Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04KUWAIT2567
2004-08-12 07:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER ACTIVITIES TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

Tags:  PREL PBTS KTIA MARR KU IZ 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 002567 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/I
BAGHDAD FOR AMB. NEUMANN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2014
TAGS: PREL PBTS KTIA MARR KU IZ
SUBJECT: KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER ACTIVITIES TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

REF: KUWAIT 02548

Classified By: CDA Matthew Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 002567

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/I
BAGHDAD FOR AMB. NEUMANN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2014
TAGS: PREL PBTS KTIA MARR KU IZ
SUBJECT: KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER ACTIVITIES TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

REF: KUWAIT 02548

Classified By: CDA Matthew Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: On August 11, Emboffs visited
border-crossing points on the Kuwait-Iraq border to identify
future construction sites for a planned Kuwaiti border
barrier and to seek context for GOK reports of friction with
Iraqi border patrols (reftel). Both Kuwait and Iraq appear
determined to construct barriers or facilities only meters
away from the UN-demarcated border, raising tensions and
increasing the probability of armed confrontations on the
border. End Summary.


2. (C) An Embassy group consisting of PolOffs, EconOff, and
Office of Military Cooperation-Kuwait (OMC-K) personnel,
including the Acting Chief of OMC-K, visited several
Kuwait-Iraq border crossings on August 11, with the
assistance of Kuwaiti border personnel, to better understand
reports of problems. This border issue has quickly become a
priority at the highest levels of the Kuwaiti MOD. The
following is a clarification of issues reported in reftel and
some new developments observed during Emboffs visit to three
border crossings:

- The Kuwait survey teams (reftel) conducting a site survey
for a vehicle barrier to run along the Kuwait-Iraq border
plan to construct the barrier only two meters south of the
UN-demarcated border.

- The Kuwaiti berm located nearest the border is
approximately 50 meters south of the demarcated border.
However, many Iraqis visually identify this berm as the
actual border and mistakenly believe that they are still in
Iraq, when in fact they have crossed into Kuwaiti territory.

- The Iraqis are constructing observation towers along the
border approximately two to four meters north of the
UN-demarcated border. The towers are painted light blue and
white giving them a "UN" appearance.

- Iraqi border police vehicles are also painted in this same
blue and white scheme.

- Although we cannot independently verify the accuracy of the
reports, Kuwaiti border officials informed us that the Iraqi
border patrol personnel are using Kuwait territory * an
improved-surface dirt road, which runs along the border on
the Kuwaiti side * to patrol the border. They also contend
that Iraqi militias and smugglers hide behind the berm to
facilitate drug smuggling and have used the physical barrier
* 50 meters inside Kuwaiti territory * to fire on Kuwaiti
patrols. Kuwaiti border officials told us that their intent
is to remove the berm, because it obstructs their view of
militia activities and smuggling, and replace it with the
pipeline vehicle barrier.

- At the Marker #91 border crossing, linking Al-Abdeli and
Safwan, there is an Iraqi border police building no more than
one to two meters north of the physical border, if that.

- Kuwaiti Border Police suggested that the inclusion of an
Iraqi engineer on the Kuwaiti survey team might assist in
calming current tensions.


3. (C) Comment: The construction of the proposed Kuwaiti
barrier almost directly on the demarcated border is sure to
be read provocatively by the Iraqis. Conversely, the Iraqis
are positioning structures within an equal proximity to the
border, thus irritating Kuwaiti sensitivities. That the
Kuwaitis have already reported threats by armed Iraqi border
police makes the probability of future confrontations only
greater if construction--so close to the border--continues
without clear communication leading to a bilateral
understanding between the two countries. A bilateral or
multilateral discussion mechanism may be a way past the
current situation.


4. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
TUELLER