STRONG USG INTEREST IN SUPPORTING AMBASSADOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001141 SIPDIS NEA/ARP, NEA/I E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2018 TAGS: PREL MASS MARR KU IZ SUBJECT: STRONG USG INTEREST IN SUPPORTING AMBASSADOR AL-MOU'MIN TRAVEL TO IRAQ THROUGH DECEMBER REF: A. A) KUWAIT 1113 ¶B. B) SAWYER - JONES E-MAIL DATED 11/15/2008 Classified By: Political Counselor Pete O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See para 4. ¶2. (C) The GOK has expressed its deep appreciation for USG support in transporting Ambassador Ali Al-Mou'min, Kuwait's ambassador to Iraq, to Baghdad to facilitate his presentation of credentials on October 22 and for a November 10 meeting with Iraqi President Talabani. Discussions have been underway regarding possible support to facilitate a return trip to Baghdad by Ambassador Al-Mou'min and accompanying staff and security detail (total of 17 persons) on November 23 with a return to Kuwait on December 3. The GOK has understood and accepted that the support for each of these visits would be provided on a cost reimbursable basis, per Embassy Kuwait's earlier exchanges with the Department. ¶3. (C) Embassy understands that the Department now has concerns about the modalities for accepting such payments and that this could impact further travel (Ref B). ¶4. (C) Embassy strongly urges the Department/DOD urgently to conclude an arrangement permitting USG Milair support for Ambassador Al-Mou'min's travel through December on a non-reimbursable basis. Embassy proposes this approach because we believe that USG facilitation of Ambassador Al-Mou'min's efforts to establish the Kuwaiti Mission in Baghdad lends essential credibility to that Mission and demonstrates to the Government of Iraq that the USG strongly values the re-establishment of close diplomatic ties between Kuwait and Iraq. Beyond mere logistical facilitation, such USG support also provides an important psychological aegis to Kuwait's political leadership at a time when delicate issues regarding borders and debt remain to be discussed and resolved. Ambassador Al-Mou'min intends to use the November 23 - December 3 visit to fully establish his Mission in Baghdad and has indicated that he will not seek further USG logistical support after end-December. USG long-term interests in the region are well-served by the successful establishment of the Kuwaiti Mission in Baghdad; we cannot allow the relatively small costs associated with this support to detract from our ability to assist a long-term ally from accomplishing this essential task. ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * JONES