DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR FULL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004216

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2014
TAGS: ASEC PREL KDEM PHUM IZ KU
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR FULL
PARTICIPATION IN IRAQI ELECTIONS

REF: STATE 254809

Classified By: DCM Matthew H. Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Political Chief delivered December 7 ref demarche to
Ambassador Faisal Al-Mashan, MFA Arab World Department
Manager. Al-Mashan said Kuwait agreed with the U.S. on the
need for full Sunni participation in the January 2005
elections and said Kuwait would do its part to achieve such
an end. He reported that IIG President Al Yawar made a
similar plea to the GOK during his October visit and also
asked the GOK to use its media resources to encourage Sunni
participation. Al-Mashan added that the request, coming from
Al Yawar, a Sunni, was well received by GOK leadership.


2. (C) Further commenting on the elections, Al-Mashan
suggested forming a coalition of Sunni Kurds and Arab Sunnis,
arguing that this grouping could bring some balance to what
he expects to be a Shi'a-dominated Parliament. He also noted
GOK concerns about the role of Syria in Iraqi elections. He
asked the U.S. to exert pressure on Syria to play a positive
role or stay out.


3. (U) Baghdad: Minimize considered.
LEBARON