SUPPORT FOR IRAQI GOVERNMENT FORMATION: KUWAIT

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001818 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA, NEA/I, AND NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KU IZ SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR IRAQI GOVERNMENT FORMATION: KUWAIT ONE OF THE FIRST COUNTRIES TO CONGRATULATE NEW GOVERNMENT REF: STATE 81632 ¶1. Kuwaiti Amir Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent messages of congratulations to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki shortly after the May 20 vote of confidence approving the new Cabinet. According to the press, the Amir "wished the new government members success in order to serve the Iraqi people and help Talabani achieve his goals to build Iraq and lead it to more prosperity." Hamid Al-Shareefi, the Iraqi Charge in Kuwait, told post Kuwait was "the first" country to congratulate the new Iraqi government and the GOI appreciated the support. He added that he would issue a press statement acknowledging Kuwaiti and U.S. support for the political process in Iraq. ¶2. The Ambassador issued May 21 a statement congratulating the Iraqi Cabinet, reaffirming U.S. support for the government and people, and encouraging Kuwait to continue its humanitarian and political support to Iraq. ********************************************* * 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