Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KUWAIT1605
2007-11-08 10:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
AMB. CROCKER'S MEETING WITH KUWAITI AMIR
how-toVZCZCXRO1239 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK DE RUEHKU #1605/01 3121003 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 081003Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0260 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 1755 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0298 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 1053 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL PRIORITY 0465 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 3144
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001605
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017
TAGS: IZ KU PGOV PREL UN
SUBJECT: AMB. CROCKER'S MEETING WITH KUWAITI AMIR
Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d
Summary
---------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001605
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017
TAGS: IZ KU PGOV PREL UN
SUBJECT: AMB. CROCKER'S MEETING WITH KUWAITI AMIR
Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d
Summary
--------------
1. (C) On October 29, U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker met with
Kuwaiti Amir Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah to
discuss developments in Iraq since the U.S. military surge
began and United States policy following the September
Crocker/Petraeus testimony. Crocker underlined the need for
renewed Arab diplomatic engagement to counter Iranian
influence and reinforce Iraq's Arab identify. The Amir said
the GOK was looking for a suitable location for its embassy
in the International Zone, and the FM pointed out that Iraq
had yet to appoint an envoy of its own to Kuwait. End
Summary.
Meeting Participants
--------------
2. (U) On October 29, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker
met with Kuwaiti Amir Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al
Sabah. Also in the meeting were Crown Prince Shaykh Nawaf
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Prime Minister Shaykh Nasser
Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al Sabah, and Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr.
Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al Sabah. USG official participants
included CDA and poloff (notetaker),Embassy Baghdad's Senior
Advisor David Pearce and Special Assistant Ali Khedery.
Crocker: Troop Drawdown Will Be Conditions-Based
-------------- --------------
3. (C) The Amir showed great interest in Crocker's
description of the events surrounding his September testimony
to the U.S. Senate. Crocker explained that, while there
would be a gradual drawdown of US forces in coming months, it
would be conditions-based. Political leaders of both major
US parties realized that the next US president would enter
office in January 2009 with a substantial US troop presence
in Iraq. The Ambassador observed that the decline in the
general level of violence had also created some political
opportunities. The Amir appreciated the assurances that a
potential U.S. troop withdrawal would be handled responsibly
and that Congress was leaning away from establishing
artificial timetables for withdrawal.
Support for U.S. Military Effort
--------------
4. (C) The Amir welcomed continued cooperation with the USG
in terms of military engagement in Iraq. He said Iraqis and
Kuwaitis alike were victims of Saddam. He also linked Iraqi
stability with that of future Kuwaiti stability and promised
to continue to stand with the U.S. in terms of support for
the effort in Iraq.
Progress in Iraq
--------------
5. (C) Crocker informed the Amir that the Coalition
initiative of working with and empowering tribal leaders has
met with some success in Anbar, with additional gains in
Baghdad, Diyala, Salahadin and Ninevah. He also said that
tens of thousands of young men who could potentially be
vulnerable to recruitment by Al-Qaeda are now joining the
Iraqi security forces to fight insurgency and terrorism. He
also stated that some progress, though not as dramatic, has
been made in turning local populaces in Basra against
extremist elements such as Jaysh Al-Mahdi.
Arab Leadership Needed
--------------
6. (C) Crocker pressed the importance of increased Arab
leadership and involvement in the region. He also spoke of
how Iraqi Shi'a Arabs are feeling isolated and insecure,
indicating to the Amir that now was the time to shore up
Iraq's Arab identity and counter Iranian influence. He said
that there is not a single Arab ambassador located in
Baghdad, but the Iranian ambassador is very busy. He urged
the Amir, and the FM in a separate follow-up conversation, to
consider returning the Kuwait ambassador to Baghdad. The
Amir was aware of charges that Iran supplied weapons to
militias in southern Iraq, and said that Iran has no right to
fight a proxy war with the U.S. in Iraq. He commented that
Iran's intervention in Basra and southern Iraq increases the
KUWAIT 00001605 002 OF 002
sectarianism between Shi'a and Sunni and even causes rifts
among various Shi'a factions.
