Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04KUWAIT3880
2004-11-10 13:34:00
SECRET
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

UNDERTAKING MILITARY ACTION IN FALLUJAH

Tags:  PREL MOPS IZ KU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

101334Z Nov 04
S E C R E T KUWAIT 003880 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2014
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ KU
SUBJECT: UNDERTAKING MILITARY ACTION IN FALLUJAH

REF: (A) SECSTATE 238424 (B) BAGHDAD 1707

Classified By: DCM Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

S E C R E T KUWAIT 003880

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2014
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ KU
SUBJECT: UNDERTAKING MILITARY ACTION IN FALLUJAH

REF: (A) SECSTATE 238424 (B) BAGHDAD 1707

Classified By: DCM Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (S) DCM conveyed reftel points to MFA Americas Department
Head Ambassador Khalid Babtain on November 10. Babtain
stated that Kuwait fully supported IIG and Coalition action
to defeat insurgents in Fallujah and would make that support
known publicly. He disparaged a public statement attributed
to the Syrian government criticizing the military action in
Fallujah and also dismissed a "tired call" from Iraqi clerics
calling for an electoral boycott in response. Babtain's only
other substantive comment was to express hope that the
fighting in Fallujah subside before Eid al-Adha in order to
alleviate public concern about the impact on civilians and to
allow the upcoming Sharm al-Shaikh meeting to focus
productively on political steps.


2. (S) We also drew from reftel points on the margins of a
November 11 meeting with Defense Minister Shaykh Jaber
Mubarak Al-Sabah who affirmed solid GOK support for military
operations in Fallujah. Shaykh Jaber wished for a speedy and
successful outcome for coalition forces. He noted that
skewed media coverage was as much an enemy to the coalition
as the insurgents and promised that the U.S. could rely on
continued GOK support.


3. (S) According to a UK source, Iraqi VP Jafaari's meeting
with Kuwaiti PM Shaykh Sabah al-Ahmad was positive. Shaykh
Sabah opened and read the letter from PM Ayad Allawi in
Jafaari's presence (the letter explained the rationale for
military operations in Fallujah and asked for Kuwait's
understanding and support) and he commented immediately that
he agreed and that Allawi was right. This report tracks with
Shaykh Sabah's reaction to Deputy Secretary Armitage on
November 8 that the operation was necessary, but care should
be taken not to let it "tarnish the U.S. image."


4. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
LeBaron