Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06KUWAIT93 | 2006-01-15 06:12:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Kuwait |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 150612Z Jan 06 |
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000093 |
1. (U) Not sending NIACT because Post understands that most notifications have already been done by State Ops and WH Sit Room, based on post's telephone and email briefs. 2. (U) Kuwaiti Information Minister Dr. Anas Al-Reshaid announced January 15, 2006 that His Highness the Amir, Shaykh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah died at dawn the morning of January 15. In accordance with Islamic tradition, the Amir will be interred the afternoon of January 15. While the cause of death has not been announced, it is likely the Amir died of natural causes related to a stroke he suffered in 2001 and his long battle with Parkinson's disease. The GOK will closed for three days and the official mourning period will last for 40 days. 3. (C) GOK officials and senior members of the Al-Sabah family will begin receiving condolence calls almost immediately, although formal arrangements have yet to be announced. Given the close ties between the United States and Kuwait; the history of the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the 1991 liberation by coalition forces led by the U.S., and the immeasurable support from the GOK to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Embassy Kuwait strongly recommends that a senior-level delegation travel to Kuwait to offer U.S. condolences. Post recommends that the delegation be led by Vice President Cheney and consideration be given to including representatives from the administration of former President George H.W. Bush: former President Bush, former National Security Advisor Brent scowcroft, former Secretary and then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Powell, former Secretary Baker, and General Schwartzkopf. Such a visit, SIPDIS which could be accomplished in less than three hours on the ground in Kuwait, would reinforce the strength and importance of bilateral relations. 4. (C) According to the Kuwaiti constitution, Crown Prince Shaykh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah will succeed the Amir. The Crown Prince is also in very poor health and most observers believe he will quickly abdicate and Prime Minister Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, half brother of the deceased Amir, will become Amir. Regardless, Post does not expect any changes in the bilateral relationship. (Septel will summarize succession scenarios and the impact on U.S.-GOK relations.) ********************************************* Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website ********************************************* LeBaron |