Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03KUWAIT1102
2003-03-26 16:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

(C) IRAQI OPPOSITIONISTS AND RECONSTRUCTION;

Tags:  PREL MOPS MARR EAID IZ KU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001102 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/FO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2013
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR EAID IZ KU
SUBJECT: (C) IRAQI OPPOSITIONISTS AND RECONSTRUCTION;
MINSTATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS RAISES WAR ISSUES WITH THE
AMBASSADOR


Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001102

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/FO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2013
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR EAID IZ KU
SUBJECT: (C) IRAQI OPPOSITIONISTS AND RECONSTRUCTION;
MINSTATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS RAISES WAR ISSUES WITH THE
AMBASSADOR


Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: On March 24, during an introductory call for
Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA)
Director, Gen. Jay Garner, he and the Ambassador discussed
war-related issues with Minstate for Foreign Affairs Shaykh
Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah . Among the items raised were ORHA's
structure and mission, the inclusion of Iraqi oppositionists
in war efforts and Kuwait's efforts to begin providing
humanitarian assistance. End Summary.

--------------
ORHA
--------------


2. (C) Dr. Mohammed was very interested in the structure and
mission of ORHA, and asked Gen. Garner if ORHA would wait
until securing Baghdad to begin its operations. He also
asked for Gen. Garner's assessment of the humanitarian
situation in Iraq, and inquired as to how ORHA would
distribute humanitarian goods. Gen. Garner explained that he
reported to CENTCOM Commander Gen. Franks and SecDef
Rumsfeld. He said ORHA has plans to place teams in every
city with a population over 100,000, and would do so as soon
as the security situation permitted. The teams, which are
composed mainly of civilians, are hoping to distribute
humanitarian assistance via the already existing Oil For Food
(OFF) distribution mechanisms. Gen. Garner said the UNSC
Resolution currently in the works is aimed at continuing the
OFF program. The UK and US are working directly with the
UNSYG in an attempt to get the resolution introduced over
French and Russian objections. Although the humanitarian
situation has not been as bad as had been expected, he said,
aid distribution will be ORHA's first priority in Iraq. If
the situation deteriorates further, Gen. Garner said ORHA
will look at all options for aid distribution, including
airdrops.


3. (C) Dr. Mohammed also asked Gen. Garner about the current
status of oil fires in Iraq. Garner explained that the Army
Corps of Engineers, along with Kuwaiti firefighters and
civilians contracted through ORHA, would be putting out the
oil fires near Basra. The Ambassador confirmed that the U.S.
has no solid evidence that wells in Kirkuk were ever blown.

--------------
IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUPS
--------------


4. (C) The Minister also raised concerns that the U.S. may
not be making a sufficient effort to fully inform the Iraqi
people of its goals. He said there seemed to be "ambiguity"
amongst the Iraqis, and asked if we were broadcasting our
message into Iraq alongside our forces. Gen. Garner
confirmed that multiple efforts are being made to ensure the
Iraqi people are fully aware of U.S. reconstruction plans,
including leaflet drops and radio broadcasts. In addition,
he said, ORHA teams will be increasing radio broadcasts as
soon as they enter Iraq.


5. (C) Building on this concern, the Minister suggested the
U.S. avail itself of Iraqi oppositionists to help spread the
U.S. message inside Iraq. He said that the Shiite Supreme
Council for the Islamic Revolutionin Iraq (SCIRI),in
particular, had been complaining to the GOK that they had
been "sidelined." "The time for fighting back" against Iraqi
propaganda was now, he said, and suggested that the US
utilize SCIRI to do so, especially in the south. "Most of
the fighting back should be carried out by Iraqis," he said.
"You need to choose the right instruments to accomplish your
goals."

--------------
KUWAIT'S CONTRIBUTIONS
--------------


6. (C) Confirming an announcement that had been made in the
press earlier in the week, Dr. Mohammed said Kuwait had begun
treating Iraqis injured in the fighting at Umm Qasr in a
field hospital it had set up on the Kuwaiti side of the
border at UNIKOM's old HQ at Camp Khor. In addition, Kuwait
has already provided humanitarian aid, which has been loaded
onto a ship waiting to enter Iraq at Umm Qasr. Dr. Mohammed
said Kuwait is interested in publicizing its efforts, and
indicated he would appreciate it if the Ambassador and Gen.
Garner kept Kuwait in mind should opportunities for publicity
arise.


7. (U) Gen. Garner has not cleared this message.
JONES