Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04KUWAIT4369
2004-12-15 14:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

SECURITY ADVISOR PROMISES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO

Tags:  PREL PGOV KU IZ NATO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004369 

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI, NSC FOR DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR
HADLEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV KU IZ NATO
SUBJECT: SECURITY ADVISOR PROMISES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO
THE PA AND DEBT REDUCTION FOR IRAQ AFTER ELECTIONS

REF: A. MANAMA 1867 (NOTAL)


B. KUWAIT 4106 (NOTAL)

C. USNATO 1064 (NOTAL)

D. KUWAIT 3984 (NOTAL)

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004369

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI, NSC FOR DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR
HADLEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV KU IZ NATO
SUBJECT: SECURITY ADVISOR PROMISES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO
THE PA AND DEBT REDUCTION FOR IRAQ AFTER ELECTIONS

REF: A. MANAMA 1867 (NOTAL)


B. KUWAIT 4106 (NOTAL)

C. USNATO 1064 (NOTAL)

D. KUWAIT 3984 (NOTAL)

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


1. (C) Summary: During a December 15 courtesy call by the
Ambassador, Kuwaiti National Security Bureau (NSB) President
Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah confirmed the GOK
will provide financial assistance and political support to
the Palestinian Authority. The GOK looks forward to PA
elections in January and the chance to discuss
Kuwaiti-Palestinian relations with Abu Mazen as the elected
representative of the Palestinian people and not as PLO
Chairman. No money amounts were provided in response to
Ambassador's query. Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled also said that
following January elections in Iraq, the GOK would be
prepared to address with an elected Iraqi government debt
reduction along the lines of the Paris Club Agreement. The
Shaykh noted Kuwait's pride in becoming the first country to
join the ICI and hoped its eventual coordination with NATO
members on terrorism, WMD, and border issues, would encourage
other Gulf States to follow suit. He further welcomed the
Ambassador's suggestion to examine U.S.-Kuwaiti long-term
relations. End Summary.

Funds Will Flow Once Abu Mazen is in Office
--------------


2. (C) Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled opened the meeting by
reporting on his trip to Bahrain and meeting with Deputy
National Security Advisor and National Security
Advisor-designate Stephen Hadley. As reported ref A, he said
he and Hadley had a useful discussion on the need for full
participation in Iraqi elections; new opportunities presented
by the change in Palestinian leadership; and the strength of
U.S.-Kuwaiti relations, particularly in trade, intelligence
sharing, and military and political cooperation.


3. (C) Expounding on Palestinian issues, he described Abu
Mazen's December 12 - 14 visit to Kuwait as a success and
reported the two sides made progress on several long-standing

issues. Abu Mazen raised the need for financial assistance
and broached establishing a diplomatic mission in Kuwait.
Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled said despite criticism from the
National Assembly and some media outlets, the GOK was ready
to rebuild its relationship with the PA and ready to assist
the Palestinian people. The GOK has confidence that PA
Finance Minister Salam Fayyad will make appropriate use of
the funds previously pledged at the Arab League Beirut
meeting, yet Kuwait prefers to address the details of its
assistance after elections. It wants to deal with Abu Mazen
as President of the Palestinian Authority and not as PLO
Chairman. Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled emphasized the need for
improving the quality of life for Palestinians so that the
situations in the West Bank and Gaza do not further
deteriorate, creating a welcome environment for terrorists.
He expressed concern about the growth of Hamas and Hezbollah
should the PA not receive ample support from the
international community and called on the U.S., the UN,
western nations, and Arab states to play a supporting role.


4. (C) The Ambassador agreed on the importance of
supporting the PA's new leadership and thanked Kuwait for
responding quickly and publicly. He added that while
humanitarian assistance is critical, it is also necessary to
focus on trade, noting the close relationship between
assuring security and facilitating trade flows. He said the
U.S. was actively engaging the Israelis and reported progress
on the transfer of tax revenues to the PA.

GOK Welcomes Polling in Iraq, Wary about Voting in Iran
-------------- --------------


5. (C) The Ambassador also raised Iraq's debt to Kuwait and
the positive impact of its resolution for Iraq. Shaykh Sabah
Al-Khaled said Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al Sabah
Al Salim Al Sabah had publicly announced that the Paris Club
agreement would guide discussions with Iraq. The GOK is
prepared to address debt reduction bilaterally with the Iraqi
government after the January elections.


6. (C) Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled mentioned the GOK was keenly
following the run-up to May elections in Iran. With
President Khatami unable to seek another term of office, the
GOK was afraid conservatives would gain ground. He reported
that Intelligence Minister Yunesi, former President
Rasfanjani, and former Foreign Minister Velayati were all
possible successors to Khatami. The GOK, not convinced of
the sincerity of recent GOI promises, is also keeping watch
on Iran's nuclear aspirations.

Kuwait and ICI: Setting an Example for the Region
-------------- --------------


7. (C) The Ambassador applauded the GOK's decision to seek
membership in the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI).
Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled reviewed his November meetings with
NATO and USNATO representatives and said the GOK viewed the
ICI as a means to enhance regional security and stability.
They are seeking cooperation on crisis management, terrorism,
WMD, border control, and training. He added that the GOK was
the first country NATO Deputy Secretary General Minuto Rizzo
visited to discuss the ICI and by being the first country to
join, Kuwait hoped to set an example for the other Gulf
states. He also sees NSB leadership in the ICI process as an
opportunity to strengthen the NSB's coordination abilities
within the GOK.

The U.S. and Kuwait After Iraq
--------------


8. (C) The Ambassador further engaged Al-Khaled on
long-term bilateral relations, noting that the ongoing Kuwait
strategic review being carried out with U.S. assistance
presented an opportunity to look beyond the issues of the
day. He encouraged the Shaykh to use the weight of his
office to promote the participation of all appropriate
Kuwaiti ministries and agencies in the process. Shaykh
Sabah Al-Khaled said he had met with members of the U.S.
review team and promised to enlist, in addition to the
Ministries of Defense and Interior, the involvement of the
Ministries of Health, Education, Information, Foreign
Affairs, and others. He said he would be meeting with Chief
of General Staff for the Kuwait Armed Forces LTG Fahed Ahmed
Al Amir next week to further define the NSC role.


9. (U) Baghdad: Minimize considered.

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