NSB PRESIDENT SHAYKH AHMED AL-FAHD WELCOMES GSD

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004425

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR PARM KU IR GCC
SUBJECT: NSB PRESIDENT SHAYKH AHMED AL-FAHD WELCOMES GSD
PAPER, GREATER COORDINATION ON IRAQ

REF: A) STATE 180168 B) KUWAIT 4390

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


1. (C/NF) Summary: NSB President Shaykh Ahmed welcomed the
GSD initiatives paper and said his staff is studying the
specific proposals. He noted that on some items, such as
critical infrastructure protection, we can and should begin
moving quickly. He looks forward to discussing some of these
issues with APHSCT Townsend next week. Shaykh Ahmed
registered his concern about rising Iranian influence in
Iraq, and called for greater coordination between Kuwait and
the U.S. in responding to it. He cited Kuwait's great
vulnerability to Iranian mischief, and offered to help play a
role in mediating between the Iraqi Sunni and Shia
communities. End Summary

GSD Welcome, Eager To Move on Critical Infrastructure
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2. (C/NF) In a meeting with the Ambassador November 7,
National Security Bureau (NSB) Director Shaykh Ahmed Al-Fahd
Al-Sabah welcomed the U.S. Gulf Security Dialogue initiatives
paper, and said his staff was studying both the Kuwait and
GCC regional issues involved. (Note: Shaykh Ahmed led the
Kuwaiti delegation at the first GSD meeting on September 5.)
He said that some of the issues will take time to study,
while others are already underway or can begin without delay.
He noted in particular the Critical Infrastructure pillar as
one area on which Kuwait is eager move quickly. Shaykh Ahmed
said Kuwait is ready for "an exchange of experts and advice,"
and suggested the U.S. send a team to review security issues
at specific sites with their Kuwaiti counterparts.


3. (C/NF) Shaykh Ahmed also suggested that the upcoming
visit of APHSCT Townsend would be an opportunity to discuss
infrastructure security issues, and offered to arrange a tour
of one of the Kuwaiti refineries focusing on security
measures now in place. He cited the threat from Hizbollah,
Iran, and Iraqi Ba'athist's, all of whom he said could
potentially target Kuwaiti energy infrastructure.

Iranian Threat Growing, Kuwait Vulnerable
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4. (C/NF) Citing these threats, Shaykh Ahmed also called
for greater U.S.-Kuwaiti coordination on Iraq. He said
several things have changed on the ground there. The Sunnis
are ready to turn against Al-Qaeda, realizing how destructive
its actions have been. They also believe Iran has gained
control of virtually all the cities of the south, and is
making inroads into Baghdad. Shaykh Ahmed said he agrees
with this view, and considers it a threat to Kuwait's
security. And while Maliki is a "good man," he is beholden
to Shia parties such as "Dawa and Hizbollah," and is allowing
Iranian infiltration of Iraqi security services.


5. (C/NF) Given these conditions, Shaykh Ahmed worried that
"we will lose the Sunnis" to any reconciliation, noting that
he has met with some of the Sunni leadership. "Much of what
they say is right," he said. Shaykh Ahmed said he feared a
situation where Iran is supporting the Shia, while the GCC
countries end up throwing their weight behind the Sunnis.
This would be bad for Kuwait, which is vulnerable to Iranian
mischief, and would affect the stability of the region more
generally.

U.S.-Kuwait Coordination on Iraq
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6. (C/NF) Shaykh Ahmed said Kuwait needs to understand the
U.S. strategy for dealing with this "complicated picture."
"We need a clear picture from the U.S., or we have to move
unilaterally (to protect our interests). And we don't want
to do anything unilaterally," he added. Ambassador said the
U.S. is very clear on its committment to leave Iraq a stable,
self-sufficient entity that will not pose a threat to our
friends and allies in the region. Shaykh Ahmed offered to
help facilitate dialogue between the major parties in Iraq,
noting that he had met and has a relationship with all sides.
"We can play a role," he said.


7. (C/NF) Iran, said Shaykh Ahmed, stands to gain the most
from the current instability. He noted that no one has good
intelligence on what is happening on the ground, with the
possible exception of the Iranians themselves. Iran may even
be able to reach and influence the Sunnis from its current
position, he suggested. Kuwait is directly threatened by
Iran's rising power in the region. He listed some of Kuwaits
vulnerabilities: "the energy sector is vulnerable,
foreigners are vulnerable." The bottom line, said Shaykh

KUWAIT 00004425 002 OF 002


Ahmed, is achieving better coordination and a clear plan.

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For more Embassy Kuwait reporting, see:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/cables

Or Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
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LeBaron