US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT3897

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 003897 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KU 
SUBJECT: DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE'S NOVEMBER 7 MEETING 
WITH KUWAITI PRIME MINISTER SHAYKH SABAH 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C)  Summary:  In a 45 minute meeting November 7, the 
Deputy Secretary and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah 
discussed a wide range of issues, but focused primarily on 
the situation in Iraq.  The Deputy Secretary briefed the PM 
on his visit, informing him of the IIG's declaration of a 
state of emergency, probable military action in Fallujah, and 
preparations for both the Sharm al Sheikh conference and 
January elections.  He stressed debt reduction as critical 
for Iraq.  On other regional issues, the Deputy spoke of 
opportunities to energize the peace process and requested the 
GOK help the PA meet its current financial obligations.  The 
Deputy Secretary emphasized U.S. appreciation for Kuwait's 
continued political and financial support for OIF and other 
U.S. regional interests.  He recommended the two governments 
seek additional ways to broaden and deepen the bilateral 
relationship, noting in particular our common interests in 
the war on terror. 
 
2.  (C)  Summary continued:  The PM reaffirmed the U.S. can 
depend on Kuwait and welcomed other areas of cooperation.  He 
agreed the use of force was necessary in Iraq, but worried 
that military action, if not explained properly, would 
tarnish the U.S. image.  He said the GOK was committed to 
helping promote stability in Iraq and had already budgeted 
funds for the construction of schools and hospitals.  He 
shared U.S. concerns about interference from neighboring 
countries and reported the GOK had delivered a strong message 
to Iran and was preparing to confront Syria with evidence of 
its unhelpful involvement.  He reported the GOK makes regular 
humanitarian contributions to the Palestinian people and 
would consider the request for immediate financial 
assistance, but was skeptical about proper use of funds by 
the PA.  He also argued for the return of Kuwaiti detainees 
in Guantanamo and said they would be subject to judicial 
review upon arrival in Kuwait.  End Summary. 
 
Iraq:  Military Action Necessary, Debt Relief Needed 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
3.  (C)  The Deputy Secretary opened the post-Iftar meeting 
at the Prime Minister's residence by reviewing his November 
6-7 visit to Iraq.  He informed PM Shaykh Sabah of Iraqi PM 
Allawi's declaration of a state of emergency and said the 
entire Iraqi Interim Government had come to the conclusion 
that it must take action in Fallujah  It was a difficult 
decision, but necessary to prevent the IIG from being viewed 
as weak and feckless by its citizens.  The Deputy Secretary 
described Fallujah as the source of many of Iraq's problems, 
explaining that Al Zarqawi had been based there and that many 
of the IEDs came from Fallujah.  Military action in Fallujah 
would also send a message to would-be insurgents about the 
resolve of the IIG and the coalition.  Responding to the PM's 
question about the possibility of insurgents fleeing Fallujah 
for other parts of Iraq, the Deputy Secretary noted spreading 
calm in the other areas and said it was better that the IIG 
tackle the Sunni problem when Shi'a areas are quiet.  He 
reported some progress in two other problematic cities -- 
Kirkurk and Mosul, particularly with the departure of an 
Islamist university president and the imminent departure of 
the corrupt police chief.  The Deputy Secretary added that 
newly-trained Iraqi armed forces were capable, responded well 
to training, and could play a constructive role in restoring 
security.  A key challenge was developing a cadre of military 
leaders who are critical to improved performance by Iraqi 
security forces.  The Deputy Secretary briefed the PM on his 
meeting with UN election officials in Iraq who reaffirmed 
that elections can be held by the end of January 2005, a 
sentiment shared by President Bush and influential Iraqis, 
including Ayatollah Sistani. 
 
 
4.  (C)  The Deputy Secretary told the PM that the IIG was 
deeply grateful for Kuwait's assistance and would continue to 
need the support of good friends in order to reform and 
rebuild.  The Deputy Secretary described the upcoming 
Regional Conference on Iraq as an excellent opportunity for 
Iraq's friends to get together to discuss how best to help. 
He told the PM the current goal was 89.5 % debt forgiveness 
and opined that France and Germany would likely resist that 
amount at the beginning, but would eventually come around. 
He also noted the need to bring the Saudis on board, 
especially regarding the spread of Wahhabism in Iraq. 
 
Kuwait in for the Long-Run 
-------------------------- 
 
5.  (C)  The PM admitted to lingering GOK concerns about some 
members of the IIG, but reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to 
U.S. efforts to promote stability in Iraq and called for 
joint efforts to put an end to the violence which was 
beginning to have an adverse effect on Kuwait.  He stressed 
the need for a good public information program on the state 
of emergency and the Fallujah campaign for the sake of both 
the IIG and the U.S. image in the region.  He informed the 
Deputy Secretary that Iraqi Vice President Al-Jafaari would 
arrive in Kuwait November 8 for a three-day visit and said 
the GOK looked forward to having a better bilateral 
relationship with Iraq.  He reported the GOK had pledged USD 
60M to build schools and hospitals in Iraq and was waiting 
for the security situation to improve so that the IIG could 
designate construction sites. 
 
