Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUWAIT704
2008-06-19 11:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
TERRORISM FINANCE: GOK CONDEMNS USG DECISION TO
how-toVZCZCXRO3095 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #0704 1711128 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 191128Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1707 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 3194 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS KUWAIT 000704
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/ESC/TFS; TREASURY FOR KRISTEN HECHT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN KU KTFN PGOV PREL PTER
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE: GOK CONDEMNS USG DECISION TO
DESIGNATE KUWAIT-BASED RIHS
REF: A. KUWAIT 677
B. KUWAIT 700
UNCLAS KUWAIT 000704
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/ESC/TFS; TREASURY FOR KRISTEN HECHT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN KU KTFN PGOV PREL PTER
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE: GOK CONDEMNS USG DECISION TO
DESIGNATE KUWAIT-BASED RIHS
REF: A. KUWAIT 677
B. KUWAIT 700
1. (SBU) Summary and comment: Both liberal and
conservative newspapers and politicians have been outspoken
in criticizing the USG's action to designate the Revival of
Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS). (See Refs A and B for Kuwait
media reaction to RIHS designation.) The GOK Council of
Ministers on June 17 weighed in with a statement condemning
the action and claiming that the designation was based on
"false evidence." Press statements by GOK Ministers and
public grandstanding by members of the National Assembly
almost unanimously assert that there is no reason for concern
with any of RIHS' activities or GOK charitable safeguards.
The GOK, in short, has staked out a hard public position that
may prove difficult to retract or modify. Post will provide,
septel, further analysis on possible next steps. End summary
and comment.
2. (U) The Kuwaiti Council of Ministers' statement, issued
by Prime Minister Nasser al-Mohammad al-Ahmad Al Sabah on
June 17, states that "the Council of Ministers denies these
false accusations that are not based on evidence." He added
that "the State of Kuwait rejects any action that undermines
or casts doubt on its charity organizations and its positive
role in serving the Kuwait, Islamic, and human society." The
Cabinet also reiterated its trust and confidence in RIHS and
Kuwait's other charitable organizations, praising their
efforts in "the fight against terrorism and its destructive
activities." Additional statements by GOK officials in the
Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Social and Labor Affairs, and
National Security Bureau among others and MPs from all
factions have rallied around RIHS and largely failed to
address any potential wrongdoing by the charity. One week
after the U.S. designation announcement, the volume of daily
media attention to the RIHS issue has declined sharply.
********************************************* *
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
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/ESC/TFS; TREASURY FOR KRISTEN HECHT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN KU KTFN PGOV PREL PTER
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE: GOK CONDEMNS USG DECISION TO
DESIGNATE KUWAIT-BASED RIHS
REF: A. KUWAIT 677
B. KUWAIT 700
1. (SBU) Summary and comment: Both liberal and
conservative newspapers and politicians have been outspoken
in criticizing the USG's action to designate the Revival of
Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS). (See Refs A and B for Kuwait
media reaction to RIHS designation.) The GOK Council of
Ministers on June 17 weighed in with a statement condemning
the action and claiming that the designation was based on
"false evidence." Press statements by GOK Ministers and
public grandstanding by members of the National Assembly
almost unanimously assert that there is no reason for concern
with any of RIHS' activities or GOK charitable safeguards.
The GOK, in short, has staked out a hard public position that
may prove difficult to retract or modify. Post will provide,
septel, further analysis on possible next steps. End summary
and comment.
2. (U) The Kuwaiti Council of Ministers' statement, issued
by Prime Minister Nasser al-Mohammad al-Ahmad Al Sabah on
June 17, states that "the Council of Ministers denies these
false accusations that are not based on evidence." He added
that "the State of Kuwait rejects any action that undermines
or casts doubt on its charity organizations and its positive
role in serving the Kuwait, Islamic, and human society." The
Cabinet also reiterated its trust and confidence in RIHS and
Kuwait's other charitable organizations, praising their
efforts in "the fight against terrorism and its destructive
activities." Additional statements by GOK officials in the
Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Social and Labor Affairs, and
National Security Bureau among others and MPs from all
factions have rallied around RIHS and largely failed to
address any potential wrongdoing by the charity. One week
after the U.S. designation announcement, the volume of daily
media attention to the RIHS issue has declined sharply.
********************************************* *
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