KUWAIT MFA U/S ON IRAQ, GTMO, 1267 DESIGNEES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000098 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV KU IR IZ KDRG PINR PTER ETRD SUBJECT: KUWAIT MFA U/S ON IRAQ, GTMO, 1267 DESIGNEES REF: A. KUWAIT 86 ¶B. KUWAIT 77 ¶C. KUWAIT 81 ¶D. KUWAIT 48 ¶E. KUWAIT 79 ¶F. KUWAIT 14 ¶G. KUWAIT 15 ¶H. KUWAIT 12 Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) On January 21, MFA U/S Al-Jarallah told CDA that Kuwait is ready to invest in Iraq, but delays in funding are caused by the Iraqi failure to get project proposals to relevant GOK officials. Recent high-level Iraqi visits to Kuwait have increased bilateral cooperation, and there are now suggestions that Iraqi and Kuwaiti Ambassadors may be soon filling their respective positions. CDA again pushed the urgency of creating another Kuwait-Iraq border crossing in the vicinity of Camp Bucca. Post seeks to provide the GOK with details of pending trials in U.S. courts of Kuwaiti GTMO detainees while asking for updates on the status of those previously released. Jarallah acknowledged inherent difficulties in implementing sanctions on UN 1267 designees and discussed subsistence needs of families of these terrorism financiers. Kuwaiti Investment in Iraq: Waiting on the Iraqis -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) In a January 21 meeting with CDA (held after Gaza siege discussion reported ref A.),Kuwaiti MFA U/S Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah stated that the GOK welcomes further dialogue with the GOI and is ready to invest in Iraq and, through the Kuwaiti Fund, finance various projects (see ref ¶A. for project details). However, according to Jarallah, delays in allocating and releasing the funds are caused by the failure of the GOI to identify specific, priority projects. He said that the GOK has requested various proposals from the Iraqis, but that movement on these proposals has been slow. He added he would appreciate any USG support to push the Iraqi project proposals along, stating, "We need help to help the Iraqis." GOK-GOI Talks -------------- ¶3. (C) Jarallah highlighted that the GOK has hosted high-level GOI visits recently, including January visits by VP Tarek Hashmi and FM Hoshyar Zebari. He said that it became clear during the Iraqi FM's visit that both sides need help in resolving border concerns, such as boundary lines for roads and farms that span from Iraq into Kuwait. For example, near Um Qasr, some Iraqi residences cross into Kuwait at a distance of 5-6 meters, making it impossible for UN teams to maintain border demarcation pillars. He added that the residents of the homes on these properties must be removed and their property demolished. According to Jarallah, the GOK has offered to build new homes in Iraq for these residents, but first requires that the GOI allocate land elsewhere. According to Jarallah, Zebari informed GOK officials that two parcels of land (size unknown) have been allocated inside Iraq for these residents, but the status of the relocation project is currently unknown. Border Trip to Bucca -------------- ¶4. (C) CDA re-extended the invitation to the U/S to visit the Kuwait-Iraq border to personally see the need for an additional border crossing, and to fully comprehend the need for a new supply line for Camp Bucca Detention Center. Jarallah responded that he definitely wishes to make the trip, and would urge Kuwaiti FM Dr. Mohammed Al Sabah to participate in the trip as well. Kuwaiti Ambassador to Iraq..."Within Weeks" -------------- ¶5. (C) Jarallah also said that while FM Zebari was in Kuwait (January 15-17) he shopped for new furniture for the Iraqi mission and stated that an Iraqi Ambassador to Kuwait would be named soon. Jarallah added that, "within weeks," Kuwaiti Ambassador-designate to Iraq, MG (retired) Ali Al-Mou'min KUWAIT 00000098 002 OF 002 would be in Baghdad. Iran -------------- ¶6. (C) Jarallah also spoke of his suspicions that the words of Kuwaiti FM Dr. Mohammed Al Sabah were distorted by the press in his recent visit to Teheran. Jarallah did not know the background and the context (ref B.) that the FM's widely quoted "My country knows who is our friend and who is our enemy," was prompted by a question from an Iranian JOURNALIST who asked if it was true that President Bush told the GOK during his January 11-12 visit to Kuwait that "Iran is your enemy, and the U.S. is your friend." (to which Dr. Mohammad's response was more along the lines of "We don't need anyone to tell us who is our friend and who is our enemy."). He said that any disparaging remarks towards the United States attributed to the FM would likely be distortions by the press and that the FM "always chooses his words carefully." (See review of media reporting on the Kuwaiti FM's visit to Teheran, septel.) GTMO -------------- ¶7. (C) CDA reviewed with Jarallah the President's statement to the Amir in their January 11 meeting that two of the four Kuwaiti GTMO detainees would stand trial in U.S. courts. Jarallah asked that the USG provide details of the pending cases to the GOK as soon as possible. CDA also relayed to the U/S that new information, in the form of an MFA dipnote (ref D.) and in comments the Amir made to POTUS, has surfaced regarding the eight Kuwaiti former GTMO detainees previously released to the GOK. CDA questioned Jarallah on the details of the death of one of the former detainees, status updates on the other seven, and information regarding remarks by the Amir that at least one of the detainees had proven helpful to the Kuwaiti authorities. Jarallah requested that these questions be provided in a diplomatic note, which Post will coordinate with the Department. 1267 Designees -------------- ¶8. (C) Jarallah said the news that on January 16, the UN 1267 Committee designated three Kuwaitis as terrorism financiers (ref C) came as a disturbing development for the GOK. Jarallah said that the designations will "cause problems for us" and that the GOK is unsure of the subsequent steps that it must take. His main concern, and one that was mentioned in press articles, is that of the subsistence needs of the families of the designees, i.e. if all assets are frozen, how will these men support their families? In reference to the designees, Jarallah said that they are "under control," and cited Hamid Al-Ali's recent public remarks condemning terrorism. CDA noted that the upcoming visit of Treasury U/S Levey will afford an important opportunity to review the 1267 designations and other TF issues. ********************************************* * 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