UPDATE ON KEY ISSUES FOR UNDERSECRETARY BOLTON'S

S E C R E T KUWAIT 000327

SIPDIS

STATE FOR T AND NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER MARR KISL KU IR IAEA
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON KEY ISSUES FOR UNDERSECRETARY BOLTON'S
JANUARY 28-29 VISIT TO KUWAIT

REF: 04 KUWAIT 4427

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


1. (S) Since your last visit, the GOK welcomed the transfer
of sovereignty to the interim Iraqi government and has been a
strong supporter of holding elections on January 30. The GOK
has also encouraged Sunni participation in elections and
Kuwaitis are hoping greater stability will result from the
installation of an elected government. Domestically, recent
threats and terror activities have received heavy media
attention and Kuwait's senior leadership is being criticized
for not taking stronger measures to prevent militants from
establishing cells in Kuwait.


2. (C) ARTICLE 98: Progress is slow on GOK approval of the
agreement, but we maintain an active dialogue with senior
officials on the need to conclude the agreement. In October,
FM Dr. Mohammed informed the Ambassador that the agreement
was being fast-tracked through the National Assembly.
Members of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee discussed
the agreement on December 22, and it is possible the
agreement will be discussed by the full National Assembly on
February 2. Because of Kuwaiti observance of the Eid-al-Adha
holiday, it was not possible to get a status report in time
for transmission of this message. We will have an update
when you arrive. (NOTE: We treat the existence of the
agreement as Confidential, because it has never been publicly
confirmed by the GOK. END NOTE.)


3. (C) CONCERNS ABOUT IRAN: FM Shaykh Dr. Mohammed has
called Iran "the biggest threat to Gulf countries," in part
because of the long-term strategic threat presented by its
nuclear program. Kuwait is skeptical of Iran's assertions
that its nuclear program is for peaceful, civilian purposes
and its promises to suspend uranium enrichment. The GOK also
believes that Iran would welcome a Shi'a-dominated Iraq and
has cautioned Tehran not to meddle in Iraqi issues.
Nonetheless, the GOK considers it necessary to maintain an
open dialogue with Iran, but does not believe it has much
ability to influence Iranian behavior.


4. (S) COUNTER-TERRORISM: Recent confrontations with Kuwaiti
homegrown terrorists, some in the military, have prompted
considerable criticism of government inaction and Islamist
tolerance of terrorism. It is too soon to tell whether the
Kuwaiti authorities will follow up on their recent aggressive
actions against terrorists with a full-fledged sustained
effort. There is cooperation in U.S. and UN efforts to
freeze bank accounts of terror suspects and their financiers,
and we continue to engage Kuwait's leaders on the need for
cooperation on all facets of the Global War on Terror.

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LEBARON