KUWAITI MFA OFFICIAL ON HAMAS: ENGAGEMENT MORE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000559 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARPI AND NEA/IPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2016 TAGS: PREL IS KU SUBJECT: KUWAITI MFA OFFICIAL ON HAMAS: ENGAGEMENT MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN ISOLATION REF: STATE 21256 Classified By: CDA Matt Tueller for reason 1.4(d). (C) Charge met with MFA Director of International Organization Affairs Ambassador Abdullah Ahmed Al-Murad on February 15th and delivered reftel points urging the GOK to adhere to the principles laid out in the Quartet and Secretary Rice's statement in LONDON on assistance to the SIPDIS Palestinian Authority. Murad responded that he thinks including rather than isolating Hamas would be the best way to deal with them. He argued that there are already signs that Hamas is attempting to present a more moderate face and that it should be encouraged in that direction. He said Hamas would hear the same thing in every Gulf Arab capital: they must moderate their stance. Murad confirmed that Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal will visit Kuwait soon. ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * TUELLER