DEMARCHE DELIVERED: DONOR PLEDGES TO AFFORDABLE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000394 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA/ARP, NEA/IPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2018 TAGS: IS SA KWBG PREL PGOV EFIN ECON EAID KU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: DONOR PLEDGES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM FOR PALESTINIANS REF: SECSTATE 25604 Classified By: CDA Alan G. Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Following up on Post's March 12 diplomatic note in support of OPIC's program for affordable housing in the West Bank, CDA delivered reftel points during an April 8 meeting with MFA U/S Khaled Al-Jarallah. CDA recommended the program to Al-Jarallah and suggested that the GOK could direct USD 30 to 40 million of its existing Palestinian aid pledge to support it. CDA also informed Al-Jarallah that, in her capacity as a trustee of the Aspen Institute, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had recommended the SIPDIS program during her February 18 meeting with the Kuwaiti Prime Minister. Al-Jarallah was unaware of the proposal but said it was "possible" that the GOK might participate and promised to consult with the Prime Minister. ********************************************* * 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