6.  (C)  Commenting on the Deputy Secretary's remark on Saudi 
Arabia, the PM said the Saudis were not pleased about the 
external spread of Wahhabism and said the U.S. often 
misunderstands the KSA.  He said Crown Prince Abdullah wants 
reform, but the people of Saudi Arabia are not well informed 
and, as a result, have opposed change.  He recommended a 
slow, steady approach to political and social reform, 
cautioning that progress must proceed at a Saudi pace, not 
American. He advised the U.S. not to push the KSA to the 
breaking point.  The Deputy Secretary agreed the Saudis are 
on the right track, but counseled the need to pick up the 
pace.  He also noted high-level endorsement, albeit 
privately, of the Secretary's recent remarks on women's 
rights in Saudi. 
 
A New Chapter in Arab-Israeli Relations? 
---------------------------------------- 
 
7.  (C)  Turning to other regional issues, the Deputy 
Secretary said Arafat's unfortunate illness presented an 
 
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opportunity to the Palestinian people to select their future 
leader.  The time is ripe for movement:  Arafat's departure 
from power eliminated Israel's top excuse for maintaining the 
status quo, and President Bush has reaffirmed his commitment 
to achieving a two-state solution.  The Deputy Secretary 
requested that Kuwait consider providing financial assistance 
to help the Palestinian Authority through its current cash 
flow problems.  The PM recounted the history of bad blood 
between the Kuwaitis and Palestinians, and indicated deep 
skepticism about the eventual use of assistance funds.  He 
reported the GOK provides USD 150M of humanitarian assistance 
and would need to know where and how additional funds would 
be spent before anteing up more.  The PM also encouraged the 
U.S. to seriously consider sending American and European 
observers/monitors, not an armed force, to Palestinian areas, 
an issue he said he previously raised with President Bush. 
A/S Burns commented that the proposal merited discussion as 
Israel withdraws from Gaza. 
 
The Persistent Problem of Outside Interference 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
8.  (C)  Recalling the recent visit of Iranian FM Kharazi, 
the PM told the Deputy Secretary the GOK warned Iran that 
it's interference in Iraq would only hurt it.  Still, because 
of Iraq's Shi'a population, Iran would maintain an interest 
in developments in Iraq and would closely follow the 
elections.  Iran also swore its nuclear program was for 
peaceful, civilian purposes only and promised to suspend its 
uranium enrichment process.  The GOK remains skeptical of 
such proclamations and will seek to maintain an open dialog 
with Iran.  The Deputy Secretary noted that the U.S. and GOI 
had been able to reach a workable, implicit partnership in 
Afghanistan.  He further invited the GOK's advice on working 
with Iran.  Commenting on other meddlers in Iraq, the PM said 
the GOK has evidence of Syrian Baathist training in Iraq and 
would soon confront the GOS. 
 
U.S. Deeply Appreciative of GOK Support 
--------------------------------------- 
 
9.  (C)  The Deputy Secretary thanked the Prime Minister for 
Kuwait's generous and continued support of U.S. interests in 
the region, noting the decision to continue the flow of free 
fuel for OIF until the end of the year.  He also praised 
progress on the Article 98 Agreement.  He also cited 
counterterrorism as an area for further bilateral 
cooperation.  He noted the large U.S. presence in Kuwait and 
said the U.S. was deeply concerned about the safety of both 
Americans and Kuwaitis.  The PM said any attack on an 
American in Kuwait was an attack on the GOK and reasserted 
the GOK's commitment to working with the U.S. on the war on 
terror.  Responding to the PM's inquiry about the 
repatriation of all Kuwaitis detained in Guantanamo, the 
Deputy Secretary promised to look into the issue and provide 
the GOK with additional information. 
 
 
10.  (U)  Meeting participants included: 
 
The Deputy Secretary 
Ambassador Richard LeBaron 
NEA Assistant Secretary William B. Burns 
Rexon Ryu, D Staff 
Natalie E. Brown, Political Chief and Notetaker 
 
Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah 
Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah 
HE Ahmed Al-Fahed, Under Secretary, Prime Minister's Diwan 
HE Khaled Salman Al-Jarallah, Under Secretary, Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs 
Shaykh Khaled Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, Under Secretary for 
Protocol, Amiri Diwan 
Shaykh Fawaz Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, Assistant Under 
Secretary of the Prime Minister's Diwan 
 
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Ayham Al-Omar, Acting Director America's Department, Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs 
 
11.  (U)  A/S Burns and the Deputy Secretary's staff have 
cleared this message. 
 
12.  (U)  Baghdad:  Minimize Considered. 
 
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LeBaron