US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT114

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 000114 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR H AND NEA/ARPI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KU 
SUBJECT: SENATOR KERRY AND KUWAITI FM AGREE ON NEED FOR 
SUNNI ROLE IN NEW IRAQ; ADDRESS IRAN AND THE PEACE PROCESS 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C)  Summary:  In a 45-minute discussion January 7, 
Senator John Kerry and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. 
Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah discussed the necessity of 
holding elections in Iraq on January 30 and the importance of 
Sunni participation in the elections and representation in 
Iraq's future government.  Dr. Mohammed said elections are 
the start of a process, not an end result, and sought 
assurances that the U.S. would not begin to disengage after 
elections.  Senator Kerry reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to 
helping Iraq achieve stability and security, and also 
stressed the U.S. commitment to supporting Arab states 
pursuing political and economic reform programs.  The two 
also discussed other regional threats including Iran's 
nuclear aspirations and Syrian and Iranian meddling in Iraq. 
Senator Kerry further restated U.S. appreciation for Kuwait's 
assistance to and political support for Operation Iraqi 
Freedom.  End Summary. 
 
Senator Kerry to Kuwait:  Couldn't Have Done It Without You 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
 
2.  (C)  Senator Kerry opened the meeting by expressing U.S. 
gratitude for Kuwait's support to OIF, noting Kuwait's 
significant fuel contributions and the territory allocated 
for basing and training of U.S. and coalition forces.  The 
Senator added that the U.S. understood that, at times, this 
support has created difficulties for the Government of Kuwait 
(GOK), and stressed the U.S. was deeply appreciative. 
Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah 
commented "we're all in this together" and said Kuwait was 
grateful for U.S. efforts to promote peace and security in 
Iraq.  He also deeply regretted the number of Americans who 
gave their lives for this cause. 
 
Iraq Elections:  New Start for Iraq and the Region 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
3.  (C)  The Senator then briefed Dr. Mohammed on his January 
5-6 visit to Baghdad, Falluja, Kirkurk, and Mosul and asked 
for Dr. Mohammed's observations on developments in Iraq.  Dr. 
Mohammed said he had just returned from the Neighbors' 
Conference in Amman where participants unanimously agreed 
that elections must occur in Iraq, describing them as a means 
to achieve a unified Iraq in which an elected National 
Assembly can begin to shape the country's future.  He added 
Iraq's neighbors also reasserted their support for UNSCR 
1546.  He also shared regional concerns that the U.S. views 
elections as part of an "exit strategy."  He emphasized that 
elections are part of a process to help Iraq become peaceful 
and stable, a collaborative effort that requires substantial 
and sustained American involvement. 
 
 
Creative Thinking/Regional Collaboration A Must for Sunni 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
4.  (C)  Further commenting on the conference, Dr. Mohammed 
reported the absence of senior Iranian participants and said 
Syria attended and even appealed to Iran's Foreign Minister 
to attend.  Iran, which Dr. Mohammed said has the most to 
lose if elections do not occur, objected to King Abdullah's 
statements on their meddling in Iraq and allegations that 
Iran seeks the establishment of another Shi'a state in the 
region.  Dr. Mohammed argued that Iraq must not become a 
sectarian state and called for creative ways to encourage 
Sunni participation in the late January polling.  He said 
there had been talk among the neighbors and the Iraqis about 
allowing voting to continue beyond January 30.  He opined if 
Sunnis do not go to polls in great numbers, it would not be a 
boycott, rather a reflection of their fear.  Nonetheless, the 
Sunni must be represented in Iraq's government and if they 
are not part of the legislative branch, they must be 
adequately represented at the executive level. 
 
5.  (C)  Dr. Mohammed said it would be a good idea for the 
Foreign Minister of the new Iraqi government to be a Sunni. 
Although he had great admiration for current the Foreign 
Minister, a Kurd, he said a Sunni could do more to elicit the 
vigorous support that will be needed from Iraq's neighbors. 
 
6.  (C)  Responding to the Senator's question about Arab 
state leverage on Iraq's Sunni community, Dr. Mohammed said 
the Arab states have no influence and said the IIG must 
isolate those Sunni who cannot even imagine Shi'a rule in 
Iraq and win over the Sunni who prefer to delay elections. 
He also called for the IIG to do a better job on public 
relations with the Arab world which needs to hear:  Iraq is a 
part of the Arab world; Iraq wants to become a regional 
example of modernity and openness; and Iraq is not a haven 
for sectarian rule. 
 
