Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KUWAIT4653
2005-10-31 10:48:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR TELLS KEY KUWAITI MINISTER MORE C/T

Tags:  PTER KU TERRORISM 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T KUWAIT 004653 

SIPDIS

NOFORN

FOR S/CT, NEA

E.O. 12958: DNG: CO 10/31/2015
TAGS: PTER KU TERRORISM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR TELLS KEY KUWAITI MINISTER MORE C/T
CAPACITY NEEDED

Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (B)

S E C R E T KUWAIT 004653

SIPDIS

NOFORN

FOR S/CT, NEA

E.O. 12958: DNG: CO 10/31/2015
TAGS: PTER KU TERRORISM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR TELLS KEY KUWAITI MINISTER MORE C/T
CAPACITY NEEDED

Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (B)


1. (S/NF) During the course of a 30 October conversation on
other topics with Shaykh Ahmad Fahd Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the
Ambassador told the Minister that, while cooperation on
counter-terrorism between Kuwait and the U.S. has improved in
the last 6-8 months, we are not satisfied and more needs to
be done. There are still large gaps in the GOK's
capabilities, for example, in monitoring of suspected
terrorists or their facilitators in Kuwait. Shaykh Ahmad
(brother of KSS Chief Shaykh Athbi) seemed surprised, and a
bit dejected, by this assessment. He said that, from his
latest information, the Kuwait intelligence and security
apparatus was "100% on top of it" and that it was "working at
full capacity." Ambassador noted that the GOK was far from
prepared for the eventuality of Kuwaiti, Saudi or Egyptian
terrorists leaving Iraq and setting their sites on Kuwait.
Once that process got underway, it would be too late to start
preparing. Shaykh Ahmad agreed that Kuwait (and Dubai) was
"among the most inviting" targets for future attacks. He
admitted that there was a "shortage of staff" in the Kuwaiti
agencies. He said that he would raise the Ambassador's
concerns with Shaykh Athbi.


2. (S/NF) Comment: Shaykh Ahmad is not a routine
interlocutor on C/T affairs, but rather a target of
opportunity. In addition to the relationship to Athbi, he is
well-connected to Shaykh Sabah and takes an active interest
in issues well beyond his already broad energy, water, and
electricity portfolio.
LEBARON