FM BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON KUWAITI-IRAQI ISSUES; SAYS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004283 SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARPI, RIYADH FOR REARDON E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KU TERRORISM SUBJECT: FM BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON KUWAITI-IRAQI ISSUES; SAYS GOK WILL EXPEDITE TRIALS OF GITMO DETAINEES REF: A. KUWAIT 4263 (NOTAL) ¶B. STATE 182501 (NOTAL) ¶C. KUWAIT 4230 (NOTAL) ¶D. KUWAIT 4214 (NOTAL) ¶E. STATE 174135 (NOTAL) ¶F. SECTO 19 (NOTAL) Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: During an October 1 meeting, Kuwaiti FM Shaykh Dr. Mohammed told the Ambassador that he and fellow GCC foreign ministers had a very good meeting with the Secretary on the margins of the UNGA, and he hoped such SIPDIS gatherings would become a regular event. On Kuwaiti-Iraqi issues, he expressed concern about reports that charges against Saddam Hussein for the invasion and occupation of Kuwait would be dropped; said that Kuwait was ready for the arrival of a UN team to visit the shared border area and willing to cover a significant portion of the related expenses; and welcomed the visit of Iraqi officials. He also noted his discussions with the Secretary and S/WCI Ambassador-at-Large Prosper on Guantanamo detainees and stressed they would be tried upon repatriation to Kuwait. The Ambassador advised the FM of the October 5 visit of Ambassador Jeffrey and mentioned recent, productive meetings between Kuwaiti and U.S. officials on Iraq reconstruction and terror finance. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah opened an October 1 meeting with the Ambassador by expressing appreciation for the Secretary's September 19 meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers on the margins of the UNGA (ref f). He said the discussion was very good and the GCC states would like the "annual ritual to continue." The FM told the Ambassador he had GCC responsibility for the Iraq portfolio at the meeting with the Secretary. He briefed the Ambassador on the scheduled October 2 meeting in Jeddah of Iraq's Arab neighbors (ref a). Continuing with Iraq, the FM expressed concern that the Iraq Special Tribunal (IST) was reportedly considering dropping the case against Saddam Hussein for the invasion and occupation of Kuwait. He cautioned that such a move would have serious repercussions in Kuwait. He informed the Ambassador of S/WCI Ambassador-at-Large Prosper's support for an Embassy Baghdad officer travel to Kuwait for discussions on the IST (ref e). (Comment: Post is in direct contact with Embassy Baghdad's Regime Crimes Liaison Office (RCLO) on the timing of such a visit. End comment.) ¶3. (C) The FM also briefed the Ambassador on his meeting with UN Secretary General Annan on the border issue. He said Kuwait was willing to pay $500,000, "more than its fair share," for the UN team to visit the area and for pillar maintenance. Shaykh Dr. Mohammed said Iraq has yet to respond to the UN. The Ambassador informed the FM of progress on fulfilling the GOK request for satellite imagery of the border and said images would likely be passed to both the GOK and the UN by mid-October. Further commenting on Kuwait-Iraqi relations, the FM said Iraq's Speaker of Parliament, Hajim Al-Hasani, was scheduled to arrive in Kuwait October 2. He was also apprehensive about the "gathering storm" between President Talabani and Prime Minster Jaafari, saying they were "in the election mode too early." ¶4. (C) The Ambassador said the U.S. welcomed open dialogue with Kuwait on Iraq and the October 5 visit of a delegation led by Ambassador Jeffrey presented a good opportunity to exchange views. He also told the FM that Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development Director General Abdulwahab Al-Bader had a productive meeting on Iraq reconstruction issues with the USAID Middle East Director during his recent visit to Washington (ref b). Referring to the mid-September visit of OFAC Director Werner, he said that work remains to be done to eliminate funding from Kuwait for jihadist activities. (refs c and d). ¶5. (C) The FM also said he appreciated the discussions with the Secretary and Ambassador Prosper on Kuwaitis detained at Guantanamo (refs e and f). He welcomed the prompt response regarding the transfer of five detainees and said the GOK hoped to "expedite the process to prepare for their trial." ********************************************* 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