(SBU) ANOTHER SHOOTING NON-INCIDENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000804

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, S/ES-O, DS, DSS, DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2013
TAGS: ASEC MOPS OIIP KU
SUBJECT: (SBU) ANOTHER SHOOTING NON-INCIDENT

Classified By: (U) AMBASSADOR RICHARD H. JONES; REASON 1.5 (a, d)


1. (C) On the morning of March 5, a USMC convoy from Camp
Commando had a 7-ton vehicle break down just past the on-ramp
onto Highway 80. Convoy personnel heard shots impacting
nearby. The convoy commander crossed the highway to find out
where the fire originated; he found some Kuwaiti officers who
told him that some Kuwaiti soldiers were firing on a rifle
range on a Kuwaiti military camp. The range was oriented
perpendicular to Hwy 80. Contrary to earlier reports, the
Marines did not return fire. No injuries were reported.


2. (C) The initial report was that Marines in a ccnvoy were
fired upon, that the Marines returned fire, that the
attackers fled, and that the Marines pursued them to a mosque
in which the attackers took refuge. The on-scene commander
assures that the Marines did not shoot and that there is no
truth whatsoever to the mosque story.


3. (U) Suggested press guidance follows, for use on an
if-asked basis; it has been coordinated with CFLCC PAO:

On March 5, US Marines who had stopped near a Kuwaiti rifle
range heard gunshots from the range. There was no exchange
of fire, and no injuries or damage.
JONES