US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT539

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000539 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2015 
TAGS: PARM, EAID, PTER, PREL, PGOV, MOPS, MARR, PHUM, KU 
SUBJECT: FM SAYS MOD SHOULD ADDRESS FUEL; PROMISES AID FOR 
PA AFTER RESUMPTION OF RELATIONS 
 
REF: A. KUWAIT 512 
 
     B. KUWAIT 446 
     C. KUWAIT 417 
     D. KUWAIT 405 
     E. KUWAIT 112 
     F. KUWAIT 111 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C)  Summary:  In a February 7 meeting with the 
Ambassador, Kuwaiti FM Shaykh Dr. Mohammed encouraged that a 
timeline be established for resolving the fuel issue.  He 
reported that members of Parliament were expressing interest 
in what that the GOK was providing and that a plan could help 
to quell criticism of the assistance.  He informed the 
Ambassador that the Ministry of Defense (KMOD) was now the 
lead negotiator and recommended that the Joint Military 
Commission be tasked in some way to address the broader 
issues implied in the KMOD approach to the issue.  The 
Ambassador commended the GOK for its more aggressive response 
to security threats and reminded the FM that addressing money 
laundering and terror financing are also critical tools in 
the global war on terror.  The Ambassador inquired about 
timing for the release of GOK financial assistance to the 
Palestinian Authority.  The FM reaffirmed Kuwait's readiness 
to assist the PA, but said diplomatic and political relations 
would need to be reestablished before the GOK could release 
promised funds.  The FM agreed that elections in Iraq went 
well and said he hoped a government would be in place before 
the Arab League summit.  He also welcomed a second Sharm 
Al-Shaykh conference.  The FM informed the Ambassador of the 
Prime Minister's desire to travel to Washington in May and 
said the GOK would welcome a visit by Secretary Rice.  The 
Ambassador shared with the FM his response to a newspaper 
reporter on Embassy attendance at an Islamist political 
function, stressing that reporting officers attend a variety 
of functions in order to be fully aware of developments in 
Kuwait.  The FM said the interview would give the Kuwaiti 
people a change to hear from the Ambassador directly.  End 
Summary. 
 
FM on Fuel:  Joint Military Commission Involvement Needed 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
2.  (C)  Ambassador LeBaron opened his February 7 meeting 
with Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem 
Al-Sabah by reviewing possible next steps to resolve the fuel 
issue.  The Ambassador sought clarification on whether the 
Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense (KMOD) was the appropriate 
interlocutor or whether an inter-ministry team had been 
established to settle the negotiations.  The Ambassador also 
informed Dr. Mohammed a Pentagon team was developing 
proposals based on the KMOD request, but KMOD had not made 
any specific requests to facilitate the process.  The FM 
responded that, without an agreement, the GOK is in violation 
of its constitution and members of Parliament are starting to 
ask questions.  It is essential that the fuel issue be 
resolved and he recommended KMOD and the U.S. establish a 
timeline for completing the deal so that the GOK can 
demonstrate to Parliament a process was underway.  He said 
KMOD was the point of contact for the matter. 
 
3.  (C)  The Ambassador noted that the Defense Department was 
inquiring what had happened on its request for 
reconsideration of the proposal to pay production costs.  Dr. 
Mohammed said the matter had not been formally discussed and 
he did not consider it constructive to pursue it.  He 
explained that production cost can be calculated in many ways 
and that for an exhaustible resource such as fuel, the 
replacement cost had to be considered, thereby raising the 
price to about 100 dollars (it was not clear if he meant 
gallons or barrels).  Dr. Mohammed supported the Joint 
Military Commission as a venue to address the broader 
trade-offs involving fuel and enhanced military cooperation. 
 
