US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT3658

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003658 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2014 
TAGS: MARR, MOPS, PREL, PTER, KU, IZ 
SUBJECT: KUWAITI FM TELLS A/S BLOOMFIELD FUEL ISSUE 
RESOLVED; FOCUSES ON IRAQ'S FUTURE 
 
REF: KUWAIT 03592 
 
 1. (C)  SUMMARY: On October 20, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister 
Shaykh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah told PM A/S 
Lincoln Bloomfield Jr., PDASD Peter Flory, and the Ambassador 
that a fuel contract for OIF support was required by the 
GOK's constitutional framework and that Parliament would hold 
the Minister of Energy responsible for any outlay of fuel not 
formalized in writing.  A/S Bloomfield outlined efforts to 
set the stage for  January elections in Iraq and reassured 
the FM that the U.S. would remain in Iraq until the mission 
is completed.  The FM raised the regional conference on Iraq 
in Sharm El Sheikh and GOK's opposition to France's proposal 
for a concurrent meeting of Iraqi opposition figures.  END 
SUMMARY 
 
OIF Fuel Contract 
----------------- 
 
2. (C)  In an October 20 meeting, Kuwaiti FM Shaykh Dr. 
Mohammed told PM A/S Bloomfield, PDASD Flory, and the 
Ambassador that the issue of fuel for OIF operations would be 
resolved once a contract was signed.  He confirmed GOK 
support for U.S. activities in Iraq and the continued supply 
of fuel, but explained that a contract was needed due to GOK 
constitutional framework, and the duration negotiated by the 
Minister of Energy.  For the sake of transparency and to 
protect the Minister of Energy from parliamentary inquiries, 
there had to be a contract with the details clearly defined. 
 
Need for Security and Credible Elections 
---------------------------------------- 
 
3. (C)  At the Minister's request, Bloomfield reviewed Iraqi 
Prime Minister Allawi's plan to quell the violence and 
efforts to provide security for the UN role in Iraq.  He also 
addressed the need to confirm Sunni support for the new Iraq 
in order to isolate and defeat extremists in their midst. 
The ability of Iraq to control its future was based on a few 
key factors: the political process, building up the security 
sector, and persuading all Iraqis to turn against violent 
actors.  The first, the political process, encompasses the 
electoral process and the ability of Iraqi and Coalition 
forces to overcome insurgent efforts to disrupt January's 
election.  Comparing Iraq to Afghanistan, Bloomfield noted 
the strategic success of an election was the ability to hold 
a credible election, adding that the goal in Iraq was always 
100 percent participation.  He noted that in recent days the 
IIG has issued guidelines for the conduct of the election. 
 
Iraq's Need For International Assistance 
---------------------------------------- 
 
4. (C)  Bloomfield expressed hope that in the upcoming Sharm 
El Sheikh conference Iraqis would be able to stand in front 
of their neighbors and the international community and focus 
their attention on Iraq's need for support at an historic 
juncture.  Kuwait said the FM, supports the conference and is 
doing what it can, from giving 65 million dollars in aid to 
sending retired General Ali Al-Mumin to oversee the aid 
distribution in Najaf.  The GOK is building hospitals and 
schools all over Iraq, the FM shared, and the GOK will 
continue to help not only in the South where it has the 
strongest interests.  The Ambassador noted that there 
appeared to be no support for French ideas to invite 
opposition figures to Sharm El Sheikh.  The FM stated that he 
hoped the French idea could be stopped, adding that he had 
already shared this sentiment with the Egyptians and they 
concurred. 
 
Sunni Perception of Their Place 
------------------------------- 
 
5. (C) Bloomfield explained the need to change any negative 
perception that Iraqi Sunnis have about their place in the 
new Iraq.  He emphasized that the Sunni population had to be 
brought into the fold and counseled that their future was 
with democracy and not with the insurgents, foreign or 
otherwise.  Bloomfield explained that the Sunni had to 
distance themselves from the insurgents and to understand 
that a democracy does not mean that Iraq will become a Shi'a 
version of Saddam's dictatorship.  He noted that the 
insurgents had nothing to offer but bloodshed and murder. 
 
Timetable for Scaling Back Troop Numbers 
---------------------------------------- 
 
6. (C) The FM then asked about a timetable for U.S. 
withdrawal.  Bloomfield assured him that U.S. forces would 
not leave Iraq until the mission is finished.  If the 
insurgents lose their footing then the timetable will change 
for the better.  PDASD Flory added that the strategic dynamic 
in this regard is Iraqis taking control of their future; 
Afghanistan is an example for the Iraqi people. 
 
Syria and Iran 
-------------- 
 
7. (C)  The FM asked pointed questions about a recent U.S. 
engagement with Syria to control the border.  Explaining that 
Syria must take control of its own border, Bloomfield 
remarked that it is in Syrian interest to stop insurgents 
from crossing into Iraq.  The FM expressed concern about the 
Ba'ath party reconstituting itself in Iraq but Bloomfield 
stressed that a true democracy allows for all types of 
parties and that he doubted Ba'athism would hold any appeal 
for free Iraqi citizens after the history of abuses Iraq had 
suffered under that party.  PDASD Flory added that there is 
more to the equation than just border control; Syria must 
make a strategic decision not to oppose Coalition efforts in 
Iraq. 
 
8. (C) As for Iran, Bloomfield made clear that Iran needed to 
keep out of Iraq's affairs, particularly as the Iraqi 
election process unfolds.  He added that Iran needed to 
resolve international concerns about its nuclear intentions 
and should cooperate fully with the IAEA.  Concluding, 
Bloomfield told the FM that he does not see the Shi'a in the 
south turning towards Iran as Muqtdr Al Sadr was very 
unpopular while Ayatollah Al Sistani's embrace of democracy 
was more representative of Shi'a sentiment. 
 
9. (C) Article 98 ratification discussion sent reftel. 
 
10. (U) This cable was cleared by A/S Bloomfield and PDASD 
Flory. 
 
11. (U) Baghdad: Minimize considered. 
LeBaron