost all of the countries in the region has not infected the "immune" Kuwaiti society. "People are terrified," says Kuwaiti Member of Parliament Ahmed Bishara, who is the leader of the National Democratic Movement. Bishara told the Weekly that these individuals have come under the influence of the Islamist fundamentalist trend that has swept the region and that it is highly unlikely this trend will spread across the country. "This is terrorism, and people here, like in other countries, condemn terrorism," Bishara argued. Some members of the Islamists have also condemned the attacks. Sheikh Ogail Al-Nishami, an Islamist scholar, issued a statement condemning the attacks describing them as "murder" and stating that they cannot be considered "jihad". Not only does the US receive its strongest support from Kuwait, many locals view the American presence in their country as a must; it is perceived to be the only means for protection against their neighbour, Iraq. Even highly controversial issues such as US policies towards Israel and a possible US military attack against Iraq have not adversely affected public support for the US as it has in other Arab countries. Shortly after the second Intifada began in September 2000, a boycott of American products and symbols swept across the Arab world. When it reached Kuwait, it was organised by Arab expatriates, not the locals. The Kuwaiti people, explains Bishara, make a "distinction" between US policies in Palestine -- which they do not necessarily approve of -- and the role the US plays in protecting them (Kuwaitis)." And when it comes to Iraq, Kuwaitis as other Arabs, do not want to see a US military attack against the country. But their reasons are different. Their biggest fear is that Iraq would retaliate against them and that it would be a replay of the 1990 nightmares all over again. But if the official Kuwaiti position reflects the majority of public opinion, there is also no denying that a minority of Kuwaitis supported the attacks on the Americans. During their funereal which was attended by several thousand people, Al-Kandari and Al-Hajiri were hailed as martyrs. There were reports that Jaber Al-Jalahma, an Islamist cleric who spoke at the funeral, told mourners that the attack "was a message to all of us". Al-Jalahma stated, "They were better than us, because they stood up against infidels bent on usurping our rights." Observers have noted that the Kuwaiti attacks signal an important and unexpected change in the region. "That the third Gulf War should begin in the deserted and forgotten Kuwaiti island of Failaka, sounds far-fetched. The prevailing impression is that Kuwait is Washington's strongest ally," argues Abdel-Bari Atwan, editor-in-chief of the London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi. "As the more traditional anti-American fundamentalist centres, like Egypt, Syria, Sudan and Yemen are becoming increasingly moderate, the traditionally moderate Gulf centres are now becoming extremist," he said. Atwan's predictions were supported on Monday by a statement attributed to Osama Bin Laden. The statement did not directly claim responsibility for the 8 October incidents, but referred to the two Kuwaiti men as "brothers" of the 11 September culprits. "The heroic Kuwait operation proved the extent of the danger that confronts American troops wherever they go in the Islamic world," the statement said. The statement added that it was no coincidence the attacks took place near the anniversary of the start of US attacks on Afghanistan, 7 October, 2001. Even US President, George Bush, warned on Monday that the attacks in Kuwait prove the threat posed by Al- Qa'eda. "I believe that the attack on our Marines in Kuwait reflect the international nature of these cells, these killer cells," he said at the White House. Bush said that there is "a pattern of attack" by terrorists in Kuwait, Indonesia and Yemen, and warned that these indicate that Al-Qa'eda's network is still alive and kicking, and still has the potential to strike the US. Whether or not this violent trend will grow in the Gulf remains questionable. But it is clear that this newfound vitriol is unlikely to change US plans for Kuwait, especially regarding any plans for actions against Saddam Hussein. Asked if these recent attacks have the potential to mire Kuwaiti-American relations, Bashir dismissed this saying "the Americans will not take this seriously and the Kuwaitis will not accept this new trend of violence."
