DEMARCHE DELIVERED: GOK REPRESENTATION AT APRIL 17

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000368 SIPDIS NEA/ARP, NEA/I E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018 TAGS: PREL EAID IBRD IMF PK PU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: GOK REPRESENTATION AT APRIL 17 PAKISTAN DONOR'S CONFERENCE IN TOKYO REF: A. STATE 32712 ¶B. STATE 29482 Classified By: Political Counselor Pete O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C) Ambassador, accompanied by the Japanese and Pakistani Charges, delivered ref A demarche on April 15 to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al Sabah, emphasizing the need for the international community to support Pakistan's economy on an urgent basis as an essential part of addressing the growing security threat there; Ambassador also presented the FM with a copy of ref B Interagency Policy Group's Report on U.S. Policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Japanese Charge presented a letter to the Amir from Prime Minister Aso inviting Kuwait to attend the April 17 Pakistan Donor's Conference in Tokyo and to offer a pledge. The Pakistani Charge added a note of urgency to the conversation, describing a cycle of ongoing instability in Pakistan in which poverty and insecurity mutually reinforce each other; assistance from Pakistan's "democratic friends" is needed to break the cycle. He also presented the FM with a document requesting specific Kuwaiti assistance for a hydroelectric project in Pakistan. ¶2. (C) In response, the FM noted that Kuwait will be represented at the April 17 Donor's Conference by its Ambassador to Tokyo and by a representative from the Kuwait Fund, the GOK's primary aid arm. Shaykh Dr. Mohammed said the GOK will be present at Tokyo for the purpose of gathering information; it will not be able to offer a pledge on April ¶17. After the conference, the FM said, the GOK will consider an appropriate course of action and make a recommendation to Kuwait's Council of Ministers. If the Council approves the recommendation, the GOK will then discuss appropriate sums and modalities with the IMF. The FM noted paranthetically that, in general, the GOK prefers to provide assistance through the Kuwait Fund to specific projects rather than as more open-ended budgetary support to a recipient country; nevertheless, the GOK will consider the situation. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES