AMIR: IRAN SHOULD COOPERATE WITH IAEA; IRAN AMB

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001429 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/IR E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV KU KPAO PM SUBJECT: AMIR: IRAN SHOULD COOPERATE WITH IAEA; IRAN AMB DECLARES PEACEFUL NUCLEAR INTENT REF: KUWAIT 1413 Classified By: A/DCM Lenderking for reasons 1.4 b, d and h Kuwait calls on Iranian cooperation with IAEA -------------- - ¶1. (U) On September 19, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported that the Amir of Kuwait Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah urged neighboring Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He was quoted as saying, "We believe in the importance of reaching a peaceful solution, but at the same time we call on the Iranian officials to extend full cooperation to the IAEA." According to KUNA and other press outlets, the Amir also called for making the Gulf and the Middle East free of WMDs, but remarked that countries have the right to possess nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Meanwhile... -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Also, on September 19, Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Ali Jannati penned an opinion piece in Al-Rai Al-Aam (an independent, moderate daily) that declared the following translated/paraphrased remarks: -Iran's claim to peaceful energy -------------- --Having peaceful nuclear technology is a legitimate right for all states. --The non-civilian use of nuclear energy is prohibited according to Shari'a (Islamic law). --Iranian interest in nuclear energy is based on the desire for clean and cheap energy pending the depletion of oil reserves. --Iran is established as a nuclear power and is ready to extend to Gulf and Islamic countries a helping hand to establish nuclear capabilities. --Iran has given guarantees to reassure the world of its peaceful intent. Opponents are politicizing the issue to advance their agendas and are exercising double standards (with Israel) for obtaining nuclear power. Lying and fabricating have become systematic policies for the American government. --Iranian negotiations with the IAEA have never been disrupted. --Gulf states have always supported Iran's nuclear program -If the U.S. attacks -------------- Jannati continued: --America is using scare tactics to steer Arab and Islamic public opinion against Iran and to undermine IAEA/EU negotiations. Iran takes seriously a possible U.S. military strike and is equipped and ready to combat such aggression. At the same time, though, Iran estimates that the American offensive capability is weak due to its languishing in the Iraqi quagmire. --If attacked, Iran will retaliate against the launch sites where the attack originated. --America is demonizing Iran so it can launch an arms race in order to market American weaponry. -Iraq and Gulf neighbors -------------- --Iranian-Iraqi relations are positive, and Iran supports the Iraqi government and people. --America is scapegoating Iran with charges of causing sectarianism in Iraq to avoid its responsibility for its failure in Iraq. --Iran maintains a positive relationship with the U.A.E., but asserts its claims to the three disputed islands in the Gulf. --The Kingdom of Bahrain is a sovereign and independent state, and Iran denies claims asserting a desire to annex the kingdom. --Shi'a pilgrimages to holy sites in Iran do not indicate a political loyalty to Iran. Remarks indicating that Gulf Shi'a are loyal to Tehran are simply aimed at stoking controversy between Iran and Gulf neighbors. --The file on the attack of the Kuwaiti diplomat in Tehran is now closed. Iran-Kuwait relations are solid and Kuwait's stance on Iran is wise and supports the Iranian cause. --Iran seeks to establish close relations with the Gulf KUWAIT 00001429 002 OF 002 States on all levels and has offered to establish a Gulf free trade zone. Comment -------------- ¶3. (S) Iran fever is rising again in Kuwait, with a number of our contacts expressing nervousness about a possible U.S. attack on Iran, as they did last spring. The GOK is walking a delicate line; the GOK has stated publicly that no country would be allowed to launch an attack on Iran from Kuwait, but at the same time has oriented its defense posture away from Iraq and towards Iran. (Note: Patriot Missile launchers, now facing Iran, can clearly be seen from Kuwaiti highways and the Kuwait MOD recently established an air defense control mission as part of an effort to defend against a potential Iranian attack. End note.). The GOK has clarified that it does not want WMDs in the Gulf, but rarely criticizes Iran directly. Discussions among Kuwaitis about an Iran equipped with a nuclear weapon are more likely to highlight the dangers of Iran's nuclear capacity in environmental terms, and note that the Bushehr nuclear facility is less than 200 km from Kuwait's border. End comment. ********************************************* * 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