FREEDOM AGENDA: AMBASSADOR URGES WORDS TO MATCH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 005135

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM SOCI KU FREEDOM AGENDA
SUBJECT: FREEDOM AGENDA: AMBASSADOR URGES WORDS TO MATCH
ACTIONS ON TOLERANCE, NOTES U.S. INTEREST IN REDISTRICTING

REF: A. KUWAIT 5100


B. KUWAIT 5083

C. KUWAIT 5016

D. KUWAIT 4590

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


1. (C) Summary: Kuwait FM Shaykh Dr. Mohammed told the
Ambassador December 14 that Kuwait had a strong record of
encouraging religious tolerance and did not need to respond
to calls by extremists to limit the construction of places of
worship other than mosques. The Ambassador agreed the GOK
has an established history of supporting Christian and other
groups in Kuwait, but encouraged the GOK to condemn
discriminatory statements made by elected officials and to
allocate more land for the construction of churches. The
Ambassador congratulated the GOK on the progress made toward
passing the Press and Publications Law and said noted the
apparent stall in progress on proposals to reduce the number
of electoral constituencies. He said the U.S. considered
electoral redistricting to be an important element of
Kuwait's political reform agenda and it would strengthen
democratic institutions by lessening the influence of
personalities and tribal relations on politics. The FM
argued that the size of the districts was a domestic issue
and had no bearing on Kuwait's commitment to strengthening
democracy.

Preaching What You Practice
--------------


2. (C) During a December 14 meeting with the Foreign
Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the
Ambassador congratulated the GOK on progress related to the
Press and Publications Law, noting it was a positive step in
efforts to strengthen democracy in Kuwait. On a less
positive note, the Ambassador regretted statements repeated
in the press by Islamist ideologue MP Walid Al-Tabtabaie that
licenses for construction churches or other places of worship
should be denied. He said such statements contradicted
Kuwait's history of religious tolerance and he encouraged the
GOK to disassociate itself from such views. The FM countered
that the MP's words were protected, free speech and that his
views were not new and the GOK simply ignored them. He added
that Kuwait has provided land, often prime real estate, to
religious groups and that its actions were sufficient proof
of its tolerance. The Ambassador appreciated the GOK's
actions, noted that this is an instance where words might
help as well, and encouraged the GOK to grant more land to
religious groups which were outgrowing their facilities.

FM on Redistricting: Watch and Wait
--------------


3. (C) Turning to the debate on reducing the number of
electoral constituencies, the Ambassador said Parliament's
decision to delay discussion was unfortunate (septel). He
reviewed the U.S. policy to promote and strengthen democratic
practices and institutions and said the GOK's electoral
reform proposals were important to Kuwait's political reform.
The FM questioned U.S. interest in the redistricting plans
and argued that the matter was a "very local, domestic
issue," asserting "it has nothing to do with the level of
freedom we give our MPs and the electoral process." He
expressed concern that U.S. interest in redistricting would
lead some MPs to believe there was international pressure for
electoral reform and recommended we "sit back, watch, and
enjoy the debate." In contrast, Shaykh Dr. Mohammed said the
May 16 decision to grant suffrage to Kuwaiti women was an
international issue and merited U.S and international
attention. He further encouraged the U.S. to take note of
the December 13 decision to open the voter registration lists
in January 2006, one month early.


4. (C) The Ambassador thanked the FM for his comments, and
restated that the U.S. views the proposals to decrease the
number of electoral constituencies and thereby limit the
influence of personality and tribe on Kuwaiti politics as a
key element of Kuwait's efforts to promote and strengthen
democracy. So as not to detract from the debate, the U.S.
would not make public statements on the issue, but would
continue to discuss the topic with GOK officials and Kuwaiti
politicians.

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LEBARON