TERROR FINANCE: GOK NOT ON BOARD WITH UN 1267

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000556 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/ESC/TFS; TREASURY FOR KRISTEN HECHT E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2018 TAGS: EFIN KU KTFN PGOV PREL PTER SUBJECT: TERROR FINANCE: GOK NOT ON BOARD WITH UN 1267 DESIGNATION OF RIHS REF: STATE 48113 Classified By: DCM Alan G. Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On May 12, following a meeting between S/CT Dailey and MFA Director of Follow-up and Coordination Ambassador Khaled Maqamis (septel),Econoff met separately with Maqamis to solicit his response to S/CT Dailey's request that GOK support, a pending UNSCR 1267 designation of the Revivial of Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS),per reftel. He requested that the USG consult further with the GOK before any "rash" decision to move forward with the UNSCR 1267 designation. He also asserted that "better mechanisms need to be put in place to discuss UN 1267 designations with the GOK, before action by the USG is taken." ¶2. (C) Maqamis reiterated that the GOK would not support any move to designate RIHS, as it would trigger DOMESTIC opposition. He stressed that in order to gain support from the GOK, substantial additional evidence of RIHS's ties to terrorism should be presented to the GOK. Maqamis reiterated the GOK's commitment to fighting terrorism, and the mechanisms that the GOK has in place to control charities based in Kuwait. Comment -------------- ¶3. (C) Maqamis's remarks reflect a strongly held view within the GOK that pursuing RIHS is an extremely sensitive matter for the Kuwaiti leadership. ********************************************* * 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