MFA UNDER SECRETARY SAYS GOK SERIOUS ABOUT WOMEN'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001907 SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2015 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM SOCI KWMN KU WOMEN POLITICAL RIGHTS SUBJECT: MFA UNDER SECRETARY SAYS GOK SERIOUS ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND PREDICTS A POSITIVE OUTCOME ON MAY 16 REF: A. KUWAIT 1901 ¶B. KUWAIT 1900 ¶C. KUWAIT 1808 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) During a May 7 meeting on regional issues (ref b), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Under Secretary Khaled Al-Jarallah opened the discussion with the Ambassador with comments about the debate between the Government and Parliament on women's political rights. Stating, "I can assure you the Government insists on passing this law," Al-Jarallah said the GOK was using the period leading to the May 16 vote to expand its contacts with parliamentary groups to seek their support for the measure. He reported positive indications, expressed his optimism that voting rights for the Municipal Council would be granted, but said it would not be easy. ¶2. (C) Al-Jarallah characterized the GOK as "ashamed" by the May 2 vote in which the majority of MPs abstained or voted against a law to permit women to participate fully in Municipal Council elections (ref c). He described women's voting rights as a necessity for the GOK and the state of Kuwait, and said a positive outcome would help the international image of Kuwait. He explained the GOK requested the vote postponement because "conditions were not right" and was now redoubling its efforts to secure the broadest possible support for the May 16 re-vote. When asked about inducements, Al-Jarallah said the civil service salary raise was a popular issue any time, so contrary to press reports, he did not consider it to be directly linked to legislation on women's suffrage. Nonetheless, the GOK was ready to discuss the salary issue and adopt appropriate proposals. He reminded the Ambassador that Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah was interrupting a trip to North and South America to return to Kuwait for the vote, a clear signal of the GOK's commitment. ¶3. (C) While many Kuwaiti women consider voting rights for the Municipal Council to be a half measure (ref a), Al-Jarallah said the amended legislation would pave the way for the target of full political participation at the national level. Amended legislation would not permit women to vote in or run for Municipal Council until 2009, but Al-Jarallah said the GOK would appoint women to the 16-member body. The Ambassador welcomed progress on voting rights at the municipal level but noted that the U.S. supports full political participation for Kuwaiti women. (Note: Since the meeting, some leading women activists have called for a rejection of voting rights for the Municipal Council on May 16, reasoning that this measure would impede rather than speed full political rights. See ref a for details. End note.) ********************************************* 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