US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT4279

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004279 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NEA/ARPI AND G/TIP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PREL, ELAB, KDEM, SOCI, KWMN, KCRM, KU, TIP 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS WAY AHEAD 
TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 
 
REF: A. KUWAIT 4219 
     B. KUWAIT 4031 
     C. KUWAIT 4007 
     D. STATE 163401 
     E. STATE 108156 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C)  During an October 1 meeting, the Ambassador reviewed 
with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah 
Al-Salem Al-Sabah the President's September 21 determination 
to maintain Kuwait's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) ranking as 
a Tier 3 country, but to waive applicable sanctions for U.S. 
national interests.  The Ambassador acknowledged the progress 
Kuwait has made since the report's June release, but 
emphasized the need for more concrete action and encouraged 
Kuwait to set an example for the region.  Responding to the 
FM's questions about measures implemented by the United Arab 
Emirates and Qatar in order to be ranked on the Tier 2 
Special Watch List, the Ambassador said that the 
circumstances of each country differed and direct comparisons 
were not productive.  He did, however, cite, the 
establishment of shelters and legal protections for domestic 
servants as positive advancements in both countries and 
improvements needed in Kuwait.  He noted the GOK had proposed 
a new labor law and encouraged the Government to work closely 
with Parliament on passage of the bill. 
 
2.  (C)  FM Shaykh Dr. Mohammed told the Ambassador that 
Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Faisal Al-Hajji was very 
upset by the presidential determination.  Calling Al-Hajji a 
"true believer," the FM said Al-Hajji led the GOK effort to 
improve working conditions for expatriate laborers.  He 
asserted that Kuwait was "superior" to its neighboring 
countries on labor issues and was implementing new programs 
for domestic reasons.  The FM restated Kuwait's commitment to 
protecting its foreign labor force and welcomed a copy of the 
action plan (which we passed to him) to review areas of 
immediate concern to the U.S. (ref e). 
 
3.  (C)  Comment:  We committed to providing examples of 
actions taken by Qatar and the UAE that permitted their 
ascension to Tier 2 WL.  Post would appreciate such input 
from G/TIP, Doha, and Abu Dhabi by e-mail to PolOff Richard 
Michaels (michaelsrc@state.gov or michalesrc@state.sgov.gov). 
 The Ambassador will pass the information to the Foreign 
Minister.  End comment. 
 
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Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ 
 
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LEBARON