US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT4403

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004403 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KU, SUCCESSION 
SUBJECT: REPORT THAT CRITIC OF THE PRIME MINISTER HAS 
RESIGNED 
 
REF: KUWAIT 4372 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Matthew H. Tueller for reason 1. 
4 (b) 
 
1. (C) Post received word on the evening of October 12 that 
Shaykh Salem Al-Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah, National Guard Chief 
and fourth highest-ranking ruling family member, has resigned 
his post amid criticism of his call for the formation of a 
tri-partite group to "assist the leadership."  This 
information was received from a press contact at the same 
newspaper, Al-Qabas, which published Shaykh Salem's call for 
action on October 10 (reftel).  The article was highly 
critical of some government officials and resulted in a 
public show of support by the Amir for Prime Minister Shaykh 
Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.  Post is working to verify 
the information of Shaykh Salem's resignation. 
 
2. (C)  Comment:  A resignation by the instigator of this 
unusually public internal family spat will continue to fuel 
speculation that the ruling family is having difficulty 
managing its internal affairs.  Parliamentary and family 
support voiced for the Prime Minister has not put to rest 
concerns that the continued health problems of the Amir and 
Crown Prince have left a leadership vacuum.  End Comment. 
LEBARON