AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES TRAINING, FORCE PROTECTION,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003938 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV KU AA SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES TRAINING, FORCE PROTECTION, INTERNAL SECURITY WITH DEPUTY NATIONAL GUARD COMMANDER Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Deputy KNG Chief Shaykh Mishal Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah told Ambassador October 1 that President Bush had made a strong impression on the Amir, and that the Kuwaitis felt "like family" during the visit. He said he is pleased with progress the KNG has made under a training contract with U.S. contractor MPRI, and is inclined to renew. Integration of the various Kuwaiti security forces will be a focus in the coming period. Kuwait remains committed to protecting USG forces and personnel in Kuwait. He said among Kuwait's significant internal security challenges are extremism fed at least in part by dissatisfaction among some Kuwaitis with the large population of third country nationals and bidoons. End Summary. -------------- AMIR'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON: "LIKE FAMILY" -------------- ¶2. (C) Ambassador met October 1 with Deputy Kuwaiti National Guard (KNG) Chief Shaykh Mishal Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah. Shaykh Mishal is considered one of the three top decision makers in the Royal Family, and, as operational commander of the National Guard, plays a key role in protecting Kuwait's internal security. Shaykh Mishal remarked on the very postive atmosphere during the Amir's recent Washington visit (which he attended with his half-brother the Amir). He said the President had made a strong impression on the Kuwaitis, and left them with the feeling that the United States is "like family" to Kuwait, and a "friend that can be relied on." Shaykh Mishal particularly enjoyed his brief conversation with Vice President Cheney. -------------- -------------- NATIONAL GUARD PLEASED WITH U.S. CONTRACTS, LIKELY TO RENEW -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Mishal thanked the Ambassador for including Kuwait in the upcoming annual International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference in Boston, and noted the KNG's positive experience in police and security training cooperation with the United States. Mishal said he was pleased with the performace of U.S. contractor MPRI in training and equipping the KNG. He said he is inclined toward renewing MPRI's contract (which runs through next year) but has not made a final decision. He said he is looking at the possibility of focusing future training efforts on several key topics, including counter-terrorism response and emergency management of civilian facilities, such as gas stations and firehouses. ¶4. (C) Mishal said some early misunderstandings regarding a Lockheed Martin contract to provide a training facility to the KNG "have been solved," and he is pleased with progress on that contract as well. Overall, Mishal said he was pleased with the performance of the KNG, despite the presence of "some lazy personnel." He vowed to keep "pushing" for performance "with no excuses." -------------- NEXT STEP: INTEGRATION OF SECURITY FORCES -------------- ¶5. (C) Ambassador noted the importance as these efforts move forward of integrating the management and systems of the various Kuwaiti security agencies. Mishal agreed, noting the lack of uniformity in communications systems, weapons, vehicles, and other equipement across the Ministry of Interior, the KNG, the Armed Forces, and other agencies. He said new National Security Bureau Chief Shaykh Ahmed Al-Fahd is planning a joint meeting with security chiefs to address this issue. -------------- FORCE PROTECTION A PRIORITY -------------- ¶6. (C) Ambassador thanked Mishal for KNG efforts to protect U.S. forces and vehicle convoys in Kuwait, as well as stepped-up measures to improve security at the U.S. Embassy following anti-U.S.demonstrations in July. Mishal said protection of U.S. convoys was a priority for the KNG. He said he was pleased that work is progressing quickly on a new bypass road that will allow U.S. vehicles heading toward the Iraqi border to avoid built-up areas near Kuwait City, which will further improve security. As for the Embassy, Mishal noted that he had personally inspected Embassy security operations recently, and would continue to monitor closely the security situation there. KUWAIT 00003938 002 OF 002 -------------- KEY CHALLENGES: EXTREMISM, BIDOONS -------------- ¶7. (C) Mishal said Kuwait's biggest internal challenges come from "extremists" in its population, and from a failure on the part of some Kuwaitis, expecially in the Parliament, to come to terms with this. He cited moves to naturalize "bidoons," Arabs of undetermined origin who have resided in some cases for generations in Kuwait, as one of these issues. He complained that Kuwaiti hospitals and other services are overwhelmed by third country nationals to the detriment of Kuwaitis, and implied that this situation feeds extremism among some Kuwaitis. Ambassador noted the difficulties some bidoons face in getting access to health care and education, and suggested a partial solution might involve a permanent residency status that clarifies legal rights and obligations. (Note: Bidoons are naturalized in Kuwait only in very small numbers. End note) LeBaron