REPORT THAT CRITIC OF THE PRIME MINISTER HAS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004403

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL KU SUCCESSION
SUBJECT: REPORT THAT CRITIC OF THE PRIME MINISTER HAS
RESIGNED

REF: KUWAIT 4372

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Matthew H. Tueller for reason 1.
4 (b)


1. (C) Post received word on the evening of October 12 that
Shaykh Salem Al-Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah, National Guard Chief
and fourth highest-ranking ruling family member, has resigned
his post amid criticism of his call for the formation of a
tri-partite group to "assist the leadership." This
information was received from a press contact at the same
newspaper, Al-Qabas, which published Shaykh Salem's call for
action on October 10 (reftel). The article was highly
critical of some government officials and resulted in a
public show of support by the Amir for Prime Minister Shaykh
Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Post is working to verify
the information of Shaykh Salem's resignation.


2. (C) Comment: A resignation by the instigator of this
unusually public internal family spat will continue to fuel
speculation that the ruling family is having difficulty
managing its internal affairs. Parliamentary and family
support voiced for the Prime Minister has not put to rest
concerns that the continued health problems of the Amir and
Crown Prince have left a leadership vacuum. End Comment.
LEBARON