KUWAIT DEMARCHE DELIVERED: APPROACHING GULF ARAB

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 002563 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016 TAGS: PREL EAID PGOV KU IZ DEMARCHE SUBJECT: KUWAIT DEMARCHE DELIVERED: APPROACHING GULF ARAB STATES ON INVITATION TO IRAQI PM MALIKI REF: A. STATE 100470 ¶B. KUWAIT 1862 ¶C. KUWAIT 1818 Classified By: CDA Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C/NF) The Charge delivered June 27 to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Khaled Al-Jarallah ref A demarche encouraging Gulf states to invite Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki for an official visit. Referring to positive GOK statements following the formation of the new Iraqi government, he underscored the importance of Gulf state support to the GOI, reviewed the Iraq Compact and the suggestion that Kuwait be a part of the steering group, and asked whether the GOI had approached Kuwait on attending a July meeting to discuss assisting Iraq's economic reconstruction. Al-Jarallah responded that the GOK had not received an invitation from the GOI, but nevertheless was ready to help and appreciated a concrete plan and UN involvement. Saying, "It's about time," he called the Iraq Compact a good step and commented that Iraq has not been sufficiently proactive in reaching out to neighboring governments and identifying projects for foreign funding. Al-Jarallah questioned whether PM Maliki or other senior officials had enough time on their schedules to visit neighboring countries, but said they were always welcome in Kuwait. Qe also applauded recent developments in Iraq and said Kuwait welcomed the PM's reconciliation plan. ¶2. (C/NF) Commenting on bilateral assistance to the GOI, Al-Jarallah confirmed that funding was immediately available and said the GOK was waiting for Iraq to identify and prioritize projects. On debt relief, Al-Jarallah said parliamentary approval was necessary, and even though some members of the new parliament may question forgiving Iraqi debt, in the end, Kuwait would not stray far from what the international community had approved. ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * TUELLER