AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, REGIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003756 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ IR KU NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, REGIONAL ISSUES WITH DEPUTY SPEAKER Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C/NF) Summary: Acting National Assembly Speaker and Islamic Constitutional Movement MP Mohammed al-Bousairi told Ambassador September 17 that opposition MPs are ready to move ahead with their agenda, but need to look for pragmatic ways to work with the GOK. Opposition representatives are now working on setting priorities among core issues. The Islamic Constitutional Movement includes among its own priorities corruption, Sharia law, privatization, health care and education. Al-Bousairi warned of expanding Iranian influence in southern Iraq, and expressed concern about its possible effect on Kuwait and the Gulf. He cited rising sectarian tensions in Kuwait as one effect of regional tensions. End Summary -------------- - Reform Agenda Back In Play In Upcoming Session -------------- - ¶2. (C/NF) Ambassador met September 17 with National Assembly Deputy Speaker (and current acting Speaker) Dr. Mohammed Al-Bousairi. Al-Bousairi, a three-term MP, is one of six representives of the Islamic Constitutional Movement (ICM), the political arm of the Kuwaiti Muslim Brotherhood, now serving in the National Assembly. Al-Bousairi said he expects continued progress on the reform agenda when the Assembly returns October 30. "The desire for reform," he explained, "was reflected in the election results." Asked what lessons had been learned during the last election, Al-Bousairi said future campaigns will be marked by greater use of television, particularly private stations, professional, independent polling, and all the apparatus of modern election technology. Still, he noted, it is difficult to predict what new technologies or communications channels will emerge as critical factors, the way, for example, text messaging emerged in this past round. ¶3. (C/NF) Al-Bousairi said Kuwaitis "need to relax" after a tumultuous year marked by the death of the Amir, the early dissolution of the National Assembly, and historic elections that included women as voters and candidates for the first time. He said the Assembly needs to work with the Government "in a quiet way" to solve problems pragmatically. However, he acknowledged the possibility of tensions between the Government and the Assembly over reform legislation. (Note: in a separate conversation with PolChief, ICM SecGen Dr. Bader al-Nashi said he expects the new session to be "hot" and said neither the Islamists nor other opposition MPs would pull their punches with the Government. End Note.) -------------- Setting Priorities for the Opposition -------------- ¶4. (C/NF) Opposition MPs in Parliament, said al-Bousairi, are still working on formulating an agenda for the next session. Liberals and Islamists "compete for leadership" in setting reform priorities. Al-Bousairi said he believes opposition elements can work together focusing on specific issues, and said the sides are meeting now to look at options for the start of the next session. As for ICM priorities, al-Bousairi listed corruption (including public funds protection legislation),implementation of Sharia law, privatization, health care and education. On education, al-Bousairi cited a Reagan-era USG report, "Nation in Danger," noting that Kuwait faces a similar crisis in education today. -------------- Regional Challenges Ahead -------------- ¶5. (C/NF) On Iraq, al-Bousairi said southern Iraq is a "gate" for Iranian interests in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. He said Kuwaitis worry that the U.S. could "lose interest" in Iraq and its future, and that the "environment of extremism" in Iraq would spill over into Kuwait. Ambassador stressed the U.S. commmittment to a united Iraq, and the reconciliation process being pursued by PM Maliki. He cited the need for Kuwait and the GCC to take a more active role in supporting the Iraqi government, including through a more visible economic presence there. Al-Bousairi said Kuwait also supports the reconciliation process. He noted the recent visit of Iraqi Sunni politician Mohsen Abd al-Hamid to Kuwait where al-Hamid was urged to pursue cross-sectarian bridge-building. ¶6. (C/NF) Al-Bousairi warned that sectarian tensions are growing in Kuwait as well, citing the presence of Hizballah KUWAIT 00003756 002 OF 002 flags at recent demonstrations against the war in Lebanon. He warned that Iran "is active in Kuwait," and presents a challenge throughout the region. -------------- Bio Note -------------- ¶7. (C/NF) Al-Bousairi was re-elected in June 2006 with 3,947 votes, coming in second in his district; he was first elected in 1999. Al-Bousairi is from the Ajman tribe, and is one of six ICM MPs in Parliament. He is also part of the 18-member Islamic Bloc. Al-Bousairi was elected Deputy Speaker in July 2006, a position he will hold for the duration of the four-year parliamentary term. In January 2006, he and Dr. Nasser Al-Sane, another ICM MP, took the unprecedented and voluntary step of disclosing their personal financial records as an example to other parliamentarians, none of whom followed their lead. Like other Islamist MPs, Al-Bousairi opposed women's suffrage legislation, but nonetheless actively courted women's votes in the recent elections; he received 1,731 votes from women. Al-Bousairi received a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from a U.S. university in 1988. He also holds a PhD in the same field. He speaks English, but prefers to conduct meetings in Arabic. A full bio is available on our siprnet website. ********************************************* * 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