Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUWAIT12
2008-01-03 15:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

GOK LOOKING FORWARD TO POTUS VISIT; AMIR TO RAISE

Tags:  PREL PGOV KDRG KU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3999
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHKU #0012 0031501
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 031501Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0510
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 1103
RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA PRIORITY 0576
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000012 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDRG KU
SUBJECT: GOK LOOKING FORWARD TO POTUS VISIT; AMIR TO RAISE
GTMO ISSUE

REF: KUWAIT 1651

Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d

Looking forward to POTUS visit
------------------------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000012

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDRG KU
SUBJECT: GOK LOOKING FORWARD TO POTUS VISIT; AMIR TO RAISE
GTMO ISSUE

REF: KUWAIT 1651

Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d

Looking forward to POTUS visit
--------------


1. (C) In a December 31 meeting with CDA to discuss Iraqi
border and other issues (reported septel),MFA U/S Khaled
Suliman Al-Jarallah said that the GOK is looking forward to
the January 11-12 POTUS visit. He added that there are many
issues for both sides to discuss. He recalled the Amir's
September 2006 meeting with the President at the White House,
and said that such visits help maintain the very healthy
USG-Kuwait relationship. He also added that the upcoming
visit is useful for Kuwait and other GCC countries as it
provides the region with a chance to express true, positive
feelings for the President, as well as raise issues of
concern. He stated that the Amir is likely to discuss the
following topics in his meeting with POTUS:

--Success of the surge in Iraq and how the security situation
is clearly improving.
--Continued concerns regarding the Iranian nuclear program.
--Advancing the peace process between the Israelis and
Palestinians.
--Lebanon, and the GOK's concern that there is still no
solution to the political crisis.
--Bilateral issues, notably Kuwaiti GITMO detainees.

Lax Monitoring of GTMO Detainees--"You have a right to be
worried."
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Recalling previous discussions with CDA of lax Kuwaiti
monitoring of former GTMO detainees, Jarallah acknowledged
that the USG has justified concerns, stating "You have a
right to be worried." He then confirmed that former detainee
Sa'd Al-Azmi, who traveled to Yemen and returned to Kuwait
while supposedly under the watch of Kuwait Security Services
(KSS)(ref A),was not properly monitored. He promised that
the Embassy would soon receive a copy of a "clarification"
from the Ministry of Interior on its handling of former
detainees.

Ambassador-designate to Iraq?
--------------


3. (C) As also noted in septel on Iraq-related aspects of the
discussion, Jarallah said that if the President raises with
the Amir the subject of sending a Kuwaiti Ambassador to
Baghdad, he would likely receive "a positive answer." (Note:
Major General (retired) Ali Al-Mo'min, of the MFA's
Humanitarian Operations Center is the Kuwaiti
Ambassador-designate to Baghdad).

********************************************* *
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/
********************************************* *
MISENHEIMER