MINISTRY OF INTERIOR PLANS USD TEN MILLION

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001020 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA/ARP, NEA/RA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PHUM ELAB KU SUBJECT: MINISTRY OF INTERIOR PLANS USD TEN MILLION COUNTER-TERRORISM PROJECT REF: KUWAIT 1017 (U) 1. Kuwaiti news media reported October 22 on the newly-released work plan for the Ministry of Interior. The plan puts at the top of the MoI agenda a USD ten million project to "secure the country against terrorism and strengthen Kuwait society against the extremist mentality." Also listed was a project to reinforce GOK capabilities to monitor and combat money laundering. Other important items included a plan to link MOI efforts with those of the Ministries of Commerce and Social Affairs and Labor in an effort to rein in persons engaged in TIP so as to "remove Kuwait's name from the list of TIP offenders". The plan also listed a project to form a committee to deal with Bidoon (stateless person) issues, while also citing plans for a project to restrict "infiltration" by illegal expatriate laborers. (SBU) 2. Comment: Post will seek additional details from the Interior Ministry regarding the specifics of the work plan, and the CT project in particular. The preparation of Ministerial work plans in advance of the convening of Parliament October 27 is intended to speed up consideration and implementation of the government,s agenda. In that context, it is noteworthy that the top priority for the Interior Ministry is combating terrorism - another reflection of the higher profile the GoK is giving this critical issue. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES