AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS WAY AHEAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004279

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI AND G/TIP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ELAB KDEM SOCI KWMN KCRM KU TIP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS WAY AHEAD
TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

REF: A. KUWAIT 4219

B. KUWAIT 4031

C. KUWAIT 4007

D. STATE 163401

E. STATE 108156

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


1. (C) During an October 1 meeting, the Ambassador reviewed
with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah
Al-Salem Al-Sabah the President's September 21 determination
to maintain Kuwait's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) ranking as
a Tier 3 country, but to waive applicable sanctions for U.S.
national interests. The Ambassador acknowledged the progress
Kuwait has made since the report's June release, but
emphasized the need for more concrete action and encouraged
Kuwait to set an example for the region. Responding to the
FM's questions about measures implemented by the United Arab
Emirates and Qatar in order to be ranked on the Tier 2
Special Watch List, the Ambassador said that the
circumstances of each country differed and direct comparisons
were not productive. He did, however, cite, the
establishment of shelters and legal protections for domestic
servants as positive advancements in both countries and
improvements needed in Kuwait. He noted the GOK had proposed
a new labor law and encouraged the Government to work closely
with Parliament on passage of the bill.


2. (C) FM Shaykh Dr. Mohammed told the Ambassador that
Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Faisal Al-Hajji was very
upset by the presidential determination. Calling Al-Hajji a
"true believer," the FM said Al-Hajji led the GOK effort to
improve working conditions for expatriate laborers. He
asserted that Kuwait was "superior" to its neighboring
countries on labor issues and was implementing new programs
for domestic reasons. The FM restated Kuwait's commitment to
protecting its foreign labor force and welcomed a copy of the
action plan (which we passed to him) to review areas of
immediate concern to the U.S. (ref e).


3. (C) Comment: We committed to providing examples of
actions taken by Qatar and the UAE that permitted their
ascension to Tier 2 WL. Post would appreciate such input
from G/TIP, Doha, and Abu Dhabi by e-mail to PolOff Richard
Michaels (michaelsrc@state.gov or michalesrc@state.sgov.gov).
The Ambassador will pass the information to the Foreign
Minister. End comment.

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LEBARON