KUWAIT'S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS FOCUSED ON REGIONAL

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000184


SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR ISN/NESS, NEA AND INR; AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB
OFFICER; WHITE HOUSE FOR OSTP/ROLF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG KNNP SENV GCC KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT'S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS FOCUSED ON REGIONAL
COOPERATION

REF: A. SECSTATE 17214

B. KUWAIT 143


1. (SBU) EconOffs delivered ref A demarche to the Acting
Director-General of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific
Research (KISR),Dr. Mohammad Salman, on March 2. As far as
he is aware, the GOK is not/not represented at the March 2-6
IAEA BOG meeting, as the Kuwaiti IAEA lead is traveling with
the KISR DG. While Salman stated that he would check with
the MFA regarding the possibility of Kuwait pledging funds
for the NTI challenge grant, it is clear that the thrust of
GOK nuclear planning is firmly within the context of the
GCC's fledgling regional initiative.


2. (SBU) EconOffs also met with KISR's Division Director for
the Environment and Urban Development, Dr. Dhari Al-Ajmi, who
is one of two KISR officials spearheading Kuwait's
involvement in the GCC nuclear initiative and sits on the
Kuwaiti National Committee on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear
Technology. His colleague, KISR Deputy Director-General Dr.
Nader Al-Awadhi, chairs the National Committee and serves as
Kuwait's IAEA primary liaison (Al-Awadhi is currently the
GOK's de facto nuclear program chief). Al-Ajmi said that
KISR had spearheaded Kuwait's nuclear program planning since
the 2006 GCC commitment to cooperate on peaceful nuclear
development. He stressed that a GCC regional reactor would
be at least 15 years away, given the need for study and
capacity building. Al-Ajmi explained that the IAEA had
recommended that the GCC conduct a series of studies,
including site surveys, which had not started. He said that
KISR was in the process of making a formal proposal to the
GCC whereby KISR would take on responsibility for engaging an
international consultant to further planning for the GCC's
proposed regional reactor. Al-Ajmi noted that KSA, Qatar and
UAE are also planning for modest nuclear capabilities
independent of the GCC initiative.


3. (SBU) Salman said that the Amir had reportedly expressed
strong interest recently in Kuwait developing its own nuclear
capability, adding that a Kuwaiti team is being formed to
visit France to explore technical cooperation in the nuclear
realm, apparently following discussions between President
Sarkozy and the Amir in Kuwait on February 11 (ref B).
Salman said that KISR expects to lead the inter-ministerial
team but noted that a close advisor to the Foreign Minister,
Adnan Shihab Eldin -- former OPEC Acting Secretary-General
and former KISR Director-General -- appeared to be vying to
take charge of Kuwait's nuclear planning processes, including
the proposed visit to France.

JONES