AMIR'S ADDRESS TO GCC ACCENTUATES POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001173 SIPDIS NEA/ARP, NEA/RA E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2019 TAGS: PREL IR IZ IS KU SUBJECT: AMIR'S ADDRESS TO GCC ACCENTUATES POLITICAL CONCERNS Classified By: Political Counselor Pete O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C) While the Kuwait-hosted December 14-15 GCC Summit has a decidedly economic and infrastructural focus, with discussion of projects to link participant countries' electrical grids, develop a common railway authority and form a monetary union high on the agenda, Amir Shaykh Sabah Al Sabah's December 14 address opening the summit also presented an opportunity for the Kuwaiti leader to lay out views on a number of political issues. Significant comments include: -- On Iran, the Amir noted the GCC states jointly support resolution of the issue through peaceful dialogue, but also insist on a commitment to those internationally-recognized principles that can "provide reassurance and confidence and contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in the region." -- On Yemen the Amir condemned "infiltrators" who launch aggression against "brotherly Saudi Arabia, targeting its sovereignty and security." The Amir offered "support for Saudi measures to defend the sovereignty and security of the Kingdom." The Amir also expressed the hope that security and stability would prevail in Yemen and encouraged efforts to enhance Yemeni economic development, with an aim to enhancing that country's prosperity, unity and sovereignty. -- Mincing no words, the Amir roundly condemned recent "terrorist attacks" in Iraq, calling on summit participants to work together in a spirit of unity to deny terrorists opportunities to damage Iraq's stablity and security. The Amir also expressed his support for the "continuity of the political process in Iraq" through the execution of "democratic" parliamentary elections in order to better advance the "security, stability, political harmony and economic development of the Iraqi people." -- Turning to the Middle East peace process, the Amir noted his disappointment over intra-Palestinian disputes that have damaged Palestinian unity and opened up an opportunity for Israel to "show further obstinacy" and defer taking steps towards a "just, comprehensive, and permanent peace." The Amir called on "our brothers in the occupied Arab territories" to put aside their differences and work towards the "restoration of the legal rights of the Palestinian people" and toward the establishment of an independent Palestinan state with Jersualem as its capital. Speaking on behalf of the GCC states, the Amir called on the international community to pressure ISRAEL to withdraw from the occupied territories, cease all settlement activity, and remove "threats" to the Al-Aqsa mosque. ¶2. (C) Comment: Much of the public focus of the summit has been on economic cooperation issues (in the absence of consensus on more contentious political matters). In enunciating to the summit views he characterized as those of the GCC as a whole, the Amir saw the leeway to stake out more forward-leaning language, particularly on Iran, and took it. 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