AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES GOK CT EFFORTS AND IRAQ WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000507 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/I E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2013 TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV KU IZ SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES GOK CT EFFORTS AND IRAQ WITH THE CROWN PRINCE REF: A. KUWAIT 500 ¶B. KUWAIT 499 ¶C. KUWAIT 370 ¶D. KUWAIT 337 ¶E. KUWAIT 246 ¶F. KUWAIT 155 Classified By: Ambassador Deborah K. Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: In an introductory call with Crown Prince Shaykh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al Sabah on May 7, Ambassador Jones urged the GOK to make progress on counter-terrorism efforts, especially with regard to monitoring former Guantanamo detainees, in light of possible Kuwaiti involvement in recent suicide attacks in Iraq. The Crown Prince urged the United States to engage in dialogue with Iran and Syria for the sake of regional stability. He also touted Kuwait's efforts in border security and combating terrorism within its borders. The Ambassador thanked the GOK for hosting the April 21-22 IRAQ Neighbors Ministerial Conference. End Summary. ¶2. (C) In her first official call on the Crown Prince, the Ambassador thanked the GOK for its support of the USG's mission in IRAQ and urged the government to continue its counter-terrorism efforts. The Crown Prince responded that Kuwait is committed to supporting USG efforts to ensure peace and stability in Iraq, adding that "Iraq's stability is vital to the region." He stated that dialogue with Iran and Syria is critical to resolving security issues in IRAQ and the region, and urged USG engagement with the Iranians. Any effort by the USG to engage the Iranians will go a long way in "melting the obstacles to security that persist in the region," he added. ¶3. (C) The Crown Prince stated that Kuwait is taking all necessary measures to protect its borders so that terrorists do not infiltrate the country. The GOK has control over 90 percent of its border, he said, contending that the only area that remains uncontrolled is the disputed Umm Qasr area. Tagging on to his lengthy discourse on border security, Ambassador Jones encouraged the GOK to improve upon its counter-terrorism capabilities especially with regard to monitoring terrorist activities emanating from Kuwait, including that of former Guantanamo detainees. She expressed confidence that the GOK is investigating the recent bombings in Mosul that allegedly involved Kuwaiti citizens, including one former Guantanamo detainee (reftel). She offered USG support to the GOK to bolster Kuwait's counter-terrorism efforts. "We want to work productively with you to ensure the security of the Iraqis, our troops, and the Kuwaiti people," she added. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador expressed appreciation for the GOK's extraordinary efforts in hosting the IRAQ Neighbors Ministerial Conference held in Kuwait on April 21-22. She added that the Secretary of State was very pleased with the Conference because it served as the first opportunity for Iraq's neighbors to gain a good understanding of Prime Minister Maliki's transformation from a sectarian figure to a strong national leader. She also noted S/I Ambassador Satterfield's visit last week to hold discussions on Basrah and IRAQ (reported septel). The USG is eager to continue the dialogue with the neighbors to ensure that we all work together for regional security and stability, she said. ********************************************* * 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