Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KUWAIT4449
2005-10-17 08:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

FOREIGN MINISTER COMMENTS ON IRANIAN NUCLEAR

Tags:  PARM PREL PGOV IR IZ KU KUWAIT IRAQ RELATIONS IRAN 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004449 

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2015
TAGS: PARM PREL PGOV IR IZ KU KUWAIT IRAQ RELATIONS KUWAIT IRAN RELATIONS
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER COMMENTS ON IRANIAN NUCLEAR
DEVELOPMENT, EFFECTS OF IRAQI INSTABILITY


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

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004449

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2015
TAGS: PARM PREL PGOV IR IZ KU KUWAIT IRAQ RELATIONS KUWAIT IRAN RELATIONS
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER COMMENTS ON IRANIAN NUCLEAR
DEVELOPMENT, EFFECTS OF IRAQI INSTABILITY


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


1. Summary: (C) During an October 15 meeting with Ambassador,
Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Salem Al-Sabah spoke
about Iranian unity regarding the development of their
nuclear program but division regarding the country's public
handling of the situation. He reported that the Iranian chief
nuclear negotiator would soon be sacked. On Iraq, he added
that Iran stood to benefit from the lack of Arab involvement
and that an Arab League delegation would make an upcoming
trip to Baghdad despite ongoing violence. End summary.

Iran: No Division Regarding Right to Pursue Nuclear Weapons
-------------- --------------


2. (C) According to Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohmammed
Al-Salem Al-Sabah, former Iranian President Hashemi
Rafsanjani criticized newly elected President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad's handling of their nuclear development program.
While there is no division among Iranians regarding their
right to pursue nuclear weapons, the FM explained, they are
torn over how to handle the situation. "Under (President
Mohammed) Khatami, we didn't see this division; there was
more unified public support," he stated. The "new guy," he
stated, "is making grandiose statements" about Iran's
program, agitating the international community. Shaykh Dr.
Mohammed shared that "rumor has it Ahmadinejad will replace"
his chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, after India voted
at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to refer
Iran to the UN Security Council. The negotiator, the FM
reported, apparently had told Ahmadinejad that India was
guaranteed to vote in Iran's favor at the IAEA.

Iraq: Iran Benefits from Instability, Moussa to Travel
-------------- --------------


3. (C) At the next Organization of Islamic Conferences summit
in Mecca in late November, Iraq's neighbors may hold a side
meeting to discuss Iraqi instability, the FM reported. "Iran
stands to benefit from the lack of Arab involvement in Iraq,"
Shaykh Dr. Mohammed warned. An attack on a recent Arab League
(AL) delegation to Baghdad resulted in the death of two Iraqi
security forces. This ongoing violence, the FM added, is why
AL Secretary General Amr Moussa would not release the exact
date of his upcoming travel to Baghdad although the FM
predicted Moussa's arrival on October 17. Regarding Iraq's
constitutional referendum, Ambassador reminded the FM of the
importance of public remarks from Iraq's friends and
neighbors lauding positive steps Iraq has taken. The FM
shared that the Council of Ministers would likely issue a
statement October 16.

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LEBARON