(C) UN/IRAQ: USING THE 12/18 SESSION TO CONDEMN

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 005374 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ARP, NEA/NGA, IO/UNP LONDON FOR GOLDRICH PARIS FOR OFRIEL E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2012 TAGS: PREL IZ KU UN SUBJECT: (C) UN/IRAQ: USING THE 12/18 SESSION TO CONDEMN SADDAM'S SPEECH REF: USUN 3044 Classified By: AMBASSADOR RICHARD H. JONES; REASON 1.5 (B, D) ¶1. (C) Post concurs that the 12/18 UNSC session to receive the report from Coordinator for Kuwaiti Property Yuli Vorontsov provides a good opportunity for the USG to denounce Saddam's December 7 speech addressed to the Kuwaitis, which was billed as an apology but was in fact filled with insults, threats and incitement to violence. We agree with the sentiment expressed by the Kuwaiti Mission in New York (reftel) that this is worthwhile whether or not a condemnation of the speech makes it into the final press statement. JONES