(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