GOK RESPONSE: AL-AWADI AND AL-SHAITAN

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000503 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP, L, AND S/CPR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OFDP OPDC PGOV CVIS KU SUBJECT: GOK RESPONSE: AL-AWADI AND AL-SHAITAN ¶1. (SBU) Post received April 7 the attached diplomatic note from the MFA Legal Department. Below is Post's unofficial translation: 4 April 2007 20070554 Secret SIPDIS The MFA presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Kuwait. In reference to Note 800, dated 12/20/2006, on the issue of requesting judicial assistance regarding Ms. Swarna against Al-Awadi and Al-Shaitan and the Government of Kuwait under the number "sany 06 civ 4880," (sic -- Post's diplomatic note cited SDNY 06 Civ 4880) we would like to inform you of the impossibility of implementing the judicial assistance referred to because Mr. Badr Al-Awadi and his wife enjoy diplomatic immunity from criminal and civil prosecutions, which is afforded to them according to paragraph 2 of article 39 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and which stipulates immunity regarding acts undertaken as part of a diplomatic delegation. The MFA avails itself of the opportunity to express to the Embassy its utmost consideration and respect. ¶2. (U) Post will provide a copy of the original Embassy diplomatic note in Arabic and English as well as the MFA diplomatic note in Arabic to NEA/ARP - Belinda Jackson. ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * Tueller