C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002173

SIPDIS

NEA/ARPI FOR BERNS; LONDON FOR GOLDRICH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL KWMN ECON EAID IZ KU EPTE WOMEN POLITICAL RIGHTS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
SUBJECT: ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SURPRISED BY VOTE ON WOMEN'S
RIGHTS; RESTATES KUWAITI SUPPORT FOR ITG

REF: A. STATE 93742

B. KUWAIT 2091

C. KUWAIT 2064

D. KUWAIT 1900

Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: During a May 21 meeting, Speaker of
Parliament Al-Khorafi told the Ambassador the May 16 vote on
women's political rights was a difficult day and he had not
been confident legislation permitting their participation
would pass. He named the Prime Minister as the reason for
the measure's success and expressed hope Kuwaiti women would
use their legislative power wisely. He criticized Kuwaitis
for voting based on personal reasons, not issues, and urged
the eventual formation of political parties. He commended
U.S. efforts in Iraq, and said Iraqis and their neighbors
sought reassurances the U.S. would not prematurely withdraw
its forces. He reaffirmed Kuwaiti support for the Iraqi
Transitional Government (ITG) and listened attentively to the
Ambassador's call for the immediate transfer of Development
Fund for Iraq (DFI) assets and recommendation that Kuwait
speak out against Iraqi-on-Iraqi violence. On regional
issues, Al-Khorafi said the peace process affected all other
issues in the Middle East, and said good U.S.-Saudi relations
were important to the region. He welcomed the retraction of
the Koran desecration story, but commented the Guantanamo
detainee issue was embarrassing for both the U.S. and GOK.
End summary.

Women's Voting Rights an Unexpected Outcome
--------------


2. (C) The Ambassador opened the May 21 meeting by
congratulating Speaker of Parliament Jassem Al-Khorafi on the
historic May 16 vote granting women full political
participation (ref C). Al-Khorafi, who abstained, described
the day as his "most difficult meeting," said he had not
expected the measure to pass, and accused MPs of trying to

stage a "filibuster." He attributed the vote's success to
the Prime Minister, whom he said was "determined and got what
he wanted." When asked to elaborate on how the PM achieved
his goal, Al-Khorafi refused to engage, flatly stating, "you
don't want to know." He then expressed hope that Kuwaiti
women understood that voting is a privilege that comes with
obligations. He encouraged women to concentrate their
efforts and new power on serving Kuwaiti society, and to take
a stand when required to do so. In response to the
Ambassador's skepticism about women automatically following
their spouses' voting instructions, Al-Khorafi pointed to the
influence of Islamists in student body elections and on
supermarket cooperative boards, both of which are dominated
by groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood.

Kuwaiti Politics Is Personal
--------------


3. (C) When asked whether it would be useful for an NGO
such as the League of Women Voters to visit Kuwait and
encourage political participation, Al-Khorafi said Kuwait's
problem was not participation, rather the mindset. Kuwaitis,
both the electorate and MPs, vote according to their likes
and dislikes and not on issues. This preference made it hard
for the Government to know how its supporters would vote on
key legislation. He added that Kuwaiti politics could not
continue like this and, while it was too early for the
formation of political parties, they are a necessary step in
Kuwait's democratic evolution. (Note: The formation of
political parties is a goal in Embassy Kuwait's MPP and
Democratic Reform Strategy in support of the Freedom Agenda
(Ref B). End note.)

Iraq Needs Kuwaiti Help and Support
--------------


4. (C) Turning to Iraq, Al-Khorafi asked for the U.S.
assessment of the political situation and recommendations on
how Kuwait could further assist. The Ambassador replied the
continuing violence was disappointing, but it was important
to maintain progress in the political arena, especially
drafting the constitution, so that the Iraqi people feel they
have a role in their future. He said a credible political
process in which all Iraqis participate, as well as economic
development, would lead to the marginalization of extremists
and promote stability. He described the Iraqi burden as
enormous and encouraged its neighbors -- Kuwait, Saudi
Arabia, and Turkey -- to share the load. He called on Kuwait
to be more active and suggested regular interaction,
including visits, between Kuwaiti ministers and their Iraqi
counterparts. He cited debt relief as an area where Kuwait
could be proactive, and also urged the immediate transfer of
the $78-80 million in DFI assets (ref D). The Ambassador
also suggested Kuwait actively participate in the U.S.-EU
International Conference on Iraq (ref A), and asked Kuwait to
stand as a moral voice and speak out against Iraqi-on-Iraqi
violence.

5. (C) Al-Khorafi responded that Kuwait remained prepared
to further assist the ITG, but was wary about actions that
could be construed as interference. He argued Kuwait was
doing a great deal, citing the GOK role at the April Istanbul
Neighboring Countries Meeting and informing the Ambassador
that although Iraq's debt had not yet been forgiven, the GOK
was not demanding payment nor charging interest. He said
France's participation in the U.S.-EU Conference presented
new opportunities and confirmed Kuwaiti attendance. He
further agreed that the Sunni-led violence in Iraq must cease
and related a recent conversation with SCIRI leader 'Abd Al
Aziz al-Hakim in which the two agreed on the need for a
positive, unifying Sunni leader who could guide the Sunni in
the same way Sistani led the Shi'a. He applauded U.S.
efforts in Iraq and said a clear commitment that U.S. forces
would not leave early would build confidence among Iraqis.
He called for continued training of Iraqi security elements
and encouraged the U.S. to work closely with the UK which, he
contended, had useful experience in the region.

Peace Process Affects All Other Issues
--------------


6. (C) On regional issues, Al-Khorafi said lasting peace
between the Israelis and Palestinians would free the Arab
world to address other problems. "Like it or not," every
issue in the Arab world is linked to the peace process, he
explained. The Ambassador noted the critical need to help
the Gaza disengagement succeed, restated the U.S. commitment
to the roadmap, reported an increase in economic assistance
to the Palestinians, and advised Al-Khorafi of Mahmoud Abbas'
visit to Washington. He further assured Al-Khorafi of U.S.
resolve to promote open, democratic systems in the Middle
East. Al-Khorafi added he was pleased Saudi Crown Prince
Abdullah had a successful trip to the U.S., citing the
importance of good relations between the U.S. and the SAG.
He commented that the domestic situation in Saudi remained
difficult, but it appeared the SAG was beginning to control
the terror situation. It was now necessary to distinguish
between those terrorists who sympathized with Al-Qaeda and
those lashing out in response to domestic reform.

Article 98, Kuwait Project, and GTMO
--------------


7. (C) Commenting on issues of bilateral concern,
Al-Khorafi promised to investigate the status of the Article
98 agreement which had not yet made it to the floor for a
vote. On the Kuwait Project (development of the northern oil
fields), he said the committee had almost finished its work
and the Government needed to press for immediate action. One
snag was a difference of opinion between Energy Minister
Shaykh Ahmad Fahd Al-Sabah and Parliament on whether one
broad implementing law was needed or several laws to address
various aspects of the project. It appeared Parliament would
proceed with Al-Khorafi's preference and focus on drafting
one law, which also had apparently been the GOK's first
choice. Al-Khorafi also thanked the Ambassador for the
statement on the handling of the Holy Koran at Guantanamo.
He said the clarification came at the right time. He
described the overall detention situation at Guantanamo as
embarrassing and said it was difficult for Kuwaitis to
believe in U.S. statements on human rights and the rule of
law when there appeared to be one set of laws for Americans
and another for everyone else.


8. (U) Baghdad: Minimize considered.

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