Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04MANAMA1886
2004-12-15 12:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR HADLEY'S DECEMBER

Tags:  PREL MARR PTER ASEC KU IZ IR SY BA 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001886 

SIPDIS

NSC FOR DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR HADLEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2014
TAGS: PREL MARR PTER ASEC KU IZ IR SY BA
SUBJECT: DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR HADLEY'S DECEMBER
4 MEETING WITH KUWAITI NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
SHAIKH SABAH KHALED AL SABAH

Classified by A/DCM Hallie H. Hahn for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001886

SIPDIS

NSC FOR DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR HADLEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2014
TAGS: PREL MARR PTER ASEC KU IZ IR SY BA
SUBJECT: DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR HADLEY'S DECEMBER
4 MEETING WITH KUWAITI NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
SHAIKH SABAH KHALED AL SABAH

Classified by A/DCM Hallie H. Hahn for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) Deputy National Security Advisor Hadley met with
Kuwaiti National Security Council President Shaikh Sabah
Khaled Al Sabah December 4 on the margins of the IISS Gulf
Security Dialogue conference in Manama. Shaikh Sabah hailed
the strong bilateral relationship and stated that Kuwaitis
are more content now than at any point over the past few
years. Kuwait will work with the Iraqi government on debt
forgiveness following the January 30 elections. Kuwait is
encouraging Sunnis in Iraq to participate in the elections.
Iran advocated for the departure of foreign forces from Iraq
by the end of 2005 during the regional interior ministers
meeting it hosted, but Kuwait worked to remove this language
from the communique. DNSA Hadley commented that Iran should
not be exempt from its responsibilities in the global war on
terror. While it had locked up Al Qaida leaders, it
continued to provide support to Hizballah. DNSA Hadley noted
U.S. concern that Syria was being used as an assembly point
for jihadists going to Iraq. Shaikh Sabah replied that Syria
claims to control movements into Iraq, but it was not doing
enough. Shaikh Sabah promised Kuwaiti political and
financial support for the Palestinians, and noted that Abu
Mazen would visit Kuwait soon. End Summary.

--------------
Strong Relations, Strong Support
--------------


2. (C) Deputy National Security Advisor Hadley opened his
December 4 meeting with Kuwaiti National Security Council
President Shaikh Sabah Khaled Al Sabah by expressing his
thanks for strong Kuwaiti support over the past two and a
half years. The U.S. relationship with Kuwait is crucial,
and we look forward to continuing to work closely with
Kuwait. He recognized that Kuwait's supply of oil to the

U.S. military is a generous contribution. Shaikh Sabah
agreed that the relationship is very strong, and Kuwaitis are
more relaxed now than at any point over the past few years.
Though Kuwait does not support the high international oil
prices, it is benefiting and the stock market and trade flows
are booming. In response to DNSA Hadley's question, Shaikh
Sabah said that Kuwait welcomed the Paris Club decision to
forgive 80 percent of Iraq's debt. Kuwait considers this
percentage to be a guideline. The GOK will discuss
forgiveness with the Iraqi government following the elections.


3. (C) Shaikh Sabah told DNSA Hadley that Kuwait works
closely with the United States on Iraq. The GOK has reached
out to the Sunnis in Iraq and encouraged them to participate
in the January 30 elections. DNSA Hadley recognized Kuwaiti
outreach efforts to the Sunnis and said that broad
participation is necessary for the elections to be seen as
legitimate.

--------------
Iranian Agenda Inside Iraq
--------------


4. (C) Shaikh Sabah said that Iranian Foreign Minister
Kharazi visited Kuwait in November to discuss Iran's nuclear
program. Kharazi told the Kuwaitis that U.S. pressure would
ruin any agreement with the Europeans because Iran does not
believe the Europeans will stand up to America. Shaikh Sabah
said that Kuwait responded by telling Kharazi that Iran must
convince the IAEA and the Europeans that it can be trusted.
Kuwait offered to assist Iran if/when Iran is serious about
making concessions. In Iraq, Iran has its own agenda, and is
encouraging the Shia in the south to participate in the
elections. Iran hosted a meeting of regional interior
ministers on the situation in Iraq, and Iran tried to insert
language in the communique stating that the multinational
forces should depart Iraq by the end of 2005. Kuwait
objected, saying that Kharazi was at the Sharm meeting where
this issue had been rejected. Iran ultimately agreed to
leave this language out of the statement.


5. (C) DNSA Hadley said that Iran should not be exempt from
its responsibilities in the global war on terror. It has Al
Qaida leaders under lock and key but, at the same time, it
provides support to Hizballah. Shaikh Sabah raised the
Iranian presidential elections and said that the likely
candidates would be Rouhani, Velayati, Youssefi, and possibly
Rafsanjani, who claims to have good relations with the
Europeans. In the last election, the youth supported Khatemi
but they now are disaffected. They doubt the country will
achieve progress through the electoral process.

--------------
Syria Assembly Point for Jihad
--------------


6. (C) DNSA Hadley expressed U.S. concerns about Syria,
which is now serving as an assembly point for jihadists
seeking to fight in Iraq. Shaikh Sabah noted that Syria is
facing pressure on Iraq, its relationship with Lebanon
through UNSCR 1559, and the peace process. Though the SARG
claims to have begun to control movements into Iraq, its
efforts have not been sufficient. Kuwait has information
that Iraqi Baathists are gathering inside Syria and are
trying to influence events in Iraq. The GOK was dismayed
that two Kuwaiti boys, ages 16 and 17, traveled first to
Damascus then to Fallujah to fight. Shaikh Sabah wondered
who encouraged, organized and paid for this travel? He
recommended that the U.S. use official channels to influence
Syria, and stated that the U.S. should talk bluntly to the
SARG. Syrian Foreign Minister Sharaa visited Kuwait and
asked the GOK about U.S. views. The GOK responded that the
United States is very clear and Sharaa should listen to what
Secretary Powell says.

SIPDIS

--------------
Improving Palestinian Quality of Life
--------------


7. (C) Shaikh Sabah stated that Kuwait greatly appreciates
the President's position on Palestine and the January 9
elections. The U.S. should encourage the international
community to support the Palestinian people just as they are
supporting the Iraqi people. Abu Mazen will visit Kuwait
shortly and the GOK will tell him that it will provide
political and financial support to the Palestinians. DNSA
Hadley said that the United States wants to help Finance
Minister Fayyad, and Kuwaiti assistance is critical. The
Palestinian Authority needs to have the comfort of sufficient
finances. The U.S. talks to the Israeli government about
doing the right thing regarding the Palestinians. Shaikh
Sabah replied that Abu Mazen failed when he was prime
minister, and PM Sharon did not help by refusing to release
Palestinian prisoners. Kuwait does not want to see the
parties repeat their mistakes, and will support Abu Mazen and
other moderate leaders who want to improve Palestinians'
quality of life.


8. (C) DNSA Hadley said that the United States seeks to
encourage the voices of reform in the region and hoped Kuwait
could play a role. Shaikh Sabah stated that Kuwait would
participate in the Forum for the Future meetings in Rabat,
and expressed Kuwait's desire that Bahrain host the 2005
meetings. He noted that he supports NATO's Istanbul
Cooperation Initiative to enhance stability in the Middle
East region.


9. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.


10. (C) The NSC cleared this message.

MONROE