(C) GOK URGES US/SCIRI CONTACTS, WITH SOME

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 005177

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/NGA, NEA/FO

E.O 12958: DECL: 12/01/12
TAGS: MARR PREL IZ US KU
SUBJECT: (C) GOK URGES US/SCIRI CONTACTS, WITH SOME
RESERVATIONS

Ref: Kuwait 05116

Classified by Ambassador Richard H. Jones for reason 1.5
(d)


1. (C) Summary: After a November 25 meeting with Codel
Issa and the Ambassador, Kuwait's Minstate for Foreign
Affairs offered to facilitate a meeting between the Codel
and the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in
Iraq's (SCIRI's) Chairman Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim and
suggested it might be time for the GOK to allow a SCIRI office in
Kuwait. However, another senior official later ruled this
out as contrary to a firm GOK policy against hosting
offices of groups opposing any country. End Summary.


2. (C) During a meeting between Codel Issa and First Deputy
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed
Al-Sabah on Nov. 25, conversation focused partially on the
Iraqi oppositionist group SCIRI. Shaykh Sabah told the
Codel that SCIRI leader Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim was in
Kuwait City and had overcome his hesitancy to speak with
U.S. officials and other Iraqi opposition groups. Shaykh
Sabah claimed there was no opposition leader with a
stronger dislike for Saddam than al-Hakim, many members of
whose family had been murdered by the Iraqi leader. He
also stated that SCIRI has the largest and most credible
opposition force on the ground in southern Iraq, and,
referring to SCIRI's Badr Corps, a "brigade" that could be
sent into Iraq if Iran allows it.


3. (C) After the meeting, Minstate for Foreign Affairs,
Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah, who had served as Shaykh
Sabah's interpreter during the meeting, approached Rep.
Darrell Issa (R-CA) and offered to arrange a meeting
between al-Hakim and the Codel. Issa had to decline the
offer due to time constraints. Noting that al-Hakim had
declined a request to meet separately with Rep. Dana
Rohrabacher (R-CA) just two days earlier, the Ambassador
asked Dr. Mohammed what had changed. Dr. Mohammed replied
that the GOK had explained to Hakim that "he made a very
big mistake" in turning down the request.


4. (C) In response to a question by the Ambassador, Shaykh
Dr. Mohammed confirmed that no Iraqi opposition group
currently has an office in Kuwait and said that it might be
time to explore the opening of a SCIRI office here, or at
least more regular visits by SCIRI officials (Reftel).
Nonetheless, in a subsequent meeting on Nov. 26, Minister
of Amiri Diwan Shaykh Nasser Mohammed al-Sabah affirmed
that Kuwait has never and would never host offices for
exile groups opposing any country, not even Iraq. As a
small country relying on the good will of the international
community for its survival, this would be contrary to its
own national interests.


5. (C) Comment: Although Kuwait's support of al-Hakim is
widely known, the urgency with which Dr. Mohammed made the
offer indicates that Kuwait feels very strongly that SCIRI
should be involved now in planning future activity in Iraq.
Twice in the twenty-four hours preceding the meeting with
Shaykh Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Jassem al-Khorafi
also offered to facilitate a meeting of American officials
with al-Hakim. However, Nasser Mohammed's comments suggest
that Kuwait still prefers to maintain plausible deniability
for its support of opposition groups. End Comment.


6. (U) This cable has not been cleared by Codel Issa.

JONES