Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KUWAIT1684
2007-11-29 14:08:00
SECRET
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
KUWAIT PRACTICES-INFORMATION COLLECTION,
how-toVZCZCXRO8913 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #1684/01 3331408 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 291408Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0370 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEFHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 001684
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR S/CT KEN MCKUNE, NCTC, DHS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2027
TAGS: PREL PGOV KU KVPR PTER PINR CVIS ASEC KHLS
SUBJECT: KUWAIT PRACTICES-INFORMATION COLLECTION,
SCREENING, AND SHARING
REF: A. SECSTATE 133921
B. KUWAIT 4688
Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 001684
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR S/CT KEN MCKUNE, NCTC, DHS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2027
TAGS: PREL PGOV KU KVPR PTER PINR CVIS ASEC KHLS
SUBJECT: KUWAIT PRACTICES-INFORMATION COLLECTION,
SCREENING, AND SHARING
REF: A. SECSTATE 133921
B. KUWAIT 4688
Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (U) Post's response to Department inquiries in State
133931 follows.
Watchlisting
--------------
2. (SBU)
- The GOK maintains watchlists. The number of records is
unknown.
- The Kuwait Immigration Service of the Ministry of Interior
(MOI) and Kuwait State Security (KSS) maintain lists.
Individuals involved in terrorist-related activties are kept
track of by KSS.
Traveler Information Collection
--------------
3. (C)
- Most foreigners who enter Kuwait, including tourists from
countries other than Europe and North America, must have a
local sponsor. The process of obtaining such a sponsor
entails providing a great deal of information. However, the
only information taken from travelers entering the country is
typical entry card information, such as name, date of birth,
and location of residence in Kuwait. Tourists from Europe
and North America do not need sponsors to visit and thus the
only information collected is the basic data provided on
entry. These same tourists must provide additional
information to obtain a residence permit.
- Policies do not differ for land, air or sea. There are no
internal flights.
- The MOI collects this information.
- The MOI shares this information under certain conditions
with other GCC governments. A GOK representative told Poloff
recently that the GOK keeps passenger manifests, but Post
cannot verify this.
- The GOK keeps records on entry and exit of foreigners to
the country.
- There is no system in place to identify suspicious
individuals before they enter the country.
Border Control and Screening
--------------
4. (C)
- The GOK employs software to screen travelers of security
interest.
- All travelers can be tracked electronically. However, this
policy is prone to sporadic enforcement with GCC citizens.
- GOK border officials' conduct is governed largely by
internal MOI codes of procedure. They use information about
alleged criminal activity in their decisions to grant or deny
entry or exit from the country.
- The MOI can question, detain, or deny entry to the country.
- The GOK, specifically KSS, has a database of those
suspected of terrorist activity. Other parts of the GOK also
have databases. Despite efforts to improve communication
between databases, connectivity problems still exist. In
general the GOK is tentative in pursuing Kuwaitis suspected
of terrorist activity and more assertive in pursuing
non-Kuwaitis.
Biometric Collection
--------------
5. (C)
- GOK is considering developing biometric capabilities,
though implementation does not seem imminent.
KUWAIT 00001684 002 OF 003
- The GOK does not regularly collect fingerprints on entry to
the country. Foreigners expelled from the country for legal
reasons are fingerprinted on exit.
- The MOI is responsible for the fingerprint system.
- The MOI collects rolled fingerprints by paper (not
biometrics).
Passports
--------------
6. (C)
- The GOK issues machine-readable passports.
- When a Kuwaiti loses a passport abroad, he is generally
issued a one-use travel document to return to Kuwait. On
returning to Kuwait, the citizen must go to the MOI and
explain the circumstances of the loss of the passport. The
MOI's policy is that the citizen must provide documentary
evidence, such as a police report, to back up his claim.
This policy is designed to detect those who may be lying
about what happened to their passport, though Post does not
have information about whether a passport would be denied to
such a person altogether (though passport confiscation is
practiced by the GOK) or whether there would be legal
proceedings against him. In certain cases, a Kuwaiti abroad
may get a fully valid passport, but only after proving his
case to the ministry's satisfaction. Generally this is done
for those whose passports expire when they are abroad for an
extended period of time, such as for medical treatment and
study. In these cases the passport is issued from Kuwait and
sent to the citizen through the embassy abroad rather than
being issued directly by the embassy.
