EVOLVING IRAQ-KUWAIT BORDER CROSSING PROCEDURES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004638 SIPDIS SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR PBTS KU IZ SUBJECT: EVOLVING IRAQ-KUWAIT BORDER CROSSING PROCEDURES REF: KUWAIT 4173 Classified By: DCM Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C/NF) Summary. On December 5, Kuwait Ministry of Interior (MOI) and United States Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC) officials accompanied by Emboff met and discussed Kuwait-Iraq border crossing issues arising from recently altered MOI procedures. The MOI began using new procedures on November 17 in the wake of a high profile convoy hijacking and the kidnapping of private security personnel. The parties agreed to establish a working group to reach a standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding use of Navistar, the CFLCC controlled border crossing. The working group also agreed to address SOP's for operation of the new Coalition border crossing, K-Crossing, before it begins operation in February or March 2007. Given the the critical importance to OIF of the land link between Kuwait and Iraq, the Embassy will continue to work closely with U.S. military and GOK officials to ensure issues are resolved quickly. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On December 5, Kuwait MOI and Customs representatives met with CFLCC, Embassy, and Army Support Group Kuwait (ASG-K) representatives to discuss a range of border issues relating to military and civilian crossings of the Iraq-Kuwait border. The meeting was prompted by recently changed border crossing requirements imposed by MOI border officials following the hijacking of a private convoy and kidnapping of American and European private security contractors just north of the Kuwait-Iraq border near Safwan, Iraq. ¶3. (C/NF) Following that incident, the GOK began requiring that convoys using private security escorts use the nearby commercial border crossing at Abdaly, whether carrying military or non-military supplies. The central issue at the meeting was what procedures applied to private convoys carrying goods under military contract and seeking to use the Navistar Coalition Crossing. MOI also raised the question of what procedures applied to large private contractors that have both military and non-military contracts. The MOI concern is that some of these contractors might be using Navistar for its non-military contract trips, thus avoiding Kuwaiti customs and immigration controls. (Note: An issue of significance that was not discussed was whether private contractors delivering fuel to non-MNF-I customers would be able to continue using Navistar under a current policy which allows exceptions to the general "military use only" policy if the cargo is deemed "in support of the military effort." End note.) ¶4. (C/NF) It was agreed that a working group (consisting of representatives from GOK Immigration, Customs and Border Security and from the U.S. Area Support Group Kuwait and 377th Transportation Support Command) would be formed to agree on standard operating procedures for private convoys. There was agreement in principle that private contractors carrying goods under coalition military contract would continue to be able to use the coalition crossing if traveling with U.S. military escort. They would not be able to use the coalition crossing if they were using private security escorts. The working group will meet by December ¶19. ¶5. (C/NF) The working group will also address SOPs for K-Crossing, the new coalition crossing point on the western Kuwait-Iraq border before it opens for operation in February or March. According to CFLCC and ASG-Kuwait reps, K-Crossing SOPs will conform with the current MOU that governs the border crossing except for the above terms regarding private convoys with military contracts. Other Issues -------------- ¶6. (C/NF) In addition to the issues of private convoys, the working group will also address the question of categories of goods subject to inspection by MOI Customs officials at coalition crossing points. Specific mention was made that cement and construction rebar were subject to inspection. According to CFLCC reps, an SOP is needed because the categories of goods currently being inspected by Customs officials varies according to the inspectors. ¶7. (C/NF) The MOI raised questions about the lack of immigration information on the new K-Crossing Card issued by ASG-Kuwait to all persons authorized to use military border crossings. The MOI cited the need for inclusion of the National Identification number and the Residency number on the Card to allow them to adequately track the current KUWAIT 00004638 002 OF 002 immigration status of foreign workers. BG Thurgood of the 143rd TRANSCOM said his office would examine the issue to see what could be done. 8,000 of the new cards have already been issued. ********************************************* * 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