SENIOR MFA OFFICIAL ON GITMO, CT EFFORTS, REGIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000409 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EB/ESC/TFS, TREASURY FOR KRISTEN HECHT _____________________________________________ ____________________ Z F R Z F R KUWAIT 409 Z F R Z F R Z F R Z F R Z F R THE DRAFTER WILL RESEND THE CABLE WITH A NEW MRN. _____________________________________________ ___________________ E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER EFIN KU IR SUBJECT: SENIOR MFA OFFICIAL ON GITMO, CT EFFORTS, REGIONAL ISSUES REF: A. A) PORGES-TUELLER E-MAIL 3/16/2007 ¶B. B) 06 KUWAIT 4664 ¶C. C) KUWAIT 293 ¶D. D) STATE 34681 KUWAIT 00000409 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: MFA U/S Jarallah told Ambassador 3/20 the GOK is prepared to receive an interagency team to discuss Kuwaiti commitments on possible transfer of further detainees to Kuwaiti custody. Ambassador stressed the higher threat from the remaining individuals and thus the need for the GOK to take firmer action against them. Ambassador also urged stronger efforts to address the activities of Kuwaiti charities and terrorist facilitators. Jarallah stressed the GOK commitment to the CT agenda, but complained that evidence in the cases raised by the U.S. had been weak. Jarallah saw positive signs in recent Saudi-Iran talks, especially for Lebanon. Implications of these talks for Iraq remain uncertain. The Arab Summit will focus on Iraq, Lebanon, and the new Palestinian government. Ambassador emphasized the need for full Palestinian buy-in to Quartet prinicples. Jarallah believes the new Palestinian government will move gradually toward the Quartet principles, using the Arab initiative as a foundation. End Summary. Commitments on Guantanamo Detainees -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) In a 3/20 meeting with MFA Under Secretary Khalid Jarallah, Ambassador made clear that the GOK must be prepared to give substantial assurances to the interagency delegation arriving next week that the four remaining Kuwaiti Guantanamo detaineees would not reemerge as a threat should they be transferred into Kuwait custody. Ambassador stressed aggressive prosecution accompanied by careful monitoring and control of movements and communications. He said the GOK would need to take firmer action toward these potential transferees than it had in previous cases. Jarallah replied that the GOK has been preparing for the visit for some time �0A;and understands its importance. Ambassador passed Jarallah information recently supplied to post for release to the GOK on detainees Al-Awda and Al-Rabi'a (ref A). Jarallah asked for similar information on the remaining two detainees, and suggested the GOK may request this of the interagency team. Strengthening CT Efforts -------------- ¶3. (S/NF) Ambassador urged that the GOK look more broadly at its CT efforts, stressing that we are seeing too many reports that individuals of CT concern have been traveling, raising money and are otherwise engaged in behavior neither the U.S. nor Kuwait find acceptable. Ambassador cited in particular the activities of the Revival of Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS) and individuals associated with it, noting a growing consensus that Kuwait is not doing enough. He also raised concerns about three Kuwaiti individuals who were designated as terrorist facilitators by the U.S. Department of Treasury on December 7 but whose designation at the UN was blocked by Qatar acting on behalf of Kuwait (ref B). Ambassador urge that the GOK demonstrate its commitment to our shared CT agenda by lifting the hold. He noted USG dismay that one of the three had been permitted to travel to Qatar for an interview with Al-Jazeerah. Jarallah responded that Kuwait fully supports international CT efforts, noting that Kuwait "faces the same threats as you." He said in the case of RIHS and the three designees at the UN the GOK has not been provided enough credible evidence to take the actions requested. "Positive Signs" from Saudi-Iran Talks -------------- 4 (C/NF) Jarallah said the GOK is not optimistic that the Iranians will follow up with the work of a joint committee established during the Foreign Minister's recent visit to Tehran (ref C). He described the Iranians as "better at listening than following through." However, he saw positive signs in the recent Saudi-Iranian talks. "They are listening to the Saudis on Lebanon," he said. Jarallah said dialogue among the Lebanese factions had intensified following Bandar's visit to Tehran. He also noted what he views as a "more realistic tone" from Hezbollah, which is apparent on broadcasts from Al-Manar. Jarallah said it was too early to gauge whether the Saudi efforts, combined with the Iraq KUWAIT 00000409 002.2 OF 002 neighbors meeting in Baghdad, will have a positive effect on the situation in Iraq. ¶5. (C/NF) Ambassador noted the steady output of inflammatory and anti-U.S. statements from the Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait in the Kuwaiti press. Jarallah said the Iranian Ambassador had been to see him two days earlier demanding the GOK halt negative news coverage of Iranian leaders in the Kuwaiti press. Arab Summit Focus on Iraq, Israel-Palestinian Issues -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C/NF) Jarallah said the Arab Summit next week will focus on Iraq, Lebanon, and Iranian nuclear issues, as well as the Palestinian National Unity Government. Jarallah noted that the Norwegians had met with Palestinian Prime Minister Haniyeh, and he understood the Italians were preparing to do the same. He asked how the U.S. would approach the new government. Ambassador recounted the Quartet principles, and said that while the U.S. would continue to work with President Mahmoud Abbas and some individual members of the government, we will base a decision to deal with any Palestinian government as a whole on acceptance of and adherence to those principles. (Note: Post separately passed ref D points to Jarallah's staff.) Jarallah responded that he thought the Palestinian government, including Hamas, would move toward those principles gradually, using the Arab initiative as a foundation. LeBaron