Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KUWAIT4739
2005-11-13 07:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS INFORMATION-SHARING KEY TO

Tags:  PTER PBTS PGOV PREL KU IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5463
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS
DE RUEHKU #4739 3170740
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 130740Z NOV 05
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1685
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004739 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/ENA, IO/UNP, AND S/WCI; LONDON FOR TSOU;
PARIS FOR ZEYA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2015
TAGS: PTER PBTS PGOV PREL KU IZ
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS INFORMATION-SHARING KEY TO
FIGHTING TERRORISM; ENCOURAGES SYRIA TO COOPERATE WITH UN

REF: STATE 205225

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 004739

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/ENA, IO/UNP, AND S/WCI; LONDON FOR TSOU;
PARIS FOR ZEYA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2015
TAGS: PTER PBTS PGOV PREL KU IZ
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS INFORMATION-SHARING KEY TO
FIGHTING TERRORISM; ENCOURAGES SYRIA TO COOPERATE WITH UN

REF: STATE 205225

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


1. (C) Summary: During a November 12 meeting with Interior
Minister Shaykh Nawaf Al-Sabah, the Ambassador stressed the
needed to strengthen counterterrorism measures and said that
better cooperation between the U.S. and Kuwait, as well as
increased information-sharing, would help to prevent terror
attacks. He welcomed GOK pressure on Syria and supported the
Government's efforts to definitively resolve the border issue
with Iraq. Shaykh Nawaf agreed that closer coordination
would improve the GOK's CT capabilities. The Minister also
confirmed that the former Guantanamo detainees would be tried
and asked that the U.S. consider repatriating the remaining
Kuwaitis held at Guantanamo. End Summary.

C/T Cooperation
--------------


2. (C) The Ambassador opened his November 12 meeting with
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Shaykh
Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah by citing the November 9
suicide bomber attacks in Amman as evidence that no country
was beyond the reach of terrorism. He noted good cooperation
between the U.S. and the GOK, but said that there was room
for improvement. He identified solid intelligence as the
best way to prevent attacks and said the GOK needed to
improve its surveillance capacity, both physical and
technical, in order to head off attacks before they happen.
Shaykh Nawaf replied he appreciated the continuing, open
dialogue with the U.S. on counterterrorism and agreed that
sharing information was the basis for thwarting terrorists.
He said the GOK welcomed increased bilateral cooperation and
technical assistance. Commenting on surveillance, he said
the Kuwaiti constitution put some constraints on the scope of
such measures.

Syria: What Is He Thinking?
--------------


3. (C) On other issues affecting regional stability, the
Minister said Syrian President Bashar al Asad's November 10
speech to the UN General Assembly was not good for Syria and
was not what the GOK wanted to hear. He said Syria's motives
were unclear, but the GOK supported reform, compliance with
UNSCR 1636, and full cooperation with the international
community, a message he said the Foreign Minister recently
delivered to al Asad. The Ambassador welcomed GOK pressure
on the SARG and relayed reftel points.

Dealing With Iraq Border
--------------


4. (SBU) Turning to the Kuwait-Iraq border issue, Shaykh
Nawaf reported the November 11 arrival of UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan to Kuwait and restated Kuwait's
determination to permanently resolve the matter. He said the
GOK welcomed the anticipated November 19 visit of an Iraqi
delegation to visit the border area and said the GOK would
compensate displaced Iraqi farmers.

Guantanamo
--------------


5. (C) Commenting on the November 3 return of five
detainees from Guantanamo, the Minister said they had
received medical attention and were under detention. He
confirmed they would be tried in Kuwaiti courts. He
expressed hope that the remaining six detainees would soon be
repatriated.

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LEBARON