Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KUWAIT4517
2005-10-20 06:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
KUWAIT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON PARLIAMENTARY
how-toVZCZCXRO3743 PP RUEHDE DE RUEHKU #4517 2930637 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 200637Z OCT 05 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1431 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1039
UNCLAS KUWAIT 004517
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI SWALKER, LONDON FOR LTSOU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON PARLIAMENTARY
INFIGHTING AND ECONOMIC/POLITICAL REFORM IN KUWAIT
UNCLAS KUWAIT 004517
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI SWALKER, LONDON FOR LTSOU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON PARLIAMENTARY
INFIGHTING AND ECONOMIC/POLITICAL REFORM IN KUWAIT
1. (SBU) Summary. In an October 19 meeting with Econ
Counselor, the Deputy Director General of the Kuwait Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) lamented the political
infighting among parliamentarians resulting in the election
of a new and less pro-business chairman of the National
Assembly's Finance and Economy committee. Al-Rabah was
enthusiastic about the new law granting women full political
rights and noted that Kuwaiti society was in a historic
transition despite political quarreling among politicians
that continued to hamper economic reform. End Summary
2. (SBU) On October 19, Econcouns, accompanied by Econoff,
met with Rabah Al-Rabah, Deputy Director General of the KCCI
a non-government entity with close ties to the GOK, to
discuss political developments in the National Assembly (NA)
impacting economic developments, in particular the leadership
shuffle in the NA's influential Finance and Economy
Committee. Al-Rabah expressed his personal disappointment
with the unexpected defeat of Abdulwahab Al-Haroun as
chairman of the Committee, noting that Al-Haroun's defeat was
"a political game being played out" at the expense of
economic reform and private sector development. While
Al-Rabah was complimentary of the newly-elected chairman, Dr.
Yusuf Al-Zalzala, he was skeptical about the degree of
Al-Zalzala's support for the private sector. (Note:
Abdulwahab Al-Haroun served for nine years and was a strong
proponent of developing Kuwait's northern oilfields and
greater private sector participation in the economy.) As an
aside, Al-Rabah noted that the establishment of the NA's
"Halliburton Committee" was prompted by similar internal
political disputes resulting from allegations of impropriety
in fuel contracts against Minister of Energy Shaykh Ahmad
Fahd Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
3. (SBU) Al-Rabah commented that economic reform in Kuwait is
hampered by political disputes being played out in the
parliament. However, he expressed optimism about long-term
economic and political reform with the with the entry of
women into the country's political elections in 2007.
Al-Rabah added that the participation and election of women
in the upcoming elections would be "a very positive
development" for the country and one that could help reshape
parliamentary representation in conjunction with proposed
districting reforms. He noted that Kuwait was entering "a
very encouraging era" that would result in significant social
and political changes over the next 20 years.
LEBARON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI SWALKER, LONDON FOR LTSOU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON PARLIAMENTARY
INFIGHTING AND ECONOMIC/POLITICAL REFORM IN KUWAIT
1. (SBU) Summary. In an October 19 meeting with Econ
Counselor, the Deputy Director General of the Kuwait Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) lamented the political
infighting among parliamentarians resulting in the election
of a new and less pro-business chairman of the National
Assembly's Finance and Economy committee. Al-Rabah was
enthusiastic about the new law granting women full political
rights and noted that Kuwaiti society was in a historic
transition despite political quarreling among politicians
that continued to hamper economic reform. End Summary
2. (SBU) On October 19, Econcouns, accompanied by Econoff,
met with Rabah Al-Rabah, Deputy Director General of the KCCI
a non-government entity with close ties to the GOK, to
discuss political developments in the National Assembly (NA)
impacting economic developments, in particular the leadership
shuffle in the NA's influential Finance and Economy
Committee. Al-Rabah expressed his personal disappointment
with the unexpected defeat of Abdulwahab Al-Haroun as
chairman of the Committee, noting that Al-Haroun's defeat was
"a political game being played out" at the expense of
economic reform and private sector development. While
Al-Rabah was complimentary of the newly-elected chairman, Dr.
Yusuf Al-Zalzala, he was skeptical about the degree of
Al-Zalzala's support for the private sector. (Note:
Abdulwahab Al-Haroun served for nine years and was a strong
proponent of developing Kuwait's northern oilfields and
greater private sector participation in the economy.) As an
aside, Al-Rabah noted that the establishment of the NA's
"Halliburton Committee" was prompted by similar internal
political disputes resulting from allegations of impropriety
in fuel contracts against Minister of Energy Shaykh Ahmad
Fahd Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
3. (SBU) Al-Rabah commented that economic reform in Kuwait is
hampered by political disputes being played out in the
parliament. However, he expressed optimism about long-term
economic and political reform with the with the entry of
women into the country's political elections in 2007.
Al-Rabah added that the participation and election of women
in the upcoming elections would be "a very positive
development" for the country and one that could help reshape
parliamentary representation in conjunction with proposed
districting reforms. He noted that Kuwait was entering "a
very encouraging era" that would result in significant social
and political changes over the next 20 years.
LEBARON