MFA U/S AL-JARALLAH ON IRAQ ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000294 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS KTIA KU IZ SUBJECT: MFA U/S AL-JARALLAH ON IRAQ ISSUES REF: A. KUWAIT 238 B. KUWAIT 207 C. KUWAIT 177 D. KUWAIT 131 E. KUWAIT 112 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, Alan G. Misenheimer for reason 1.4 (b ) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On March 4, CDA met with MFA U/S Al-Jarallah and discussed a new border crossing with Iraq, sending a Kuwaiti ambassador to Iraq and Khor Abdullah salvage operations. Jarallah was receptive to a visit to the proposed border area near Camp Bucca and told CDA that the GOK would reciprocate when the GOI names its ambassador to Kuwait. In addition, Jarallah told CDA that the GOK is open to a possible memorandum of understanding governing salvage operations in the Khor Abdullah, including possibility of Kuwaiti funding. Discussions on Lebanon/Syria, TIP and recognition of Kosovo reported septel. END SUMMARY. -------------- READY TO VISIT BORDER AREA -------------- ¶2. (C) On March 4, CDA reiterated to MFA U/S Khaled Al-Jarallah the critical need for a new border crossing near the Camp Bucca detention facility in Iraq. CDA told Jarallah that a presentation of the proposal for a crossing was given to Kuwaiti Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Fahad Al-Amir, on March 3 and that the USG hoped to give the presentation to the Minister of Defense, Shaykh Jaber Al Sabah as soon as possible. CDA outlined the details of the border crossing and re-extended an invitation to Jarallah to visit the proposed border area (reftels). Jarallah welcomed the invitation and said he would inform CDA when he would be available to make the visit. -------------- READY TO RECIPROCATE ON AMBASSADORS -------------- ¶3. (C) Following up on previous discussions, CDA inquired when the GOK would be sending an ambassador to Baghdad. Jarallah replied that the GOK would send its ambassador to Baghdad when the GOI nominated its ambassador to Kuwait. He noted that there is no reason for the GOI not to send an ambassador to Kuwait and that "as soon as they do, we will send ours." -------------- -------------- KHOR ABDULLAH SALVAGE OPERATION - GOK OPEN TO MOU -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) CDA also discussed the resumption of salvage operation in the Khor Abdullah waterway. He told Jarallah that a logical next step would be GOK-GOI agreement on an MOU and noted that Embassy Baghdad is currently working with the GOI to develop a text. Jarallah asked CDA if the GOI would approach the GOK once the MOU is complete and stated that the GOK is ready to speak with the Iraqis on this issue at anytime, and also welcomed USG involvement/mediation in working out such an agreement. Jarallah also expressed Kuwaiti willingness to finance the operation, subject to development of a clear scope of work and necessary coordination within the GOK. ********************************************* * 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