KUWAIT RESPONSES FOR COUNTRY BY COUNTRY REVIEW OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000780 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP AND WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2012 TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU KU SUBJECT: KUWAIT RESPONSES FOR COUNTRY BY COUNTRY REVIEW OF TITLE III SUSPENSION OF LIBERTAD ACT REF: STATE 65523 Classified By: Acting DCM Tim Lenderking for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) The following is post's response to reftel on implementation of Title III of the LIBERTAD Act. ¶2. (C) Cuba has a diplomatic presence in Kuwait, but the GOK does not maintain a mission in Cuba. Relations between the two countries have been strained since the 1990-91 Gulf War when Cuba objected to UN/U.S./Coalition "interference" to liberate Kuwait. According to the Kuwait Investment Authority, there are no GOK investments in Cuba, and no known private Kuwaiti investments. Kuwait and Cuba have not signed any bilateral trade agreements, and data from the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce reveals limited trade with Cuba. The most recent data available indicates that from 1994-2003, Kuwait imported Cuban goods (mostly cigars) with a total value of 271,319 Kuwaiti Dinars ($930K). During that same time period, Kuwait exported goods (household appliances, electronic goods, furnishings, clothing) with a total value of 5250 Kuwaiti Dinars ($18K). ¶3. (C) There are no exchange programs between Kuwait and Cuba. The GOK does provide scholarships for Kuwaiti students to attend college abroad, but Post is unaware of any Kuwaitis enrolled in Cuban colleges. Similarly, the GOK provides for medical treatment abroad, but Post is unaware of any Kuwaitis who have sought or received medical treatment in Cuba. Post is unaware of any Cuban doctors working in Kuwait. ¶4. (C) The GOK has not taken any specific actions to promote the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba. ¶5. (SBU) There have been no high-level diplomatic visits between Cuba and host country in the past six months. ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * LeBaron