Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KUWAIT615
2007-04-26 12:54:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR AND DEFENSE/INTERIOR MINISTER DISCUSS
how-toVZCZCXRO8078 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #0615/01 1161254 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 261254Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8895 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000615
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/I AND NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2022
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ASEC KTFN KU TERROR FINANCE
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND DEFENSE/INTERIOR MINISTER DISCUSS
SECURITY COOPERATION, C/T, AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
REF: A. KUWAIT 514
B. KUWAIT 419
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000615
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/I AND NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2022
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ASEC KTFN KU TERROR FINANCE
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND DEFENSE/INTERIOR MINISTER DISCUSS
SECURITY COOPERATION, C/T, AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
REF: A. KUWAIT 514
B. KUWAIT 419
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S/NF) Summary: During an April 24 meeting with
Defense/Interior Minister Shaykh Jaber Al-Mubarak, the
Ambassador emphasized USG readiness to provide security
assistance to Kuwait, stressed the need to continue
investigating suspected terrorist financiers, and urged
follow up on the recommendations of the Critical Energy
Infrastructure assessment report when completed. Shaykh
Jaber welcomed U.S. support, agreed on the need to counter
domestic extremists and terrorism financiers, and said energy
security was one of his top priorities and Kuwait's greatest
vulnerabilities. End summary.
Kuwait Welcomes U.S. Security Assistance
--------------
2. (S/NF) The Ambassador and BG Mark Solo, the Chief of the
Office of Military Cooperation-Kuwait (OMC-K),met April 25
with First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and
Minister of Interior Shaykh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. The
Ambassador congratulated Shaykh Jaber on being re-appointed
to his two major ministerial positions. The Ambassador
praised recent mil/mil discussions on expanded security
cooperation and emphasized the USG's willingness to provide
continued and tailored assistance, particularly through
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programming, to meet Kuwait's
needs. Shaykh Jaber expressed satisfaction with and
appreciation for U.S. support, particularly increased Patriot
missile protection, and agreed on the need to be prepared for
regional contingencies.
Combating Terror Finance and Extremism
--------------
3. (S/NF) The Ambassador stressed the need to continue to
investigate the suspected terrorism financing activities of
several Kuwaiti charities, in particular the Revival of
Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS),and individual Kuwaiti
extremists. Shaykh Jaber admitted that "Kuwait has
extremists" and agreed on the need to counter them, noting
that such groups/individuals are opportunistic and use
religion as a cover for their political aspirations. "They
are a real shame on our society, on our government, and on
our religion," he said. "True Islam is far from what they
are teaching." He said the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious
Affairs has procedures in place to prevent extremists from
spreading their ideas in Kuwait. The Ambassador stressed the
importance of such programs and encouraged Kuwait to learn
from Saudi Arabia's religious re-education program. He also
expressed appreciation for recent cooperation on an Iraqi
terrorism financing case involving a third country national,
urging similar cooperation against Kuwaitis who facilitate
terror.
Energy Infrastructure Protection Top Priority
--------------
4. (S/NF) Shaykh Jaber was "very interested" in reviewing
the final report on the Critical Energy Infrastructure
Protection assessment conducted in Kuwait in March (ref B).
He said petroleum sector security is one of his primary
concerns and one of Kuwait's greatest vulnerabilities. The
Ambassador noted that the report would likely recommend
accelerated training for MOI personnel and stressed the
importance of developing human resources, rather than relying
on technology. The Minister agreed.
Public Should Know About Security Preparations
-------------- -
5. (S/NF) Shaykh Jaber said he was pushing Parliament to
allow the May 1 discussion on Kuwait's security preparedness
to be public rather than closed-door as is currently planned
(ref A). He argued this would help dispel rumors and fear
about the possibility of a U.S.-Iran conflict and its impact
on Kuwait.
********************************************* *
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/
********************************************* *
KUWAIT 00000615 002 OF 002
LeBaron
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/I AND NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2022
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ASEC KTFN KU TERROR FINANCE
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND DEFENSE/INTERIOR MINISTER DISCUSS
SECURITY COOPERATION, C/T, AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
REF: A. KUWAIT 514
B. KUWAIT 419
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S/NF) Summary: During an April 24 meeting with
Defense/Interior Minister Shaykh Jaber Al-Mubarak, the
Ambassador emphasized USG readiness to provide security
assistance to Kuwait, stressed the need to continue
investigating suspected terrorist financiers, and urged
follow up on the recommendations of the Critical Energy
Infrastructure assessment report when completed. Shaykh
Jaber welcomed U.S. support, agreed on the need to counter
domestic extremists and terrorism financiers, and said energy
security was one of his top priorities and Kuwait's greatest
vulnerabilities. End summary.
Kuwait Welcomes U.S. Security Assistance
--------------
2. (S/NF) The Ambassador and BG Mark Solo, the Chief of the
Office of Military Cooperation-Kuwait (OMC-K),met April 25
with First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and
Minister of Interior Shaykh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. The
Ambassador congratulated Shaykh Jaber on being re-appointed
to his two major ministerial positions. The Ambassador
praised recent mil/mil discussions on expanded security
cooperation and emphasized the USG's willingness to provide
continued and tailored assistance, particularly through
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programming, to meet Kuwait's
needs. Shaykh Jaber expressed satisfaction with and
appreciation for U.S. support, particularly increased Patriot
missile protection, and agreed on the need to be prepared for
regional contingencies.
Combating Terror Finance and Extremism
--------------
3. (S/NF) The Ambassador stressed the need to continue to
investigate the suspected terrorism financing activities of
several Kuwaiti charities, in particular the Revival of
Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS),and individual Kuwaiti
extremists. Shaykh Jaber admitted that "Kuwait has
extremists" and agreed on the need to counter them, noting
that such groups/individuals are opportunistic and use
religion as a cover for their political aspirations. "They
are a real shame on our society, on our government, and on
our religion," he said. "True Islam is far from what they
are teaching." He said the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious
Affairs has procedures in place to prevent extremists from
spreading their ideas in Kuwait. The Ambassador stressed the
importance of such programs and encouraged Kuwait to learn
from Saudi Arabia's religious re-education program. He also
expressed appreciation for recent cooperation on an Iraqi
terrorism financing case involving a third country national,
urging similar cooperation against Kuwaitis who facilitate
terror.
Energy Infrastructure Protection Top Priority
--------------
4. (S/NF) Shaykh Jaber was "very interested" in reviewing
the final report on the Critical Energy Infrastructure
Protection assessment conducted in Kuwait in March (ref B).
He said petroleum sector security is one of his primary
concerns and one of Kuwait's greatest vulnerabilities. The
Ambassador noted that the report would likely recommend
accelerated training for MOI personnel and stressed the
importance of developing human resources, rather than relying
on technology. The Minister agreed.
Public Should Know About Security Preparations
-------------- -
5. (S/NF) Shaykh Jaber said he was pushing Parliament to
allow the May 1 discussion on Kuwait's security preparedness
to be public rather than closed-door as is currently planned
(ref A). He argued this would help dispel rumors and fear
about the possibility of a U.S.-Iran conflict and its impact
on Kuwait.
********************************************* *
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/
********************************************* *
KUWAIT 00000615 002 OF 002
LeBaron