SHAYKH MISHA'AL: KUWAIT'S EXTREMIST REHABILITATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001188

SIPDIS

NEA/ARP, NEA/I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2018
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PTER KU
SUBJECT: SHAYKH MISHA'AL: KUWAIT'S EXTREMIST REHABILITATION
CENTER STILL IN "INITIAL STAGES"

Classified By: DCM Alan Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d

1.(C) Summary: In a December 3 meeting with Ambassador,
Kuwait National Guard (KNG) Deputy Chief Sh. Misha,al
apportioned blame to both government and parliament in the
current domestic crisis, but ventured no prediction on next
steps. He revealed that the GTMO detainee rehabilitation
center highlighted by the Kuwaiti PM during his September
meeting with POTUS in Washington remains &in initial
stages8 and is not operational. Misha,al reiterated KNG,s
commitment to take part in Embassy Kuwait,s security
exercise scheduled for January. Misha,al, a half-brother
and close adviser of the Amir, is influential well beyond the
scope of his official post. End summary.

2.(C) Ambassador, accompanied by DCM, on December 2 called on
Shaykh Misha,al al-Ahmed al-Jaber Al Sabah, Deputy Commander
(but de facto commander) of the Kuwaiti National Guard (KNG).
Sh. Misha,al is the Amir,s half-brother. Despite his
seemingly modest position, he takes part in the Amir,s
official travel and sensitive meetings and is widely regarded
as the third most influential member of the ruling family.

3.(C) The Ambassador thanked Misha,al for the diligence and
continuing cooperation of KNG,s deployed unit at the Embassy
compound, noting that the importance of physical security was
underscored by the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai. As on
previous occasions, Misha,al stressed the KNG,s commitment
to protect the Embassy and the American community, and to
strive constantly to improve its capabilities and performance
in doing so.

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Kuwait,s Domestic Crisis: Awaiting Amiri Wisdom
-------------- --

4.(C) Regarding Kuwait,s ongoing domestic political crisis,
Sh. Misha,al declined to predict next steps ) e.g.
when/whether the Amir might accept the cabinet,s proffered
resignation and/or dissolve parliament. He observed
pointedly that there were &shortcomings8 on the part of
both parliament and government (an obvious, if indirect, dig
at PM Nasser al-Mohammad),but concluded that the Amir had
the wisdom to chart a successful course through the current
pass. He also referred to the need to consider reforming the
constitution ) &Something you Americans have done often )
but offered no specifics. Misha'al also conveyed a blunt
note of caution against any effort by the USG, or any other
outside party, to interfere in support of any particular
solution to the crisis.

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GTMO Detainees: Where is Kuwait,s Rehabilitation Program?
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5.(C) In a review of current counter-terrorism issues,
Misha,al reiterated his view that the GOK should not be
eager to have the remaining four Kuwaiti GTMO detainees
transferred to GOK responsibility. Better, he said, to see
them tried in the U.S. and, if convicted, jailed for whatever
period. &We trust the law,8 he declared. In the absence
of prosecution, he continued, their continued detention in at
GTMO &causes political pressure for us.8 The Ambassador
referred to bilateral discussion of the detainee issue during
the Kuwaiti PM,s September visit to Washington, citing the
absence of visible GOK follow-up on the rehabilitation
program that PM Nasser al-Mohammad had touted to the
President in arguing for transfer of the four Kuwaitis.
Misha,al replied that instructions had been given with the
GOK for &rapid measures8 to establish a rehabilitation
center, but to the best of his knowledge movement had been
slow and the project remained &in its initial stages.8

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Embassy Security Exercise
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6.(C) The Ambassador reviewed with Sh. Misha,al preparations
for an elaborate crisis exercise scheduled at Embassy Kuwait
during January, noting that the MFA had sent a diplomatic
note asking that it be postponed due to the Arab Economic
Summit scheduled some days afterward. Misha,al said the KNG
was well along in preparing for full participation in the
exercise, per the Embassy,s invitation. He expressed some
irritation at the MFA,s request for postponement of the
exercise, agreeing with the Ambassador that the exercise was
even more urgently needed in the aftermath of the Mumbai
attacks and should proceed as scheduled.


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