NEA A/S WELCH'S JUNE 3 MEETINGS WITH KUWAITI

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 KUWAIT 002066 SIPDIS SIPDIS NOFORN FOR NEA AND NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2016 TAGS: PREL IR IZ KPAL KU SUBJECT: NEA A/S WELCH'S JUNE 3 MEETINGS WITH KUWAITI LEADERSHIP REF: KUWAIT 1624 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: In June 3 meetings with NEA A/S Welch, the Kuwaiti leadership affirmed support for the U.S. position on talks with the Iranian government and offered advice that the USG keep its public statements low-key, exercise maximum patience in sticking with talks, and continue to exert diplomatic pressure to change Iranian behavior. The Amir noted differences within the GCC on how to deal with Iran and said it would be useful for the U.S. and GCC members to coordinate approaches on how to deal with the Iranian threat. The Prime Minister opined that Iran was testing international resolve, that it was close to realizing a redline was being approached, and that this would bring it to negotiations. On Iraq, the Amir said Kuwait was doing all it could to assist the new government, but the problems Iraq faced were great and there was little the neighbors could do that was not already being done. On assistance to the Palestinians, the Amir said Kuwait sought to stay out of internecine struggles, but would meet fully all obligations to the Palestinian people. In an aside with A/S Welch, Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed said he would attend the June 21-22 Arab League meeting in Baghdad, but had doubts about the proper role of the Arab League now that a permanent Iraqi government had been elected. He also noted differences among GCC states on whether to focus only on the Iranian nuclear issue or take up a wide range of problems with Iran. End Summary. Iran -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) In back-to-back meetings with Amir Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Crown Prince Shaykh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Prime Minister Shaykh Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah, and National Security Bureau President Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, NEA A/S Welch thanked Kuwait for its timely public statement of support for the Secretary's May 31 position on joining talks with Iran and briefed the Kuwaitis in general terms on the USG approach of incentives and disincentives to change Iranian policy. The Amir said that Kuwait had high hopes that the diplomatic approach would yield results. Kuwait had recently received many senior Iranian officials and believed that delivering a consistent message was the key. Noting the devastation of the Gulf states and the pollution of their drinking water in the event of an Iranian nuclear accident, the Amir said Kuwait had more to fear from a nuclear Iran than even the U.S. and had been very direct in telling the Iranian president and others that Iran should listen to the message from the international community and maintain a dialogue with the IAEA, EU, and international community. ¶3. (S/NF) The Amir said it was important that the U.S. keep it public statements very low key so as not to do anything that would disrupt the pressure that was building on Iran to sit down and negotiate. Alarmist or belligerent statements from the U.S. eroded regional confidence and backed Iran into a corner. Most importantly, he counseled that the USG exercise patience, take it slow, and stick with the diplomatic option. ¶4. (S/NF) In response to a question about the approach being taken by the GCC, the Amir supported a U.S. dialogue with the GCC on mitigating the risks presented by Iran's nuclear program. GCC Foreign Ministers were meeting in Riyadh later in the day to continue discussions on Iran and other regional threats. While there were some differences within the GCC on Iran, all the members feared the growing threat in a region already facing an overload of security threats. Qatar had presented some new ideas in a paper (provided to us and passed to A/S Welch) that the ministers would consider in addition to the proposals presented by Kuwait at the May 6 Consultative Summit (reftel). National Security Bureau President Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled stressed the importance of GCC unity and not allowing Iran to see "any gaps in our views." Commenting on the GOK-proposal for a GCC team to travel to Tehran, Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled said Oman had yet to propose travel dates. He noted that the Omani FM, who would lead the team, is busy on a trip to North Africa for the next week. ¶5. (S/NF) The Amir concluded that it was important that if the U.S. and Iran were able to enter into talks, that the agenda not be limited to the nuclear issue. It was important to get into Iraq and other problems as well. A/S Welch said KUWAIT 00002066 002 OF 004 our focus would be on the nuclear matter. We expected Iran would introduce other topics and it would be important to us as to be able to raise issues like support for terrorism and Iran's role in Lebanon. The point, however, was a negotiation on nuclear issues, not a new "bilateral negotiation." ¶6. (S/NF) The Prime Minister echoed the Amir's remarks, but questioned how Iran could be allowed to come so close to developing a nuclear weapon. He argued that Iran's enrichment program was not a new initiative, took seven to eight years to develop, and was aided by Pakistan, China, North Korea, and Russia. A/S Welch responded that the U.S. had long ago raised the alarm about Iran's nuclear program, but it took time for the international community to become seriously organized to address the threat. There was now agreement that Iran can develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, but there was also agreement that Iran should not possess a nuclear weapon, using the fuel cycle to do so. He explained to both the PM and Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled that Iran would be given some time, but not forever, to review the proposal and that a upcoming series of meetings -- U.S.