US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT2783

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 002783 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2014 
TAGS: PARM, PREL, MARR, MCAP, MOPS, KU, IZ, NATO 
SUBJECT: GLOBAL DEFENSE POSTURE DEMARCHE DELIVERED; MINDEF 
RELAYS SISTANI'S COMMENTS ON AL-SADR 
 
REF: A. STATE 174197 
     B. STATE 164968 
     C. KUWAIT 2598 
 
Classified By: CDA Matthew Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C) During an introductory courtesy call, CDA delivered 
reftel talking points to Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber 
Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on August 24.  The Minister said 
that it was a "wise step to consult with allies" on these 
changes, and added that Kuwait and the U.S. are "facing 
common threats and enemies - the terrorists." 
 
2.  (C)  Responding to the Charge's request for any advice on 
Iraq, the Minister said that he knew that Sistani wanted to 
return to Iraq from London as soon as possible and that most 
Shi'a do not agree with Moqtada Al-Sadr.  The Minister 
explained that he had returned, ten days ago, from a visit to 
London where he called on Sheikh Zayed of the UAE at the 
hospital.  Sistani was staying at the same hospital.  The 
Minister asked retired Kuwaiti General Ali Muhammad Mumin, 
formerly Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defense, to 
accompany Sheikh Zayed's son on a visit to Sistani to wish 
him well.  (Note: General Mumin resides in London and is a 
Shi'a.)  After the visit, Sistani's son called to thank the 
Minister and said that his father was against all actions by 
Al-Sadr in Iraq and wished to return to Iraq as soon as 
possible. 
 
3.  (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
TUELLER