BORDER FREE-FOR-ALL; GOK COMPLAINS ABOUT LACK OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 002454

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/NGA, NEA/ARP
USDOC FOR 1000/IRAQ TASK FORCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2013
TAGS: PREL KU IZ
SUBJECT: BORDER FREE-FOR-ALL; GOK COMPLAINS ABOUT LACK OF
COALITION BORDER CONTROL IN IRAQ


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


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para. 4.


2. (C) During their June 4 meeting, Kuwaiti MinState for
Foreign Affairs Shaykh Dr. Mohammed al-Sabah informed the
Ambassador that the Kuwaiti business community is becoming
increasingly frustrated that coalition forces in Iraq are not
controlling Iraq's borders. Dr. Mohammed said the lack of
control on the Iraqi side is forcing the GOK to keep its
border crossings closed to most commercial activity, severely
hampering the ability of Kuwaiti companies to conduct
cross-border commerce. This did not appear to be the case
with Jordan and Turkey's borders, he said. Dr. Mohammed
asked the Ambassador to share any plans the coalition may
have to control Iraq's borders with him as soon as possible.


3. (C) Comment: Embassy has also received reports that GCC
businessmen, including Kuwaitis, cannot get their goods into
Iraq through Kuwait, but Iraqi borders with Turkey and Jordan
are open and bustling. While Kuwait continues to maintain
close control of its borders, the fact that Kuwaiti
businessmen have resorted to shipping goods to Iraq via
points as distant as Aqaba is putting the GOK in a very
difficult spot. Dr. Mohammed's comments to the Ambassador
are an obvious indicator that pressure on the GOK from
Kuwait's business community is steadily mounting. End
Comment.


4. Action Request: Post requests Department guidance on how
to best respond to Dr. Mohammed's inquiry about plans for
further control of Iraqi borders.
JONES