MFA U/S SUPPORTS U.S. IN IRAQ, IRAN AND TIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001413 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR G/TIP E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV KU PINR TIP SUBJECT: MFA U/S SUPPORTS U.S. IN IRAQ, IRAN AND TIP REF: KUWAIT 1407 Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) On September 17, Charge met with Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs Under Secretary Khaled Suliman Al-Jarallah to deliver reftel demarche and discuss the positive role of the U.S. in Iraq, the French FM's remarks on Iran and how trafficking in persons is damaging Kuwait's image. End summary. Praise for USG liberation of Iraq -------------- ¶2. (C) In a September 17 meeting with Charge, the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs Under Secretary Khaled Suliman Al-Jarallah praised the USG role in Iraq, noting that the U.S. liberation of Iraq was a step toward maintaining the security of Kuwait. He said that Kuwait supported and will continue to support U.S. engagement in the region. He added that American accomplishments in Iraq send a clear signal to "all parties" of America's honorable intentions and aims in the region. Give revenge a chance -------------- ¶3. (C) Al-Jarallah remarked on the success of the USG attempt to reach out to Iraqi tribal leaders and enlist their support in the local fight against Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). He specifically praised the efforts of the tribes in Ramadi and Mosul in confronting Al-Qaeda and called this offensive "the new intifadha for tribes." He stressed that the key to facing AQI and other terrorists in Iraq is to allow the tribes to deal with AQI in their own way, even if it means putting aside human rights concerns for the terrorists. He suggested that in their quest for revenge for indiscriminate killings of innocent victims by terrorists, if given the latitude, the tribal leaders will effectively shut down AQI. Iran -------------- ¶4. (C) Al-Jarallah said that he was pleasantly surprised at French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's remarks suggesting that the world should prepare for war over Iran's nuclear program. He added that Iran needs this kind of pressure from the outside to encourage voices on the inside to speak out against President Ahmadinejad. He commented that in order to avoid escalation, one must talk about war on one hand and threaten sanctions on the other. TIP -------------- ¶5. (C) Charge briefed the U/S on the TIP process, stressing the importance of a near-term opening of a shelter for runaway maids. Al-Jarallah said that Kuwait's image has suffered a great deal from the publicity surrounding the U.S. Trafficking in Persons report and local press coverage on the numerous allegations of trafficking and abuse of domestic servants. He said that the GOK is intent to present Kuwait in a better light in what has become a very "dark picture." He promised to approach the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor to urge them to open the new shelter for trafficking victims without delay. ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * MISENHEIMER