US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT2426

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002426 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, IZ, KU 
SUBJECT: IRAQI PRIME MINISTER'S HISTORIC VISIT TO KUWAIT 
 
Classified By: CDA MATTHEW TUELLER; REASON 1.4 (B) 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: All local news dailies covered the historic 
three-day visit to Kuwait by Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad 
Allawi, July 31-Aug 2.  Pro-forma high-level meetings were 
conducted during the visit, which focused on the resumption 
of the bilateral relationship.  Allawi reassured Kuwait that 
Iraq respects its independence and issues such as 
reparations, bilateral cooperation, and plans for future 
high-level meetings were also touched on. END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (U) Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi finished his 
three-day visit to Kuwait on the 14th anniversary of the 
Iraqi invasion here.  The focus throughout was on restoring 
the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait and on enhancing 
cooperation in all spheres.  A joint communiqu emphasizing 
the importance of upgrading bilateral cooperation was 
released after talks concluded.  Amir Shaykh Jabir Al-Ahmad 
Al-Sabah, and Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah 
received the Iraqi Prime Minister on August 1. 
 
Thanks and Regrets 
------------------- 
3. (U) Prime Minister Allawi expressed appreciation for 
Kuwait,s role in ousting Saddam,s regime and for its 
willingness to assist in the reconstruction and development 
of Iraq.  During a press conference, Allawi expressed regret 
over the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and said the invasion was 
&a disaster, and we hope we can overcome such a disaster.8 
He also mentioned that the invasion was &against the Arab 
logic and the Arab reason.8 
 
Diplomatic Ties and Reparations 
-------------------------------- 
4. (U) Both sides agreed to a resumption of full diplomatic 
ties at the ambassadorial level to begin as soon as possible. 
 Allawi, on August 1, said that Iraq respects Kuwait,s 
independence and was committed to the UN resolutions related 
to the 1990 invasion reparations and border demarcation 
between the two states.  Allawi said the Interim Iraqi 
Government has reached  consensus on the reparations issue 
and that Iraq was ready to begin talks with Kuwait on 
development and reconstruction issues in Iraq. 
 
5. (U) Both sides also agreed on the need to increase 
bilateral economic and trade cooperation.  Such cooperation 
would be supported by the formation of a higher committee to 
meet annually and co-chaired by both prime ministers.  Other 
technical committees were also proposed to support additional 
sectors of economic cooperation.  Both countries also 
vocalized their support for Arab interests expressed in UN 
Security Council Resolutions guaranteeing the liberation of 
occupied Arab territories, the establishment of a Palestinian 
state and the maintenance of security and stability in the 
region. 
 
Internal Iraqi Issues 
----------------------- 
6. (U) Allawi mentioned that America's mistaken dissolution 
of Iraqi state institutions led to several problems in Iraqi 
internal affairs.  The problems arising from the resulting 
unemployment of Iraqi citizens, he said, included the 
increase in those with extreme religious beliefs crossing 
into Iraq, the strengthening of Saddam loyalists, and the 
increase in crime from those prisoners Saddam released ahead 
of the war.  Allawi reiterated that members of the Iraqi 
resistance are welcome to cease fighting and to participate 
in the Iraqi political process because &Iraq is for all 
Iraqis.8 
 
7. (U) Allawi expressed satisfaction with his visit and 
appreciation for the warm welcome received throughout his 
stay.  Shaykh Sabah accepted an offer from Allawi to visit 
Iraq, however, no date has been set for meetings. 
 
8. (C) Comment:  Although Iraqi flags were seen flying in 
Kuwait City on August 2nd and a new page has certainly been 
turned in the bilateral relationship, Kuwaitis are still wary 
of Iraqi long-term intentions and Kuwait,s leaders have 
shared with us their concerns over the future offensive 
capability of the Iraqi military.  Reducing Gulf War 
reparations to Kuwait continues to be a red line for the GOK 
and because over 400 Kuwaiti POWs are still missing, Kuwait's 
memory of the Iraqi brutality will not be easily erased. 
 
9. (C) Comment Continued: Several Kuwaiti news editors 
expressed editorial dissatisfaction with Allawi,s references 
to the 1990 invasion as a &Mooshkila8--the Arabic word for 
problem--and not as a terrible atrocity.  Half the Kuwaiti 
press reaction complained that he trivialized the invasion by 
not going far enough to place it in its proper context. 
Indicating the GOK's interest in improving GOK-Iraqi 
relations the Ministry of Information issued recently a 
decree directing local news outlets to refer to the 1990 
invasion as "Saddam,s invasion" and not an "Iraqi 
occupation." 
 
 
TUELLER