OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT WITH KUWAIT SIGNED

UNCLAS KUWAIT 003536 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE PARIS FOR NLARBI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR BEXP PGOV KU SUBJECT: OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT WITH KUWAIT SIGNED Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution. ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 5. ¶2. (SBU) On August 30, Ambassador LeBaron and Kuwait's President of Civil Aviation Yacoub Al-Saqer signed an Open Skies Agreement (OSA) on civil air transport. The signing ceremony was held at the offices of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation at Kuwait International Airport and included brief statements by both signers addressing the benefits of the agreement. Minister of Communications Dr. Maasouma Al-Mubarak joined the group after the ceremony to participate in a brief press event. In his remarks, the Ambassador stressed the benefits of unrestricted air services and free competition. Dr. Al-Mubarak said the agreement is part of the GOK's larger strategy to transform Kuwait into a regional financial and economic center. ¶3. (SBU) Prior to the signing ceremony, the Ambassador met for a courtesy call with Al-Saqer. The Ambassador thanked Al-Saqer for his and his staff's work in completing the agreement, and stated that the agreement will enhance ties between the United States and Kuwait. Al-Saqer noted that traffic at Kuwait's airport had grown 10% per year since 2003, and said he hoped the agreement would help spur further growth. He said that there are now 55 different airlines flying into Kuwait, including codeshares, and that the new Kuwait-based private carriers Wataniyya and Load Air anticipate beginning flights in 2007. Jazeera Airways is already operating in competition with Kuwait Airways. Al-Saqer also outlined the planned expansion of Kuwait's airport terminal, saying that the first stage (to be completed by 2011) would increase passenger capacity from the current 6 million per year to 14 million per year. The Ambassador noted United Airlines' plans to begin non-stop service to Kuwait in October, and asked for Al-Saqer's assistance in ensuring that the necessary security arrangements would be implemented. Al-Saqer said that he stands ready to help, and that his staff will assist as necessary. ¶4. (U) The meeting and signing ceremony were also attended by Deputy Director General of Civil Aviation Fawaz Al-Farah and Acting Director of Air Transport Salah Al-Majed, who oversaw the OSA negotiation process for the GOK. About fifteen Kuwaiti news organizations participated in the press conference following the signing. ¶5. (U) Action Request: It is Post's understanding that, per language contained in the text, the agreement shall be provisionally applied from the date of signature and shall enter into force on the date of the later note in an exchange of diplomatic notes between the United States and Kuwait confirming that each party has completed the necessary internal procedures for entry into force of the agreement. Post requests department guidance on next steps to be taken to finalize implementation of the agreement. ******************************************** For more Embassy Kuwait reporting, see: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/cables Or Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ******************************************** LeBaron