FREEDOM AGENDA: PARLIAMENT RECONVENES; REFORM BLOC

UNCLAS KUWAIT 004289 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR WALLER, NSC FOR RAMCHAND E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ECON KDEM KU NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FREEDOM AGENDA SUBJECT: FREEDOM AGENDA: PARLIAMENT RECONVENES; REFORM BLOC SWEEPS COMMITTEE ELECTIONS REF: A. KUWAIT 4206 ¶B. KUWAIT 4205 ¶C. KUWAIT 3826 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Parliament reconvened October 30 amid rising tensions between opposition MPs and the Government. In their customary speeches, the Amir, Prime Minister, and Speaker called for cooperation, development, and "national unity." The Prime Minister also presented details of the Government's $67.4 billion, four-year development plan. As expected, members of the recently-formed Reform Bloc swept the parliamentary committee elections, though pro-Government parliamentarians (MPs) still won a number of seats on key committees, suggesting some opposition MPs are still voting based on personal and/or tribal considerations. Parliament also approved the Reform Bloc's proposed timetable for discussing key issues in Parliament (ref A). End summary. Parliament Reconvenes; PM Outlines Government Program -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Parliament reconvened October 30 after a three-month summer recess and amid rising tensions between opposition MPs and the Government (ref A). The Amir, Prime Minister, and Speaker delivered customary speeches marking the occasion, all of which focused on the need for cooperation, development, and "national unity." The Amir proposed holding a national conference on education and teaching, making use of the "experience of advanced countries to serve our national needs and nurture a new generation qualified to build a good future for the homeland." The Prime Minister presented details of the Government's ambitious development program, which envisions 690 projects costing $67.4 billion over the next four years. Among the projects he proposed were construction of several new hospitals, a 3000-megawatt power station, and a new international port, and expansion of Kuwait's fibre optics network and international airport. Opposition MPs Sweep Committee Elections -------------- ¶3. (SBU) As expected, members of the recently-formed Reform Bloc, an umbrella grouping of the three opposition blocs (ref A),swept elections for Parliament's 11 standing and 7 ad hoc committees, winning a majority on every committee except the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, which was split between opposition and pro-Government MPs. (Note: The 16 Cabinet members, who serve as ex officio MPs in the 65-member Parliament, vote for parliamentary committees, but are not eligible to run themselves. End note.) The Reform Bloc failed to capture the important posts of Secretary General and Sergeant-at-Arms on the National Assembly Bureau, the Parliament's administrative body, suggesting some members of the bloc are still voting according to personal and/or tribal considerations. Editorials in local press October 31 interpreted this as a "failure" and argued that the Reform Bloc was "penetrated" by the Government and "tribalism." Among opposition MPs, Islamists won a majority in the Education, Health, Budgets and Closing Accounts, and Defense and Interior Affairs Committees. The committees are expected to meet later this week to elect a Chairman and Rapporteur. Parliament also unanimously approved a timetable for discussing key issues, as proposed by the Reform Bloc (ref A). Opposition Lighting Up the Grill -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Despite their public support for cooperation and dialogue with the Government, opposition MPs announced after the session that they would "grill" Minister of Information Mohammed Al-Sanousi early next year, a move likely to increase tensions between the Government and Parliament. There are some rumors, however, that the Prime Minister could reshuffle the Cabinet in the next few weeks, removing several controversial ministers to relieve pressure on the Government. ********************************************* * 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