FOREIGN MINISTER DISCOUNTS FLAP IN AL-SABAH FAMILY

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004445

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON KDEM KU SUCCESSION
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER DISCOUNTS FLAP IN AL-SABAH FAMILY

REF: KUWAIT 4406

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


1. (C) Summary: Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Salem
Al-Sabah said that recent statements by National Guard Chief
Shaykh Salem Al-Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah were just an expression
of opinion and that the political status quo had returned.
Commenting on Shaykh Salem's call for a three-person advising
committee to help the leadership, Shakyh Dr. Mohammed added
that the spat did not negatively affect the economy, noting
local stock prices actually increased as rumors of leadership
change made their way through Kuwait. End summary.


2. (C) Ambassador inquired about recent publicized statements
from Al-Sabah family members regarding instability among the
ruling triumvirate (reftel) during an October 15 meeting with
Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Salem Al-Sabah.
National Guard Chief Shaykh Salem Al-Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah,
Crown Prince Shaykh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah's
first cousin, called for the formation of a three-member
committee to run the country, thereby questioning the current
leadership's longevity. (Note: The CP, who is in ailing
health, left for London August 22 to seek medical treatment.
He is scheduled to return October 19. End note.) The FM said
that Shaykh Salem has been expressing his views for the past
year but that last week's comments centered around the health
and status of Kuwait's leaders, specifically Amir Shaykh
Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the CP. "I think we've
overcome that," the FM responded in reference to the polemic
caused by Shaykh Salem's statements.


3. (C) According to Shaykh Dr. Mohammed, the Amir's response
that he had full confidence in Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah reaffirmed the head of state's
control. After the Amir spoke, the FM explained, everything
returned to the status quo. The FM added that expressing
one's opinion "is a virtue in Kuwait. People say things as a
trial balloon when making comments." Ambassador recounted
comments he heard from expatriate business leaders, which
alluded to Kuwait's perceived political instability having a
negative economic impact. "But look at how the market
reacted," the FM responded. "It went up."


4. (C) The FM added that "the political process is moving
forward." Occasionally there are side statements, but there
are not fundamental differences, he commented. In the FM's
opinion, Shaykh Salem's public comment "was an expression of
concern." Shaykh Dr. Mohammed predicted that the GOK would
face another round of rumors upon the return of Shaykh Saad
later this week.


5. (C) In some of the local speculation about succession
issues, the FM becomes the PM while Shaykh Sabah replaces
Shaykh Saad as Crown Prince. However, the FM gave no
indication whatsoever that he believes such a change will
occur.

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