TRIPARTITE COMMISSION TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE 57TH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 000698 SIPDIS NEA/ARP, NEA/I, OSD-DPMO FOR A.CRONAUER, COL D.ELLIS, J.BASHAM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PHUM PREL KUWAIT IRAQ KU SUBJECT: TRIPARTITE COMMISSION TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE 57TH SESSION REF: A. 2008-05-01 BASHAM-ROSENBERGER CLASSIFIED EMAIL ¶B. 2008-04-21 CRONAUER-ROSENBERGER EMAIL ¶C. KUWAIT 285 Summary -------------- ¶1. Kuwait hosted the 57th session of the Tripartite Commission's Technical Subcommittee (TSC) on May 27, 2008, with representatives from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC). Per Kuwaiti request, USG delegation delivered results of USG imagery analysis on Iraqi zones suspected to contain grave sites. Imagery did not reveal any discernible indications of mass graves that would warrant additional excavation. Saudi, Kuwaiti and Iraqi cooperation resulted in the repatriation to Iraq of 63 sets of human remains. Delegates reported that security concerns still hamper locating and contacting witnesses and conducting investigations into reports of burial sites. There was no new information on CAPT. Speicher. His DNA profile remains in the Kuwaiti database and continues to be checked against all newly received profiles. The next TSC meeting will take place in Kuwait on Monday, November 10, 2008. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) held the 57th session of the Technical Subcommittee (TSC) in Kuwait on May 27, 2008. The TSC is composed of delegates who manage POW and/or unaccounted-for files from Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UK and the U.S. (the French delegation failed to show). Imagery Analysis Request Status -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The USG delegation informed TSC participants that, per ref C request by the Kuwaiti National Committee for the Missing and POW Affairs (NCMPA) to review 1990-1991 imagery of sites in Iraq, a review of data did not reveal any discernible indications of mass graves that would warrant additional excavation. NCMPA,s Dr. Ibrahim Al-Shaheen promised to provide further relevant information that might be useful in continuing analyses. Witnesses -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Kuwaiti delegation confirmed that a witness with supposed knowledge of grave sites in Kuwait (AKA "the Jahra witness") is ready to meet with TSC members in Aleppo, Syria. According to the witness, who is currently in Mosul, Iraq, he is unable to travel to Syria due to present security conditions. ICRC remains on standby to arrange and participate in the interview as necessary. ¶5. (SBU) The Kuwaiti delegation reopened the files of Mohammed Al-Dakhil and Faleh Al-Gharib (files that date to the 40th-53rd TSC sessions),and requested that the Iraqi delegation find a witness to help in determining the burial sites, in Kuwait, of these two unaccounted-for Kuwaitis. The Iraqi delegation replied that it would raise the matter with the GOI's Ministry of Human Rights. ¶6. (SBU) The Iraqi delegation reported that local residents in Ramadi have alleged that the remains of 13 Kuwaiti officials are buried at a grave site in the town. The delegation added that it completed the legal steps related to exhumation procedures and was ready to proceed with contacting witnesses regarding the exact location of the graves, pending assurances of secure movement to Ramadi. Transfer of Remains -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The TSC lauded the high level of cooperation and coordination among the parties in preparing, exhuming, transferring, and repatriating 63 sets of human remains from Saudi Arabia to Iraq. (A 64th case, Adnan Khalaf Merdas, was not located; his case was considered closed.) This operation took place from March 22 through April 3, 2008. The TSC noted for the record, that all Iraqi cases buried in Saudi KUWAIT 00000698 002 OF 003 Arabia, 64 plus a previous 59, are now closed. Other Activities -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Saudi delegation relayed information on two Saudi nationals deemed unaccounted for in Al-Kaffel (in Babel governorate). The Iraqi delegation agreed to investigate and report findings. ¶9. (SBU) Per Ref C, the security situation prohibited the Iraqi delegation from visiting a cemetery in Salman Pak to obtain a copy of a log book believed to have information relevant to Kuwaiti remains. The delegation assured the TSC that it will make further attempts to travel to Salman Pak and locate the cemetery. Updates -------------- ¶10. Other than the para 7 account in Saudi Arabia, the TSC conducted no recent exhumation activities. The Iraqi delegation reported that security concerns continue to prohibit visits and investigations of Kerbala, Nasseriya, Salman Pak and Najaf. There was no new information on potential burial sites or other individual cases. ¶11. There was no new information on CAPT. Michael S. Speicher's case. His DNA profile remains in the Kuwaiti database and continues to be checked against all newly received profiles. The U.S. delegation renewed its commitment to continue the effort to resolve CAPT. Speicher's case. Approaching the Iraqi High Tribunal -------------- ¶12. (SBU) The Kuwaiti delegation requested the assistance of the Iraqi delegation and of ICRC Baghdad in contacting and securing the testimony of a witness (unnamed) in the ongoing Iraqi High Tribunal. The witness allegedly made a statement about the execution of Kuwaiti POWs during the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait. ICRC and the Iraqi delegation offered to investigate and report findings at the next TSC. Ongoing Cooperation -------------- ¶13. In response to Iraqi requests, the Kuwaiti delegation offered training for five GOI participants in DNA analysis, collection and management of information, and psychological care for families. Next TSC -------------- ¶14. The next TSC session will take place in Kuwait on Monday, November 10, 2008. ¶15. Delegations: Republic of Iraq -------------- Mr. Kazem M.K. Al-Anzi, Head of Delegation, Department of Missing and POWs, Ministry of Human Rights Mr. Yaqoob Kh. Haider Mr. Ali M. Thumad Ms. Hanan H. S. Showeilia Mr. Abbas F. J. Al-Hamrani State of Kuwait -------------- H.E. Dr. Ibrahim M. Al-Shaheen, Head of Delegation H.E. Ambassador Khalid M. Al-Maqamis Mr. Fozan Al-Fozan Mr. Rabea Al-Adsani Dr. Soltan Al-Khalaf Kingdom of Saudi Arabia -------------- Mr. Zuhair M. Al-Idrissi, Head of Delegation MG Dr. Abdelrahman S. Al-Shareif KUWAIT 00000698 003 OF 003 LTC Khalid Al-Treiri Mr. Fahad Al-Juraid United Kingdom -------------- Mr. Jonathan Layfield, Head of delegation United States -------------- Mr. Thomas Rosenberger, Head of Delegation International Committee of the Red Cross -------------- Mr. Jean-Michel Monod, Chairman of the TSC, Regional Delegate for the GCC Countries Ms. Jamila Al-Hammami, Delegate for 'Missing' files for Iraq Mr. John Strick van Linschoten, Protection Delegate Ms. Dalia Emrazian, Protection Department ********************************************* * 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