Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
09KUWAIT1055 | 2009-11-05 14:11:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Kuwait |
VZCZCXRO9981 PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #1055 3091411 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051411Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4155 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY |
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001055 |
1. (C) Islamist MP Faisal Al-Mislim announced November 4 his intention to interpellate Prime Minister Shaykh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al Sabah over the PM's office expenditures, alleging payoffs by the latter to various MPs. Al-Mislim has long targeted the PM's office for financial irregularities (ref A) and his calls to grill the PM over this issue contributed heavily to the Amir's decision to dissolve the last parliament in March (ref B). Since then, Al-Mislim has maintained that he has proof of such activities. Al-Mislim, with backing from his newly reconstituted Reform and Development Bloc, submitted a copy of a check from the PM to a payee whom he identified as a former MP (name marked out) in the amount of KD 200,000 (USD 700,000). Though he stopped short of accusing the PM of bribery, Al-Mislim demanded that the PM shed light on the identity of the recipient and respond to all allegations of misappropriations of public funds. 2. (C) Flash reports from the press and embassy contacts indicate that through his lawyer, Emad Al-Seif, the PM will sue Al-Mislim and officials at Burgan Bank who released the copy of the check, alleging that the check was personal and therefore not subject to review when auditing the PM Diwan's accounting. 3. (C) In separate November 5 conversations, liberal MP Ali Al-Rashed and Islamist constitutional lawyer Dr. Mohammed Al-Mqate relayed to poloff their suspicions that the Amir's son, Shaykh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmed Al Sabah, seeking the PM's seat for himself, has become allied with Islamist MPs -- including Al-Mislim -- to force the removal of the PM. 4. (C) Comment. With the October 27 resumption of the National Assembly comes the usual flow of interpellation threats, allegations and rumors. Speaker of Parliament Jassem Al-Khorafi told Ambassador November 5 that his first order of business was to establish some sort of discipline and sense of purpose in parliament, in part by persuading the Amir and PM that the government ministers, including the PM, should be prepared to respond transparently and comprehensively to allegations by MP's, rather than 'going back to square one' by dissolving parliament. Meanwhile, for the 10th year in a row, Kuwait is projected to have a budget surplus which could reach approximately $17-20 bn. This, combined with the relatively moderate to mild impact of the global financial crisis on Kuwait's generous social welfare state has allowed Kuwait's political class to continue to fiddle and squawk while ignoring the future consequences of unfinished and much needed legislative business. End comment. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES |