GOK FAILS TO LOCATE REMAINS OF ITS MISSING IN

UNCLAS KUWAIT 004449

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/I, IO/UNP, AND S/WCI
GENEVA FOR STONECIPHER, BAGHDAD FOR KEHOE,
OSD FOR DPMO CRONAUER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPOW PHUM AORC KU IZ ICRC
SUBJECT: GOK FAILS TO LOCATE REMAINS OF ITS MISSING IN
KARBALA, BUT PRAISES IIG AND U.S. ROLE

REF: KUWAIT 4132


1. (U) During Ambassador LeBaron's December 21 courtesy
call on Shaykh Salem Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Chairman of
the National Committee for Missing and POW Affairs (NCMPA),
NCMPA Director General Rabea Al-Adsani reported that Kuwaiti
officials recently traveled to Karbala to search for bodies
from a reported mass grave. As requested by Iraqi Human
Rights Minister Bakhtiar Amin during the November Tripartite
Commission meetings in Geneva, the GOK coordinated this trip
with the IIG both bilaterally and through the ICRC. Although
no remains were found, Al-Adsani described the mission as a
success due to the joint nature of the effort. The GOK
welcomed IIG participation and the chance to demonstrate that
its exhumation process would not damage the site or impede
IIG efforts to locate and identify victims of the Saddam
Hussein regime.


2. (U) Al-Adsani was also very grateful for U.S. support
and assistance. He praised MNF-I Gen. Casey's assistance in
securing the area and making it possible for the GOK to carry
out its investigation. He was also extremely complimentary
of Baghdad Embassy Officer Greg Kehoe whom he said made it
possible for IIG officials to travel to Karbala.


3. (U) Baghdad: Minimize considered.
LEBARON