Kuwait Embassy in Baghdad
--------------
7. (C) The Amir did not directly address the issue of sending
an Ambassador to Iraq, but did indicate that Kuwait is
seeking a suitable location in the Green Zone for a new
embassy. In an aside, the FM said one of the delays in
deploying Kuwaiti Ambassador-designate Ali Al-Moumen to
Baghdad is that Iraq has yet to send an ambassador to Kuwait.
Kuwaiti support for Iraq; UNCC
--------------
8. (C) The Foreign Minister told Crocker that the GOK has
allocated a USD 60mil grant for hospital and school
development in Iraq but mentioned that this amount and
previous loans have not been transferred yet. He cited
security and corruption claims as the primary reason for the
delay in transferring the funds, but also quipped that
citizens of Kuwait are nervous about sending funds to Iraq
when the USG cannot account for amounts of money far greater
than these Kuwaiti pledges. Though the Amir broached the
issue of debt relief for Iraq (in the terms of the UN
Compensation Commission dues to Kuwait),the FM told Crocker
that it is not the time to raise the issue in Kuwait; the
Kuwaiti populace is not ready to consider such an endeavor.
(Comment: the UAE was also resistant on debt relief, but tied
it more directly to UAE unhappiness with the perceived
sectarian character of the Maliki government. End Comment.)
Maliki Remark Still Rankles Kuwaitis
--------------
9. (C) The FM also relayed to Amb. Crocker that in terms of
border demarcation between Iraq and Kuwait, a remark
previously made by Iraqi PM Nouri Al-Maliki still rankles
with the Kuwaitis. He indicated that Al-Maliki, in reference
to differences over demarcation of the border, reportedly
remarked, "What is a foot here or there between friends?"
Fuel Deliveries
--------------
10. (C) With the PM, Shaykh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al
Sabah, Crocker urged that Kuwait do everything possible to
facilitate fuel deliveries to Iraq. The PM noted the recent
visit of the Iraqi Electricity Minister, and offered
assurance that Kuwait was taking action in this regard.
Turkey
--------------
11. (C) The Amir said that he was very concerned with
potential escalation of conflict between Turkey and Iraq's
Kurds. He added that a Turkish invasion into Iraq would
provoke a reaction from Arab states that would set back the
notable accomplishments recently witnessed in Iraq.
12. (U) Amb. Crocker has cleared this cable.
********************************************* *
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
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017
TAGS: IZ KU PGOV PREL UN
SUBJECT: AMB. CROCKER'S MEETING WITH KUWAITI AMIR
Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d
Summary
--------------
1. (C) On October 29, U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker met with
Kuwaiti Amir Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah to
discuss developments in Iraq since the U.S. military surge
began and United States policy following the September
Crocker/Petraeus testimony. Crocker underlined the need for
renewed Arab diplomatic engagement to counter Iranian
influence and reinforce Iraq's Arab identify. The Amir said
the GOK was looking for a suitable location for its embassy
in the International Zone, and the FM pointed out that Iraq
had yet to appoint an envoy of its own to Kuwait. End
Summary.
Meeting Participants
--------------
2. (U) On October 29, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker
met with Kuwaiti Amir Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al
Sabah. Also in the meeting were Crown Prince Shaykh Nawaf
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Prime Minister Shaykh Nasser
Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al Sabah, and Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr.
Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al Sabah. USG official participants
included CDA and poloff (notetaker),Embassy Baghdad's Senior
Advisor David Pearce and Special Assistant Ali Khedery.
Crocker: Troop Drawdown Will Be Conditions-Based
-------------- --------------
3. (C) The Amir showed great interest in Crocker's
description of the events surrounding his September testimony
to the U.S. Senate. Crocker explained that, while there
would be a gradual drawdown of US forces in coming months, it
would be conditions-based. Political leaders of both major
US parties realized that the next US president would enter
office in January 2009 with a substantial US troop presence
in Iraq. The Ambassador observed that the decline in the
general level of violence had also created some political
opportunities. The Amir appreciated the assurances that a
potential U.S. troop withdrawal would be handled responsibly
and that Congress was leaning away from establishing
artificial timetables for withdrawal.
