Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUWAIT209
2006-01-23 15:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
SABAH FAMILY MEMBER SAYS MEETINGS TONIGHT "PIVOTAL"
how-to read a cableVZCZCXRO9043 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHKU #0209 0231527 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 231527Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2617 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000209
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NSC FOR RAMCHAND, LONDON FOR TSOU,
PARIS FOR ZEYA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL KU SUCCESSION
SUBJECT: SABAH FAMILY MEMBER SAYS MEETINGS TONIGHT "PIVOTAL"
REF: KUWAIT 208 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: DCM Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000209
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NSC FOR RAMCHAND, LONDON FOR TSOU,
PARIS FOR ZEYA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL KU SUCCESSION
SUBJECT: SABAH FAMILY MEMBER SAYS MEETINGS TONIGHT "PIVOTAL"
REF: KUWAIT 208 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: DCM Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Kuwaiti Ambassador to the U.S. Shaykh Salem Abdullah
Al-Sabah called the Ambassador the evening of January 23 on a
visa matter, but engaged in discussion of the topic of the
hour--ongoing Sabah family infighting over succession.
(Shaykh Salem is currently in Kuwait and presumably is
attending the family meetings at which the issue is being
discussed.) He said the family will be meeting that night,
with emissaries from the two factions shuttling between the
groups to bring about a resolution. The meetings tonight
will be "pivotal".
2. (C) Shaykh Salem was cautiously optimistic that a solution
would be reached. He claimed that 90 percent of the family
members were with Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah. All the
family members hoped to resolve the dispute internally
because nobody wanted to have the question of succession
decided by the National Assembly.
3. (C) He commented that it was not practical to have a
"symbolic" Amir (i.e. Shaykh Saad as a figurehead unable to
function for health reasons). Asked about the reaction of
neighboring states, Shaykh Salem said they were "concerned
but not worried". Their concerns were rooted in what Sabah
family infighting said about the image of the region and the
symbol of family unity.
*********************************************
Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
You can also access this site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website
*********************************************
LeBaron
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NSC FOR RAMCHAND, LONDON FOR TSOU,
PARIS FOR ZEYA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL KU SUCCESSION
SUBJECT: SABAH FAMILY MEMBER SAYS MEETINGS TONIGHT "PIVOTAL"
REF: KUWAIT 208 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: DCM Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Kuwaiti Ambassador to the U.S. Shaykh Salem Abdullah
Al-Sabah called the Ambassador the evening of January 23 on a
visa matter, but engaged in discussion of the topic of the
hour--ongoing Sabah family infighting over succession.
(Shaykh Salem is currently in Kuwait and presumably is
attending the family meetings at which the issue is being
discussed.) He said the family will be meeting that night,
with emissaries from the two factions shuttling between the
groups to bring about a resolution. The meetings tonight
will be "pivotal".
2. (C) Shaykh Salem was cautiously optimistic that a solution
would be reached. He claimed that 90 percent of the family
members were with Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah. All the
family members hoped to resolve the dispute internally
because nobody wanted to have the question of succession
decided by the National Assembly.
3. (C) He commented that it was not practical to have a
"symbolic" Amir (i.e. Shaykh Saad as a figurehead unable to
function for health reasons). Asked about the reaction of
neighboring states, Shaykh Salem said they were "concerned
but not worried". Their concerns were rooted in what Sabah
family infighting said about the image of the region and the
symbol of family unity.
*********************************************
Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
You can also access this site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website
*********************************************
LeBaron