(C) MINISTER SHARAR URGES ACTION ON GUANTANAMO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003534

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, S/WCI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PINR KU
SUBJECT: (C) MINISTER SHARAR URGES ACTION ON GUANTANAMO
DETAINEES

Classified By: AMB. RICHARD H. JONES; REASONS 1.5 (B,D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and
National Assembly Affairs Sharar told the Ambassador August 2
that Kuwaitis look to the US to ensure due process for
Guantanamo detainees (which include 12 Kuwaitis). They
discussed the GOK's prospects for cooperation with the
newly-elected National Assembly, the issue of the "bidoon"
(stateless persons living in Kuwait),and the situation in
the region. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) The Ambassador called on Minister of State for
Cabinet Affairs and National Assembly Affairs Mohammed
Dhayfallah al-Sharar August 2, as part of his round of
courtesy calls on members of the new Cabinet formed July 15.
Pol Chief sat in as notetaker. The meeting was conducted
entirely in Arabic.

(C) COOPERATION WITH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
--------------

3. (C) After congratulating Sharar on his reappointment (he
held the same posts in the last Cabinet),the Ambassador
asked for his assessment of the new National Assembly elected
July 5. Sharar said the results show the people want
tangible results instead of "grillings" of Ministers and
similar grandstanding. He noted the increase in Independents
at the expense of "parties," whether Islamic Constitutional
Movement or liberals.


4. (C) Sharar said the GOK was preparing a sort of roadmap
that it would present to the National Assembly in October,
showing priorities, timelines, costs, and any needed
legislation. He mentioned the issue of the "bidoon"
(stateless persons in Kuwait),saying it needs to be
addressed in a balanced way, not necessarily by granting
citizenship. In his view, the bidoon, whose number he
estimated at 40,000, know they are better off in Kuwait with
their present ambiguous status than they would be in their
countries of origin: Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq and Iran. He
added that some 26,000 bidoon "got their passports" in the
past four years.

(C) GUANTANAMO DETAINEES
--------------

5. (C) Referring to the planned September visit to
Washington by Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah, Sharar said
Kuwait's alliance with the US is fundamental and needs
continual high-level dialogue. He then raised the issue of
Kuwaiti detainees at Guantanamo, saying Kuwaiti citizens keep
asking what US policy is. He stated that a great country
should ensure due process and dispose of cases fairly. In
response to his question, the Ambassador said he did not have
any new information to share, but was aware that the GOK
Ambassador in Washington had discussed the issue with US
officials. He noted that we have released some detainees
after deciding they were innocent, and highlighted the
potentially disastrous consequences of releasing unreformed
killers. The Ambassador added that the USG was still
developing its position on possible bilateral agreements
under which detainees might be repatriated.

(C) IRAQ AND THE REGION
--------------

6. (C) Sharar asked how things were going in Iraq. The
Ambassador replied that public services are improving slowly,
and the death of Uday and Qusay has made the population more
willing to help us. Bechtel had begun work, and had
contracts with Kuwaiti firms. Sharar replied that Kuwaitis
feel their country should have a leading role in rebuilding
Iraq. They applaud the elimination of Saddam's regime, which
posed a danger to the world, and hope to hear news of his
capture or death. Sharar assessed that tension had lessened
a great deal between Kuwaitis and Iraqis, who are bound by
historical ties. The two countries have mutual interests,
especially in the economic realm. He said there were plans
for a free trade zone on the border, and perhaps for a
Kuwaiti trade exhibition in Baghdad. Iraqi businesspeople
were buying goods in Kuwait for sale in Iraq, and the GOK was
facilitating their movements. The Ambassador suggested that
if they consolidated their shipments, it would enable them to
share the cost of necessary security for their trucks.


7. (C) In reply to Sharar's question, the Ambassador said he
was optimistic about the future of the region overall. He
noted the serious efforts to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian
agreement. The Minister responded approvingly that this is
"the main cause" of Arab disaffection with the US. Resolving
that conflict would lead to positive changes in Syria and
Lebanon as well, he added. He laughed in agreement when the
Ambassador observed that America has two kinds of critics in
the Arab World: those who believe we intervene too much and
those who don't think we intervene enough.


8. (C) On Iran, Sharar said he has seen many changes there
over the years since the Islamic revolution. The population
is tired of the mullahs' rule and wants a more open society.
The Ambassador noted the benefits of separating religion and
state. Sharar replied "that's a point of view," before
declaring that persons of all faiths enjoyed freedom under
Islamic rule as practiced by the "rightly guided caliphs."
JONES