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