Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUWAIT285
2008-03-12 13:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
TRIPARTITE COMMISSION TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE 56TH
how-toVZCZCXRO2700 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #0285/01 0721313 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 121313Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0987 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 1182 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 3106 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1469 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1146 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 2500 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1235 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 000285
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP, OSD FOR ASD/DPMO CRONAUER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PHUM PREL KUWAIT IRAQ KU
SUBJECT: TRIPARTITE COMMISSION TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE 56TH
SESSION
REF: A. 2007-12-27 ROSENBERGER-CRONAUER EMAIL
B. 2007 KUWAIT 1676
C. 2007 KUWAIT 909
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 000285
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP, OSD FOR ASD/DPMO CRONAUER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PHUM PREL KUWAIT IRAQ KU
SUBJECT: TRIPARTITE COMMISSION TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE 56TH
SESSION
REF: A. 2007-12-27 ROSENBERGER-CRONAUER EMAIL
B. 2007 KUWAIT 1676
C. 2007 KUWAIT 909
Summary
--------------
1. Kuwait hosted the 56th session of the Tripartite
Commission's Technical Subcommittee (TSC) on February 12,
2008, with representatives from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
the United Kingdom, the United States, and the International
Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC). Kuwait reiterated its
request to the U.S. for assistance with satellite and high
altitude imagery research and analysis and relayed grid
coordinates of supposed mass grave sites for analytical
review. TSC delegates reported success in making contacts
with potential witnesses and enlisting their assistance in
identifying possible mass grave sites. There was no new
information on CAPT. Speicher. His DNA profile remains in
the Kuwaiti database and continues to be checked against all
newly received profiles. The next TC meeting will take place
in Kuwait on May 27, 2008. End Summary.
Imagery Analysis Request Status
--------------
2. (SBU) The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC)
held the 56th session of the Technical Subcommittee (TSC) in
Kuwait on February 12, 2008. The TSC is composed of
delegates from Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UK and the U.S
(the French delegation failed to show). The USG delegation
informed TSC participants that on December 27, 2007, the
Kuwaiti National Committee for the Missing and POW Affairs
(NCMPA) provided to the Embassy grid coordinates and other
information that may be helpful in locating mass grave sites
in Iraq (ref A). NCMPA relayed the information in hopes that
the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) assets
will review 1990-1991 imagery of the sites to determine if
there were changes from month to month in terms of dirt
shifting or discoloration or other indicators of mass graves.
3. (SBU) The USG delegation confirmed that the NCMPA details
were relayed to Washington and that the matter was still
under study. The TSC requested further updates for the next
meeting.
Witnesses
--------------
4. (SBU) The Kuwaiti delegation reported that it made
contact with a witness with supposed knowledge of grave sites
in Kuwait (AKA the "Jahra" witness). The Kuwaiti delegation
provided assurances to him that no legal action would be
taken against him should he come to Kuwait. Although
initially reluctant, he agreed, in principle, to meet in
Aleppo, Syria in a meeting to be arranged by the ICRC.
5. (SBU) The Iraqi delegation confirmed that it has a witness
ready to assist in locating a grave site in Ramadi. However,
The Iraqis expressed that there may be delays in proceeding
with exhumations at this site, citing a new Iraqi law on the
protection of mass graves. They said that the details of
implementing this new law are still unclear. The TSC members
took note of this concern and encouraged the Iraqis to
coordinate with relevant governmental agencies to facilitate
this mission as soon as possible.
Other Activities
--------------
6. (SBU) According to TSC discussions, during the liberation
of Kuwait, the British Army buried eight Iraqis at locations
listed only in code. The Iraqi delegation requested that the
British delegation send the coded coordinates to London for
decoding. Once the coordinates are known, the ICRC offered,
with participation of Kuwaiti and Iraqi delegates, to conduct
a preliminary survey of the location.
7. (SBU) The TSC reported that effective steps were taken
between the Saudi and Iraqi delegations to define the
timeframe and logistical aspects of the forthcoming
KUWAIT 00000285 002 OF 003
exhumation and repatriation of the remains of 64 Iraqis from
sites in Naeriya (58),Hafr El-Baten (5),and Nessab (1).
