FREEDOM AGENDA: SPEAKER PREDICTS FEW CHANGES IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000424

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KU FREEDOM AGENDA SUCCESSION
SUBJECT: FREEDOM AGENDA: SPEAKER PREDICTS FEW CHANGES IN
NEW GOVERNMENT; PROUD OF PARLIAMENT ROLE IN TRANSITION

Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) In a February 6 meeting with the Ambassador, National
Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi said the Amir would decide
"in the coming few days" whether or not to keep the Prime
Minister and Crown Prince positions separated. (Note: The
positions were separated for the first time since
independence in 2003. The Amir is expected to name a new
Prime Minister by the end of the week. End note.) He
explained the advantage of continued separation was that it
allowed the Crown Prince to avoid the "day-to-day problems of
Parliament"; on the other hand, relinking the two positions
would give the Prime Minister the protections afforded
constitutionally to the Crown Prince. He noted, however,
that whoever ultimately filled the position(s) was more
important than their separation or relinkage.


2. (C) Al-Khorafi said there was "no chance" a non-ruling
family Prime Minister would be appointed at this juncture in
Kuwait's political evolution, despite some political
associations' urgings, which he said carried "no weight." He
noted, however, that this could be a more serious possibility
if and when official political parties were permitted.
Although he refused to predict who would be nominated for
either position, Al-Khorafi said the ruling family was
particularly desirous to avoid division after the recent
succession controversy. Al-Khorafi predicted there would be
"not much change" in the new Government.

"All's Well That Ends Well"
--------------


3. (C) Characterizing the recent succession controversy as
"the most difficult task" he ever confronted, Al-Khorafi
commented, "All's well that ends well." He continued: "We
proved though the transition process that democracy is a
solution, and that the (Kuwaiti) Parliament is a real
institution and not just there for decoration." He hoped
members of Parliament (MPs) would capitalize on the "good
reputation, respect, and prestige" gained from Parliament's
prominent role in the transition process to strengthen the
legislative role and make progress on key legislation.

Political Reforms on Parliament Agenda?
--------------


4. (C) The Speaker confirmed that discussion of proposals to
reduce the number of electoral constituencies had been
postponed until June, and noted that the longer it was
delayed, the less likely it was to be passed before the 2007
parliamentary elections. On the Press and Publications Law,
Al-Khorafi said the Government had accepted judicial, rather
than Cabinet, jurisdiction over grievances, removing the
"major obstacle" to passage of the legislation. He admitted,
however, that "certain groups in Parliament" want to delay
the law. He confided to the Ambassador that he himself
worried about people opening dailies without proper
oversight, and possibly being exposed to external influences
by depending on financing from abroad.

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LeBaron