Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUWAIT890
2006-03-15 13:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

KUWAIT FUND AWAITING AFGHAN GOVT RESPONSE ON NEW

Tags:  EAID PGOV PREL AF KU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9630
PP RUEHDE
DE RUEHKU #0890 0741346
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 151346Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3477
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0232
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1193
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0954
UNCLAS KUWAIT 000890 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA, KABUL
FOR DOUG CLIMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PREL AF KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT FUND AWAITING AFGHAN GOVT RESPONSE ON NEW
TERMS FOR RESCHEDULING ARREARS

REF: A. KUWAIT 185


B. 05 KUWAIT 5063

C. 05 KUWAIT 4624

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000890

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA, KABUL
FOR DOUG CLIMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PREL AF KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT FUND AWAITING AFGHAN GOVT RESPONSE ON NEW
TERMS FOR RESCHEDULING ARREARS

REF: A. KUWAIT 185


B. 05 KUWAIT 5063

C. 05 KUWAIT 4624


1. (SBU) On March 8, Econoff met with Abdul Kareem
Al-Mutawa, Regional Manager for South Asia at the Kuwait Fund
for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) to discuss the recent
Afghanistan Compact conference held in London. (Note:
Al-Mutawa attended as part of the GOK delegation headed by
KFAED Director General Abdulwahab Al-Bader. End note.)
Al-Mutawa praised the organizers of the conference for its
efficiency and substantive discussions, exclaiming that it
was "one of the most successful conferences" he had attended.



2. (SBU) Although the GOK did not make any new pledges at
the conference, Al-Mutawa noted that KFAED officials and GOA
ministers (Foreign Affairs and Finance) held productive side
meetings to discuss Afghanistan's arrears, the possibility of
renewed bilateral dialogue on priority reconstruction
projects, and visits to Kuwait by senior GOA officials,
including President Karzai, whose January visit was postponed
following the death of Amir Shaykh Jaber Al-Sabah.


3. (SBU) According to Al-Mutawa, KFAED has offered to extend
the proposed repayment timeline of Afghanistan's arrears by
granting the GOA a five-year repayment grace period in
addition to the 20-year repayment timeline at 0% interest.
(see ref C for an overview of GOK arrears with KFAED).
Al-Mutawa explained that the KFAED offer was pending the
review and approval of the GOA's Finance Ministry. He
expressed renewed hope in resolving the arrears in an effort
to resume KFAED bilateral assistance to Afghanistan.


4. (SBU) Al-Mutawa also pointed out that any decision to
cancel the GOA's KFAED arrears would have to made by the
Foreign Minister (chairman of KFAED) with the approval of the
Council of Ministers (cabinet) and the Amir. He added that
President Karzai had called Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber
Al-Sabah on March 7 to congratulate him on his appointment as
Amir and the possibility of rescheduling Karzai's visit to
Kuwait.

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