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