Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KUWAIT32
2009-01-13 11:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
KUWAIT NSB RESPONDS FAVORABLY TO ENERGY
how-toVZCZCXRO5489 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #0032 0131116 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 131116Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2623 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000032
SIPDIS
S/CT FOR AVERILL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2019
TAGS: PTER ENRG ASEC PGOV PINS PREL ECON KCIP KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT NSB RESPONDS FAVORABLY TO ENERGY
INFRASTRUCTURE DRAFT MOU
REF: SECSTATE 126863
Classified By: Economic Counselor Oliver John for reasons 1.4(b) and (d
).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000032
SIPDIS
S/CT FOR AVERILL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2019
TAGS: PTER ENRG ASEC PGOV PINS PREL ECON KCIP KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT NSB RESPONDS FAVORABLY TO ENERGY
INFRASTRUCTURE DRAFT MOU
REF: SECSTATE 126863
Classified By: Economic Counselor Oliver John for reasons 1.4(b) and (d
).
1. (C) Kuwait National Security Bureau(NSB) Vice President
Shaykh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al Sabah told Econoffs on
January 12 that Kuwait remained very interested in signing an
MOU establishing a joint working group to improve protection
of Kuwait's energy infrastructure. Thamer said the agreement
would be of great benefit to Kuwait and the U.S. Referring
positively to two earlier U.S. assessment missions to Kuwait
which issued recommendations on how the GoK should improve
its energy infrastructure defenses against possible terrorist
attacks, Thamer said the GoK had implemented most of the
recommendations of the two assessments. (Note: Thamer
appeared unaffected when informed that Kuwait would have to
pay for all costs incurred by the USG under the MOU. It is
not clear that, as number two in the NSB, Thamer has the
authority to agree to commit to the payment term of the MOU.
End note.)
2. (C) Thamer said the GoK had established a committee to
oversee the strengthening of Kuwait's energy infrastructure.
He said that many of the remaining recommendations from the
earlier two assessments concerned the need for improved
coordination between the multiple ministries involved in
energy infrastructure security. By way of example, he said
that 12 different ministries have roles in the operations of
Shuaiba refinery. He noted that the committee, which he
chaired, was empowered to direct any of these ministries to
take necessary actions to improve energy infrastructure
security.
3. (C) Thamer said that the GoK intended to send a letter to
the USG formally requesting another energy infrastructure
protection assessment. Thamer said the NSB would review the
draft MOU and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would
convey the GoK's response.
********************************************* *
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/
********************************************* *
JONES
SIPDIS
S/CT FOR AVERILL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2019
TAGS: PTER ENRG ASEC PGOV PINS PREL ECON KCIP KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT NSB RESPONDS FAVORABLY TO ENERGY
INFRASTRUCTURE DRAFT MOU
REF: SECSTATE 126863
Classified By: Economic Counselor Oliver John for reasons 1.4(b) and (d
).
1. (C) Kuwait National Security Bureau(NSB) Vice President
Shaykh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al Sabah told Econoffs on
January 12 that Kuwait remained very interested in signing an
MOU establishing a joint working group to improve protection
of Kuwait's energy infrastructure. Thamer said the agreement
would be of great benefit to Kuwait and the U.S. Referring
positively to two earlier U.S. assessment missions to Kuwait
which issued recommendations on how the GoK should improve
its energy infrastructure defenses against possible terrorist
attacks, Thamer said the GoK had implemented most of the
recommendations of the two assessments. (Note: Thamer
appeared unaffected when informed that Kuwait would have to
pay for all costs incurred by the USG under the MOU. It is
not clear that, as number two in the NSB, Thamer has the
authority to agree to commit to the payment term of the MOU.
End note.)
2. (C) Thamer said the GoK had established a committee to
oversee the strengthening of Kuwait's energy infrastructure.
He said that many of the remaining recommendations from the
earlier two assessments concerned the need for improved
coordination between the multiple ministries involved in
energy infrastructure security. By way of example, he said
that 12 different ministries have roles in the operations of
Shuaiba refinery. He noted that the committee, which he
chaired, was empowered to direct any of these ministries to
take necessary actions to improve energy infrastructure
security.
3. (C) Thamer said that the GoK intended to send a letter to
the USG formally requesting another energy infrastructure
protection assessment. Thamer said the NSB would review the
draft MOU and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would
convey the GoK's response.
********************************************* *
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/
********************************************* *
JONES