US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT4719

UNCLAS KUWAIT 004719 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, SECDEF FOR OSD/DPMO 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, MARR, PGOV, ICRC, KU 
SUBJECT: DRAFT U.S. STATEMENT FOR 28th MEETING OF 
THE TRIPARTITATE COMMISSION 
 
1.  (U) This is an action request.  See paragraphs 
2 and 3. 
 
2.  (U)  Action request:  The Tripartite 
Commission on Gulf War Missing will meet in Kuwait 
on November 15, 2005.  Post requests Department 
approval of the below statement to be delivered by 
the Ambassador.  Post would appreciate approval by 
OOB Monday, November 14. 
 
3.  (SBU)  Begin text of U.S. statement: 
 
The United States commends the International 
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its enduring 
commitment to resolve the status of the numerous 
Iraqis, Kuwaitis, Saudis, as well as the many 
others who failed to return home following the 
1990-1991 Gulf War.  We now know that many of 
these civilians and military personnel did not 
survive the brutalities meted out by the regime of 
Saddam Hussein, and we are pleased to be a part of 
this international effort to acknowledge their 
sacrifices and console the families and friends 
who miss them. 
 
We would also like to extend our appreciation to 
the Government of Kuwait for hosting this 28th 
meeting of the Tripartite Commission (TPC).  Our 
presence here, in a country ravaged by the 1990- 
1991 war, is testimony to the progress achieved 
since that difficult period in our shared history. 
We applaud the continued cooperation of TPC 
members and look forward to a time when all 
victims have been identified and repatriated, and 
when we can work together on other issues to shape 
a more secure and prosperous future. 
 
We welcome the attendance and participation of the 
delegation representing the Iraqi Transitional 
Government (ITG).  We applaud the ITG's dedication 
to building a strong, democratic Iraq and consider 
its close cooperation with its neighbors on this 
humanitarian issue to be an important step in 
strengthening relations with its regional 
partners.  We hope that one day soon we will all 
be able to accept the invitation extended at our 
last meeting in Geneva to meet in Baghdad. 
 
Since our meeting last November, more gravesites 
have been discovered and more victims have been 
identified.  Still, many -- among them Kuwaitis, 
Saudis, Egyptians, Lebanese, countless Iraqis, 
many others, and our own Captain Michael Scott 
Speicher -- remain missing.  It is our deepest 
hope that our joint efforts will help to locate 
these brothers and sisters, and console their 
families.  We appreciate the willingness of the 
Government of Kuwait to compare a sample of CPT 
Speicher's DNA against its database of 
unidentified remains.  While there was no match, 
we hope this approach will inspire additional 
creative ways to identify those murdered or 
missing as a result of Saddam Hussein's 
dictatorship.  Just as you are determined to 
locate and repatriate your countrymen, we are 
steadfast in our resolve to bring CPT Speicher 
home, and are confident that together, we will 
achieve our goals.  Through this committee and 
bilaterally, we are prepared to help. 
 
End Text. 
 
 
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LEBARON