This mission will start on March 22. The Saudi delegation is
responsible for moving the remains in Saudi Arabia, and the
ICRC will coordinate with the Kuwaiti delegation and the GOK
for transport across Kuwait and to the Abdaly-Safwan border
crossing into Iraq.
8. (SBU) The Iraqi delegation told the TSC that the security
situation has worsened in the areas of Kerbala, Nasseriya,
Salman Pak, Samawa and Najjaf, making it difficult to
continue queries into the disposition of Kuwaiti remains.
The delegation promised to attempt to obtain a copy of a log
book of a cemetery (exact location not disclosed) in Salman
Pak, believing that it might provide information relevant to
Kuwaiti remains.
Updates
--------------
9. No exhumation activities were conducted by the TSC.
10. There was no new information on CAPT. Michael S.
Speicher's case. His DNA profile remains in the Kuwaiti
database and continues to be checked against all newly
received profiles. The U.S. delegation renewed its
commitment to continue the effort to resolve CAPT. Speicher's
case.
Next TSC
--------------
11. The next TSC session will take place in Kuwait on
Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
12. Delegations:
Republic of Iraq
--------------
H.E. Dr. Abdelkarim A. Shallal,Head of Delegation
Mr. Kazem M.K. Al-Anzi
Mr. Yaqoob Kh. Haider
Mr. Arkan J. Mohammad
Mr. Ammar A. Abdelkarim
State of Kuwait
--------------
H.E. Dr. Ibrahim M. Al-Shaheen, Head of Delegation
H.E. Ambassador Khalid M. Al-Maqamis
Mr. Fozan Al-Fozan
Mr. Rabea Al-Adsani
Dr. Soltan Al-Khalaf
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
--------------
Mr. Zuhair M. Al-Idrissi, Head of Delegation
MG Dr. Abdelrahman Bin Mohammad Al-Sherif
BG Ahmad M. Omar
LTC Khalid Al-Treiri
Mr. Fahad Al-Juraid
United Kingdom
--------------
Mr. Jonathan Layfield, Head of delegation
United States
--------------
Mr. Thomas Rosenberger, Head of Delegation
International Committee of the Red Cross
--------------
Mr. Jean-Michel Monod, Chairman of the TSC, Regional Delegate
for the GCC Countries
Ms. Jamila Al-Hammami, Delegate for 'Missing' files for Iraq
Ms. Dalia Emrazian, Protection Department
Ms. Loubna Berraho, Chancellery
********************************************* *
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s
KUWAIT 00000285 003 OF 003
Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
********************************************* *
Misenheimer
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP, OSD FOR ASD/DPMO CRONAUER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PHUM PREL KUWAIT IRAQ KU
SUBJECT: TRIPARTITE COMMISSION TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE 56TH
SESSION
REF: A. 2007-12-27 ROSENBERGER-CRONAUER EMAIL
B. 2007 KUWAIT 1676
C. 2007 KUWAIT 909
Summary
--------------
1. Kuwait hosted the 56th session of the Tripartite
Commission's Technical Subcommittee (TSC) on February 12,
2008, with representatives from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
the United Kingdom, the United States, and the International
Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC). Kuwait reiterated its
request to the U.S. for assistance with satellite and high
altitude imagery research and analysis and relayed grid
coordinates of supposed mass grave sites for analytical
review. TSC delegates reported success in making contacts
with potential witnesses and enlisting their assistance in
identifying possible mass grave sites. There was no new
information on CAPT. Speicher. His DNA profile remains in
the Kuwaiti database and continues to be checked against all
newly received profiles. The next TC meeting will take place
in Kuwait on May 27, 2008. End Summary.
Imagery Analysis Request Status
--------------
2. (SBU) The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC)
held the 56th session of the Technical Subcommittee (TSC) in
Kuwait on February 12, 2008. The TSC is composed of
delegates from Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UK and the U.S
(the French delegation failed to show). The USG delegation
informed TSC participants that on December 27, 2007, the
Kuwaiti National Committee for the Missing and POW Affairs
(NCMPA) provided to the Embassy grid coordinates and other
information that may be helpful in locating mass grave sites
in Iraq (ref A). NCMPA relayed the information in hopes that
the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) assets
will review 1990-1991 imagery of the sites to determine if
there were changes from month to month in terms of dirt
shifting or discoloration or other indicators of mass graves.
