Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KUWAIT173
2007-02-05 14:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
KUWAIT FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT IRAN - FEBRUARY
how-toVZCZCXRO8107 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK DE RUEHKU #0173 0361456 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051456Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8217 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000173
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL KU IRAN
SUBJECT: KUWAIT FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT IRAN - FEBRUARY
13-14, 2007
REF: A. 06 KUWAIT 4702
B. 06 KUWAIT 4537
Classified By: Acting DCM Timothy Lenderking for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000173
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL KU IRAN
SUBJECT: KUWAIT FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT IRAN - FEBRUARY
13-14, 2007
REF: A. 06 KUWAIT 4702
B. 06 KUWAIT 4537
Classified By: Acting DCM Timothy Lenderking for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).
1. (C/NF) On February 4, MFA Director for Africa and Asia
Ambassador Mohammed Al-Bader confirmed to Econoff that Kuwait
Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah will visit Iran
from February 13-14, 2007. (Note: The Foreign Minister
traveled to Iran twice in 2006 - once in June and again in
September.)
2. (C/NF) First Secretary Mansour Alolaimi, a specialist on
Kuwait's bilateral relations with Iran that Al-Bader called
into the meeting, first stressed that the GOK remains
concerned about Iran's nuclear ambitions. He then
acknowledged that the FM's visit will lay the groundwork for
a still unscheduled visit to Iran by Amir Al-Sabah later this
year. The Foreign Minister's visit, he continued, will
conclude with the signing of enhanced bilateral treaties in
the areas of double taxation, tourism, and travel between the
two countries.
3. (C/NF) Econoff asked if the visit was contingent upon
forward movement on any one issue, such as the continental
shelf. Alolaimi indicated that it was not, and believed that
the Amir's visit would likely happen regardless of the
specific outcomes of the FM's visit. (Background: Kuwait
and Iran continue to dispute ownership of the gas-rich
al-Dorra offshore gas field in the continental shelf region
of the northern gulf. The dispute dates back to the 1960s
when Kuwait and Iran awarded overlapping concessions in the
northern part of the gas field. Kuwait signed an agreement
with Saudi Arabia in July 2000 to share the offshore
resources but has been unable to reach a similar accord with
Iran. GOK contacts have previously told Emboffs (ref A) that
the Amir will seek movement on this long-standing issue
before he agrees to travel to Tehran. End background.)
Alolaimi promised a detailed read-out of the visit when the
Kuwaiti delegation returns from Iran.
********************************************
For more Embassy Kuwait reporting, see:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/index. cfm?cables
Or Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
********************************************
TUELLER
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2017
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL KU IRAN
SUBJECT: KUWAIT FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT IRAN - FEBRUARY
13-14, 2007
REF: A. 06 KUWAIT 4702
B. 06 KUWAIT 4537
Classified By: Acting DCM Timothy Lenderking for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).
1. (C/NF) On February 4, MFA Director for Africa and Asia
Ambassador Mohammed Al-Bader confirmed to Econoff that Kuwait
Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah will visit Iran
from February 13-14, 2007. (Note: The Foreign Minister
traveled to Iran twice in 2006 - once in June and again in
September.)
2. (C/NF) First Secretary Mansour Alolaimi, a specialist on
Kuwait's bilateral relations with Iran that Al-Bader called
into the meeting, first stressed that the GOK remains
concerned about Iran's nuclear ambitions. He then
acknowledged that the FM's visit will lay the groundwork for
a still unscheduled visit to Iran by Amir Al-Sabah later this
year. The Foreign Minister's visit, he continued, will
conclude with the signing of enhanced bilateral treaties in
the areas of double taxation, tourism, and travel between the
two countries.
3. (C/NF) Econoff asked if the visit was contingent upon
forward movement on any one issue, such as the continental
shelf. Alolaimi indicated that it was not, and believed that
the Amir's visit would likely happen regardless of the
specific outcomes of the FM's visit. (Background: Kuwait
and Iran continue to dispute ownership of the gas-rich
al-Dorra offshore gas field in the continental shelf region
of the northern gulf. The dispute dates back to the 1960s
when Kuwait and Iran awarded overlapping concessions in the
northern part of the gas field. Kuwait signed an agreement
with Saudi Arabia in July 2000 to share the offshore
resources but has been unable to reach a similar accord with
Iran. GOK contacts have previously told Emboffs (ref A) that
the Amir will seek movement on this long-standing issue
before he agrees to travel to Tehran. End background.)
Alolaimi promised a detailed read-out of the visit when the
Kuwaiti delegation returns from Iran.
********************************************
For more Embassy Kuwait reporting, see:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/index. cfm?cables
Or Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
********************************************
TUELLER