UNDERTAKING MILITARY ACTION IN FALLUJAH

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