US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT2173

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002173 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NEA/ARPI FOR BERNS; LONDON FOR GOLDRICH 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KWMN, ECON, EAID, IZ, KU, EPTE, WOMEN'S POLITICAL RIGHTS, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 
SUBJECT: ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SURPRISED BY VOTE ON WOMEN'S 
RIGHTS; RESTATES KUWAITI SUPPORT FOR ITG 
 
REF: A. STATE 93742 
     B. KUWAIT 2091 
     C. KUWAIT 2064 
     D. KUWAIT 1900 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C)  Summary:  During a May 21 meeting, Speaker of 
Parliament Al-Khorafi told the Ambassador the May 16 vote on 
women's political rights was a difficult day and he had not 
been confident legislation permitting their participation 
would pass.  He named the Prime Minister as the reason for 
the measure's success and expressed hope Kuwaiti women would 
use their legislative power wisely.  He criticized Kuwaitis 
for voting based on personal reasons, not issues, and urged 
the eventual formation of political parties.  He commended 
U.S. efforts in Iraq, and said Iraqis and their neighbors 
sought reassurances the U.S. would not prematurely withdraw 
its forces.  He reaffirmed Kuwaiti support for the Iraqi 
Transitional Government (ITG) and listened attentively to the 
Ambassador's call for the immediate transfer of Development 
Fund for Iraq (DFI) assets and recommendation that Kuwait 
speak out against Iraqi-on-Iraqi violence.  On regional 
issues, Al-Khorafi said the peace process affected all other 
issues in the Middle East, and said good U.S.-Saudi relations 
were important to the region.  He welcomed the retraction of 
the Koran desecration story, but commented the Guantanamo 
detainee issue was embarrassing for both the U.S. and GOK. 
End summary. 
 
Women's Voting Rights an Unexpected Outcome 
------------------------------------------- 
 
2.  (C)  The Ambassador opened the May 21 meeting by 
congratulating Speaker of Parliament Jassem Al-Khorafi on the 
historic May 16 vote granting women full political 
participation (ref C).  Al-Khorafi, who abstained, described 
the day as his "most difficult meeting," said he had not 
expected the measure to pass, and accused MPs of trying to 
stage a "filibuster."  He attributed the vote's success to 
the Prime Minister, whom he said was "determined and got what 
he wanted."  When asked to elaborate on how the PM achieved 
his goal, Al-Khorafi refused to engage, flatly stating, "you 
don't want to know."  He then expressed hope that Kuwaiti 
women understood that voting is a privilege that comes with 
obligations.  He encouraged women to concentrate their 
efforts and new power on serving Kuwaiti society, and to take 
a stand when required to do so.  In response to the 
Ambassador's skepticism about women automatically following 
their spouses' voting instructions, Al-Khorafi pointed to the 
influence of Islamists in student body elections and on 
supermarket cooperative boards, both of which are dominated 
by groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood. 
 
Kuwaiti Politics Is Personal 
---------------------------- 
 
3.  (C)  When asked whether it would be useful for an NGO 
such as the League of Women Voters to visit Kuwait and 
encourage political participation, Al-Khorafi said Kuwait's 
problem was not participation, rather the mindset.  Kuwaitis, 
both the electorate and MPs, vote according to their likes 
and dislikes and not on issues.  This preference made it hard 
for the Government to know how its supporters would vote on 
key legislation.  He added that Kuwaiti politics could not 
continue like this and, while it was too early for the 
formation of political parties, they are a necessary step in 
Kuwait's democratic evolution.  (Note:  The formation of 
political parties is a goal in Embassy Kuwait's MPP and 
Democratic Reform Strategy in support of the Freedom Agenda 
(Ref B).  End note.) 
 