-EU Summit, G-8, and UNGA -- presented opportunities for the U.S. and its partners to review progress with Iran. Iraq -------------- ¶7. (S/NF) The Amir said that Kuwait and Iraq's neighbors were determined to help the new government succeed, but the security situation meant that it would take time to make progress. There was a humanitarian disaster taking place due to the killings and violence. A/S Welch said it was crucial that Iraq's Arab friends strengthen ties with Iraq and exert efforts to quicken the pace of economic reconstruction. Responding to the request that Kuwait establish a diplomatic presence in Baghdad, the Amir said his view was that having more Arab diplomats in Iraq would contribute little to the main task of establishing calm, but could in fact exacerbate the security challenges faced by the government and inflame the insurgency. The PM argued that the new government, if it builds a solid base and puts the right people in the key positions of defense and interior ministers, could quell the violence. ¶8. (S/NF) Numerous Iraqi envoys had come with requests for economic assistance, but they wanted cash and Kuwait insisted on targeting its aid to specific projects and maintaining accountability. He offered his views on Iraq as a fractured and violent landscape reverting to tribal mentality. The army and police were under the control of militias and the absence of security was undermining the government's credibility. A/S Welch emphasized that the next 3-6 months were critical and that the current government was the one with which we had to work. Shaykh Sabah reiterated that Kuwait would do all it could to help. The NSB President said Kuwait welcomed planning for another Iraq neighbors' gathering, but said it preferred Turkey as a meeting site over Iran. Foreign Minister on Iraq and Iran -------------- ¶9. (S/NF) Between meetings with the Amir and the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah spoke privately with A/S Welch about how best to manage the Arab League's efforts to support the political process in Iraq. The Foreign Minister said he would attend the June 21-22 meeting in Baghdad. However, he was concerned about the mission of the meeting and the Arab League now that Iraq has a permanent government. He feared that the Arab League's efforts could be misunderstood as undercutting the current government by reaching out to Sunnis, and a way would need to be found to strike a balance. He recounted that Kuwait had provided $8 million to Adnan Dulaimi and Tareq Hashemi before the elections but it was not at all clear that this had produced positive benefits. The initial cooperation among like-minded Arab states needed reevaluation, especially now that the elections were completed and a government nearly formed. ¶10. (S/NF) On Iran, Shaykh Dr. Mohammed said differences remain among GCC states, and even in Kuwait, about the best way to address Iran issues. Should the focus be only on the nuclear issue or should it cover the full range of problematic Iranian behavior? The Amir favors concentration on the nuclear issue now. (Note: This seemed to contradict what the Amir had said in the earlier meeting. End note.) KUWAIT 00002066 003 OF 004 Commenting further on GCC differences, the Foreign Minister noted (as also mentioned by the Amir) that the Qataris have floated a paper that the GOK views as a counter-proposal to the paper they presented at the Riyadh informal GCC summit. The Qatari paper recommends building on paragraph 8 of UNSCR 598 (1987) which called under Chapter VII for the UNSYG to build a framework for regional security involving Iran and Iraq and regional partners. Assistance to the Palestinians -------------- ¶11. (S/NF) A/S Welch reviewed U.S. efforts to direct assistance to the Palestinian people while keeping money out of the hands of Hamas. He expected that soon there would be in place an international mechanism to direct aid to the Palestinians. In the meantime, it was also important to help shore up the position of President Abbas who was in a very difficult situation. The Amir agreed that the current situation put the Arab countries in a very uncomfortable position. Kuwait would pay all its dues to the Palestinians and would welcome any mechanism to ensure that the Palestinian Authority was accountable and that money went for its intended purpose; the GOK bluntly declined an Iranian request that it transfer funds to the PA. Kuwait was a small country with modest influence and mostly sought to avoid being placed in the middle of the conflict between Hamas and Fatah. The important thing was resolving the Palestinian issue. The PM said the GOK encouraged Khalid Mishaal to negotiate with Israel, stressing that a deadlock was unhelpful. A/S Welch stated the U.S. would welcome a change in Hamas' position and would like to see the Hamas-led PA prove itself as a government and accept the Quartet's conditions. NSB President Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled was notably hesitant about discreet support directly to Abu Mazen. Other Regional Concerns -------------- ¶12. (S/NF) Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled also raised terrorism in the region. He was appreciative of the strong, cooperative relationship between the U.S. and Kuwait and said that coordination with Saudi Arabia was also very good. He said the GCC was still reviewing the GCC proposal to establish an international C/T center in Bahrain and at their recent meeting, GCC interior ministers created a committee to thoroughly review the plan. (Note: This is the center proposed originally by Saudi Arabia to be located there. Now the Saudis support putting it in Bahrain. End note.) He was very concerned about Syria's behavior and said Iran sustains Hezbollah and also reaches Palestinian groups through Syria. He explained that Kuwaiti youth travel to Iraq through Syria and recounted that after the GOK informed the SARG of the presence of two Kuwaiti youth who attempted to enter Iraq from Syria, the SARG denied knowing anything about them. Due to lack of cooperation, Kuwait has intelligence officials in Syria to monitor the travels of Kuwaiti citizens. Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled added that another Kuwaiti CT tool is the promotion of moderation. The GOK just concluded a conference in London on tolerance and the importance of an interfaith dialogue and would convene a conference in New York later in the year. Bilateral Issues -------------- ¶13. (C/NF) A/S Welch confirmed to the PM receipt of GOK assurances that the six Kuwaitis detained at Guantanamo would be detained, prosecuted, and subject to surveillance and a travel ban if returned to Kuwait. He added that further discussion of the conditions necessary for their return was likely and he hoped the six would be repatriated before the Amir's planned fall trip to the U.S. A/S Welch mentioned that United Airline's recent decision to fly directly to Kuwait meant it was the first American carrier to resume travel to the Arab Middle East since 9/11. The PM welcomed all U.S. carriers and told the Ambassador a date would soon be scheduled to sign the Open Skies Treaty. ¶14. (U) A/S Welch has cleared this message. ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * KUWAIT 00002066 004 OF 004 LEBARON