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