KUWAIT DEMARCHES DELIVERED: DONORS' AND SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 003534 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2016 TAGS: EAID PREL PHUM KU DEMARCHE SUBJECT: KUWAIT DEMARCHES DELIVERED: DONORS' AND SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO LEBANON REF: A. STATE 139903 ¶B. STATE 138390 ¶C. KUWAIT 3442 ¶D. KUWAIT 3369 ¶E. KUWAIT 3326 ¶F. KUWAIT 3309 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) Shaykh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah, Office Director for the Foreign Minister confirmed August 29 to EmbOff that Kuwait would attend the August 31 Donor's conference in Stockholm, Sweden and would be represented by Finance Minister Bader Al-Humaidhi and Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development Senior Economic Advisor Dr. Mundher Gargouri as an observer. Shaykh Dr. Nasser said Kuwait would reconfirm commitments already made and offer its "assistance, expertise, and advice on reconstruction matters." In addition to the GOK's $500 million deposit in the Central Bank of Lebanon for GOL use, the GOK has pledged $300 million for humanitarian assistance, provided $2 million to NGOs distributing relief supplies, and disbursed $20 million in emergency relief at the start of the crisis. The Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society has donated approximately 2,500 tons of food, medical supplies, blankets, and clothing. Kuwait also supplies annually 600,000 tons of diesel fuel to Lebanon at a concessional price (ref E). ¶2. (U) On August 30, MFA First Secretary and Acting Director of the Arab World and the International Organizations Departments Ahmad Al-Bakerat commented to EconOff that the Kuwaiti people will play an important role in Lebanon's reconstruction because of long-standing personal ties with the country. (Note: Lebanon is a popular vacation destination for Kuwaitis, many of whom own property there. End note.) ¶3. (C/NF) Post also reconfirmed that the GOL has provided the GOK with a list of its security assistance needs. As reported ref C, the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense are assessing the GOL's request. EmbOff delivered ref B demarche to Shaykh Dr. Nasser, provided him with the matrix of LAF/ISF needs, and encouraged Kuwait to seriously consider a one-year supply of fuel or 25 million liters gasoline and 13 million liters diesel; $15 million for border protection requirements; and $20 million for half of the new LAF facilities in the south. In separate letters, the Ambassador restated these requests to Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior Shaykh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah; FinMin Al-Humaidhi; and Acting MFA Undersecretary Mohammed Al-Roumi. ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * LeBaron