US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT1635

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Identifier:	04KUWAIT1635
Wikileaks:	View 04KUWAIT1635 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Kuwait
Created:	2004-05-23 13:28:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	PREL MARR KJUS KU
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001635 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, L/T, T, D, PM/B: AMB.BODINE AND PATRICK 
MURRAY 
TEL AVIV FOR DCM LEBARON 
TUNIS FOR NATALIE BROWN 
RIYADH FOR MATT TUELLER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2014 
TAGS: PREL, MARR, KJUS, KU 
SUBJECT: (C) ARTICLE 98 STILL STALLED 
 
REF: A. KUWAIT 1380 (NOTAL) 
 
     B. KUWAIT 758 (NOTAL) 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, Frank Urbancic, Reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
1.(C) Charge met with Acting FM Al-Jarallah May 19 to discuss 
bringing the  Article 98 agreement into force. Al-Jarallah 
was visibly embarrassed by Kuwait's failure to close the 
loop. He explained that the Cabinet Legal Committee 
(Ministers of Justice, Information and Commerce) still want 
to take the issue to the National Assembly for approval. The 
FM, however, is opposed and is trying to have the Attorney 
General rule that the agreement does not need ratification by 
the National Assembly. Al-Jarallah was optimistic this would 
happen soon, but asked for more time. Charge strongly 
reiterated the importance of Article 98, citing earlier 
assurances to the Deputy Secretary and the Ambassador (refs); 
he expressed disappointment that the agreement has not yet 
entered into force. He noted that 84 countries have concluded 
Article 98 agreements, and 67 of those agreements have 
already entered into force, including some with other Arab 
countries. 
URBANCIC