Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUWAIT36
2008-01-08 15:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
CODEL WOLF: INTERFAITH DIALOGUE IN JERUSALEM; NEED
how-toVZCZCXRO7001 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #0036 0081511 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 081511Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0547 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 1106 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 1627 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 1324
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000036
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KU PTER KPAL IZ PHUM PINR
SUBJECT: CODEL WOLF: INTERFAITH DIALOGUE IN JERUSALEM; NEED
FOR KUWAITI AMBASSADOR TO BAGHDAD
Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d
Summary
----------
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000036
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KU PTER KPAL IZ PHUM PINR
SUBJECT: CODEL WOLF: INTERFAITH DIALOGUE IN JERUSALEM; NEED
FOR KUWAITI AMBASSADOR TO BAGHDAD
Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d
Summary
--------------
1. (C) On January 4, Kuwaiti Islamist Mubarak Al-Mutawa told
CODEL Wolf that Hamas would put an end to violence and
recognize Israel, if it was convinced that Palestinian
sovereignty was truly an option. He also praised the CODEL
for promoting interfaith dialogue as a key to peace and
stability in Israel, but questioned whether Muslim
participants involved in the dialogue had spiritual authority
over Palestinan Muslims. In a separate meeting at Kuwait's
Humanitarian Operations Center, Congressman Wolf strongly
stressed the need for Kuwaiti Ambassador-designate Ali
Al-Mu'min to be in Baghdad. End Summary.
Meeting with Islamist Mubarak Al-Mutawa
--------------
2. (C) On January 4, Congressmen Frank Wolf (R-VA) and
Joseph Pitts (R-PA) visited Kuwait en route to Israel, where
they planned on engaging in interfaith dialogue to promote
peace and stability between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Based on their request to meet Muslims in Kuwait who are
interested in promoting such dialogue, Post arranged a
meeting with Islamist Mubarak Saadoun Al-Mutawa. The
congressmen stressed the need for Hamas to renounce all
violence and terror and to recognize Israel's right to exist.
Mutawa said that Hamas is ready to move ahead and would
renounce violence and even acknowledge Israel's right to
exist, but questioned what the Palestinians would get in
return. The congressmen replied, "sovereignty," a response
that was met with incredulity by Mutawa. Mutawa hinted,
though, that if Hamas could be convinced that real
sovereignty was possible for Palestinians, it may lay down
its violent agenda and renounce its destructive aims towards
Israel.
3. (C) Mutawa showed great interest in the Congressmen's
upcoming interfaith dialogue mission in Jerusalem. He was
pleased to learn that five scholars from each of the three
Abrahamic faiths would meet to discuss peace. He was
skeptical, however, that the five Muslim participants
(unnamed) in the dialogue would accurately represent the
interests and faith of the Palestinians.
Baghdad needs a Kuwaiti Ambassador
--------------
4. (C) The CODEL also met with MG (retired) and
Ambassador-designate to Baghdad, Ali Al-Mu'min, head of the
Humanitarian Operations Center (HOC) in Kuwait, to learn of
humanitarian assistance to Iraq. In the course of the
discussion on how the HOC coordinates NGO support and sends
aid across the border to Iraq, Congressman Wolf strongly
stressed the need for Mou'min to be in Baghdad as the Kuwaiti
Ambassador. Mou'min responded that he was informed of this
appointment three years ago, but that the GOK had yet to send
him.
Bio Note: Mutawa
--------------
5. (C) Mutawa is known to Post as an Islamist, advisor to
the National Assembly, and a lawyer with a focus on human
rights. He has defended in court a number of defendants
accused of Islamist-backed terrorism and incitement and
promotes himself as authorized to conduct negotiations
between Hamas and the United States.
********************************************* *
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
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KU PTER KPAL IZ PHUM PINR
SUBJECT: CODEL WOLF: INTERFAITH DIALOGUE IN JERUSALEM; NEED
FOR KUWAITI AMBASSADOR TO BAGHDAD
Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d
Summary
--------------
1. (C) On January 4, Kuwaiti Islamist Mubarak Al-Mutawa told
CODEL Wolf that Hamas would put an end to violence and
recognize Israel, if it was convinced that Palestinian
sovereignty was truly an option. He also praised the CODEL
for promoting interfaith dialogue as a key to peace and
stability in Israel, but questioned whether Muslim
participants involved in the dialogue had spiritual authority
over Palestinan Muslims. In a separate meeting at Kuwait's
Humanitarian Operations Center, Congressman Wolf strongly
stressed the need for Kuwaiti Ambassador-designate Ali
Al-Mu'min to be in Baghdad. End Summary.
Meeting with Islamist Mubarak Al-Mutawa
--------------
2. (C) On January 4, Congressmen Frank Wolf (R-VA) and
Joseph Pitts (R-PA) visited Kuwait en route to Israel, where
they planned on engaging in interfaith dialogue to promote
peace and stability between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Based on their request to meet Muslims in Kuwait who are
interested in promoting such dialogue, Post arranged a
meeting with Islamist Mubarak Saadoun Al-Mutawa. The
congressmen stressed the need for Hamas to renounce all
violence and terror and to recognize Israel's right to exist.
Mutawa said that Hamas is ready to move ahead and would
renounce violence and even acknowledge Israel's right to
exist, but questioned what the Palestinians would get in
return. The congressmen replied, "sovereignty," a response
that was met with incredulity by Mutawa. Mutawa hinted,
though, that if Hamas could be convinced that real
sovereignty was possible for Palestinians, it may lay down
its violent agenda and renounce its destructive aims towards
Israel.
3. (C) Mutawa showed great interest in the Congressmen's
upcoming interfaith dialogue mission in Jerusalem. He was
pleased to learn that five scholars from each of the three
Abrahamic faiths would meet to discuss peace. He was
skeptical, however, that the five Muslim participants
(unnamed) in the dialogue would accurately represent the
interests and faith of the Palestinians.
Baghdad needs a Kuwaiti Ambassador
--------------
4. (C) The CODEL also met with MG (retired) and
Ambassador-designate to Baghdad, Ali Al-Mu'min, head of the
Humanitarian Operations Center (HOC) in Kuwait, to learn of
humanitarian assistance to Iraq. In the course of the
discussion on how the HOC coordinates NGO support and sends
aid across the border to Iraq, Congressman Wolf strongly
stressed the need for Mou'min to be in Baghdad as the Kuwaiti
Ambassador. Mou'min responded that he was informed of this
appointment three years ago, but that the GOK had yet to send
him.
Bio Note: Mutawa
--------------
5. (C) Mutawa is known to Post as an Islamist, advisor to
the National Assembly, and a lawyer with a focus on human
rights. He has defended in court a number of defendants
accused of Islamist-backed terrorism and incitement and
promotes himself as authorized to conduct negotiations
between Hamas and the United States.
********************************************* *
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