ENERGY SECRETARY BODMAN AND KUWAITI AMIR DISCUSS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 002898 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS LONDON FOR TSOU DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR SECRETARY BODMAN DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR IE EB/ESC/IEC FOR GALLOGLY, DOWDY; NEA/ARP FOR JACKSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2016 TAGS: ENRG EPET OVIP PREL KU SUBJECT: ENERGY SECRETARY BODMAN AND KUWAITI AMIR DISCUSS MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT, IRAN, IRAQ, AND KUWAIT,S OIL SECTOR REF: KUWAIT 2776 Classified By: CDA Matt Tueller for reason 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C/NF) Summary: During a July 17 meeting with Kuwaiti Amir Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and new Energy Minister Shaykh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Energy Secretary Bodman congratulated the GOK on recent landmark parliamentary elections, thanked the Amir for Kuwaiti support of USG efforts in Iraq, and welcomed his new Kuwaiti counterpart. The Amir welcomed the visit, urging USG intervention to bring about a cessation of the violence in Lebanon which he feared would breed more terrorism. On Iran, the Amir downplayed the regime,s interference in Iraq, but reiterated the GOK,s position that Iran should not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. He emphasized that his greatest concern regarding Iran was Israeli action against Syria triggering an Iranian military response. The Amir promised a continued Kuwaiti commitment to stabilize and rebuild Iraq but criticized the Iraqi government for not effectively prioritizing projects or utilizing donated funds. He said internal politics and rivalry would slow the pace of Iraq's reconstruction. On Project Kuwait, the 8.5 billion USD project to bring in International Oil Companies (IOCs) to develop Kuwait,s northern oil fields, the Amir told Secretary Bodman that he expected the legislation to be approved, despite significant resistance, as the first item of business for the new Parliament after it returns from recess in October. End Summary. Secretary Bodman Congratulates Amir on Elections SIPDIS -------------- --- ¶2. (U) Secretary Bodman opened his July 17 meeting with the Amir by congratulating him on Kuwait,s June 29 parliamentary elections in which women voted and competed for office for the first time. He also welcomed his new counterpart, Energy Minister Shaykh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, and emphasized the importance of the strong and enduring relationship between the USG and GOK. Shaykh Sabah thanked the Secretary and expressed his disappointment that no women were elected to the Assembly. Also present were the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and senior members of the Amiri Diwan. Secretary Bodman was accompanied by the CDA, Chief of Staff Eric Burgeson, Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs Karen Harbert, Senior Foreign Policy Advisor Molly Williamson, Senior Advisor to the Secretary Ben Getto, Director of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Kevin Kolevar, Press Secretary Craig Stevens, and Econoff (notetaker). Amir Urges USG action to Curb the Violence in Lebanon -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C/NF) The Amir stated that responsibility for the escalation of violence in Lebanon was shared by various parties in the conflict, but he emphasized that Hizballah was a distinct entity from the Government of Lebanon, saying that the GOL would like to bring Hizballah under its control but is too weak to do so. Regardless of who is responsible, he added, action must be taken to stop the bloodshed. He urged the USG to call for a ceasefire and facilitate a negotiated resolution to the conflict. Suggesting that public outrage in the region was reaching dangerous levels, Shaykh Sabah remarked that, "Sometimes Arab leaders are compelled by their peoples to take certain positions even though these positions may not conform to the leaders, own judgment." The greatest danger, in his opinion, was that a continuation of the violence would breed more terrorism as enraged publics sought an outlet for their frustration. ¶4. (C/NF) The Amir took pride in announcing that Kuwait was the first country to deliver assistance to the Lebanese people since the outbreak of the violence. The GOK donated 20 million USD through the Red Crescent for humanitarian relief, specifically for food and medicine. Secretary Bodman congratulated the Amir for providing humanitarian relief to Lebanon and thanked him for sharing his perspective regarding the violent political situation. The Secretary emphasized that the USG also sought a prompt, peaceful, and lasting resolution to the current conflict in the Middle East. Threat of Iranian Intervention -------------- KUWAIT 00002898 002 OF 003 ¶5. (C/NF) Turning to Iran, the Amir observed that current Iranian interference in Iraq was relatively &light8 but that an increase in Iranian involvement would be dangerous for the entire region. In the Amir,s opinion, the greatest threat from Iran was from Ahmadinejad,s recent pledge to intervene against Israel if Syria were directly attacked. He expressed his fear of such an intervention spiraling into a large-scale regional conflict. Nonetheless, the Amir expressed his satisfaction with the recent statements made in Syria by Iran,s Foreign Minister suggesting that Iran was seeking a peaceful resolution through negotiations and a prisoner exchange. ¶6. (C/NF) With regard to the nuclear issue, the Amir said Kuwait has delivered its point of view directly to the Iranians in meetings with Supreme Leader Khamenei, President Ahmadinejad, and former President Rafsanjani. The GOK position is that the development of peaceful nuclear power could be a positive development for Iran as long as nuclear waste is not allowed to contaminate the Gulf. The Amir reiterated, however, that the acquisition of nuclear weapons by Iran was unacceptable and would pose a grave risk to the entire region. As to how to influence Iran, the Amir stated, "We have no influence in this matter; only big countries do." But he added that the issue of Iran,s nuclear ambitions must be resolved by peaceful means in order to avoid a repeat of the experience of Iraq. Kuwait Committed to Stability in Iraq though not Optimistic -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C/NF) The Energy Secretary expressed gratitude for the Amir,s significant and ongoing support for U.S. Forces in both Kuwait and Iraq and asked for the Amir,s perspective on stabilization and reconstruction efforts. The Amir pledged continued, strong support, but criticized the Iraqi government for failing to make the best use of funds provided by donor countries, including Kuwait. He said that the Iraqis had been slow in putting together requests for the appropriate programs and that $60 million already donated by Kuwait had been sitting idle. He added that the GOK has much more money to offer through the Kuwait Fund but that the Iraqis would have to improve their management before additional funding would be offered. ¶8. (C/NF) The Amir insisted that providing reliable electrical power should be Iraq,s first priority in reconstruction. He alluded to discussions between the Iraqi and Kuwaiti Energy Ministers regarding a proposal to have the private sector build an electrical plant in Northern Kuwait to provide power to Southern Iraq. These discussions are currently focused on whether Iraq would supply the natural gas to fuel the proposed plant. ¶9. (C/NF) Shaykh Sabah expressed support for Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki who visited Kuwait on 5 July (reftel). The Amir mentioned that Iraq was asking neighboring countries to assign ambassadors to Iraq but questioned how any government could be expected to send diplomats given the current security environment. He agreed that the GOK would assign an ambassador to Iraq if a secure location could be provided. (Note: The GOK has nominated Retired Chief of Staff General Ali Mu'mim as its Ambassador to Iraq. End note.) Launch of Project Kuwait Right Around the Corner, Again -------------- -------------- ¶10. (C/NF) When asked by the Energy Secretary about the prospects for foreign investment in the Kuwaiti oil sector, Shaykh Sabah said that he expected Project Kuwait, the 8.5 billion USD plan to invite International Oil Companies (IOC) to develop Kuwait,s northern oil fields, to be the first item on the Parliament,s agenda when it reconvenes in October. He predicted that despite strong reservations among some Members of Parliament, the project would finally be approved and implemented. (Comment: During Kuwait,s recent electoral campaign, Project Kuwait was criticized by pro-reform candidates who accused the Government of a lack of transparency regarding the structure and details of the prospective contracts. End Comment.) ¶11. (U) Secretary Bodman has cleared this message. KUWAIT 00002898 003 OF 003 ********************************************* * 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