DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ADDRESSING UN FINANCIAL

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001397 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, SA/A FOR NKROMASH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PGOV PREL AF KU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ADDRESSING UN FINANCIAL SHORTFALLS FOR ELECTION COSTS IN AFGHANISTAN REF: STATE 57541 ¶1. (SBU) On April 23, Econoff delivered reftel points to Mansour Alolaimi, First Secretary and Division Director for Afghanistan and Iran at the Ministry of ForQn Affairs. Alolaimi, appearing receptive but noncommittal, explained that only the Foreign Minister, with the approval of the Prime Minister, would be able to decide what amount, if any, the GOK would provide in support of the Afghan Independent Election commission. ¶2. (SBU) Pointing to the GOK's original $30M grant assistance to Afghanistan pledged at the 2002 Tokyo conference, Alolaimi added that Kuwait was always ready and willing to assist its "Afghan brothers and sisters." The USG request would be conveyed to the MFA's Undersecretary for subsequent review by the Foreign Minister with a reply expected in the coming days, he explained. Post will follow-up with the MFA regarding this issue and will report accordingly. ******************************************** For more Embassy Kuwait reporting, see: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Or Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ******************************************** LEBARON