US embassy cable - 04KUWAIT4199

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004199 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, T, AND PM 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KDEM, EAID, KU, KLEG 
SUBJECT: SENIOR MP SAYS THE TIME IS NOT RIGHT FOR IRAQI 
ELECTIONS; QUESTIONS GOK POSITION ON WOMEN'S VOTING RIGHTS 
 
REF: KUWAIT 3897 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C)  Summary:  During a December 1 courtesy call by 
Ambassador LeBaron, Chairman of the National Assembly 
Committee on Foreign Affairs, MP Mohammed Jassam Al-Sager 
(also Al-Saqer), was not shy about his views on Iraq, U.S. 
policy successes and failures, and the effectiveness of the 
Government of Kuwait.  He praised the U.S. for liberating 
both Kuwait and Iraq and said coalition efforts in Iraq will 
benefit the entire region.  Nevertheless, he is not convinced 
that elections in January 2005 will help Iraqis.  He believes 
religious extremists will rise to power and, backed by Iran, 
pose a threat to all Gulf countries.  He supports the U.S. 
positions on Iran and Lebanon, but thought it would have been 
better for the U.S. to have communicated its concerns 
bilaterally and through allies.  In contrast, he recommended 
the U.S. speak up on the rise of Islamists in Kuwait and the 
need for greater rights for women.  He said if the government 
was serious about forgiving Iraq's debt and obtaining voting 
rights for women, it could easily pass legislation.  He was 
equally critical of the National Assembly, chastising MPs who 
question the assignment of U.S. envoys to Kuwait who 
previously served in Israel, but who do not oppose Arab 
governments which have diplomatic representation in Israel. 
The Ambassador raised the need for speedy ratification of the 
Article 98 Agreement and Al-Sager said he would do his best 
to expedite the process.  End Summary. 
 
Liberation Is Good for Iraq, Elections Aren't 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
2.  (C)  Opening the conversation with a discussion on Iraq, 
Al-Sager said Kuwait is eternally grateful to the U.S. for 
liberating it in 1991 and for ousting Saddam Hussein.  He 
noted there might be disagreements over policy, but the U.S. 
could always consider Kuwait a good friend in the region.  He 
considered recent military action in Falluja necessary and 
opined that the number of civilians killed in firefights 
between coalition forces and insurgents is small when 
compared to the innocent Iraqis killed by Hussein.  Despite 
his support for U.S. actions in Iraq, however, he questioned 
the need for elections in January.  He argued that Iraqis 
don't need a constitution, rather they need to experience and 
enjoy freedom.  He feared that the victors of an election 
would be groups that are already organized, specifically the 
Shi'a whose clerics he believes receive instructions from 
Iran, and who would be hostile to gulf countries.  He 
clarified he is not opposed to a Shi'a regime; he is opposed 
to a religious, Shi'a regime. 
 
 
Containment Best Solution to Iranian Problem 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
3.  (C)  Turning to Iran's role in the region, Al-Sager said 
the U.S. erred by not fully consulting Iraq's neighbors -- 
Syria and Iran -- when it made the decision to liberate Iraq. 
 As a result, Iraq's borders were not adequately secured, 
facilitating the entry of terrorist groups.  He stated Iran 
remains determined to build a nuclear device and said the use 
of force was not a viable deterrent.  He added that public 
attacks against Iran would only encourage its nuclear 
aspirations and cause Iranians to rally around the flag.  He 
called for containment of the GOI which, in his view, can 
only be achieved with the full participation of European 
allies. 
 
GOK Committed to Women's Rights and Iraqi Debt relief? 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
4.  (C)  Al-Sager then addressed issues currently before the 
National Assembly, describing debt relief for Iraq as the 
most important.  He said Kuwait should have forgiven the debt 
long ago as there is no real expectation the GOK will ever 
receive any money from Iraq.  He called for the GOK to invest 
in Iraq's infrastructure and people by building schools and 
hospitals, creating an IT city, and improving the Iraqi 
mentality.  He argued that this type of focus would benefit 
both Kuwait and Iraq.  He denounced the USD 60M already 
earmarked by Kuwait for Iraq (reftel) as "peanuts" and said 
the GOK could afford a serious investment in its neighboring 
country.  Referring to both Iraqi debt and women's suffrage, 
Al-Sager said if the GOK was truly committed, it could easily 
pass the appropriate legislation.  Notwithstanding the 
growing presence of Islamists in the National Assembly, the 
GOK maintains adequate influence to pass any legislation it 
desires, providing it makes an effort.  Further commenting on 
voting rights for women, Al-Sager said he introduced the 
legislation that previously failed, and took no action this 
year because the GOK said it wanted to table the issue.  He 
agreed because he believes legislation introduced by the 
Government carries more weight and the onus to defend the 
legislation would then lie with the GOK.  He considered 
repeated failures to secure voting rights for women to be 
indicative of severe internal problems within the GOK or a 
serious lack of interest. 
 
Ambassador Presses for Parliamentary Action on Article 98 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
5.  (C)  The Ambassador thanked Al-Sager for his candor and 
said he looked forward to future exchanges on how the U.S. 
and GOK can broaden and deepen relations, stressing the need 
to think strategically and about the long-term.  The 
Ambassador also emphasized the need to conclude the Article 
98 Agreement and offered to brief members of Al-Sager's 
committee if he thought that would help in bringing the 
Article to the floor for a vote.  (Note:  Ambassador followed 
up with a phone call to As-Sager on December 5 to prompt 
Article 98 Action.  End Note) 
 
6.  (U)  Baghdad:  Minimize considered. 
 
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LEBARON