US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT4740

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004740 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NEA/ARPI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, PREL, KDEM, KWMN, KU, FREEDOM AGENDA 
SUBJECT: FREEDOM AGENDA: PLANNING MINISTER ON ELECTORAL 
REFORM; REDISTRICTING TO HELP WOMEN 
 
REF: A. KUWAIT 4647 
     B. KUWAIT 4352 
     C. KUWAIT 4325 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reason 1.4 (b) 
 
1.  (C)  Summary. Planning Minister Dr. Masouma Al-Mubarak 
told the Ambassador during a November 12 meeting that 
reduction of the number of electoral districts was a GOK 
priority and would pave the way for additional political 
reforms, and facilitate the participation of women in the 
2007 national elections.  She said that studies were underway 
to assess appropriate district size based on district 
boundaries and the anticipated registration of 200,000 women 
voters.  She commented that the time was not yet right to 
consider forming political parties.  She reported her 
ministry was finalizing Kuwait's five-year plan, which it 
hoped would be approved by the National Assembly before the 
start of the new fiscal year on April 1, 2006.  She expressed 
appreciation for the MEPI-funded regional campaign school 
held in late September and welcomed additional workshops to 
prepare Kuwaiti women to become active participants in 
Kuwait's political life.  End Summary. 
 
Women Need Redistricting 
------------------------ 
 
2.  (C)  During a November 12 meeting, Minister of Planning 
and State Minister for Administrative Development Dr. Masouma 
Al-Mubarak told the Ambassador that reducing the number of 
electoral districts was an important means to achieve 
progress on political reform.  She affirmed the Council of 
Minister's support for redistricting and said most Members of 
Parliament recognize the status quo is not working.  The 
problem was identifying a solution that would succeed.  She 
reported a study was underway to determine how many voters 
would be in each district if the number of districts were 
reduced to ten or even five.  The team was also looking at 
district boundaries.  If the current 25 districts were 
reduced to ten with the same boundaries as in 1962 when the 
constitution was adopted, (and when there were ten 
districts), some districts would have less than 6,000 voters 
and others more than 25,000 if women were included.  Although 
women, once registered to vote, are expected to represent 57% 
of the electorate, Dr. Masouma said that without 
redistricting, a woman could not be elected.  Ten districts 
would even the playing field, but five districts, which is 
unlikely, would be even better for women's full political 
participation.  Dr. Masouma noted that the constitution 
prohibits only one electoral district.  (Note:  Article 81 of 
the constitution stipulates, "Electoral constituencies shall 
be determined by law."  End note.)  She also said that 
limiting the number of candidates per district was under 
consideration (ref A). 
 
Activating The Women's Vote 
--------------------------- 
 
3.  (SBU)  Further commenting on women's participation in the 
2007 parliamentary elections, Dr. Masouma said Kuwait 
University and the Women's Social and Cultural Society would 
launch November 14 a campaign to encourage women to register 
to vote.  Voter registration occurs every February and Dr. 
Masouma and other reform advocates are calling for the 
process to begin earlier to accommodate the 200,000 women 
eligible to register.  GOK officials are also considering a 
proposal allow citizens to use their civil IDs to registers, 
substantially simplifying the process (ref B).  She told the 
Ambassador she was pleased to participate in the MEPI-funded 
regional campaign school organized by NDI and IRI and 
welcomed similar activities, especially those with a 
Kuwait-specific focus.  She further stressed the importance 
of consulting with Kuwaitis on developing beneficial, 
thematic programs, and avoiding charges of outside 
interference. 
 
Political Parties Not a Top Priority 
------------------------------------ 
 
4.  (C)  When queried on the formation of political parties, 
Dr. Masouma said parties were among the GOK's objectives, but 
the time was not yet right, the reform agenda was already 
full.  Ranking above parties were women's participation, 
redistricting, and lowering the voting age from 21.  She 
added that Kuwait had watched the Arab world's experiences 
with political parties and did not want to repeat their 
neighbors' mistakes.  Kuwait hoped to benefit from the 
establishment of parties and use them as a tool for reform by 
promoting political agendas and curbing acrimony stemming 
from religious differences. 
 
KUWAIT 00004740  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
Preparing Kuwait's Five-Year Plan 
--------------------------------- 
 
5.  (SBU)  Turning to her six months in office, she described 
her calendar as packed and wished for a longer day.  She said 
her ministry was in the final stages of preparing Kuwait's 
five-year plan for parliamentary approval and its passage 
would be a significant achievement.  The plan sets economic, 
social, educational, health, and development goals for 
2006-2011.  By law, it requires approval by Parliament, but 
the last time the legislative body approved a plan was in 
1986.  She hoped to present the plan before the end of 
November and consult with MPs and parliamentary committees so 
that the plan could be adopted by the start of the new fiscal 
year on April 1, 2006. 
 
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LEBARON