MFA U/S AL-JARALLAH ON LEBANON/SYRIA AND ARAB

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000245 SIPDIS SIPDIS CAIRO PLS PASS TO A/S WELCH E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL KU SUBJECT: MFA U/S AL-JARALLAH ON LEBANON/SYRIA AND ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, Alan G. Misenheimer ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On March 4, CDA met with MFA U/S Jarallah to discuss a range of issues including Lebanon/Syria and the Arab League Summit. Jarallah confirmed Kuwait's decision to contribute USD 5 million to Hariri Tribunal start-up costs, and said the GOK would willing to contribute in support of future operating costs as needed. He lamented the continuing intractability of the Lebanon situation. With regard to the Arab League Summit in Damascus, Jarallah told CDA that he believes it should be postponed under the current circumstances. He said not to expect the summit to take place because many Arab countries, including Kuwait, would not attend if it is held in Damascus. Discussion of Kosovo, TIP and Iraq reported septels. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- LEBANON AND KUWAIT'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) CDA commended Kuwait's contribution of five million dollars to the Special Tribunal and inquired if the GOK would consider further contributions for operating cost for the first two years. Jarallah replied that the GOK had no plans further contributions. He said that when Lebanese PM Siniora visited Kuwait in mid-February, he did not discuss future needs of the tribunal. However, Jarallah noted that if there is a need for future operating costs, "Kuwait will give any amount" and that the GOK is committed to this process. ¶3. (C) Regarding the current situation in Lebanon, Jarallah stated that the Lebanese are "fed up" and willing to do anything to end the current situation which makes conditions increasingly unstable and potentially dangerous. He noted that Saudi Arabia told its citizens to leave Lebanon and that the GOK told its Embassy in Beirut to evacuate their families. Jarallah remarked that Lebanon is experiencing "difficult days" and there are more to come. At his request, CDA sent him a copy of the U.S. Travel Warning for Lebanon after the meeting. -------------- SYRIA AND THE ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT -------------- ¶4. (C) CDA asked Jarallah his thoughts on the Arab League Summit scheduled to be held in Damascus. Jarallah told CDA that postponing the summit is the right choice given current circumstances, and that the mood in the Gulf countries and other Arab countries is not to attend if the summit is held in Damascus. Jarallah said that the Arab countries want to pressure Syria to be more cooperative and realistic and accept the Lebanese consensus on General Michel Sleiman. He lamented, however, that the Syrians are "not listening to anyone." Jarallah accompanied the Kuwaiti Prime Minister on his recent visit to Damascus, and reported the PM's surprise at learning that Saudi FM Saud Al-Faisal had been there "secretly" just before him. Saud told President Bashar Al-Asad that if there is no improvement regarding the Lebanese situation, Saudi Arabia will not attend the Arab League Summit. Jarallah underscored his view that the summit will be postponed, and when asked directly said Kuwait would not attend if the Syrians attempted to convene a meeting of Arab League members. ********************************************* * 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