COURTESY CALL ON THE INTERIOR MINISTER REVEALS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 003933

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2014
TAGS: PREL PREF MOPS IZ KU
SUBJECT: COURTESY CALL ON THE INTERIOR MINISTER REVEALS
CONFUSION ON BORDER MOU, THINKING ON IPR, TERRORISTS, AND
THE COURT SYSTEM


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


1. (C) Summary and Comment: During the Ambassador's
introductory call on Interior Minister Shaykh Nawaf, the
Minister was unable to clarify status of the border MOU with
the U.S. military. Shaykh Nawaf insisted the signed
agreement had been returned to the MFA for further action,
but he had no additional information. On IPR, he stated that
police were aggressively working to stop the trafficking of
counterfeit goods, particularly audio and video materials.
Commenting on jihadi court cases, Shaykh Nawaf said the
police's ability to catch jihadis was not always matched by
the Ministry of Justice's ability to prosecute them. He made
clear his belief that cases were handled appropriately and
that no one, regardless of position or connections, could
influence the outcome of a trial. Despite his strong
convictions, Shaykh Nawaf came across as someone not fully in
touch with his own Ministry. On several issues, he seemed
unaware of the basic facts that the Ambassador raised and
relied heavily on his General Manager to provide him with the
answers. Post will continue to engage Shaykh Nawaf on
bilateral issues, but will rely on and further expand our
network of senior and working-level MOI and police contacts.
End Summary and Comment.


The Good News
--------------


2. (C) The Ambassador opened his November 8 call on Interior
Minister and First Deputy Prime Minister Shaykh Nawaf
Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah by thanking him for his strong support of
U.S. interests, notably: cooperation of the Criminal
Investigation Department (the Kuwaiti FBI counterpart) with
the LEGATT in Riyadh, security escorts for OIF convoys
traveling to and from the Iraq border, good use of DS
training for MOI officials, and provision of Ambassador's
security detail. The Ambassador also noted the improved
information exchange with KSS.


3. (C) The Ambassador said that speedy conclusion of the
Customs and Border MOU with the U.S. would open another area
for bilateral cooperation. Shaykh Nawaf expressed confusion
about the status of the MOU and questioned, in Arabic, MOI
General Manager Brigadier General Hamed Al-Jumah why it was
still an issue. The General assured Shaykh Nawaf the MOU had
been signed and delivered to the Foreign Ministry "some time
ago." While still uncertain about the status and actual
location of the MOU, the Shaykh attempted to reassure the
Ambassador that he and FM Shaykh Dr. Mohammed were in touch
on the matter and that the MOI was not an obstacle to MOU
implementation. (Note: A meeting with the Foreign Minister
immediately afterward did not clarify the status of the MOU.)

Fighting Against Fakes
--------------


4. (SBU) On intellectual property rights (IPR) protection,
the Ambassador requested greater protection and enforcement.
Shaykh Nawaf asserted his commitment to fighting
counterfeiters and said that he had implemented a program
last year targeted at stopping them. He added that he was
also involving local governorates in the fight and he was
keen to capture the criminals involved.

Jihadis and The Courts
--------------


5. (C) The Ambassador then asked about terrorists in Kuwait
and the MOI's role in capturing and bringing them to trial;
making it clear that the USG disagreed with Kuwaiti attempts
to deal with terrorists through family or tribal pressure.
In a vague and ambiguous answer, the Minister responded that
"real terrorists are those who influence the infrastructure
of a country" and restated his determination to fight
terrorism and maintain peace and stability in Kuwait. He
added that the MOI's role is to capture terrorists, but it is
up to the Ministry of Justice to impose punishment. The
Minister affirmed his belief in the independence of the
judiciary and argued that no one can influence the outcome of
a court case.


6. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.


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LeBaron