GOK RATIFIES TIFA

UNCLAS KUWAIT 002389 SIPDIS STATE PASS TO USTR JASON BUNTIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD PREL PGOV EINV ECON KU SUBJECT: GOK RATIFIES TIFA ¶1. The MFA informed Embassy via Diplomatic Note No. 13543 dated July 6, 2004 that Kuwait has ratified by Decree No. 135 the Trade and Framework Agreement (TIFA) signed on February 6, 2004. ¶2. The document also notes that the GOK has not yet received formal notification from the US that the US has ratified the agreement, as required under Article Six of the TIFA. Such notification, the note continues, is necessary for the TIFA to come into effect. ¶3. Begin Text of Diplomatic Note No. 13543: (Complimentary opening) With reference to the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement between the government of the State of Kuwait and the government of the United States, which was signed on June 2, 2004. The Ministry would like to inform you that the constitutional procedures necessary for ratifying the aforementioned agreement were fulfilled by the State of Kuwait when Decree No. 135 for the year 2004 was promulgated. Since the State of Kuwait has not been informed that the concerned US authorities have completed the necessary ratification procedures, this notification is deemed the first from the State of Kuwait which necessitates a second notification from the concerned US authorities so that this agreement may enter into effect, in accordance with Article 6 of the (TIFA). (Complimentary closing). End Text. TUELLER