GLOBAL DEFENSE POSTURE DEMARCHE DELIVERED; MINDEF

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 002783

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2014
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP MOPS KU IZ NATO
SUBJECT: GLOBAL DEFENSE POSTURE DEMARCHE DELIVERED; MINDEF
RELAYS SISTANI'S COMMENTS ON AL-SADR

REF: A. STATE 174197

B. STATE 164968

C. KUWAIT 2598

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


1. (C) During an introductory courtesy call, CDA delivered
reftel talking points to Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber
Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on August 24. The Minister said
that it was a "wise step to consult with allies" on these
changes, and added that Kuwait and the U.S. are "facing
common threats and enemies - the terrorists."


2. (C) Responding to the Charge's request for any advice on
Iraq, the Minister said that he knew that SISTANI wanted to
return to Iraq from London as soon as possible and that most
Shi'a do not agree with Moqtada Al-Sadr. The Minister
explained that he had returned, ten days ago, from a visit to
London where he called on Sheikh Zayed of the UAE at the
hospital. SISTANI was staying at the same hospital. The
Minister asked retired Kuwaiti General Ali Muhammad Mumin,
formerly Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defense, to
accompany Sheikh Zayed's son on a visit to SISTANI to wish
him well. (Note: General Mumin resides in London and is a
Shi'a.) After the visit, SISTANI's son called to thank the
Minister and said that his father was against all actions by
Al-Sadr in Iraq and wished to return to Iraq as soon as
possible.


3. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
TUELLER