3. (SBU) The USG delegation confirmed that the NCMPA details
were relayed to Washington and that the matter was still
under study. The TSC requested further updates for the next
meeting.
Witnesses
--------------
4. (SBU) The Kuwaiti delegation reported that it made
contact with a witness with supposed knowledge of grave sites
in Kuwait (AKA the "Jahra" witness). The Kuwaiti delegation
provided assurances to him that no legal action would be
taken against him should he come to Kuwait. Although
initially reluctant, he agreed, in principle, to meet in
Aleppo, Syria in a meeting to be arranged by the ICRC.
5. (SBU) The Iraqi delegation confirmed that it has a witness
ready to assist in locating a grave site in Ramadi. However,
The Iraqis expressed that there may be delays in proceeding
with exhumations at this site, citing a new Iraqi law on the
protection of mass graves. They said that the details of
implementing this new law are still unclear. The TSC members
took note of this concern and encouraged the Iraqis to
coordinate with relevant governmental agencies to facilitate
this mission as soon as possible.
Other Activities
--------------
6. (SBU) According to TSC discussions, during the liberation
of Kuwait, the British Army buried eight Iraqis at locations
listed only in code. The Iraqi delegation requested that the
British delegation send the coded coordinates to London for
decoding. Once the coordinates are known, the ICRC offered,
with participation of Kuwaiti and Iraqi delegates, to conduct
a preliminary survey of the location.
7. (SBU) The TSC reported that effective steps were taken
between the Saudi and Iraqi delegations to define the
timeframe and logistical aspects of the forthcoming
KUWAIT 00000285 002 OF 003
exhumation and repatriation of the remains of 64 Iraqis from
sites in Naeriya (58),Hafr El-Baten (5),and Nessab (1).
This mission will start on March 22. The Saudi delegation is
responsible for moving the remains in Saudi Arabia, and the
ICRC will coordinate with the Kuwaiti delegation and the GOK
for transport across Kuwait and to the Abdaly-Safwan border
crossing into Iraq.
8. (SBU) The Iraqi delegation told the TSC that the security
situation has worsened in the areas of Kerbala, Nasseriya,
Salman Pak, Samawa and Najjaf, making it difficult to
continue queries into the disposition of Kuwaiti remains.
The delegation promised to attempt to obtain a copy of a log
book of a cemetery (exact location not disclosed) in Salman
Pak, believing that it might provide information relevant to
Kuwaiti remains.
Updates
--------------
9. No exhumation activities were conducted by the TSC.
10. There was no new information on CAPT. Michael S.
Speicher's case. His DNA profile remains in the Kuwaiti
database and continues to be checked against all newly
received profiles. The U.S. delegation renewed its
commitment to continue the effort to resolve CAPT. Speicher's
case.
Next TSC
--------------
11. The next TSC session will take place in Kuwait on
Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
12. Delegations:
Republic of Iraq
--------------
H.E. Dr. Abdelkarim A. Shallal,Head of Delegation
Mr. Kazem M.K. Al-Anzi
Mr. Yaqoob Kh. Haider
Mr. Arkan J. Mohammad
Mr. Ammar A. Abdelkarim
State of Kuwait
--------------
H.E. Dr. Ibrahim M. Al-Shaheen, Head of Delegation
H.E. Ambassador Khalid M. Al-Maqamis
Mr. Fozan Al-Fozan
Mr. Rabea Al-Adsani
Dr. Soltan Al-Khalaf
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
--------------
Mr. Zuhair M. Al-Idrissi, Head of Delegation
MG Dr. Abdelrahman Bin Mohammad Al-Sherif
BG Ahmad M. Omar
LTC Khalid Al-Treiri
Mr. Fahad Al-Juraid
United Kingdom
--------------
Mr. Jonathan Layfield, Head of delegation
United States
--------------
Mr. Thomas Rosenberger, Head of Delegation
International Committee of the Red Cross
--------------
Mr. Jean-Michel Monod, Chairman of the TSC, Regional Delegate
for the GCC Countries
Ms. Jamila Al-Hammami, Delegate for 'Missing' files for Iraq
Ms. Dalia Emrazian, Protection Department
Ms. Loubna Berraho, Chancellery
********************************************* *
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s
KUWAIT 00000285 003 OF 003
Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
********************************************* *
Misenheimer