Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUWAIT384
2008-04-08 07:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
KUWAITI LEADERSHIP PRAISES MALIKI FOR BASRA
how-toVZCZCXRO5937 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHKU #0384 0990739 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 080739Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1150 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000384
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP AND NEA/I
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER KU IZ IR
SUBJECT: KUWAITI LEADERSHIP PRAISES MALIKI FOR BASRA
CRACKDOWN
REF: KUWAIT 337
Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000384
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP AND NEA/I
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER KU IZ IR
SUBJECT: KUWAITI LEADERSHIP PRAISES MALIKI FOR BASRA
CRACKDOWN
REF: KUWAIT 337
Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) In separate April 2 meetings with A/S Welch, Kuwaiti
Crown Prince Shaykh Nawaf Al Sabah, Prime Minister Shaykh
Nasser Al Sabah and Amiri Economic Advisor Dr. Yousef
El-Ebraheem offered their support for Iraqi PM Nouri
Al-Maliki's Basra campaign. The GOK, which typically
expresses a lack of confidence in Maliki's leadership, was
very encouraged by GOI actions against Shi'a militias the
previous week. The CP told A/S Welch that he was very
"pleased" with the results so far and commented that the
actions improved Maliki's image. He also asserted that
Maliki's show of strength was an important step in
stabilizing Iraq. Shaykh Nawaf added that Iraqi forces had
proved their mettle in passing this "first test of strength."
El-Ebraheem: Basra Move was a "Positive Development"
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Dr. Yousef El-Ebraheem told A/S Welch that, in
general, the political, economic, and security situation in
Iraq seemed to be gradually improving. He saw PM Maliki's
move to assert control over Basra as a "positive development"
that should have come sooner since Basrah was in danger of
"becoming part of Iran." He noted, however, that the GOK was
deeply concerned about potential spillover from the Basra
fighting into Kuwait.
Shaykh Thamer's comments stray
--------------
3. (C) National Security Bureau Vice President Shaykh Thamer
Ali Al Sabah offered his own, conflicting commentaries on the
Basra crackdown during the CP meeting. Shaykh Thamer
downplayed the CP's praise of the Maliki initiative and said
that Maliki was simply using Persian Shi'as to fight Arab
Shi'as. The CP rebuked Shaykh Thamer and said there was no
evidence of favoritism among the Shi'a forces, noting that
Maliki "did the right thing." (Comment: Shaykh Thamer has a
tendency to grandstand. He openly criticized U.S. policies
during the March 10 Gulf Security Dialogue in Kuwait
(reftel). End note.)
4. (U) A/S Welch's discussions on Iran, Israel/Palestine, and
Lebanon/Syria during this meeting are reported septel.
5. (U) A/S Welch has cleared this cable.
********************************************* *
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
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP AND NEA/I
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER KU IZ IR
SUBJECT: KUWAITI LEADERSHIP PRAISES MALIKI FOR BASRA
CRACKDOWN
REF: KUWAIT 337
Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) In separate April 2 meetings with A/S Welch, Kuwaiti
Crown Prince Shaykh Nawaf Al Sabah, Prime Minister Shaykh
Nasser Al Sabah and Amiri Economic Advisor Dr. Yousef
El-Ebraheem offered their support for Iraqi PM Nouri
Al-Maliki's Basra campaign. The GOK, which typically
expresses a lack of confidence in Maliki's leadership, was
very encouraged by GOI actions against Shi'a militias the
previous week. The CP told A/S Welch that he was very
"pleased" with the results so far and commented that the
actions improved Maliki's image. He also asserted that
Maliki's show of strength was an important step in
stabilizing Iraq. Shaykh Nawaf added that Iraqi forces had
proved their mettle in passing this "first test of strength."
El-Ebraheem: Basra Move was a "Positive Development"
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Dr. Yousef El-Ebraheem told A/S Welch that, in
general, the political, economic, and security situation in
Iraq seemed to be gradually improving. He saw PM Maliki's
move to assert control over Basra as a "positive development"
that should have come sooner since Basrah was in danger of
"becoming part of Iran." He noted, however, that the GOK was
deeply concerned about potential spillover from the Basra
fighting into Kuwait.
Shaykh Thamer's comments stray
--------------
3. (C) National Security Bureau Vice President Shaykh Thamer
Ali Al Sabah offered his own, conflicting commentaries on the
Basra crackdown during the CP meeting. Shaykh Thamer
downplayed the CP's praise of the Maliki initiative and said
that Maliki was simply using Persian Shi'as to fight Arab
Shi'as. The CP rebuked Shaykh Thamer and said there was no
evidence of favoritism among the Shi'a forces, noting that
Maliki "did the right thing." (Comment: Shaykh Thamer has a
tendency to grandstand. He openly criticized U.S. policies
during the March 10 Gulf Security Dialogue in Kuwait
(reftel). End note.)
4. (U) A/S Welch's discussions on Iran, Israel/Palestine, and
Lebanon/Syria during this meeting are reported septel.
5. (U) A/S Welch has cleared this cable.
********************************************* *
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