Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
03KUWAIT2668 | 2003-06-17 14:35:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Kuwait |
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 002668 |
1. (C) Ambassador called on Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sabah al-Ahmed June 17 to register U.S. views on the need to shut down all types of support for Hamas. Drawing on points in ref (a) and non-paper in ref (b), Ambassador emphasized that the U.S. wanted to work with all the states in the region to bring peace to Palestinians. Hamas, unfortunately, was a direct threat to this goal and it was important for the U.S. to work with its friends in the region to block funds that are, in many cases, sent to Hamas in the misguided belief that it was supporting bona fide charity. He emphasized as well that the U.S. freeze on assets of six individuals and four organizations would be imposed on Thursday, June 19, and he asked for Kuwaiti support and similar action. 2. (C) Sabah replied that the U.S. could be sure that Kuwait supported the goal of staunching the flow of money to terrorist organizations. Known Hamas members, such as Khalid Meshaal, were persona non grata in Kuwait. Shaykh Sabah was unaware of any actual Hamas activities in Kuwait, but he said that the government had already given instructions to all of its agencies to ensure that charitable contributions were, in fact, channeled through verifiably charitable organizations. Hamas was not one of those and the government would certainly oppose any use of Hamas as a financial channel into the territories. He asked in addition that the U.S. provide any additional information to the Kuwaitis on activities that it believes might be going on in Kuwait. If this information is available, the GOK will certainly act, Sabah assured the Ambassador. 3. (C) On Palestinian-Israeli issues, Sabah said he was now more hopeful than he had been in a long time. He sensed that both sides might now be ready to come to an agreement. While he acknowledged that the Arabs had a role to play with the Palestinians. He underscored the need for firm U.S. treatment of the Israelis. The Ambassador reminded Sabah that the President had already been quite critical in his comments about the Israeli attack on Rantissi. He said that the U.S. was fully committed to the roadmap and we were looking for full partners to push it forward. 4. (C) Finally, the Ambassador emphasized that the issue of support for terrorist organizations was extremely sensitive in the U.S. Assistant Secretary Burns had been questioned sharply on Arab activities in this regard during his recent testimony before the House International Relations Committee on June 12. It was crucial for Kuwait to keep its reputation intact on the Hill by taking serious steps against Hamas quickly. JONES |