SOLICITING KUWAITI ACTION AGAINST AL-QAEDA

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 001519 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2033 TAGS: PTER PINR IZ KU SUBJECT: SOLICITING KUWAITI ACTION AGAINST AL-QAEDA REF: BAGHDAD 01452 Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b), (c),and (d) ¶1. (S/NF) This is an action message. Please see para two for action request. ¶2. (S/NF) ACTION REQUESTED: Per reftel, post requests that Department instruct Embassy Kuwait to demarche the GOK about the growing threat of Al Qaeda's activities in Kuwait. Post provides background infromation in paras three and four for use with points provided in reftel request. Para five contains additional points from which post can draw. ¶3. (S REL KU) Al Qaeda in Iraq and Al Qaeda elements in Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to receive financial and logistical support from members or associates operating in Kuwait. Kuwaiti national have also traveled to Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to participate in terror activities. The recent involvement of former Guantanamo detainee Abdallah Salih Ali Al-Ajmi, along with Kuwaiti national Nasr Fahd Al-Dusari and Badr al-Harbi in suicide attacks in Mosul, Iraq in late April 2008 underscores the importance of careful monitoring and control, not only of former detainees, but also of other would-be foreign fighters. ¶4. (S REL KU) We also note that Muhammad Nasr Ubayd Al-Dusar aka Al-Hajj aka Abul Talha, who is known to your government as a terrorist facilitator and was previously incarcerated for efforts to attack Western interests in Kuwait and elsewhere in the Gulf has resumed his facilitation activities. Dusari continues to provide funds and logistical support to Al Qaeda operatives. Dusari also is involved in facilitating the movement of foreign fighters into Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Dusari and his associates also pose a danger to Kuwaiti interests. While Dusari and his associates may have heretofore provided support to extremists operating outside of Kuwait, Dusari may turn his attention against local Kuwaiti targets or the sizable U.S. and Western presence in Kuwait. ¶5. (S REL KU) --These individuals represent a threat not only to U.S. and allied forces, but to Kuwait as well. --While Kuwait is a valuable partner and ally, the continued terrorist facilitation activities within your country tarnishes Kuwait's reputation. --We are cognizant of the legal and societal sensitivities related to the investigation and disruption of Kuwaiti nationals involved in terror activities. --We nonetheless request a more open and transparent dialogue on terrorism and the activities of extremists such as Al-Dusari between Kuwait State Security and U.S. Intelligence representatives. --Greater transparency on this topic will benefit both of our countries and our mutual efforts to preserve security and stability in Kuwait and the wider region. CROCKER