US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT4480

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004480 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA ARPI, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINR, KDEM, KU, SUCCESSION, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 
SUBJECT: AMID FLURRY OF RUMORS ABOUT SUCCESSION, PM OPENS 
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WITH AMIR ABSENT 
 
REF: KUWAIT 4445 (AND PREVIOUS) 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reason 1.4 (d) 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed 
Al-Jaber Al-Sabah opened the National Assembly October 17, 
delivering the Government speech on behalf of the Amir, who 
was notably absent from the protocolary duty.  The session 
comes amid a flurry of rumors that Shaykh Sabah will replace 
the Crown Prince when he returns from medical treatment in 
London on October 19 (ref. B).  Shaykh Sabah's speech gave no 
indication, however, of changes to come.  It completely 
avoided controversial legislation and concentrated instead on 
general GOK policies, including promoting national unity, 
protecting the environment, upgrading the educational system, 
and ensuring the judicial independence.  Shaykh Sabah 
dismissed National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi's 
suggestion that the Government recognize political parties. 
Parliamentary committee elections saw little change, with the 
notable exception of liberal MP Abdulwahab Al-Haroun who lost 
his position in the Budget and Finance Committee, a committee 
he headed for eight years.  The session saw the formation of 
two new committees, one on women's affairs and the other on 
probing administrative corruption.  End summary. 
 
Routine Speech 
-------------- 
 
2.  (SBU) The National Assembly opening was remarkably muted, 
despite continuing speculations over the ruling family 
controversy (ref. B).  The Government speech, delivered by 
the PM, focused primarily on general policy issues, rather 
than controversial legislation.  Shaykh Sabah lauded the 
National Assembly's May 2005 approval of legislation giving 
Kuwaiti women the right to vote as a "distinguished, historic 
accomplishment."  He also highlighted the "sacrifices made by 
security officers" in the January 2005 confrontations with 
extremists in Kuwait, and underlined the GOK's commitment to 
fighting terrorism "in cooperation with the international 
community."  The PM emphasized the need to prevent "sectarian 
exchanges"; encouraged Kuwaiti media to promote "positive 
freedom" and avoid creating tensions;  and welcomed the 
efforts made to release Kuwaiti Guantanamo detainees.  He 
also commented on the licensing of non-governmental 
organizations (NGOs), the GOK's e-government plans, and the 
services extended to Kuwaiti citizens. 
 
No Go On Political Parties 
-------------------------- 
 
3.  (SBU) National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi in his 
speech, which preceded the Prime Minister's, called on the 
Government to recognize political parties.  Stating that the 
country was in "great need of political reform," Al-Khorafi 
added that current challenges could not be dealt with by past 
methods.  It is illogical to have political associations in 
Kuwait, "without looking into legalizing and organizing 
them," the English-daily Kuwait Time quoted Al-Khorafi as 
saying.  Shaykh Sabah dismissed this possibility to reporters 
after the session, saying "the Government is not interested 
in the issue of legalizing political parties."  The Speaker 
agreed, however, with the PM's comments on national unity, 
stressing that national unity "is the heart of the country's 
political system with plurality as its artery and social 
integration the base of its strength and immunity." 
 
No Amir; No Substance 
--------------------- 
 
4.  (C) This National Assembly session marked the first time 
that Amir Shaykh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah failed to open the 
session, deputizing instead the Prime Minister to open the 
session and deliver his remarks.  (Note:  Last year the Amir 
was present for the opening session, but was unable to give 
his speech; the PM spoke on his behalf.  End note.)  The most 
significant aspect of the Amiri speech delivered by the Prime 
Minister was what was left out.  He did not address 
controversial legislation on development of the northern oil 
fields known as Project Kuwait, the Press and Publications 
Law, or proposals to reduce the number of electoral 
districts. 
 
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LEBARON