Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUWAIT537
2006-02-14 14:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS MINISTER, AN EXPERIENCED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0023 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHKU #0537 0451410 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141410Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3046
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000537
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARPI, INL/HSTC AND G/TIP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV ELAB KU
SUBJECT: MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS MINISTER, AN EXPERIENCED
TECHNOCRAT, SUCCEEDS CONTROVERSIAL SALAFI
REF: KUWAIT 475
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Matt Tueller for reason 1.4(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000537
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARPI, INL/HSTC AND G/TIP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV ELAB KU
SUBJECT: MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS MINISTER, AN EXPERIENCED
TECHNOCRAT, SUCCEEDS CONTROVERSIAL SALAFI
REF: KUWAIT 475
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Matt Tueller for reason 1.4(d).
1. (C) The Ambassador met with the new State Minister for
Municipal Affairs, Abdullah Al-Muhailbi, on February 14 to
congratulate him on his new post and to ask about the
Minister's plans. The Minister said that he had worked his
way up through the ranks in the Municipality, and had served
since 1982. In response to the Ambassador's question about
why the previous Municipal Affairs Minister, Salafi MP Ahmad
Baqr, had caused so much controversy, Al-Muhailbi said it was
because he was overwhelmed due to his unfamiliarity with the
Ministry. He also conjectured that Baqr was very cautious so
as not to open himself up to a "grilling" by the National
Assembly. (Note: Baqr was subjected to scathing criticism
during his tenure. His defenders, including many liberals,
said the criticism was due to his efforts to reform the
Municipality and reduce corruption. Post knows of one case
where he blocked the licensing of a Christian school without
explanation, though his Salafi leanings might have something
to do with it. End Note.) Al-Muhailbi said relations with
the Municipal Council were good. (Note: The Municipal Council
approves projects, which then need to be certified by the
Minister. Disputes are subject to adjudication by the Council
of Ministers. End Note.)
2. (C) The Ambassador also encouraged the new Minister to
support the establishment of a center for domestic laborers.
The Minister acknowledged the problem of expatriate labor in
Kuwait, and the necessity of Kuwait implementing its laws and
protecting the rights of all residents. Al-Muhailbi made no
specific commitments, and the Ambassador expressed his
interest in pursuing the matter in the future.
3. (C) Comment: The Municipal Council has blocked or delayed
at least two Church projects, Shi'a mosque construction
projects, and the establishment of a national center for
domestic laborers by the Kuwait Union of Domestic Labor
Offices. It has impeded these projects through a combination
of bureaucratic stalling and restricting of access to land.
If Al-Muhailbi is less reticent than his predecessor and if,
as an insider, he is better able to manage the agency, change
may be forthcoming. End Comment.
********************************************* *
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
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARPI, INL/HSTC AND G/TIP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV ELAB KU
SUBJECT: MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS MINISTER, AN EXPERIENCED
TECHNOCRAT, SUCCEEDS CONTROVERSIAL SALAFI
REF: KUWAIT 475
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Matt Tueller for reason 1.4(d).
1. (C) The Ambassador met with the new State Minister for
Municipal Affairs, Abdullah Al-Muhailbi, on February 14 to
congratulate him on his new post and to ask about the
Minister's plans. The Minister said that he had worked his
way up through the ranks in the Municipality, and had served
since 1982. In response to the Ambassador's question about
why the previous Municipal Affairs Minister, Salafi MP Ahmad
Baqr, had caused so much controversy, Al-Muhailbi said it was
because he was overwhelmed due to his unfamiliarity with the
Ministry. He also conjectured that Baqr was very cautious so
as not to open himself up to a "grilling" by the National
Assembly. (Note: Baqr was subjected to scathing criticism
during his tenure. His defenders, including many liberals,
said the criticism was due to his efforts to reform the
Municipality and reduce corruption. Post knows of one case
where he blocked the licensing of a Christian school without
explanation, though his Salafi leanings might have something
to do with it. End Note.) Al-Muhailbi said relations with
the Municipal Council were good. (Note: The Municipal Council
approves projects, which then need to be certified by the
Minister. Disputes are subject to adjudication by the Council
of Ministers. End Note.)
2. (C) The Ambassador also encouraged the new Minister to
support the establishment of a center for domestic laborers.
The Minister acknowledged the problem of expatriate labor in
Kuwait, and the necessity of Kuwait implementing its laws and
protecting the rights of all residents. Al-Muhailbi made no
specific commitments, and the Ambassador expressed his
interest in pursuing the matter in the future.
3. (C) Comment: The Municipal Council has blocked or delayed
at least two Church projects, Shi'a mosque construction
projects, and the establishment of a national center for
domestic laborers by the Kuwait Union of Domestic Labor
Offices. It has impeded these projects through a combination
of bureaucratic stalling and restricting of access to land.
If Al-Muhailbi is less reticent than his predecessor and if,
as an insider, he is better able to manage the agency, change
may be forthcoming. End Comment.
********************************************* *
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