Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUWAIT698
2008-06-18 14:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

TRIPARTITE COMMISSION TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE 57TH

Tags:  MARR PHUM PREL KUWAIT IRAQ KU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2404
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHKU #0698/01 1701402
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181402Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1696
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 1255
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 3148
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1486
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1157
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 2518
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1242
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
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
----------

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