KUWAITI AMIR ON GUANTANAMO AND IRAQ/IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001104 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2016 TAGS: CVIS ECON IZ KU PREL PTER SUBJECT: KUWAITI AMIR ON GUANTANAMO AND IRAQ/IRAN REF: A. KUWAIT 1097 ¶B. KUWAIT 1094 ¶C. KUWAIT 1072 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C/NF) Summary: During a July 10 farewell meeting, the Ambassador and the Amir of Kuwait Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah discussed Kuwaiti detainees in Guantanamo, Iraq and Iran, GCC security, and visa issuances. The Amir said he planned to write President Bush soon to provide assurances that Kuwaiti detainees released from Guantanamo would be prevented from causing harm. He pressed for further dialogue between the U.S. and Iran as a way of mitigating deeper Iranian interference in Iraq, suggesting Kuwait would increase its own engagement with Iran despite the recent difficulties over beating of a Kuwaiti diplomat in Iran. The Ambassador thanked the Amir for Kuwait's extensive support for stability in Iraq and said he hoped the SecDef and other senior officials would visit Kuwait soon to consult on next steps on Iraq. The Amir pledged Kuwait's continued support for OIF. The Amir agreed that the recent meeting of GCC foreign and defense ministers and security advisors in Riyadh had been useful. He urged the U.S. to do more to facilitate visas for students and tourists. End Summary. Guantanamo Assurances -------------- ¶2. (C/NF) The Ambassador conducted his farewell call with Kuwaiti Amir Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on July 10. The Amir was joined by Crown Prince Shaykh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The Amir had three issues on his mind: Guantanamo detainees, the importance of U.S. dialogue with Iran to help blunt Iran's regional meddling, and U.S. visas. On Guantanamo the Amir told the Ambassador he planned to draft a second letter to President Bush with assurances that detainees released to Kuwait would be tried and prevented from causing harm, as was the case with previous returnees. The U.S. Should Keep Talking to Iran -------------- ¶3. (C/NF) The Amir stated the letter to the President would also urge the U.S. to continue to talk to Iran. The Amir said Kuwait was very concerned by Iranian interference in Iraq. U.S.- Iranian dialogue, even if limited, could help mitigate Iranian behavior. Kuwait was also ready to talk to Iran to help curb Iranian extremism in the region, and as a way to pressure the Iranians to engage seriously with the U.S. This engagement was essential for a solution in Iraq, the Amir insisted. He said talking to the Iranians was not such a heavy step to take in light of the other burdens the U.S. shouldered in Iraq. The talks could be confidential if need be, the Amir said, and in any venue. ¶4. (C/NF) The Ambassador said the President valued the Amir's advice, and he would convey these views to the White House and Secretary Rice. Engagement with Iran was difficult, the Ambassador observed, in light of Iran's support for the insurgency in Iraq. The U.S. had seen recent evidence of Hizballah activity in Iraq. The U.S. needed better behavior from Iran if there was to be any hope for a serious dialogue. The Amir responded that Iranian interference would be worse without engagement with the U.S. ¶5. (C/NF) The Ambassador expressed surprise that Kuwait was considering an expanded dialogue with Iran in light of the tension caused by the recent beating of a Kuwaiti diplomat in Tehran. The Amir downplayed the incident, saying the Kuwaiti press had inflated it. The Amir added that he had not met with Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Ali Jannati, even though they knew each other from Jannati's previous posting to Kuwait. Jannati had presented his credentials to the Crown Prince. The Amir said he planned to ask the Iranian Ambassador to come see him to discuss the regional situation. Consultation on Iraq -------------- ¶6. (C/NF) The Ambassador noted the vigor of the debate in the U.S. about Iraq. Whatever course lay ahead, consultation between the U.S. and Kuwait would be vital. The Ambassador noted that he had sent a note recently to the U.S. Secretary of Defense recommending a visit to Kuwait. The Amir said SecDef would be welcome. He said he understood the U.S. was considering withdrawing its forces from Iraq. The Amir believed there were many Iraqis who opposed such a move since KUWAIT 00001104 002 OF 002 it would increase prospects for civil war. The Ambassador stressed the U.S. continued to try to create the space for the GOI to make progress on the POLITICAL front and to produce results for the Iraqi people. ¶7. (C/NF) The Ambassador thanked the Amir for Kuwait's sustained and generous contributions to the effort in Iraq. The U.S. recognized there were financial and POLITICAL costs for Kuwait associated with this support. Kuwait played a unique and important role, the Ambassador said. The Amir said Kuwait would continue to do its part to support stability in Iraq. GCC --- ¶8. (C/NF) The Ambassador noted his previous discussions with several Kuwaiti ministers on the recent GCC security meeting in Riyadh (reftels). The meeting appeared to be well-focused. The Ambassador asked whether divisions within the GCC would obstruct cohesion on regional security. The Amir said GCC countries were singularly focused on their security, and differences between the countries' leaders were not pronounced. The Ambassador said the U.S. valued its regional dialogue with the GCC, which complemented the strong bilateral relationships the U.S. enjoyed. Visas -------------- ¶9. (C/NF) The Amir hoped the U.S. could do more to facilitate visas for Kuwaiti students and tourists. The Ambassador responded that visa processing in Kuwait had shown marked improvement. The backlog for visa appointments was down to two weeks, and students were getting appointments within 24 hours of their requests. The Ambassador noted the importance of people-to-people exchanges and hoped more Kuwaiti students and business people would apply for visas to the U.S. The Amir noted that an investment bill now before parliament would stimulate greater interest in Kuwait by foreign investors. Amir's Travel -------------- ¶10. (C/NF) The Amir noted that he would travel to Mongolia in the coming weeks and then on to the U.S. in a private capacity. ********************************************* * 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