C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001674

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/I JDAVIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PINR EAID IPET IZ IR TU KU
SUBJECT: IRAQ/KUWAIT: TALABANI VISIT; FUEL; BORDER
CROSSINGS

REF: A. SECSTATE 157485

B. BAGHDAD 3174

C. KUWAIT 1476

Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

Summary
--------------


1. (C) On November 20, CDA met with U/S Al-Jarallah to
discuss Ref A points, Ambassador Crocker's October 29 visit
and other related issues. The U/S demonstrated no objection,
in principle, to USG requests for an additional border
crossing, but expressed concern at the close proximity of
Camp Bucca detention center to Kuwait. The U/S offered to
approach fuel transportation contractors to urge them to
carry out their obligations to deliver fuel from Kuwait to
Iraq. The U/S also provided a readout on the November 14-17
visit of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to Kuwait. Many of
his comments were echoed in November 19 poloff discussions
with Iraqi CDA to Kuwait, Fadhel Khudair. End Summary.

Border Crossing
--------------


2. (C) On November 20, CDA asked Kuwaiti MFA U/S Khaled
Suliman Al-Jarallah about progress following previous
discussions (ref C) regarding MNF-I logistical need for an
additional border crossing between Iraq and Kuwait. In
response, the U/S expressed concern regarding the close
proximity of the Camp Bucca detention facility to Kuwait. He
asked about the size of camp and whether it could be seen
from the Kuwaiti border. He also asked about the origins of
the detainees. Al-Jarallah voiced no objection to the
request for another border crossing, and said he intended to
visit the border area personally in order to understand the
U.S. request better. CDA offered to facilitate such travel.
(Comment: U/S Jarallah is not the decision-maker on this
issue and we will continue to raise this matter with MOI and
MOD).

Fuel
--------------


3. (C) CDA urged the GOK to assist in facilitating transfers
of Kuwaiti fuel across the border

into Iraq for power
generation. The U/S seemed unaware of the details of the
issues--e.g. contract and payment details, and names of
Kuwaiti trading companies--but agreed to approach fuel
transportation contractors AIMS, Al-Ahmadah and Rehal to urge
them to promptly carry out their obligations to deliver fuel
to Iraq.

Visit of President Jalal Talabani
--------------


4. (C) U/S Al-Jarallah said that the November 14-17 visit to
Kuwait of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was "very
successful." The U/S indicated that the visit of Talabani
helped to assure the Kuwaitis that there is a functional
government in Iraq, one that the GOK can deal with on a
political and diplomatic level. He also welcomed the
prospect of continued high-level visitors. CDA asked if this
could include Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki. Jarallah
replied that this would be possible.


5. (C) According to the U/S, Talabani promised continued
action on the following items:

--He offered Iraqi support to provide security for UN teams
arriving in February to maintain/repair border demarcation
pillars. Associated with this issue are Iraqi farms that
cross into Kuwait.

--During the visit, the GOK offered to pay for lands annexed
by Kuwait during the demarcation process and to build a
modern residential complex at a border site to be determined.
In response, Talabani promised to facilitate the provision
of Iraqi land to these farmers as compensation.

--He promised to look into contentious bilateral issues such
as the Kuwaiti Consulate building in Basra, which was
reportedly taken over by Iraqis.

--According to the Iraqi Charge d'Affaires to Kuwait (in a
November 19 discussion with poloff), Talabani also requested

KUWAIT 00001674 002 OF 002


that Kuwait lift a ban on Iraqi Airways.


6. (C) CDA addressed Amb. Crocker's October 29 request for
the Amir to establish a Kuwaiti mission in Iraq. According
to the U/S, the Amir told Talabani that the GOK is "ready" to
establish an embassy in Baghdad and is merely waiting for
Iraq to choose the site for the embassy and provide security
assurances. He confirmed that retired General Ali al-Mu'min
remains the GOK's ambassador-in-waiting and that he would be
sent to Baghdad within a short time once an appropriate
property -- probably a villa outside the Green Zone -- is
arranged. He also said that Talabani was eager to discuss
the issues of Iraqi debts to Kuwait and UN Compensation
Commission (UNCC) payments. Talabani was directed by the
Amir to take up the debt issue with the Kuwaiti parliament
and the UNCC issue with the UN. The U/S added that it was
difficult for Kuwaitis to consider forgiveness or reduction
of Iraqi debt at the present time. He added that since the
5% of the Iraqi oil revenues paid to the UNCC are ultimately
paid to individual claimants, it was not a GOK matter.


7. (C) During a November 19 meeting with poloff, Iraqi CDA
to Kuwait Fadhel Khudair reported that the Talabani visit was
very fruitful, but mentioned some complications during the
visit. Khudair echoed the U/S's comments on Talabani being
referred to the National Assembly to discuss debt reduction.
However, he added that though Talabani had meetings scheduled
with the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee, the
office of the Amir canceled them, saying that it is not
appropriate for visiting heads of state to meet with
parliamentary committees.


8. (C) Khudair also said Talabani brought up the issue of
five Iraqi oil tankers left in the Gulf during the Iraqi
withdrawal from Kuwait in 1991. According to Khudair, the
GOK response was that the tankers obstructed movement in the
Gulf and were therefore towed away and sold as scrap.


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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/
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MISENHEIMER