US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT3669

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003669 
 
SIPDIS 
 
LONDON FOR TSOU 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PINR, PREL, PTER, IZ, KU 
SUBJECT: NATIONAL GUARD CHIEF ON COUNTERTERRORISM, THE 
REGION, SUCCESSION, AND DEMOCRATIC REFORM 
 
REF: KUWAIT 3523 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR RICHARD LEBARON FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary:  During an August 15 meeting, National Guard 
Commander Shaykh Salem Al-Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah told the 
Ambassador that fighting poverty and illiteracy will help 
combat terrorism and that the security situation in Iraq will 
improve once the Iraqis advance economically.  On Iran and 
Syria, Shaykh Salem stated that neither country has a direct 
impact on Iraq, but that economic gains by Iraq could cause 
its neighbors' citizens to agitate for change within their 
own countries.  On succession, he stated, in very general 
terms, that the ruling family was looking at possible near 
term solutions to address the poor health and advanced ages 
of the Amir and the Crown Prince.  On the Ambassador's 
question of democratic reform, Shaykh Salem said 
parliamentary constituencies were too small and that 
redistricting was coming soon.  End Summary. 
 
Security and Counterterrorism 
----------------------------- 
 
2. (C) Shaykh Salem Al-Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah, in his first 
meeting with the Ambassador on August 15, stated that 
eliminating illiteracy and poverty would help in the fight 
against terrorism.  He said the GOK was working to educate 
its young people on the U.S. role in the 1991 Gulf War and to 
teach them Kuwaiti culture.  Commenting that the Kuwaiti 
people, in general, appreciate the presence of U.S. forces in 
country, he said if there were any negative statements made 
in the press about the U.S. military, it was the result of 
politicians trying to maintain a high public profile.  The 
Ambassador, who was accompanied by the RSO, Acting OMC-K 
Chief, and Poloff, asked for an increase in counterterrorism 
cooperation and, citing Saudi Arabia as an example of 
enhanced c/t cooperation.  He said that a sustained and 
concentrated counterterrorism effort was required in Kuwait 
and he encouraged Shaykh Salem to help make that possible. 
 
Iraq, Security, and Agriculture 
------------------------------- 
 
3.  (C) Shaykh Salem explained, in a recurring theme during 
the meeting, that Kuwaitis were unlikely candidates for 
extremism because they had a good life and that the average 
Kuwaiti salary was 6,000 Kuwaiti dinar, approximately 20,000 
USD.  Shaykh Salem commented that if U.S. forces could help 
Iraqis reach a higher level of income then the situation 
would stabilize.  Noting that the Iraqi manpower was very 
capable and that Iraq had ignored its agricultural roots 
during Saddam's rule, Shaykh Salem advised that Iraqis needed 
to focus on agriculture rather than on having a large army. 
On a similar theme, he stated that the recent border dispute 
at Umm Qasr (reftel), which he described as "minor," was a 
result of Iraqis following anyone who paid them 20 USD.  He 
added that security, both internal and on the border, was key 
to stability within Iraq. 
 
Iran and Syria 
-------------- 
 
4.  (C)  When asked about Iran, Shaykh Salem responded that 
neither Iran nor Syria had a major impact on what was going 
on in Iraq.  He added that if the people of Iraq were able to 
enjoy a comfortable financial life then Iranians and Syrians 
might compare their lifestyles and rise up and revolt in 
order to gain the same.  "The people," Shaykh Salem added, 
"will look to their neighbors to see what they have and they 
will search for something similar in their own countries." 
 
Who's Next?... 
-------------- 
 
5.  (C) Asked directly by the Ambassador about the succession 
process, Shaykh Salem responded that the issue was being 
raised within the family and that they were looking for a 
solution "in the near future."  Referring to Article 4 of the 
Kuwaiti Constitution which covers succession rules, Shaykh 
Salem stated that the procedure is very clear, mandating the 
nomination of the Crown Prince and the confirmation of the 
Amir. (Note: Shaykh Salem has been mentioned by some contacts 
as having ambitions for the top position.  In October, in 
recognition of his position in the family, he was given the 
title of "Your Highness."  Nevertheless, his age, 81, and his 
obesity (poloff estimates that he is over 320 lbs although he 
otherwise appears to be in good health) makes his selection 
as Amir unlikely. End Note) 
 
Reform and Parliament 
--------------------- 
6.  (C) In response to the Ambassador's suggestion that it 
was time for more democratic reform, specifically regarding 
the number of constituencies for parliamentary elections, 
Shaykh Salem agreed stating that the number of constituencies 
would be lowered from 25 to 10, the same number for Municipal 
Council elections.  Shaykh Salem added that the number of 
representatives in Parliament would not change and that the 
redistricting itself was up to Parliament.  The Shaykh 
pointed out that the Kuwaiti people did not fully agree on 
some reforms, for example the existence of political parties 
or the number of newspapers allowed to print.  He stressed 
that it was Parliament that could make the change, as the 
voice of the people, and he "hoped" it would do the right 
thing. 
 
 
********************************************* 
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