Iraq Needs Kuwaiti Help and Support 
----------------------------------- 
 
4.  (C)  Turning to Iraq, Al-Khorafi asked for the U.S. 
assessment of the political situation and recommendations on 
how Kuwait could further assist.  The Ambassador replied the 
continuing violence was disappointing, but it was important 
to maintain progress in the political arena, especially 
drafting the constitution, so that the Iraqi people feel they 
have a role in their future.  He said a credible political 
process in which all Iraqis participate, as well as economic 
development, would lead to the marginalization of extremists 
and promote stability.  He described the Iraqi burden as 
enormous and encouraged its neighbors -- Kuwait, Saudi 
Arabia, and Turkey -- to share the load.  He called on Kuwait 
to be more active and suggested regular interaction, 
including visits, between Kuwaiti ministers and their Iraqi 
counterparts.  He cited debt relief as an area where Kuwait 
could be proactive, and also urged the immediate transfer of 
the $78-80 million in DFI assets (ref D).  The Ambassador 
also suggested Kuwait actively participate in the U.S.-EU 
International Conference on Iraq (ref A), and asked Kuwait to 
stand as a moral voice and speak out against Iraqi-on-Iraqi 
violence. 
5.  (C)  Al-Khorafi responded that Kuwait remained prepared 
to further assist the ITG, but was wary about actions that 
could be construed as interference.  He argued Kuwait was 
doing a great deal, citing the GOK role at the April Istanbul 
Neighboring Countries Meeting and informing the Ambassador 
that although Iraq's debt had not yet been forgiven, the GOK 
was not demanding payment nor charging interest.  He said 
France's participation in the U.S.-EU Conference presented 
new opportunities and confirmed Kuwaiti attendance.  He 
further agreed that the Sunni-led violence in Iraq must cease 
and related a recent conversation with SCIRI leader 'Abd Al 
Aziz al-Hakim in which the two agreed on the need for a 
positive, unifying Sunni leader who could guide the Sunni in 
the same way Sistani led the Shi'a.  He applauded U.S. 
efforts in Iraq and said a clear commitment that U.S. forces 
would not leave early would build confidence among Iraqis. 
He called for continued training of Iraqi security elements 
and encouraged the U.S. to work closely with the UK which, he 
contended, had useful experience in the region. 
 
Peace Process Affects All Other Issues 
-------------------------------------- 
 
6.  (C)  On regional issues, Al-Khorafi said lasting peace 
between the Israelis and Palestinians would free the Arab 
world to address other problems.  "Like it or not," every 
issue in the Arab world is linked to the peace process, he 
explained.  The Ambassador noted the critical need to help 
the Gaza disengagement succeed, restated the U.S. commitment 
to the roadmap, reported an increase in economic assistance 
to the Palestinians, and advised Al-Khorafi of Mahmoud Abbas' 
visit to Washington.  He further assured Al-Khorafi of U.S. 
resolve to promote open, democratic systems in the Middle 
East.  Al-Khorafi added he was pleased Saudi Crown Prince 
Abdullah had a successful trip to the U.S., citing the 
importance of good relations between the U.S. and the SAG. 
He commented that the domestic situation in Saudi remained 
difficult, but it appeared the SAG was beginning to control 
the terror situation.  It was now necessary to distinguish 
between those terrorists who sympathized with Al-Qaeda and 
those lashing out in response to domestic reform. 
 
Article 98, Kuwait Project, and GTMO 
------------------------------------ 
 
7.  (C)  Commenting on issues of bilateral concern, 
Al-Khorafi promised to investigate the status of the Article 
98 agreement which had not yet made it to the floor for a 
vote.  On the Kuwait Project (development of the northern oil 
fields), he said the committee had almost finished its work 
and the Government needed to press for immediate action.  One 
snag was a difference of opinion between Energy Minister 
Shaykh Ahmad Fahd Al-Sabah and Parliament on whether one 
broad implementing law was needed or several laws to address 
various aspects of the project.  It appeared Parliament would 
proceed with Al-Khorafi's preference and focus on drafting 
one law, which also had apparently been the GOK's first 
choice.  Al-Khorafi also thanked the Ambassador for the 
statement on the handling of the Holy Koran at Guantanamo. 
He said the clarification came at the right time.  He 
described the overall detention situation at Guantanamo as 
embarrassing and said it was difficult for Kuwaitis to 
believe in U.S. statements on human rights and the rule of 
law when there appeared to be one set of laws for Americans 
and another for everyone else. 
 
8.  (U)  Baghdad:  Minimize considered. 
 
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