Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUWAIT497
2008-05-06 15:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
SCANT ENTHUSIASM FOR PALESTINIAN INVESTMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO6500 OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #0497 1271506 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 061506Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1357 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 1950 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 1652 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 1341
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000497
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/IPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2016
TAGS: EAID ECON KPAL KU
SUBJECT: SCANT ENTHUSIASM FOR PALESTINIAN INVESTMENT
CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 45740
Classified By: Ambassador Deborah K. Jones for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000497
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/IPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2016
TAGS: EAID ECON KPAL KU
SUBJECT: SCANT ENTHUSIASM FOR PALESTINIAN INVESTMENT
CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 45740
Classified By: Ambassador Deborah K. Jones for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (SBU) In response to reftel, Econcouns spoke on May 1
with Shaykh Ali Al Sabah, MFA Director of Economic Affairs,
and on May 4 with Rabah Al-Rabah, Deputy Director General of
the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to discuss the
May 21-23 Palestinian Investment Conference in Bethlehem.
Neither official was familiar with the event or knew of any
plans for Kuwaiti attendance, either from the GOK or the
private sector. Both asked whether official invitations
would be forthcoming. Econcouns relayed registration
information and discussed the objectives of the conference.
2. (C) Both Al Sabah and Al-Rabah expressed skepticism about
the event. Al-Rabah said Iraq was a better investment
destination than Palestine. The situation in Palestine, he
said, is "too gloomy, and the platform is not there for
investors." He said he would be hard-pressed to drum up
support for the event at KCCI, but he would circulate the
information. He said there might be some interest in
investment in Palestine on the part of Kuwaiti telecom
companies, probably referring to Wataniya's (now owned by
Qatar-based Qtel) purchase of a mobile telecommunications
license for the Palestinian Territories in March 2007.
(Note: This has been a problematic investment for Wataniya.
It established Wataniya Palestine early last year in
partnership with the Palestine Investment Fund but has been
unable to launch operations because it has not been allocated
the requested radio spectrum, reportedly due to delays by the
Israeli government. End Note.)
3. (C) Al Sabah fretted about possible interference from the
Israelis, but Econcouns stressed that ISRAEL supported the
conference and would make special arrangements to support
international participants. Al Sabah, on his way to the U.S.
for U.S.-Arab Economic Forum, said he would discuss GOK
attendance with the FM.
4. (C) Econcouns decried the lack of Arab investment in the
Palestinian territories, and said whatever security concerns
remain, Arab countries could not wait for a peace agreement
to demonstrate economic support for the Palestinians.
Investment constituted concrete support for the PA and
President Abbas, and we urged Kuwaiti participation at the
May conference.
********************************************* *
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/
********************************************* *
Jones
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/IPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2016
TAGS: EAID ECON KPAL KU
SUBJECT: SCANT ENTHUSIASM FOR PALESTINIAN INVESTMENT
CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 45740
Classified By: Ambassador Deborah K. Jones for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (SBU) In response to reftel, Econcouns spoke on May 1
with Shaykh Ali Al Sabah, MFA Director of Economic Affairs,
and on May 4 with Rabah Al-Rabah, Deputy Director General of
the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to discuss the
May 21-23 Palestinian Investment Conference in Bethlehem.
Neither official was familiar with the event or knew of any
plans for Kuwaiti attendance, either from the GOK or the
private sector. Both asked whether official invitations
would be forthcoming. Econcouns relayed registration
information and discussed the objectives of the conference.
2. (C) Both Al Sabah and Al-Rabah expressed skepticism about
the event. Al-Rabah said Iraq was a better investment
destination than Palestine. The situation in Palestine, he
said, is "too gloomy, and the platform is not there for
investors." He said he would be hard-pressed to drum up
support for the event at KCCI, but he would circulate the
information. He said there might be some interest in
investment in Palestine on the part of Kuwaiti telecom
companies, probably referring to Wataniya's (now owned by
Qatar-based Qtel) purchase of a mobile telecommunications
license for the Palestinian Territories in March 2007.
(Note: This has been a problematic investment for Wataniya.
It established Wataniya Palestine early last year in
partnership with the Palestine Investment Fund but has been
unable to launch operations because it has not been allocated
the requested radio spectrum, reportedly due to delays by the
Israeli government. End Note.)
3. (C) Al Sabah fretted about possible interference from the
Israelis, but Econcouns stressed that ISRAEL supported the
conference and would make special arrangements to support
international participants. Al Sabah, on his way to the U.S.
for U.S.-Arab Economic Forum, said he would discuss GOK
attendance with the FM.
4. (C) Econcouns decried the lack of Arab investment in the
Palestinian territories, and said whatever security concerns
remain, Arab countries could not wait for a peace agreement
to demonstrate economic support for the Palestinians.
Investment constituted concrete support for the PA and
President Abbas, and we urged Kuwaiti participation at the
May conference.
********************************************* *
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/
********************************************* *
Jones