KUWAIT TO HAMAS' AL-ZAHAR: CHANGE YOUR WAYS OR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001449 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/FO AND NEA/ARP; LONDON FOR TSOU; PARIS FOR ZEYA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2016 TAGS: PREL PTER KU IS SUBJECT: KUWAIT TO HAMAS' AL-ZAHAR: CHANGE YOUR WAYS OR RISK FURTHER ISOLATION; NO KUWAITI MONEY TO THE PA REF: JERUSALEM 1378 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) During an April 26 meeting, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Khaled Al-Jarallah informed the Ambassador that the GOK delivered a clear message on the need to cooperate with the international community to Palestinian Authority (PA) Foreign Minister Mahmod Zahar during his April 25 visit to Kuwait. Al-Jarallah explained that Zahar arrived in Kuwait following a visit to Syria and would also travel to Bahrain and the UAE. It was clear he was looking for money. Kuwaiti FM Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah told Zahar the GOK would honor the financial commitment it made at the last Arab League summit, but at the same time, the GOK would also honor AL resolutions on support to the peace process. Al-Jarallah said the FM bluntly stated, "Don't think that we will support you and forget our other obligations." ¶2. (C) The FM did not comment on when funds would be disbursed, telling Zahar the provision of financial assistance depended on Hamas' behavior. Kuwait did not want to be in a "bad position" with the international community and its friends, and that positive action by Hamas would facilitate the flow of funds. Without immediate change in "language and behavior," Hamas would continue to be isolated, the FM stressed, noting the stance shared by the U.S., the EU, and Japan. Shaykh Dr. Mohammed told Zahar Hamas needed to engage Israel and the international community, and understand the requirements of the peace process. According to Al-Jarallah, an associate of Zahar told him that Syrian President Bashar al Asad conveyed a similar message. Al Asad reportedly told Zahar that although Syria does not recognize Israel, for the past ten years it has held discussions and negotiated with the GOI. ¶3. (C) Zahar pressed for funds and repeatedly asked Shaykh Dr. Mohammed if the Hamas-controlled PA met with Israel, would there be guarantees of what the PA would get in return? He stated a preference to opening talks on the Saudi-proposed Arab Peace Initiative, but also sought guarantees that the PA would receive all that the initiative proffers. ¶4. (C) Following the Zahar visit, the press reported an alleged GOK pledge of $7.5 million to the PA. Al-Jarallah refuted the reports and opined that the figure represented the monthly breakdown of the GOK $45 million pledge made at the AL summit. No funds have been transferred and the GOK did not intend to make them available until a transparent mechanism was in place. The FM told Zahar that Kuwait would not give the funds to Hamas and when Zahar suggested that money be transferred to the Arab League, the FM questioned what the AL would do with the funds. The Ambassador informed Al-Jarallah the U.S. would support the Palestinian people through UNWRA and NGOs. He encouraged the GOK to look at other ways by which to assist the Palestinian people and remarked that Al Quds University sought financial support (reftel). ********************************************* * 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/pQa/kuwait/ ********************************************* * LEBARON