US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT1907

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001907 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NEA/ARPI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, SOCI, KWMN, KU, WOMEN'S POLITICAL RIGHTS 
SUBJECT: MFA UNDER SECRETARY SAYS GOK SERIOUS ABOUT WOMEN'S 
RIGHTS AND PREDICTS A POSITIVE OUTCOME ON MAY 16 
 
REF: A. KUWAIT 1901 
 
     B. KUWAIT 1900 
     C. KUWAIT 1808 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C)  During a May 7 meeting on regional issues (ref b), 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Under Secretary Khaled 
Al-Jarallah opened the discussion with the Ambassador with 
comments about the debate between the Government and 
Parliament on women's political rights.  Stating, "I can 
assure you the Government insists on passing this law," 
Al-Jarallah said the GOK was using the period leading to the 
May 16 vote to expand its contacts with parliamentary groups 
to seek their support for the measure.  He reported positive 
indications, expressed his optimism that voting rights for 
the Municipal Council would be granted, but said it would not 
be easy. 
 
2.  (C)  Al-Jarallah characterized the GOK as "ashamed" by 
the May 2 vote in which the majority of MPs abstained or 
voted against a law to permit women to participate fully in 
Municipal Council elections (ref c).  He described women's 
voting rights as a necessity for the GOK and the state of 
Kuwait, and said a positive outcome would help the 
international image of Kuwait.  He explained the GOK 
requested the vote postponement because "conditions were not 
right" and was now redoubling its efforts to secure the 
broadest possible support for the May 16 re-vote.  When asked 
about inducements, Al-Jarallah said the civil service salary 
raise was a popular issue any time, so contrary to press 
reports, he did not consider it to be directly linked to 
legislation on women's suffrage.  Nonetheless, the GOK was 
ready to discuss the salary issue and adopt appropriate 
proposals.  He reminded the Ambassador that Foreign Minister 
Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah was 
interrupting a trip to North and South America to return to 
Kuwait for the vote, a clear signal of the GOK's commitment. 
 
3.  (C)  While many Kuwaiti women consider voting rights for 
the Municipal Council to be a half measure (ref a), 
Al-Jarallah said the amended legislation would pave the way 
for the target of full political participation at the 
national level.  Amended legislation would not permit women 
to vote in or run for Municipal Council until 2009, but 
Al-Jarallah said the GOK would appoint women to the 16-member 
body.  The Ambassador welcomed progress on voting rights at 
the municipal level but noted that the U.S. supports full 
political participation for Kuwaiti women.  (Note:  Since the 
meeting, some leading women activists have called for a 
rejection of voting rights for the Municipal Council on May 
16, reasoning that this measure would impede rather than 
speed full political rights.  See ref a for details.  End 
note.) 
 
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LEBARON