Support for U.S. Military Effort
--------------
4. (C) The Amir welcomed continued cooperation with the USG
in terms of military engagement in Iraq. He said Iraqis and
Kuwaitis alike were victims of Saddam. He also linked Iraqi
stability with that of future Kuwaiti stability and promised
to continue to stand with the U.S. in terms of support for
the effort in Iraq.
Progress in Iraq
--------------
5. (C) Crocker informed the Amir that the Coalition
initiative of working with and empowering tribal leaders has
met with some success in Anbar, with additional gains in
Baghdad, Diyala, Salahadin and Ninevah. He also said that
tens of thousands of young men who could potentially be
vulnerable to recruitment by Al-Qaeda are now joining the
Iraqi security forces to fight insurgency and terrorism. He
also stated that some progress, though not as dramatic, has
been made in turning local populaces in Basra against
extremist elements such as Jaysh Al-Mahdi.
Arab Leadership Needed
--------------
6. (C) Crocker pressed the importance of increased Arab
leadership and involvement in the region. He also spoke of
how Iraqi Shi'a Arabs are feeling isolated and insecure,
indicating to the Amir that now was the time to shore up
Iraq's Arab identity and counter Iranian influence. He said
that there is not a single Arab ambassador located in
Baghdad, but the Iranian ambassador is very busy. He urged
the Amir, and the FM in a separate follow-up conversation, to
consider returning the Kuwait ambassador to Baghdad. The
Amir was aware of charges that Iran supplied weapons to
militias in southern Iraq, and said that Iran has no right to
fight a proxy war with the U.S. in Iraq. He commented that
Iran's intervention in Basra and southern Iraq increases the
KUWAIT 00001605 002 OF 002
sectarianism between Shi'a and Sunni and even causes rifts
among various Shi'a factions.
Kuwait Embassy in Baghdad
--------------
7. (C) The Amir did not directly address the issue of sending
an Ambassador to Iraq, but did indicate that Kuwait is
seeking a suitable location in the Green Zone for a new
embassy. In an aside, the FM said one of the delays in
deploying Kuwaiti Ambassador-designate Ali Al-Moumen to
Baghdad is that Iraq has yet to send an ambassador to Kuwait.
Kuwaiti support for Iraq; UNCC
--------------
8. (C) The Foreign Minister told Crocker that the GOK has
allocated a USD 60mil grant for hospital and school
development in Iraq but mentioned that this amount and
previous loans have not been transferred yet. He cited
security and corruption claims as the primary reason for the
delay in transferring the funds, but also quipped that
citizens of Kuwait are nervous about sending funds to Iraq
when the USG cannot account for amounts of money far greater
than these Kuwaiti pledges. Though the Amir broached the
issue of debt relief for Iraq (in the terms of the UN
Compensation Commission dues to Kuwait),the FM told Crocker
that it is not the time to raise the issue in Kuwait; the
Kuwaiti populace is not ready to consider such an endeavor.
(Comment: the UAE was also resistant on debt relief, but tied
it more directly to UAE unhappiness with the perceived
sectarian character of the Maliki government. End Comment.)
Maliki Remark Still Rankles Kuwaitis
--------------
9. (C) The FM also relayed to Amb. Crocker that in terms of
border demarcation between Iraq and Kuwait, a remark
previously made by Iraqi PM Nouri Al-Maliki still rankles
with the Kuwaitis. He indicated that Al-Maliki, in reference
to differences over demarcation of the border, reportedly
remarked, "What is a foot here or there between friends?"
Fuel Deliveries
--------------
10. (C) With the PM, Shaykh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al
Sabah, Crocker urged that Kuwait do everything possible to
facilitate fuel deliveries to Iraq. The PM noted the recent
visit of the Iraqi Electricity Minister, and offered
assurance that Kuwait was taking action in this regard.
Turkey
--------------
11. (C) The Amir said that he was very concerned with
potential escalation of conflict between Turkey and Iraq's
Kurds. He added that a Turkish invasion into Iraq would
provoke a reaction from Arab states that would set back the
notable accomplishments recently witnessed in Iraq.
12. (U) Amb. Crocker has cleared this cable.
********************************************* *
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