MINDEF TELLS PDASD FLORY FUEL WILL CONTINUE TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 003607

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2014
TAGS: ASEC EPET IZ KU MARR MOPS PREL PTER
SUBJECT: MINDEF TELLS PDASD FLORY FUEL WILL CONTINUE TO
FLOW; SHARES CONCERNS ABOUT IRAQ'S NEIGHBORS

REF: KUWAIT 03465

Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (a),
(b),and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY AND COMMENT. Kuwaiti Defense Minister Shaykh
Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah explained in an October 19
meeting with PDASD Flory and the Ambassador that the GOK
request for a fuel contract (for fuel supply to the U.S. for
use in Iraq) was simply an administrative issue and easily
resolved. Jaber confirmed that there was no/no plan to cut
off the fuel supply in support of OIF and that getting a
number into the budget was all that was needed for
transparency. Shaykh Jaber also raised concerns about the
roles of Iran, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, reporting that the
latter two were supplying Iraq with armored vehicles. Shaykh
Jaber reiterated that the GOK is only providing humanitarian
assistance. The underlying theme in Shaykh Jaber's comments
was GOK concern about Iraq's future military capabilities and
what it means for Kuwait's security. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Iraq Issues: Fuel, U.S. Bases, and GOK-IIG Meetings
-------------- --------------


2. (C) In a meeting with PDASD for International Security
Affairs, Peter Flory and Ambassador LeBaron, Defense Minister
Shaykh Jaber spoke of the fuel issue (supply of Kuwaiti fuel
for use by the U.S. forces in Iraq) in terms of transparency
and accountability, stating that the problem is an
administrative one that can be easily resolved. The solution
is to assign a value so that the amount of fuel supplied
could be fiscally measured. When asked by the Ambassador
about the Coalition Forces move from Camp Doha to Arifjan,
Shaykh Jaber replied the few problems that occurred were
related to space and had already been resolved. Shaykh
Jaber also asked for advice on his upcoming meetings with IIG
officials. (Note: Minister of State for Amiri Diwan Affairs
Shaykh Nasser told the Ambassador in a separate meeting that
Iraq President Ghazi al-Yawer would visit Kuwait October 30
and November 1 en route to Bahrain. End Note.) Flory
presented an overview of the latest security situation and an
outlook for the period up to and including the elections.

Iran and Syria Unhelpful Neighbors to Iraq
--------------


3. (C) Shaykh Jaber also expressed GOK concern about the
activities of Iraq's neighbors, specifically Iran and Syria.
He spoke of his recent visit to Iran and said that GOI
officials he met expressed concern about the U.S. mission in
Iraq. He told them Iraq would have eventually used WMD
against Iran and Saddam's ouster benefited them too. Flory
pointed out that Iran was using a steady flow of money and
arms in a bid to influence southern Iraqis while some in the
Syrian leadership did not want the border to be better
controlled and felt that the movement of insurgents into Iraq
better suited their purpose.


Fire Trucks But No Armored Vehicles
--------------


4. (C) Shaykh Jaber surprised his audience by asking if they
had information on Iraq's solicitation of light armored
vehicles from Jordan and Saudi Arabia. He claimed Jordan had
supplied some armored vehicles, but Saudi declined for the
time being. He did not expound on the type or number of
vehicles provided, but was firm in his belief that the Iraqis
did have them. He restated Kuwait's intent to offer
humanitarian assistance only and said the GOK recently sent
several fire trucks to Iraq and was paying the salaries of
many firemen.


5. (U) Baghdad: Minimize considered.


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