FORCE ADJUSTMENT IN IRAQ: "FOLLOW-UP" INFORMATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 005281

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2007
TAGS: PINS PREL MARR MOPS IZ KU
SUBJECT: FORCE ADJUSTMENT IN IRAQ: "FOLLOW-UP" INFORMATION
PASSED TO KUWAITIS

REF: SECSTATE 231047

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

(C) The "follow-up" information on force adjustments in Iraq
was provided to the Foreign Ministry's Undersecretary on
December 28. Ambassador spoke to U/S Khaled Jarallah and
thanked him for Kuwait's understanding of the need to base a
brigade in Kuwait for contingencies in Iraq. The matter had
been previously brought to the attention of the Foreign
Minister, when the force adjustment was first announced. The
force adjustment has also been discussed on a number of
occasions in mil to mil channels, with a particular focus on
the stand by force to remain in Kuwait. Neither Foreign
Ministry of military interlocutors have indicated any
objections to the reserve force in Kuwait.
LeBaron