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