US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT2548

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002548 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, KU, IR, KUWAIT-IRAN RELATIONS 
SUBJECT: IRANIAN NSA VISITS KUWAIT, CALLS FOR AMERICAN 
'CHANGE OF TONE' 
 
REF: A. KUWAIT 2485 
     B. KUWAIT 1884 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b and d) 
 
1. (C) Summary and Comment: Following a number of official 
exchanges, the Secretary General of Iran's Supreme National 
Security Council, Dr. Hassan Rouhani, visited Kuwait June 
4-6, during which he held a series of meetings reportedly 
focusing on security cooperation in the fight against 
terrorism.  Despite Rouhani's insistence that he was not 
carrying a specific message for the United States, the visit 
came shortly before Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed 
Al-Sabah's planned July visit to Washington and Rouhani's 
public comments did include analysis of the U.S.-Iranian 
relationship. During a press conference on June 6, Rouhani 
said that Iran would be willing to cooperate further with the 
U.S. "if America changes its tone toward us."  In addition, 
he uncharacteristically downplayed the suggestion that 
Israeli pressure is behind tensions between the U.S. and 
Kuwait.  Rouhani also rejected the notion that Iran's nuclear 
activities posed a threat to the region, saying development 
of peaceful nuclear technology was Iran's right.  End Summary 
and Comment. 
 
2. (SBU) Following closely behind the late-May visit of 
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohamed Reza Asefi and a 
flurry of official Kuwaiti delegations to Iran over the past 
three months, Iran's Supreme National Security Council 
Secretary General, Dr. Hassan Rouhani, visited Kuwait June 
 
SIPDIS 
4-6.  In meetings with Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed 
Al-Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi and 
Interior Minister Shaykh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Rouhani 
reportedly discussed security cooperation in the fight 
against terrorism, the ongoing dispute over the continental 
shelf and the Dorra gasfield. (Note: Kuwait dispatched a team 
of negotiators to Tehran this week to discuss the next steps 
on the recently inked gas deal (ref. B).  End Note.). 
 
Peaceful Nukes Iranian Right 
---------------------------- 
 
3. (U) Upon arrival in Kuwait, Rouhani defended Iran's 
nuclear activity, stating that Iran had right to develop 
peacful nuclear technology.  Claiming that this activity was 
being conducted in coordination with three European nations 
and under the supervision of the IAEA, Rouhani said that Iran 
was one of the first countries in the region to have called 
for complete nuclear disarmament, starting with Israel.  In 
response to questions about the Ambassador's May 25 speech 
(ref. A), Rouhani surmised that the remarks, which he 
referred to as "nonsense," were meant as a response to Muslim 
outrage over reports of Qur'anic desecration at Guantanamo 
Bay. 
 
U.S. Change Could Further Cooperation 
------------------------------------- 
 
4. (U) During a June 6 press conference, Rouhani made 
conciliatory remarks towards the U.S.  Responding to a 
question about possible American attacks on Iran, Rouhani 
said he hoped "America will work for peace and stability of 
the region," but noted Iran was "well-prepared for any 
aggression."  He added that if the U.S. would change its 
"language of threats and end sanctions they imposed on 
Iranian interests.....I believe new conditions will prevail 
in relations between Iran and America."  In addition, Rouhani 
downplayed the suggestion that U.S. policy towards Iran was 
the result of Israeli pressure.  "All the messages we get 
from the U.S. through several parties did not mention Israel" 
 he said, adding that America's position on Iran could be 
influenced by the "Zionist lobby." 
 
Al-Qaeda Suspects to be Tried in Iran 
-------------------------------------- 
 
5. (U) Touching briefly on the issue of Al-Qaeda in Iran, 
Rouhani said the Iranian government has arrested 500 members 
of the organization, repatriating some and jailing others on 
charges of committing crimes against Iranian national 
security.  He said the remaining Al-Qaeda members in Iran 
would be tried in Iranian courts. 
 
6. (C) Liberal columnist and head of the National Democratic 
Movement, Dr. Ahmed Bishara, told Poloff June 8 that 
Rouhani's visit was meant to replace that of President 
Khatami, whose office had indicated he would visit Kuwait in 
the near future.  Bishara criticized the visit of Rouhani, 
whom he deemed too controversial (for his involvment as a 
lead Iranian negotiator with the IAEA) and too low-ranking to 
be received by PM Sabah. 
 
********************************************* 
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