DRAFT U.S. STATEMENT FOR 28th MEETING OF

1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraphs
2 and 3.



2. (U) Action request: The Tripartite
Commission on Gulf War Missing will meet in Kuwait
on November 15, 2005. Post requests Department
approval of the below statement to be delivered by
the Ambassador. Post would appreciate approval by
OOB Monday, November 14.



3. (SBU) Begin text of U.S. statement:

The United States commends the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its enduring
commitment to resolve the status of the numerous
Iraqis, Kuwaitis, Saudis, as well as the many
others who failed to return home following the
1990-1991 Gulf War. We now know that many of
these civilians and military personnel did not
survive the brutalities meted out by the regime of
Saddam Hussein, and we are pleased to be a part of
this international effort to acknowledge their
sacrifices and console the families and friends
who miss them.

We would also like to extend our appreciation to
the Government of Kuwait for hosting this 28th
meeting of the Tripartite Commission (TPC). Our
presence here, in a country ravaged by the 1990-
1991 war, is testimony to the progress achieved
since that difficult period in our shared history.
We applaud the continued cooperation of TPC
members and look forward to a time when all
victims have been identified and repatriated, and
when we can work together on other issues to shape
a more secure and prosperous future.

We welcome the attendance and participation of the
delegation representing the Iraqi Transitional
Government (ITG). We applaud the ITG's dedication
to building a strong, democratic Iraq and consider
its close cooperation with its neighbors on this
humanitarian issue to be an important step in
strengthening relations with its regional
partners. We hope that one day soon we will all
be able to accept the invitation extended at our
last meeting in Geneva to meet in Baghdad.

Since our meeting last November, more gravesites
have been discovered and more victims have been
identified. Still, many -- among them Kuwaitis,
Saudis, Egyptians, Lebanese, countless Iraqis,
many others, and our own Captain Michael Scott
Speicher -- remain missing. It is our deepest
hope that our joint efforts will help to locate
these brothers and sisters, and console their
families. We appreciate the willingness of the
Government of Kuwait to compare a sample of CPT
Speicher's DNA against its database of
unidentified remains. While there was no match,
we hope this approach will inspire additional
creative ways to identify those murdered or
missing as a result of Saddam Hussein's
dictatorship. Just as you are determined to
locate and repatriate your countrymen, we are
steadfast in our resolve to bring CPT Speicher
home, and are confident that together, we will
achieve our goals. Through this committee and
bilaterally, we are prepared to help.

End Text.


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LEBARON