GOK Must Stay Tough on Terror 
----------------------------- 
 
4.  (C)  Turning to recent security incidents, the Ambassador 
commended the GOK for its decisive response to the presence 
of terror cells and said the U.S. appreciated its good 
collaboration with Kuwaiti security apparatus.  He noted a 
substantial change in the GOK's attitude and reaction to 
terror threats and encouraged Kuwait to use the momentum to 
more fully address money laundering and terror financing. 
The FM reasserted Kuwait's resolve to wipe out terror and 
said he looked forward to the recommendations of the 
counterterrorism conference hosted by Saudi Arabia.  Further 
commenting on Saudi Arabia, the FM noted its reform efforts, 
lamenting that if Saudi women participated in municipal 
elections this month, the SAG would surpass Kuwait in 
granting women's rights, and suggested the U.S. acknowledge 
and "encourage" the SAG's progress. 
 
GOK Seeks Return Abu Mazen Visit 
-------------------------------- 
 
5.  (C)  The Ambassador informed Dr. Mohammed of the 
Secretary's visit to Israel and Palestinian-controlled areas. 
 
SIPDIS 
 Referring to previous discussions on Kuwaiti aid to the 
Palestinian people, he said the election of Abu Mazen opened 
the door for Kuwait to resume its financial assistance and 
encouraged the GOK to act.  Dr. Mohammed said the GOK 
intended to fulfill the pledge previously made at the Arab 
League Summit, however, Kuwait was waiting for Abu Mazen to 
name his full cabinet.  Additionally, since Kuwait had 
severed ties with the Palestinian Authority, Abu Mazen would 
need to return to Kuwait to address the resumption of 
diplomatic and political relations before funds could be 
disbursed.  Dr. Mohammed said this point had been made clear 
to Abu Mazen during his December 2004 trip and the GOK 
welcomed his return visit.  The FM commented relations with 
the PA remains a sensitive subject for the Kuwaiti people and 
if the new cabinet included individuals who supported Saddam 
Hussein's 1990 invasion of Kuwait, there would not be any 
public support for a resumption of financial assistance. 
 
GOK Supports 2nd Sharm Al-Shaykh Meeting on Iraq 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
6.  (C)  Commenting on the January 30 elections in Iraq, the 
Ambassador said they went well and set the stage for the 
continued evolution of the Iraqi political process.  He 
stressed the U.S. will remain engaged and reminded Dr. 
Mohammed that the new Iraqi government will need 
encouragement and support from its neighbors.  Dr. Mohammed 
shared the assessment that elections were largely successful 
and asked for U.S. views on the proposal for a second Sharm 
Al-Shaykh summit.  The GOK favors another gathering.  The FM 
also hoped that an Iraqi government would be in place by 
March so that it can participate in the Arab League Summit. 
Dr. Mohammed further asked for U.S. views on Syria's role in 
Iraq.  He questioned the GOS's intent and wondered how much 
influence President Bashar Al-Asad really has.  The 
Ambassador replied that Syrian behavior remains inconsistent. 
 
 
PM Visit to Washington 
---------------------- 
 
7.  (SBU)  Dr. Mohammed informed the Ambassador that Prime 
Minister Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah would like 
to visit the U.S. in May.  He also extended an open 
invitation for the Secretary to visit Kuwait. 
 
Emboff Attendance at Rally Taken Out of Context 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
8.  (C)  Referring to recent criticism of Emboff attendance 
of the launching of a new Islamist political party, the 
Ambassador told Dr. Mohammed the flack was unfortunate and 
U.S. attendance was in no way a political statement.  As a 
matter of course, officers attend a variety of functions in 
order to be fully aware of developments in Kuwait.  The 
Ambassador also shared with Dr. Mohammed his response to 
Al-Qabas newspaper on the matter, to be published February 8 
as part of a larger interview.  The Foreign Minister welcomed 
the explanation and said the newspaper interview would give 
the Kuwaiti people a chance to hear from the Ambassador 
directly.  He added that the GOK's concern was not U.S. 
attendance at a politically-motivated press conference, 
rather that the group advocates violence in that it terms the 
U.S. military presence in Kuwait an "occupation."  He said 
the GOK does not oppose political groups, but the Hizb 
Al-Ummah had called itself a party and there was a process 
for party formation which was violated. 
 
9.  (U)  Baghdad:  Minimize considered. 
 
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LEBARON