KUWAIT COUNTERTERRORISM WORKING GROUP: GOK

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000534

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI AND S/CT; NSC FOR TOWNSEND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT COUNTERTERRORISM WORKING GROUP: GOK
RECEPTIVE TO U.S. TRAINING AND EXPERTISE

REF: A. KUWAIT 490 -- NEW KUWAITI MINISTERS PLEDGE TO

FIGHT TERROR

B. KUWAIT 464 -- SECURITY BUREAU CHIEF SAYS KUWAIT
TO BE EXAMPLE OF ISLAMIC MODERATION

C. KUWAIT 260 -- FAILAKA ATTACK SENTENCES INCREASED
ON APPEAL

D. KUWAIT 88 -- CENTRAL BANK DEP GOVERNOR TALKS
TERROR FINANCE

E. 05 KUWAIT 5283 -- KUWAIT HOSTS INTL CONF ON ROLE
OF EDUCATION IN COMBATING TERRORISM

F. 05 KUWAIT 5270 -- PENINSULA LIONS VERDICT IN

G. 05 KUWAIT 4884 -- KUWAITI AUTHORITIES CRACK DOWN
ON "DOOR-TO-DOOR" JIHAD

H. 05 KUWAIT 4102 -- KUWAIT SIGNS INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTION SUPPRESSING OF NUCLEAR
TERRORISM

I. 05 KUWAIT 3835 -- KUWAIT COUNTERTERRORISM
WORKING GROUP

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


1. (S/NF) Summary: The Ambassador convened on February 8
Post's Counterterrorism Working Group to assess Kuwaiti
progress in combating terrorism and curbing extremism. ECON,
RSO, and OMC-K all reported positive Kuwaiti participation in
training courses and conferences ranging from VIP protection
to customs work. Post will make it a priority to increase
Kuwaiti participation in available courses. PAS noted GOK
support for International Visitor Programs for imams, an
initiative it will seek to expand. POL reported that members
of two groups involved in terror activities were given steep
fines and harsh prison sentences, breaking the long-standing
tradition of extracting promises of good behavior. The GOK,
however, still believes that infiltrating terror groups and
co-opting its members were effective CT tools. End summary.

Helping Kuwait Keep a Strong CT Focus
--------------


2. (S/NF) The Ambassador chaired the February meeting of
Post's Counterterrorism Working Group (CWG). Along with
visiting officers from the Office of the Coordinator for
Counterterrorism (S/CT) and the DCM, in attendance were
section chiefs and representatives from CONS, ECON, DATT,
RSO, OMC-K, PAS, POL, and SIMO. The Ambassador reviewed for
the group with February 8 meeting his National Security
Bureau President Shaykh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah and the
message conveyed that the GOK must maintain a strong CT focus
and should increase efforts to keep the U.S. and other allies
informed of its CT efforts (ref B). At the Ambassador's
request, S/CT Deputy Coordinator Feierstein provided an
overview of the proposed March 7-8 Iraq and neighbors CT
conference, explaining the that goal was to identify the
common CT threats and develop an approach to minimize them.


3. (S/NF) SIMO Chief informed the group that Kuwait State
Security (KSS) and Kuwait Military Intelligence (KMI) have
maintained a focus on CT targets and extremists. The
aggressive CT approach used in January 2005 has waned
however, and the GOK continues to believe that the use of
sources within extremist communities and co-option are
successful CT techniques. He said he continued to engage his
counterparts on the need for continued vigilence and
strengthened laws, including a legal framework that would
permit longer pre-trial detention periods to allow for more
in-depth investigations.

Progress on Monitoring Charities; Small Steps on Legal Reform
-------------- --------------


4. (C) EconOff reported that a trial program to regulate
charitable contributions during Ramadan appears to have been
successful. Nevertheless, the GOK has not addressed how to
monitor donated funds once they have left Kuwait, instead
trusting that recipient country governments will ensure that
funds are not used for unlawful purposes. He further noted
that the GOK continued to work on a revised terror finance
law and that the Embassy has reminded the GOK of the U.S.
offer of a technical review of the law. He informed the
group of the success of a Customs Advisor Team three-day
training seminar, reported the GOK hosted a MENA-FATF
conference, and said the Embassy would press the GOK for a
decision on previously offered OPDAT and Financial
Intelligence Unit training.

Jail Time and Steep Fines for Convicted Terrorists

KUWAIT 00000534 002 OF 002


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5. (SBU) PolChief reviewed the recent convictions of the 37
members of the Peninsula Lions terror cell and the 12
individuals involved in the 2002 shooting of U.S. Marines on
Failaka island, noting that the sentences handed down -- from
capital punishment to heavy fines -- were much harsher than
usual (refs C and F). She also reported that the U.S. had
positively responded to the GOK request for information on
the crimes of the five detainees returned to GOK custody in
November 2005. The GOK hoped to use the information in
building its cases. She further noted that the death of the
Amir, succession issues, and the formation of a new Cabinet
had delayed parliamentary action on the Convention for the
Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and a law to
establish a military tribunal (ref H).

Training and Visitor Programs Successful CT Tools
-------------- --------------


6. (SBU) DRSO said the GOK has responded well to a series
of ATA courses, including VIP protection, senior crisis
management, and major case management. Post will strive to
increase the number of courses offered and the number of
Kuwaitis who participate. He noted a good
information-sharing relationship, but commented that there
were delays in the GOK response if a Kuwaiti citizen was
involved.


7. (U) PA Chief informed the group that 3 imams had
participated in an International Visitor Program on religious
tolerance and were enthusiastic about their interactions with
various American religious communities. The initiative had
the support of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and
the Embassy would seek to expand the program during the year.
She also said her section had used digital video conferences
and the Fulbright program to encourage linkages and promote a
dialog on curbing extremism. PA was also assisting the GOK
in establishing partnerships with some of the Homeland
Security Centers established at U.S. universities.


8. (C) OMC-K reported that following the completion of
Kuwait's Strategic Review, the GOK requested assistance in
developing a CT component for its land forces. OMC-K
anticipates that the main componenets of the military plans
will be in place by June 2006. A MOD CT plan can then be
developed in support of the new national military strategy
and related plans. In addition, OMC-K is assisting the GOK
in standing up a joint intelligence center and is working
with Kuwait's J2 on training missions. On training, Kuwait
will participate in a civilian affairs training course as
well as in two analyst exchange training programs. The DATT
added that DIA hoped to provide training to strengthen
Kuwait's overt HUMINT capabilities. OMC-K noted increased
GOK cooperation with Kuwaiti think tanks on some CT issues.

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LeBaron