GOK AND ITG COMMITTED TO RESOLVING BORDER DISPUTE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003523 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, LONDON FOR TSAU, PARIS FOR ZEYA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS IZ KU KUWAIT IRAQ RELATIONS SUBJECT: GOK AND ITG COMMITTED TO RESOLVING BORDER DISPUTE DIPLOMATICALLY REF: A. KUWAIT 3446 ¶B. KUWAIT 3396 ¶C. KUWAIT 3331 (NOTAL) ¶D. KUWAIT 3287 (NOTAL) Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: On August 6, an Iraqi delegation, in Kuwait to discuss the border issue, visited the border and examined the barrier being installed by Kuwait. The delegation head Khaled Al-Attiyah confirmed that "the border barrier is in Kuwaiti territory." In a meeting with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Al-Attiyah reiterated the Iraqi Transitional Government's (ITG) commitment to the official border demarcation as agreed upon in UN Resolution 833. According to the Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam, the FM told a parliamentary committee that the Kuwait-Iraq border issue was finalized and not open to negotiation. According to press reports, both the GOK and the ITG were pleased with efforts being made to resolve the border issue diplomatically and dismissed attempts by some MPs in both countries to hijack the issue for their own political purposes. In an August 7 meeting with OMC-K Chief, Kuwait Armed Forces Chief of Staff Shaykh Ahmed Khalid Al-Sabah appeared less concerned about the border issue than in a meeting on July 26. He told the Chief he is optimistic the issue will be resolved through dialogue. (Note: Ambassador is scheduled to meet with the Foreign Minister on Tuesday and will verify whether the upbeat reporting on the border issue reflects GOK views. End note.) End Summary. GOK and ITG Committed to Diplomatic Resolution -------------- - ¶2. (SBU) On August 4, an Iraqi delegation led by Khaled Al-Attiyah arrived in Kuwait to discuss the border issue. In an August 4 meeting with FM Shaykh Dr. Mohammed, Al-Attiyah reaffirmed the ITG's commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 833 demarcating the border between the Kuwait and Iraq. "The two countries respect the agreements and treaties over the borders, which were supervised by UN Resolution 833," he stated. Iraq will not allow its citizens to violate these agreements, Al-Attiyah said. He concluded that "there is absolutely no border problem between the (two) countries." The FM agreed stating that the border was well-defined according to UN Resolution 833 and "there is no dispute over this issue." ¶3. (SBU) According to press reports, FM Shaykh Dr. Mohammed said that installation of the barrier, temporarily suspended, would resume under UN supervision; he did not specify, however, when installation would resume. The FM added that Kuwait planned to build a wall along the border. (Note: It is not/not clear if this wall is in addition to the vehicular barrier currently being installed. End note.) The English daily Arab Times reported August 6 that Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari was planning to visit Kuwait in mid-August to further discuss the border issue. Barrier in Kuwait Territory -------------- ¶4. (SBU) On August 6, accompanied by Kuwaiti officials, Major General Sulaiman Al-Fahd and Director General of the General Border Directorate Abdullah Al-Mehanna, the Iraqi delegation visited the Kuwait-Iraq border and inspected the border barrier being installed by Kuwait. Afterwards, Al-Attiyah confirmed that the "border barrier is in Kuwait territory," the Kuwait press reported. "They (the borders) were demarcated and it is over," Al-Attiyah said adding that "the Kuwaiti government has a right to safeguard its borders." ¶5. (U) Regarding Kuwaiti assertions that several Iraqi farms have "encroached" onto Kuwaiti territory, Al-Attiyah admitted that one Iraqi well was a "few meters" into Kuwaiti territory, but expressed his hope that the problem could be resolved diplomatically and that the Iraqi owners would be compensated. Kuwaiti media also reported that Al-Attiyah met with Iraqi residents of Umm Qasr, whom he claimed clearly understood the ITG's efforts to resolve the dispute diplomatically. ¶6. (U) The visit received considerable media attention. The front page headline of the English daily Kuwait Times read, "'Diplomacy' Wins Border Dispute." The English daily Arab Times carried the headline, "Pause on Border Barrier Taps 'Well' of Goodwill." Political Issue for Some Kuwaiti MPs -------------- ¶7. (U) Some Kuwaiti MPs have used the border issue to attack the GOK claiming its response to Iraqi border protests and the comments of Iraqi MPs was weak. Opposition MP Mussallam Al-Barrak called for a special session of Parliament to discuss the recent, inflammatory comments of several Iraqi MPs, which he characterized as demonstrating "ingratitude" towards Kuwait for its support in the liberation of Iraq. The FM dismissed these criticisms saying, "Kuwait is at the height of its power." Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Shaykh Nasser Mohammed Al-Sabah echoed this claim stating that "Kuwait will not give up a single millimeter of its land." (Note: The Kuwaiti National Assembly is in recess until October 17. End note.) ¶8. (U) Other Kuwaiti MPs have expressed a more positive tone towards Iraq. Islamist MP Mohammed Al-Basri said the recent comments of Iraqi MP Jawad Al-Maleki "do not represent the opinion of the current Iraqi government." Acting Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Mohammed Jassem Al-Sager praised the GOK for adopting a diplomatic approach to resolving the border issue with Iraq. GOK Pleased With ITG Response -------------- ¶9. (U) According to press reports, GOK officials and their Iraqi counterparts were pleased that the appropriate steps were being taken to resolve the border issue diplomatically. Kuwaiti media quoted the FM as saying, "We sensed a civilized manner from our Iraqi brothers, headed by the Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaarafi, who dealt with the (border) issue clearly and sincerely." ¶10. (C) Office of Military Cooperation-Kuwait Chief met August 7 with Kuwait Armed Forces Chief of Staff Shaykh Ahmed Khalid Al-Sabah. According to the Chief, Shaykh Ahmed was noticeably less concerned about the border issue than he was during a meeting July 26 (ref D). Shaykh Ahmed expressed optimism that the border issue would be resolved amicably. ¶11. (U) Basrah minimize considered. ********************************************* 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