IRANIAN NSA VISITS KUWAIT, CALLS FOR AMERICAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002548

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER KU IR KUWAIT IRAN RELATIONS
SUBJECT: IRANIAN NSA VISITS KUWAIT, CALLS FOR AMERICAN
'CHANGE OF TONE'

REF: A. KUWAIT 2485

B. KUWAIT 1884

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


1. (C) Summary and Comment: Following a number of official
exchanges, the Secretary General of Iran's Supreme National
Security Council, Dr. Hassan Rouhani, visited Kuwait June
4-6, during which he held a series of meetings reportedly
focusing on security cooperation in the fight against
terrorism. Despite Rouhani's insistence that he was not
carrying a specific message for the United States, the visit
came shortly before Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed
Al-Sabah's planned July visit to Washington and Rouhani's
public comments did include analysis of the U.S.-Iranian
relationship. During a press conference on June 6, Rouhani
said that Iran would be willing to cooperate further with the
U.S. "if America changes its tone toward us." In addition,
he uncharacteristically downplayed the suggestion that
Israeli pressure is behind tensions between the U.S. and
Kuwait. Rouhani also rejected the notion that Iran's nuclear
activities posed a threat to the region, saying development
of peaceful nuclear technology was Iran's right. End Summary
and Comment.


2. (SBU) Following closely behind the late-May visit of
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohamed Reza Asefi and a
flurry of official Kuwaiti delegations to Iran over the past
three months, Iran's Supreme National Security Council
Secretary General, Dr. Hassan Rouhani, visited Kuwait June

SIPDIS
4-6. In meetings with Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed
Al-Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi and
Interior Minister Shaykh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Rouhani
reportedly discussed security cooperation in the fight
against terrorism, the ongoing dispute over the continental
shelf and the Dorra gasfield. (Note: Kuwait dispatched a team
of negotiators to Tehran this week to discuss the next steps
on the recently inked gas deal (ref. B). End Note.).

Peaceful Nukes Iranian Right
--------------


3. (U) Upon arrival in Kuwait, Rouhani defended Iran's
nuclear activity, stating that Iran had right to develop
peacful nuclear technology. Claiming that this activity was
being conducted in coordination with three European nations
and under the supervision of the IAEA, Rouhani said that Iran
was one of the first countries in the region to have called
for complete nuclear disarmament, starting with Israel. In
response to questions about the Ambassador's May 25 speech
(ref. A),Rouhani surmised that the remarks, which he
referred to as "nonsense," were meant as a response to Muslim
outrage over reports of Qur'anic desecration at Guantanamo
Bay.

U.S. Change Could Further Cooperation
--------------


4. (U) During a June 6 press conference, Rouhani made
conciliatory remarks towards the U.S. Responding to a
question about possible American attacks on Iran, Rouhani
said he hoped "America will work for peace and stability of
the region," but noted Iran was "well-prepared for any
aggression." He added that if the U.S. would change its
"language of threats and end sanctions they imposed on
Iranian interests.....I believe new conditions will prevail
in relations between Iran and America." In addition, Rouhani
downplayed the suggestion that U.S. policy towards Iran was
the result of Israeli pressure. "All the messages we get
from the U.S. through several parties did not mention Israel"
he said, adding that America's position on Iran could be
influenced by the "Zionist lobby."

Al-Qaeda Suspects to be Tried in Iran
--------------


5. (U) Touching briefly on the issue of Al-Qaeda in Iran,
Rouhani said the Iranian government has arrested 500 members
of the organization, repatriating some and jailing others on
charges of committing crimes against Iranian national
security. He said the remaining Al-Qaeda members in Iran
would be tried in Iranian courts.


6. (C) Liberal columnist and head of the National Democratic
Movement, Dr. Ahmed Bishara, told Poloff June 8 that
Rouhani's visit was meant to replace that of President
Khatami, whose office had indicated he would visit Kuwait in
the near future. Bishara criticized the visit of Rouhani,
whom he deemed too controversial (for his involvment as a
lead Iranian negotiator with the IAEA) and too low-ranking to
be received by PM Sabah.

*********************************************
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