IRAQ/KUWAIT: TALABANI VISIT; FUEL; BORDER

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 -------------- �A;¶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. ********************************************* * 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