(C) TFLE01: GOK CALLS ON U.S. TO PRESSURE ISRAEL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 002836 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP AND TFLE01 E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV KU SUBJECT: (C) TFLE01: GOK CALLS ON U.S. TO PRESSURE ISRAEL TO STOP ALL OPERATIONS; SHARES CONCERNS ABOUT IRAN AND SYRIA Classified By: CDA Matthew H. Tueller for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C/NF) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Khaled Al-Jarallah convoked the Charge on July 15 to convey a message from the Amir to President Bush about the situations in Lebanon and the West Bank. Al-Jarallah described Lebanon and Palestinian areas as "boiling now" and said recent developments made am already complicated region much more precarious. He said he was under instructions from the Amir to ask the U.S. to place more effort on encouraging Israel to cease all military operations in Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza. ¶2. (C/NF) Al-Jarallah continued that the escalation of violence hurt civilians most and commented that the Israeli response "puts your (U.S.) friends in the region in a difficult situation." He said the GOK was aware of U.S. statements and hoped the effort would continue and succeed in getting Israel to stop the attacks. Referring to the July 14 statement by Saudi Arabia, he informed the CDA that Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed also condemned Hizbollah's actions before departing for the Arab League meeting in Cairo. The FM will press AL members to issue a balanced statement similar to Saudi text. Al-Jarallah was hopeful that "something positive" would be issued the evening of July ¶15. ¶3. (C/NF) The CDA appreciated GOK concern and its constructive approach, and restated Israel's right to self-defense. He offered condolences on the deaths of two Kuwaitis killed during an attack in Tyre and reconfirmed U.S. engagement, noting that NEA Assistant Secretary Welch was in the region, informing Al-Jarallah of calls by the Secretary to her counterparts, referring to presidential statements, and advising him of the increase in U.S. assistance to the Palestinian people. He also welcomed an AL statement along the lines of the Saudi statement and encouraged the GOK to make AL members aware of the destructive influence of Iran and Syria. Al-Jarallah agreed that Iran and Syria fueled the escalation of violence and Syria's role only encouraged Hizbollah supporters who sought to control all of Lebanon on behalf of Syria. He continued that Iran and Syria must immediately stop their provocation and said Egypt had delivered a strong message to both governments. He was confident Shaykh Dr. Mohammed would speak to Syrian FM Mu'allim while in Cairo and expected Saudi FM Prince Saud Al-Faisal to do the same. ********************************************* * 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