AMBASSADOR AND MFA DIRECTOR DISCUSS U.S.-GOK

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001173 SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARPI BERNS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2015 TAGS: PREL EAID PGOV KU UN SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND MFA DIRECTOR DISCUSS U.S.-GOK COOPERATION ON UN ISSUES REF: A. KUWAIT 1125 ¶B. KUWAIT 1120 ¶C. STATE 46598 ¶D. KUWAIT 1077 ¶E. USUN 474 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) The Ambassador used a March 22 courtesy call on Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Organizations Director Ambassador Abdullah Ahmed Al-Murad to thank Kuwait for its vote in favor of a UNGA resolution on Human Cloning. He noted the declaration was a U.S. policy priority and appreciated Kuwait's support. Likewise, he restated U.S. appreciation for the GOK decision to keep the Humanitarian Operations Center (HOC) open until June 30, 2005 (refs a and b). He agreed that the UN, through UNAMI, had an important role to play in Iraq's reconstruction, but emphasized that the HOC, under strong Kuwaiti leadership, was vital to the coordination and flow of assistance to Iraq. Al-Murad reported good cooperation with UNAMI; was hopeful that the UN Status of Mission Agreement, now out of committee, would soon be ratified by the National Assembly; and said the GOK would try to keep the HOC open to work with UNAMI. ¶2. (SBU) Turning to other UN issues, Al-Murad said the GOK was studying the SYG report on reform and was concerned that most countries seem to focus exclusively on UN Security Council reform. Al-Murad argued that the recommendations be considered as a package and thought it premature to concentrate on Security Council composition when there was no consensus among those pushing for reform. ¶3. (C) Comment: The HOC extension and the 11th hour support on human cloning are but a few examples of the type of assistance the GOK gives us when we ask. As noted ref d, Kuwaiti involvement was key to the success of Operation Iraqi Freedom and continues to be fundamental to efforts to promote democracy and security in Iraq. Therefore, post reiterates its strong recommendation that the U.S. support Kuwaiti candidate for UNDP Administrator Fawzi Sultan. Sultan has the endorsement of the Arab League (ref e) and Al-Murad reported substantial support among UN member states. End Comment. LEBARON