- Replacement passports do not appear to be assigned a
characteristic number or otherwise identified. However, the
GOK computer systems reportedly keep track of whether a
passport is a replacement for a lost passport.
Fraud Detection
--------------
7. (C)
- The GOK reports that it vigorously checks for fraudulent
documents used by foreigners to gain entry into the country.
It maintains a repository of sample documents and signatures
so it can validate foreign documents. One weakness in the
GOK system is that the MFA does not photocopy or scan
documents it certifies, so documents can be manipulated after
they are notarized.
Privacy and Data Security
--------------
8. (C)
- KSS and the MOI's Immigration department keep permanent
records of interrogations.
- The GOK generally announces new laws in its official
gazette. However, Post does not have information about a
requirement that the GOK would have to publicly announce the
implementation of a new database.
- Kuwaiti citizens can go to court to petition information
the Government holds on them. Non-Kuwaitis cannot sue the
Government for this information; they can make a formal
request from the embassy in their country, but it would be up
to the GOK's discretion as to whether it would provide that
information. Only concerned persons or agencies are able to
gain access to records held on private individuals.
Immigration Databases
--------------
9. (C/NF)
- The MOI has a computerized immigration database.
Information for all entries and exits is entered into this
database at all of Kuwait's ports of entry.
- The computerized databases are updated daily.
KUWAIT 00001684 003 OF 003
Watchlist and Information Sharing
--------------
10. (C/NF)
- All persons entering and exiting Kuwait are screened
against the MOI and CED databases which generate hits for
persons with criminal convictions and immigration violations.
- Individuals are screened against two international
watchlists: Interpol and TSA No Fly.
- There are no bilateral or multilateral watchlists. The
Government of Kuwait does exchange fingerprint information of
persons with serious criminal convictions with fellow Gulf
Cooperation Council members, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab
Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman on a monthly basis.
Biometrics
--------------
11. (C/NF)
- There are no fully operational biometric systems in place
at ports of entry. The GOK is currently testing an
electronic fingerprinting system at Kuwait City International
Airport. Ultimately the system is to be used at all ports of
entry.
- The GOK uses fingerprint identification. The Ministry of
Interior obtains fingerprints from Kuwaitis when they apply
for national identification cards at age 18 and from foreign
residents when they apply for residence permits.
- The GOK has a DNA database. It takes DNA samples from
convicted prisoners.
- The GOK does not yet issue machine-readable (MR) passports
with biometric information but plans to begin issuing them in
2008.
********************************************* *
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
FOR S/CT KEN MCKUNE, NCTC, DHS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2027
TAGS: PREL PGOV KU KVPR PTER PINR CVIS ASEC KHLS
SUBJECT: KUWAIT PRACTICES-INFORMATION COLLECTION,
SCREENING, AND SHARING
REF: A. SECSTATE 133921
B. KUWAIT 4688
Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (U) Post's response to Department inquiries in State
133931 follows.
Watchlisting
--------------
2. (SBU)
- The GOK maintains watchlists. The number of records is
unknown.
- The Kuwait Immigration Service of the Ministry of Interior
(MOI) and Kuwait State Security (KSS) maintain lists.
Individuals involved in terrorist-related activties are kept
track of by KSS.
Traveler Information Collection
--------------
3. (C)
- Most foreigners who enter Kuwait, including tourists from
countries other than Europe and North America, must have a
local sponsor. The process of obtaining such a sponsor
entails providing a great deal of information. However, the
only information taken from travelers entering the country is
typical entry card information, such as name, date of birth,
and location of residence in Kuwait. Tourists from Europe
and North America do not need sponsors to visit and thus the
only information collected is the basic data provided on
entry. These same tourists must provide additional
information to obtain a residence permit.
- Policies do not differ for land, air or sea. There are no
internal flights.
- The MOI collects this information.
- The MOI shares this information under certain conditions
with other GCC governments. A GOK representative told Poloff
recently that the GOK keeps passenger manifests, but Post
cannot verify this.
- The GOK keeps records on entry and exit of foreigners to
the country.
- There is no system in place to identify suspicious
individuals before they enter the country.
Border Control and Screening
--------------
4. (C)
- The GOK employs software to screen travelers of security
interest.
- All travelers can be tracked electronically. However, this
policy is prone to sporadic enforcement with GCC citizens.
