Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KUWAIT810
2007-05-22 11:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: KUWAIT WILLING BUT HESITANT
how-toVZCZCXRO2757 OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #0810 1421117 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 221117Z MAY 07 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9191 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA IMMEDIATE 0106 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI IMMEDIATE 0171
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000810
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2027
TAGS: PREL SO MOPS XF AL GCC KU DEMARCHE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: KUWAIT WILLING BUT HESITANT
ABOUT AID TO SOMALI RECONCILIATION CONGRESS
REF: A. STATE 67570
B. KUWAIT 661
Classified By: DCM Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000810
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2027
TAGS: PREL SO MOPS XF AL GCC KU DEMARCHE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: KUWAIT WILLING BUT HESITANT
ABOUT AID TO SOMALI RECONCILIATION CONGRESS
REF: A. STATE 67570
B. KUWAIT 661
Classified By: DCM Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C/NF) PolOff delivered reftel demarche to Somalia Desk
Officer Abdulnasser Al-Rashidi and MFA Arab World Deputy
Director Ahmad Al-Baker on May 22. Al-Baker reiterated that
the GOK has USD 2 million ready to give to support the Somali
National Reconciliation Congress (ref B),but that it has
concerns about whether corruption will result in the money
being wasted. Al-Rashidi noted that the Somalis have
indicated they prefer the GOK to transfer the money directly
to their embassy in Kenya. Al-Rashidi also noted GOK
concerns that contributions would support -- or be viewed as
supporting -- one side or another. However, they welcomed
the suggestion of contributing through the UNDP and promised
to pursue that avenue.
2. (C/NF) Al-Rashidi voiced concerns about Ethiopian
meddling in Somali affairs, noting that this had stoked
longstanding tensions in the region and given an excuse to
extremists to justify their actions as a jihad against
infidel occupiers. Al-Rashidi and Al-Baker both argued that
the Islamic Courts enjoyed popular support because they were
providing security and services, something which former
ruling parties had not done. Al-Rashidi continued on to say
that the Islamic Courts Union contained moderate elements.
He speculated that it would have been easier to moderate the
extreme elements among the Islamic Courts Union and/or appeal
to the moderate elements of the Union through negotiation,
but that the military invasion had made the possibility of
bringing them into the peace process difficult. Both agreed
that the Reconciliation Congress was important and that
Kuwait was committed to its success, despite their
reservations about Ethiopia's role and the disbanding of the
Islamic Courts Union.
3. (C/NF) Al-Baker stressed that Kuwaitis are eager to
invest in Somalia when it becomes more stable. He pointed to
major Kuwaiti ventures in Sudan as evidence of Kuwaitis'
interest to invest in Eastern Africa and said that Somalia
could become a tourist destination for Kuwaitis.
********************************************* *
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
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2027
TAGS: PREL SO MOPS XF AL GCC KU DEMARCHE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: KUWAIT WILLING BUT HESITANT
ABOUT AID TO SOMALI RECONCILIATION CONGRESS
REF: A. STATE 67570
B. KUWAIT 661
Classified By: DCM Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C/NF) PolOff delivered reftel demarche to Somalia Desk
Officer Abdulnasser Al-Rashidi and MFA Arab World Deputy
Director Ahmad Al-Baker on May 22. Al-Baker reiterated that
the GOK has USD 2 million ready to give to support the Somali
National Reconciliation Congress (ref B),but that it has
concerns about whether corruption will result in the money
being wasted. Al-Rashidi noted that the Somalis have
indicated they prefer the GOK to transfer the money directly
to their embassy in Kenya. Al-Rashidi also noted GOK
concerns that contributions would support -- or be viewed as
supporting -- one side or another. However, they welcomed
the suggestion of contributing through the UNDP and promised
to pursue that avenue.
2. (C/NF) Al-Rashidi voiced concerns about Ethiopian
meddling in Somali affairs, noting that this had stoked
longstanding tensions in the region and given an excuse to
extremists to justify their actions as a jihad against
infidel occupiers. Al-Rashidi and Al-Baker both argued that
the Islamic Courts enjoyed popular support because they were
providing security and services, something which former
ruling parties had not done. Al-Rashidi continued on to say
that the Islamic Courts Union contained moderate elements.
He speculated that it would have been easier to moderate the
extreme elements among the Islamic Courts Union and/or appeal
to the moderate elements of the Union through negotiation,
but that the military invasion had made the possibility of
bringing them into the peace process difficult. Both agreed
that the Reconciliation Congress was important and that
Kuwait was committed to its success, despite their
reservations about Ethiopia's role and the disbanding of the
Islamic Courts Union.
3. (C/NF) Al-Baker stressed that Kuwaitis are eager to
invest in Somalia when it becomes more stable. He pointed to
major Kuwaiti ventures in Sudan as evidence of Kuwaitis'
interest to invest in Eastern Africa and said that Somalia
could become a tourist destination for Kuwaitis.
********************************************* *
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