JANUARY 17 VICE PRESIDENT MEETING WITH KUWAITI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000465

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI
NSC FOR RAMCHAND, WHITE HOUSE FOR OVP HANNAH AND RAVICH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2016
TAGS: PREL OVIP KU
SUBJECT: JANUARY 17 VICE PRESIDENT MEETING WITH KUWAITI
PRIME MINISTER

Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reason 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (U) PARTICIPANTS:

U.S.
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The Vice President
Ambassador Richard LeBaron
NEA/PDAS Elizabeth Cheney
OVP Chief of Staff David Addington
National Security Advisor to the VP John Hannah
Deputy Assistant to the VP for NSA Samantha Ravich
Gamal Helal (interpreter)
DCM Tueller (notetaker)

Kuwait
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Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah Ahmad Al-Sabah
Foreign Minister Shaykh Muhammad Sabah Al-Sabah
PM Office Under Secretary Ahmad Al-Fahd
Ambassador to the U.S. Shaykh Salem Abdullah Al-Sabah
PM Office Under Secretary Shaykh Khalid Abdullah Al-Sabah
PM Advisor Muhammad Abulhassan
Shaykh Muhammad Abdullah Al-Sabah, Head of Citizens Follow-up
Department
Shaykh Nasser Mubarak Al-Sabah, President of CineMagic
Amiri Diwan Protocol Officer Khalid al-Roumi
PM Office Asst Under Secretary Shaykh Fawaz Saud Al-Sabah
(notetaker)

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Summary
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2. (C) On the night of January 17 at the Prime Minister,s
residence, Vice President Cheney conveyed condolences on
behalf of the President and the American people to Kuwaiti
Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad on the passing of Amir
Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The Prime Minister said Kuwait
would continue to adhere to the principles followed by his
late brother, most especially friendship with the U.S., the
laying down of a foundation for democratic rule, and building
up Kuwait for the benefit of its people. He said Kuwait will
work tirelessly in support of U.S. efforts to bring peace and
stability to Iraq. Kuwait shares U.S. concerns about Iran
with added fears related to the proximity of the Busheir
nuclear facility. Kuwait is pinning its hopes for a solution
to Iran,s nuclear ambitions on efforts led by the EU and the
UNSC. End Summary.

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Reaffirming Strength of U.S.-Kuwaiti Ties
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3. (C) Vice President Cheney was welcomed to the Prime
Minister,s residence at 11:00 p.m. by Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad
and Shaykh Mubarak Jabir Al-Sabah, the eldest son of the late
Amir. After receiving the Vice President,s expression of
condolence, Shaykh Mubarak departed and the Prime Minister
escorted the President into his reception room for a 35
minute meeting. The Vice President noted that it was fifteen
years ago that night that the military campaign to liberate
Kuwait had begun. The U.S. had lost a friend with the
passing of Amir Jabir. The two governments had worked well
over the years to meet many challenges and President Bush was
committed to continuing that relationship.


4. (C) Shaykh Sabah spoke warmly about the leadership his
brother had provided to Kuwait and lamented the loss to his
country. The late Amir established a clear path for Kuwait
and the Prime Minister pledged to adhere to the same
governing principles. Foremost amongst those principles were
a rock solid friendship with the United States, laying a
foundation for democratic rule, and building up Kuwait for
the benefit of its people.

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Support for Stabilizing Iraq
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5. (C) On the challenges being faced in Iraq, the Prime
Minister reaffirmed Kuwait,s commitment to working with the
U.S. and with Iraqi political leaders to bring security and
stability to the country. Because of the "tangible feel"
Kuwaitis have for what Iraqis suffered under the Saddam
regime, the GOK could be counted on to "shoulder our
responsibilities" and work tirelessly for the political and

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economic development of Iraq.


6. (C) Shaykh Sabah noted the remarkable transformation in
Iraqi-Kuwaiti relations symbolized by the fact that over the
past three days, President Talabani, Prime Minister Jaafari,
Ayad Allawi, Ghazi al-Yawar and scores of other Iraqis
representing all religious and ethnic groups, had come to
Kuwait to pay tribute to the late Amir. Kuwait even
facilitated the travel from Saudi Arabia of Muqtada al-Sadr
for the purpose of a condolence call. Kuwait,s interest in
this regard was clear; the whole region needed to work to
help the Iraqis achieve unity. Developments on the political
side were significant and visible. Unfortunately, that
progress was not being matched on the security front. Shaykh
Sabah said growing capabilities of the insurgents, including
access to more advanced weapons that could target
helicopters, was a matter of grave concern. Kuwait agreed
fully with the U.S. approach of helping Iraqis put together a
government that could provide security for the country.


7. (C) Vice President Cheney said it was correct to point out
the remarkable transformations taking place in Iraq in the
ess than three years since Saddam's removal. The U.S. was
firmly committed to the path it was on and was convinced that
progress was being made in training up Iraqi forces that
would be able to take on a role in stabilizing the country.
It was vital that we succeed in Iraq.

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Concern About Dangers of Iran's Nuclear Program
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8. (C) Vice President Cheney asked Shaykh Sabah to comment on
the state of affairs in Iran, noting that Iran's refusal to
enter into any agreement on its nuclear program and
Ahmadinejad's provocative public statements were very
troubling. The Prime Minister said Kuwait had more reason
than most to be concerned about Iran. The nuclear facility
at Busheir was only 100 kilometers away; everyone remembered
what happened at Chernobyl. The impact of a nuclear accident
in Iran would have horrendous consequences for Kuwait. If
Iran acquired the capability to construct a nuclear weapon,
the danger would extend to the whole region and beyond.


9. (C) At the UN last fall, Shaykh Sabah said he spoke
frankly with Iranian President Ahmadinejad. "I told him he
had been elevated to his office by the power and enthusiasm
of the Iranian street, but I warned him that the role of a
leader is to bring wisdom to bear on complicated issues, not
to follow the misleading slogans and banners that drive the
street". Shaykh Sabah said he hoped that Ahmadinejad had the
wisdom to deal correctly with the nuclear issue. Kuwait was
placing its hopes in the EU and the UNSC to work for a
resolution that averted danger. Referring Iran to the UNSC
was an option to be looked at.


10. (C) The meeting ended at 11:40 p.m. with the Prime
Minister thanking the Vice President for the visit and for
his expressions of condolence and respect for the late Amir.
He asked that his thanks and best wishes be conveyed to the
President and the people of the United States.
LeBaron