Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06KUWAIT1451 | 2006-04-27 08:33:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Kuwait |
VZCZCXRO6271 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHKU #1451 1170833 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 270833Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4156 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY |
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001451 |
1. (C) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Khaled Al-Jarallah told the Ambassador April 26 that April 16-17 discussions with former Iranian president Rafsanjani failed to produce any flexibility from the Iranian government on its nuclear ambitions. Al-Jarallah said what was supposed to be a private trip in response to a longstanding Kuwaiti invitation, was in fact "almost official." Rafsanjani met with the Amir and Prime Minister Shaykh Nasser Al-Mohammed who both stated GOK concerns, expressed GCC desire for a "peaceful solution," and encouraged the GOI to "say something positive." The GOK further called for "positive steps vis-a-vis the IAEA and the international community." Instead, Rafsanjani told the same story: the GOI nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, GCC states have nothing to fear, and Iran's nuclear success will benefit the entire regime. 2. (C) Al-Jarallah described as "strange" a press report the day after the Rafsanjani visit to Kuwait citing Rafsanjani that Kuwait and the GCC would stand by Iran in the event of a military confrontation with the U.S. Jarallah said, "this is not true." He continued that Amir Shaykh Sabah told Rafsanjani to "be realistic because there is nothing to be gained from escalation." Al-Jarallah said Rafsanjani occasionally characterized the nuclear issue as a U.S.-GOI problem, but generally focused on Iran's purported right to nuclear technology. Rafsanjani also talked about bilateral issues such as the ongoing maritime boundary dispute, but without any clear result. Al-Jarallah commented that Rafsanjani's general discontent with the new Iranian President was palpable and the former president, in "polite language" alluded to internal conflict in Iran, but was careful not to be explicitly critical. GCC Will Support UNSC Resolution on Iran -------------------------- 3. (C) Turning to the expected April 28 IAEA report, the Ambassador asked Al-Jarallah about GCC views on a UN Security Council resolution and invoking Chapter VII. Al-Jarallah responded that publicly, the GCC preferred to keep all channels of communication open, but quickly added, "I'm sure it's a hopeless cause," and stated confidently the GCC would support a unified UNSC position. He agreed with the Ambassador that Iran's nuclear aspirations were a global problem. He further told the Ambassador GCC Heads of State would discuss Iran at a May 6 summit in Riyadh. The Ambassador urged Jarallah to make sure that the Russians and the Chinese were aware of strong Kuwaiti and GCC views about the danger of Iranian nuclear developments. Jarallah stated he had recently met with an adviser to Putin (he did not remember the name) and had made the GOK's views known. Ambassador Presses for PSI Endorsement -------------------------- 4. (C) On a related issue, the Ambassador reviewed with Al-Jarallah the April 11 visit of Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Joseph and encouraged the GOK to endorse the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). He said other Gulf states had indicated interest in PSI and would participate in a May meeting in Poland. He encouraged Kuwait PSI endorsement and participation. ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * LEBARON |