US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT1336

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001336 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, ECON, EAID, PINR, KU, JO 
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN-KUWAITI RELATIONS: FROM "TERRIBLE TO 
GREAT" 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary: Jordan's outgoing Ambassador to Kuwait told 
the Ambassador March 30 that Jordanian-Kuwaiti relations have 
progressed from "terrible to great" during his seven-year 
tenure. Some low level resentment due to the 1990 Iraqi 
invasion, however, lingers among some Jordanian 
parliamentarians. As a sign of improving relations, the 
Kuwait Fund for Economic Development recently agreed to 
finance two projects in the Hashemite Kingdom. Jordan also 
indirectly requested concessional oil from the GOK, but the 
Kuwaitis have not responded to date. End summary. 
 
Improving Bilateral Relations 
----------------------------- 
 
2. (C) When Jordanian Ambassador Mohammad Al-Manfy Al-Kor'an 
arrived in Kuwait seven years ago, he found bilateral 
relations in a "terrible" state. (Note: Kuwait resented the 
Jordanian leadership's sympathy for Saddam during the 1990 
invasion. End note.) In the beginning of his term, Jordanians 
were treated "worse than Saddam." While relations are now 
"great," Al-Kor'an mentioned that many MPs in the Jordanian 
parliament oppose stronger ties with Kuwait. The majority of 
MP opponents are Islamists, whom Al-Kor'an described as more 
moderate and careful than their Kuwaiti counterparts. 
 
3. (C) As proof of improved bilateral relations, Al-Kor'an 
mentioned that the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development, the 
GOK's international development organization, will finance 
two projects in Jordan, the Fund's first foray into the 
Hashemite Kingdom. The Fund will provide low-interest loans 
for the construction of a power station ($68 million loan) 
and the King Abdullah Hospital. According to an 
English-language daily, Kuwaiti investment in Jordan totals 
more than $690 million, primarily in telecommunications, 
banking and tourism. 
 
Jordanians View Weak GOK 
------------------------ 
 
4. (C) The Jordanian government indirectly requested 
discounted oil from the GOK but has yet to receive a 
response. Al-Kor'an judged the GOK as too weak to secure 
approval of a discount oil package, currently a sensitive 
subject in Kuwait, from the National Assembly. He said that 
the deteriorating deference to the Al-Sabah family as the 
sole ruling power combined with the rise of Islamist 
political influence has weakened the GOK. 
 
Al-Kor'an's Next Move 
--------------------- 
 
5. (C) Outgoing Ambassador Al-Kor'an is to leave Kuwait 
within a month. Al-Kor'an said he will return to Amman and 
face three possible career options: head of "General Control" 
in the MFA, Ambassador or Undersecretary. Al-Kor'an prefers 
to serve again as an ambassador in North Africa where he 
served previously in Algeria and Tunisia. 
 
********************************************* 
Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ 
 
You can also access this site through the 
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website 
********************************************* 
LEBARON