7.  (C)  Senator Kerry agreed on the need for Sunni 
participation in elections and representation in Iraq's 
elected government.  He also agreed that elections are part 
of a process and not an end result, commenting it would be 
dangerous to equate holding elections to success.  He 
reconfirmed the U.S. commitment to Iraq and identified as a 
prerequisite for any diminishing of a U.S. presence the 
successful transfer of security responsibilities to Iraq.  He 
said he considered it a mistake to disband the Iraqi army and 
remove all Baathists from positions of authority and 
influence.  These decisions made rebuilding Iraq all the more 
difficult because U.S. and coalition forces had to not only 
reestablish security, but also recreate the structures for 
basic services.  The Senator said it was possible to provide 
security and services, but it would be easier with more 
assistance, especially from the Arab world. 
A War of the Wills 
------------------ 
 
8.  (C)  Dr. Mohammed replied that the war in Iraq is a war 
for the future, a battle between groups with fundamentally 
different outlooks for the Arab world.  There are those who 
favor democracy and openness, believing Iraq could become a 
model state.  In contrast, others support the continuation of 
the fascist regimes for which the region is known.  Dr. 
Mohammed asserted people in the region are ready for change, 
and said some governments deserve more credit than they are 
getting.  For example, he did not believe Saudi Arabia is 
being treated fairly, referring to a January 1, 2005 New York 
Times editorial that linked the KSA to terror financing.  He 
described Saudi Arabia as being at civil war and feared 
additional external pressure would erode public support for 
reform efforts such as allowing women to vote in municipal 
elections. 
 
Iran Wants a Real Persian Gulf 
------------------------------ 
 
9.  (C)  Turning to other regional issues, Dr. Mohammed 
called Iran the biggest threat to Gulf countries, stating its 
nuclear program represented a long-term, strategic threat. 
He said other Gulf countries were also concerned about 
Bahraini lands claimed by Iran, Iranian occupation of islands 
belong to the United Arab Emirates, and an ongoing dispute 
with Qatar on gas.  He said Iran was seeking to undermine all 
of the Gulf governments and sought the establishment of a 
truly "Persian Gulf."  In his assessment, most Iranians 
wanted more openness, but direct criticism of the regime, 
such as recent statements by King Abdullah on creation of a 
Shi'a crescent or consideration as part of the axis-of-evil, 
challenged Iranians' sense of nationalism, forcing them to 
align themselves with the state. 
 
Don't Forget the Peace Process 
------------------------------ 
 
10.  (C)  Dr. Mohammed also said the Arab-Israeli peace 
process was linked to the situation in Iraq and the two 
issues, both of which required focused U.S. attention, could 
not be separated.  He encouraged the U.S. to engage Syria, 
noting general consensus on the requirement to return the 
Golan Heights.  Senator Kerry reminded Dr. Mohammed that the 
situation had previously been close to resolution, and 
Syria's habit of being a troublemaker whenever the peace 
process stagnates complicated the matter.  Kerry said there 
had been ample outreach to the GOS and the only enticement 
should be the ultimate benefits of resolving its problems 
with Israel. He also hoped that January 9 Palestinian 
elections would create conditions for future negotiations. 
Dr. Mohammed expressed optimism and said President Bashar 
Al-Asad was trustworthy; the problem was individuals in his 
government, including Foreign Minister Farouk Al-Shara', who 
disobey his instructions. 
 
Kuwait Gives Failing Grade for U.S. Public Diplomacy 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
11.  (C)  Dr. Mohammed concluded by saying that U.S. ideas 
and values were welcome in the region, and there were signs 
of economic and political reform.  The U.S. would be more 
successful, however, if it did a better job of public 
diplomacy.  He was complimentary of BMENA, but said the 
initiative was harmed initially by its delivery.  He also 
said the stories of abuse at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib ran 
contrary to the general image of the U.S. and paled in 
comparison to torture meted out by Saddam Hussein. 
Mismanagement of the public relations aspect of the issue 
kept the abuse a hot topic. 
 
12.  (U)  Senator Kerry departed Kuwait prior to message 
transmission. 
 
13.  (U)  Baghdad:  Minimize considered. 
 
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LEBARON