- GOK border officials' conduct is governed largely by
internal MOI codes of procedure. They use information about
alleged criminal activity in their decisions to grant or deny
entry or exit from the country.
- The MOI can question, detain, or deny entry to the country.
- The GOK, specifically KSS, has a database of those
suspected of terrorist activity. Other parts of the GOK also
have databases. Despite efforts to improve communication
between databases, connectivity problems still exist. In
general the GOK is tentative in pursuing Kuwaitis suspected
of terrorist activity and more assertive in pursuing
non-Kuwaitis.
Biometric Collection
--------------
5. (C)
- GOK is considering developing biometric capabilities,
though implementation does not seem imminent.
KUWAIT 00001684 002 OF 003
- The GOK does not regularly collect fingerprints on entry to
the country. Foreigners expelled from the country for legal
reasons are fingerprinted on exit.
- The MOI is responsible for the fingerprint system.
- The MOI collects rolled fingerprints by paper (not
biometrics).
Passports
--------------
6. (C)
- The GOK issues machine-readable passports.
- When a Kuwaiti loses a passport abroad, he is generally
issued a one-use travel document to return to Kuwait. On
returning to Kuwait, the citizen must go to the MOI and
explain the circumstances of the loss of the passport. The
MOI's policy is that the citizen must provide documentary
evidence, such as a police report, to back up his claim.
This policy is designed to detect those who may be lying
about what happened to their passport, though Post does not
have information about whether a passport would be denied to
such a person altogether (though passport confiscation is
practiced by the GOK) or whether there would be legal
proceedings against him. In certain cases, a Kuwaiti abroad
may get a fully valid passport, but only after proving his
case to the ministry's satisfaction. Generally this is done
for those whose passports expire when they are abroad for an
extended period of time, such as for medical treatment and
study. In these cases the passport is issued from Kuwait and
sent to the citizen through the embassy abroad rather than
being issued directly by the embassy.
- Replacement passports do not appear to be assigned a
characteristic number or otherwise identified. However, the
GOK computer systems reportedly keep track of whether a
passport is a replacement for a lost passport.
Fraud Detection
--------------
7. (C)
- The GOK reports that it vigorously checks for fraudulent
documents used by foreigners to gain entry into the country.
It maintains a repository of sample documents and signatures
so it can validate foreign documents. One weakness in the
GOK system is that the MFA does not photocopy or scan
documents it certifies, so documents can be manipulated after
they are notarized.
Privacy and Data Security
--------------
8. (C)
- KSS and the MOI's Immigration department keep permanent
records of interrogations.
- The GOK generally announces new laws in its official
gazette. However, Post does not have information about a
requirement that the GOK would have to publicly announce the
implementation of a new database.
- Kuwaiti citizens can go to court to petition information
the Government holds on them. Non-Kuwaitis cannot sue the
Government for this information; they can make a formal
request from the embassy in their country, but it would be up
to the GOK's discretion as to whether it would provide that
information. Only concerned persons or agencies are able to
gain access to records held on private individuals.
Immigration Databases
--------------
9. (C/NF)
- The MOI has a computerized immigration database.
Information for all entries and exits is entered into this
database at all of Kuwait's ports of entry.
- The computerized databases are updated daily.
KUWAIT 00001684 003 OF 003
Watchlist and Information Sharing
--------------
10. (C/NF)
- All persons entering and exiting Kuwait are screened
against the MOI and CED databases which generate hits for
persons with criminal convictions and immigration violations.
- Individuals are screened against two international
watchlists: Interpol and TSA No Fly.
- There are no bilateral or multilateral watchlists. The
Government of Kuwait does exchange fingerprint information of
persons with serious criminal convictions with fellow Gulf
Cooperation Council members, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab
Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman on a monthly basis.
Biometrics
--------------
11. (C/NF)
- There are no fully operational biometric systems in place
at ports of entry. The GOK is currently testing an
electronic fingerprinting system at Kuwait City International
Airport. Ultimately the system is to be used at all ports of
entry.
- The GOK uses fingerprint identification. The Ministry of
Interior obtains fingerprints from Kuwaitis when they apply
for national identification cards at age 18 and from foreign
residents when they apply for residence permits.
- The GOK has a DNA database. It takes DNA samples from
convicted prisoners.
- The GOK does not yet issue machine-readable (MR) passports
with biometric information but plans to begin issuing them in
2008.
********************************************* *
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