Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUWAIT992
2008-09-18 05:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
KUWAIT MILDLY CONCERNED OVER PROSPECTIVE ARMS
how-toVZCZCXRO5447 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #0992 2620518 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 180518Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2142 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000992
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP, NEA/I
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR PINS MASS IZ KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT MILDLY CONCERNED OVER PROSPECTIVE ARMS
SALES TO IRAQ
REF: STATE 91327
Classified By: Political Counselor Peter O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b an
d d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000992
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP, NEA/I
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR PINS MASS IZ KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT MILDLY CONCERNED OVER PROSPECTIVE ARMS
SALES TO IRAQ
REF: STATE 91327
Classified By: Political Counselor Peter O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b an
d d.
1. (C) POLCOUNS on September 15 raised reftel points
concerning USG plans to support the Iraqi Security Forces
transition plan through sales of U.S. weapons and military
equipment with Ambassador Khaled Mohammed Al-Muqamis,
director of MFA's Follow-up and Coordination Office. In
presenting the demarche, POLCOUNS emphasized ongoing USG
commitment to Kuwait's security and our determination to
ensure that these sales do not provide Iraq with an offensive
capacity that could some day be turned against Kuwait.
2. (C) In his response, Muqamis raised no objection to the
sales, beyond noting that word of them had leaked into the
Kuwaiti press, where a number of commentators had expressed
concern about the re-arming of Iraq. Muqames noted, however,
that the GOK would be interested in knowing more about what
is contained in the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement
(SOFA). The GOK, in particular, would be interested to know
if the SOFA contains language that guarantees Kuwait's
security or eliminates the possibility that Iraqi weapons
could be used against Kuwait.
********************************************* *
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
NEA/ARP, NEA/I
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR PINS MASS IZ KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT MILDLY CONCERNED OVER PROSPECTIVE ARMS
SALES TO IRAQ
REF: STATE 91327
Classified By: Political Counselor Peter O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b an
d d.
1. (C) POLCOUNS on September 15 raised reftel points
concerning USG plans to support the Iraqi Security Forces
transition plan through sales of U.S. weapons and military
equipment with Ambassador Khaled Mohammed Al-Muqamis,
director of MFA's Follow-up and Coordination Office. In
presenting the demarche, POLCOUNS emphasized ongoing USG
commitment to Kuwait's security and our determination to
ensure that these sales do not provide Iraq with an offensive
capacity that could some day be turned against Kuwait.
2. (C) In his response, Muqamis raised no objection to the
sales, beyond noting that word of them had leaked into the
Kuwaiti press, where a number of commentators had expressed
concern about the re-arming of Iraq. Muqames noted, however,
that the GOK would be interested in knowing more about what
is contained in the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement
(SOFA). The GOK, in particular, would be interested to know
if the SOFA contains language that guarantees Kuwait's
security or eliminates the possibility that Iraqi weapons
could be used against Kuwait.
********************************************* *
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