GOK PROPOSES LATE AUGUST-EARLY SEPTEMBER DATES FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001145 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP, S/CPR; NSC FOR RAMCHAND E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2016 TAGS: OVIP PREL PGOV KU SUBJECT: GOK PROPOSES LATE AUGUST-EARLY SEPTEMBER DATES FOR AMIR VISIT TO THE U.S. Classified By: CDA Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Mohammed Abul Hassan, Political Advisor to Kuwaiti Amir Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, informed the Charge April 3 that the Amir appreciated the President's invitation to visit the White House and hoped a two-day visit could be scheduled between August 25 and September 16, 2006. Abul Hassan said the proposed trip would be Shaykh Sabah's third visit to the United States since 2003, but his first as Amir. He added that the visit would be the Amir's first foreign visit outside of the Arab world and the United States was his preferred first destination because of the close and supportive bilateral relationship. ¶2. (C) Abul Hassan explained the GOK hoped such a visit would highlight the strong ties between the U.S. and Kuwait, and acknowledge progress on bilateral issues such as TIFA and an Open Skies agreement. The Charge reviewed for Abul Hassan the recent visit of a USTR official and the actions needed by Kuwait for TIFA progress; he recommended that the GOK proceed with plans to convene a May TIFA Council. He identified continued progress on IPR and addressing the taxation of foreign companies as other action items that would lay the foundation for a productive visit. In addition to a meeting with the President, the Amir seeks meetings with the Vice President and Members of Congress. ¶3. (C) Action Request: Abul Hassan, former Minister of Information and former GOK PermRep in New York, said he would be the primary interlocutor on the visit agenda and that he hoped to see a high profile visit. In recognition of Kuwait's steadfast support for U.S. and coalition efforts in Iraq as well as the $500M contribution for Hurricane Katrina relief, Post recommends that every effort be made to set dates for a two day visit to the U.S. by the Amir with events that meet the GOK objective of highlighting the close relationship. ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * TUELLER