JUNE 11 WAINSTEIN MEETING WITH SOCIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000695 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/ESC/TFS; TREASURY FOR KRISTEN HECHT E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2018 TAGS: EFIN KU KTFN PGOV PREL PTER SUBJECT: JUNE 11 WAINSTEIN MEETING WITH SOCIAL AFFAIRS/LABOR MINISTER: NEED FOR MORE COOPERATION IN MONITORING OF CHARITY ACTIVITIES REF: STATE 48113 Classified By: Ambassador Deborah Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, Kenneth L. Wainstein, accompanied by the Ambassador on June 11 met with newly appointed Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Bader Al-Duwaila to discuss U.S.-Kuwaiti CT cooperation. Al-Duwaila thanked Wainstein for past U.S. cooperation and expressed his desire to expand cooperation, especially in the effort to monitor charities. The Minister stressed the particular sensitivity associated with UNSCR 1267 designation of Kuwait's Revival of Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS). End Summary GOK CT efforts: Need for better information sharing -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) On June 11, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHSCT) Ken Wainstein, accompanied by Ambassador Jones, met with newly appointed Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Bader Al-Duwaila to discuss future steps the GOK and USG can take in the fight against terrorism, particularly ways to improve cooperation and information sharing. APHSCT Wainstein acknowledged the efforts made by the Kuwaitis in combating terrorism financing, including a recent terrorism financing training conference and GOK action to freeze the assets of three Kuwaitis recently designated under UNSCR 1267. APHSCT Wainstein said the USG appreciated the role the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MOSAL) has played in monitoring charitable giving to ensure that donations do not benefit terrorist groups. NSC Director on RIHS -------------- ¶3. (C) NSC Director for Combating Terrorism, John Duncan elaborated further on steps needed to identify charitable organizations that fund terrorist activities, asking for greater cooperation, and information sharing on a regular basis. Duncan referred to the pending UNSCR 1267 designation of the Kuwait-based Revival of Islamic Heritage Society (reftel),and briefed Al-Duwaila on the rigorous process undertaken by the USG to document RIHS's involvement in funding terrorist activities. He urged that the GOK support, or at a minimum not block, the designation of RIHS offering to send a Treasury representative to Kuwait for further discussions if necessary. Al-Duwaila &suspicion alone is not enough" -------------- ¶4. (C) Al-Duwaila acknowledged that recently he had seen reports that charitable organizations based in Kuwait were contributing to terrorist financing. He requested all available U.S. information supporting such charges, adding that the USG needed to draw a line between charity work and terrorism: "Suspicion alone is not enough to provoke the GOK to investigate a charitable organization." ¶5. (C) The Minister expressed particular concern over the designation of RIHS, stressing the need for confirmation from the USG that RIHS or any other charitable organization based in Kuwait is really involved in funding terrorist organizations. He reiterated that the GOK monitors and audits all funding of Kuwait-based charitable organizations and deals severely with any organization suspected of funding terrorists. He also noted the progress made in the past four years by the GOK on regulation of charity work in Kuwait, noting that penalties imposed on charitable organizations that break the law are significant. ¶6. (C) APHSCT Wainstein said he appreciated the difference between charity work and terrorism, and the legitimate activities of Islamic organizations throughout the world. He stated that "the issue of charity work is difficult" and explained that the USG continues working vigorously to identify those charitable organizations supporting terrorism. Acknowledging the depth of feelings about this issue, APHSCT Wainstein emphasized the importance of better coordination and information sharing between the USG and GOK. KUWAIT 00000695 002 OF 002 ¶7. (C) The participants of the meetings, which took place at Ministries Complex included: U.S. Ambassador Deborah K. Jones Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Kenneth L. Wainstein NSC, Senior Director for Combating Terrorism, Mr. Nicholas Rasmussen NSC, Director for Combating Terrorism, Mr. John Duncan Aide to Mr. Wainstein, Ms. Kate Gladney Economic Officer, Nita Crespo (notetaker) MOSAL Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Bader Al-Duwaila Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development Mansour Al-Mansour Director of Societies and Charitable Organizations Department, Nasser Al-Ammar MOSAL, Director of the Department of Technical Bureau, Amina Ghazi ¶8. (U) This cable has been cleared by Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Kenneth Wainstein. ********************************************* * 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