KUWAIT COUNTERTERRORISM WORKING GROUP: SLOW BUT

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003059 SIPDIS NOFORN FOR NEA/ARPI AND S/CT; NSC FOR TOWNSEND E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2015 TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV EFIN ASEC MARR CVIS KU SUBJECT: KUWAIT COUNTERTERRORISM WORKING GROUP: SLOW BUT RELATIVELY STEADY GOK PROGRESS ON CT ISSUES REF: A. KUWAIT 2928 ¶B. KUWAIT 2927 ¶C. KUWAIT 2607 ¶D. KUWAIT 2265 ¶E. KUWAIT 1159 ¶F. KUWAIT 1071 ¶G. KUWAIT 730 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i., Matthew H. Tueller ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: The Charge chaired on July 5 Post's monthly meeting of the Counterterrorism Working Group (CWG). The CWG discussed continuing GOK efforts to locate wanted terror financier Mohsen Al-Fadhli; prompt GOK reaction to potential security threats, but limited follow up; the acquittal of former Guantanamo detainee Al-Mutairi and the release on bail of other terror suspects; slow, but steady progress in efforts to combat money-laundering and terror financing; and the GOK's interest in U.S. training and equipment. Post's CWG also includes section heads or representatives from RSO, POL, ECON, CONS, RMAS, OMC-K, and DIALO. End Summary. Finding Al-Fadhli... -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) RMAS opened the meeting with an update on GOK efforts to locate terror financier Mohsen Al-Fadhli. Reports that Al-Fadhli was in Iraq were false and available information indicates that he remains in hiding in Kuwait. Kuwait State Security (KSS) has narrowed down possible locations for Al-Fadhli, but a general lack of political will precludes the GOK from taking action without concrete information. Khaled Al-Dosari is no longer believed to be in Kuwait. RMAS also voiced concerns about the GOK response to a bomb threat at the airport. While the Ministry of Interior (MOI) took immediate action to investigate the threat, deported the Egyptian national who made the call, and heightened security at the ports where a British ship was docked, when the state of alert was lifted, MOI officials instructed the British to contact the Foreign Ministry if they wanted additional security. Post is concerned about the need to work through several layers of government in a crisis situation and will raise the need for better inter-ministry coordination with key contacts. Post will engage more with the National Security Bureau (NSB),the body charged with CT coordination (ref f),which appears to quickly receive information from other ministries (likely due to family connections),but fails to disseminate it effectively. Terror Suspects Acquitted or Out On Bail -------------- ¶3. (C) PolChief briefed the group on the June 29 acquittal of former Guantanamo detainee Nasser Al-Mutairi (ref a). Al-Mutairi, who was returned to Kuwait January 15 and released on bail April 14 for humanitarian reasons, was found not guilty of charges of working for the interests of a foreign country and those serving it; not obtaining permission to join foreign military forces opposed to another country; and undergoing illegal weapons training. The prosecution retains the right to appeal. The Kuwaiti courts have also released on bail other terror suspects: Shaykh Hamed Al-Ali who called for the killing of U.S. troops and Ahmad Al-Mutairi and Mohammed Al-Rasheedi (ref c). These three are reportedly linked to the Peninsula Lions Cell believed to be behind the early 2005 security incidents. 37 individuals, including a woman, have been charged and the GOK is seeking the death penalty for 34. At present, eight are out on bail, 19 are detained, and 10 remain at large. Focusing on Terrorist Financing -------------- ¶4. (C) EconChief reported on ongoing efforts by the GOK to strengthen its counter-terrorist financing regime. As of June, the working group on drafting legislation that would specifically criminalize terrorist financing and strengthen Kuwait's anti-money laundering efforts had finished a draft and submitted it to the appropriate government agencies for review (ref b). According to committee member Talal Alsayegh, the Head of the Central Bank's Anti-Money Laundering Unit (strictly protect),the draft legislation: criminalizes terrorist finance; permits financial institutions to refer suspicious activity reports (SARs) directly to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) rather than to the Public Prosecutor's Office; allows the FIU to share intelligence directly with other FIUs, and without prior approval from the Public Prosecutor's Office; imposes restrictions on cash couriers (NFI); and makes the definition of money laundering more precise. Alsayegh said that the draft is based on terrorist finance legislation prototype provided by the IMF and draws on other countries' terrorist finance laws as well. Once key government agencies have reviewed the draft legislation, the committee plans to seek external reviews to determine its appropriateness. The U.S. has offered, and the GOK has accepted, USDOJ OPDAT assistance. According to Alsayegh, the GOK might also ask the IMF and FinCEN for assistance. Following external review, the legislation would need to be approved by the National Assembly which will reconvene in October. Overall, steady progress continues, albeit at slightly slower pace than we would prefer. Training, Training, Training -------------- ¶5. (C) RSO advised the CWG of two incidents of reported, by not confirmed, surveillance of mission personnel. Security officials promptly researched license plate numbers of the suspect vehicles, but have been slow in follow-up. The delay highlights the need for additional training and a team will depart July 9 for an ATA Major Case Management course being held at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. Post is pressing the GOK to identify CT fields of interest so that appropriate consultations may be scheduled. RSO also reported GOK intent to establish a CT unit under the NSB. A team visited the UK for CT consultations and also wants to tour U.S. facilities. RSO further informed the CWG of plans to establish an International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in the region which would be well received by the GOK. ¶6. (C) OMC-K informed the CWG that the Commander of the Ministry of Defense Commando Brigade met with BG Kearney, Commanding General, CENTCOM Special Operations Forces, with the goal of establishing professional linkages. Although the UK has had the lead in special operations counter-terrorism training, the GOK seeks an American advisor. The GOK continues to focus on training and equipment, attending training sessions in Jordan and upgrading its equipment -- night vision goggles and HMMWVs, for example -- through foreign military and direct commercial sales. ¶7. (C) DIALO told the CWG that during his courtesy call, MG Khalid Al-Jarrah Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, Chief of Staff for Military Intelligence and Security, J2, restated his interest in Force Protection Directorate training. Post understands that DIA resources are limited, but fully supports this GOK request. ********************************************* 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 ********************************************* TUELLER