KUWAIT TO HOLD MODERATION CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 003650 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2016 TAGS: PGOV KIRF KU SUBJECT: KUWAIT TO HOLD MODERATION CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON NOVEMBER 17 - 19 REF: A. KUWAIT 3167 ¶B. KUWAIT 2257 ¶C. KUWAIT 1741 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C/NF) The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs (MAIA) has informed Post in a diplomatic note dated August 30 that it will hold its Moderation Conference (reftels) in Washington, DC from November 17 - 19. The event will not be a conference in the traditional sense: it will not be open to the public and it will not seek to convey any of its proceedings to a wider audience through the press or publication of papers. The MAIA wants to gather American Muslims to exchange views on issues of concern to their community. This year's meeting will be in preparation for a conference in 2007 aimed at presenting the concerns of American Muslims to the USG. The dip note reiterates MAIA's previous commitment (ref A) that the GOK would keep Post abreast of developments regarding the conference. Saad Al-Hajji, the director of the Family Development Department at MAIA and a member of the team that went to the U.S. for preparatory meetings (ref A),told PolOff on September 6 that MAIA will provide Post with a full list of participants as well as the agenda before this year's event begins. ¶2. (C/NF) Comment: Post recommended to Al-Hajji that the GOK find an appropriate U.S. institution to partner with in setting up the conference, such as a university, foundation, or think tank. Al-Hajji agreed that someone with local knowledge would be useful in operating in the U.S. He reported that the Kuwaiti Embassy in Washington was planning to hire a private company to help with the logistics. Since this year's conference is meant to be a closed strategy meeting for American Muslims (ref A),the lack of a U.S. partner institution should not be a major problem. In its ongoing contacts with MAIA, Post will emphasize that the credibility of next year's conference may rely on finding a legitimate partner institution. Post will encourage MAIA to use this year's event in the U.S. as an opportunity to start making institutional connections. End Comment. ********************************************* * 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