AMBASSADOR URGES GOI ACTION ON TERROR THREAT IN

S E C R E T KUWAIT 004413 SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2014 TAGS: PREL PTER CASC EFIN KU SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR URGES GOI ACTION ON TERROR THREAT IN TALK WITH FOREIGN MINISTER REF: A. KUWAIT 4362 ¶B. KUWAIT 4359 ¶C. STATE 255421 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (S/NF) Ambassador met with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah on December 18 and initiated the conversation by stressing the gravity of the recent security threat posed to U.S. interests in Kuwait. Ambassador noted that the matter was being dealt with in liaison channels but that he also wanted to make sure that the political levels of the Kuwaiti Government understood that the USG was taking this threat very seriously and watching intently to see what actions Kuwait would take to counter it effectively. Noting the recent attack on our consulate in Jeddah, Ambassador said that the USG and its friends could not afford to ignore any indication of terrorist activities, particularly when the information suggests the possibility of an imminent action. ¶2. (S/NF) The FM did not offer a substantive reply on the specifics of the Ambassador's presentation. He noted that the Embassy's warden message of December 15 had gotten the attention of people in Kuwait, with some in the local financial community asking him whether they should leave the country. The FM also asked for details on what transpired in the attack on the Consulate in Jeddah, and the specific response of the Saudi forces during the siege. The Ambassador provided a brief account of the events and the Saudi reaction. In response to the Ambassador's comment that Kuwait needs to examine its terrorism finance laws to enable preemptive action against terror planners, the FM said that the GCC is developing terrorism financing laws. He claimed that the legislation will become part of Kuwait's legal code. The FM provided, however, no timeline for ratification. ********************************************* *** Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website ********************************************* *** LEBARON