(SBU) MFA REVIEWS RECIPROCITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000294 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2014 TAGS: PREL OPDC AMGT KU SUBJECT: (SBU) MFA REVIEWS RECIPROCITY Classified By: CDA FRANK URBANCIC; REASON: 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (SBU) Post has received the following diplomatic note (in Arabic; informal translation by Post): BEGIN TEXT: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Protocol Top Urgent Circular 50003 January 18, 2004 MFA - Protocol Department - sends its compliments to all the diplomatic missions accredited to Kuwait. With reference to what was raised by Their Excellencies heads of our missions abroad during the fourth conference of heads of diplomatic missions abroad during the period from January 5 to 7, 2004 on the enforcement of the principle of reciprocity on some issues with the missions accredited to the State of Kuwait in a number of protocol related procedures. Please provide us with the visions and insights of the esteemed mission on this issue, with reference to the following: 1- What are the systems allowed at the accredited mission regarding the use of the head of mission and official delegations of the VVIP lounge of the airport? 2- What is the highest level of an official whether in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or in other ministries the Kuwaiti Ambassador is allowed to meet with upon expressing desire of so, and the time needed to get the appointment fixed? 3- What is the level of response to invitation by the officials to mark the National Day and other official occasions, particularly the official level of the representation of the government to extend congratulations on the National Day? 4- What are the other issues the mission finds worthy of enforcement of reciprocity, such as airport entry passes, number of servants in the residence, diplomatic license plates for the mission and its members, level of security measures for the mission, etc. (complimentary closing). END TEXT. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: For the moment, we pass this to the Department for informational purposes only. We are not anxious to engage in a reciprocity exercise with the GOK now because in many cases, the relationship is heavily asymmetrical in favor of the U.S. Thus, we plan to defer response for the time being, pending further discussion with our MFA counterparts, should they choose to press it. British DCM told Charge on January 26, 2004 that his embassy is also weighing whether direct answers to these questions are advisable in the current climate. End Comment. URBANCIC