C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000541

NOFORN
SIPDIS

S/CT FOR AVERILL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2019
TAGS: PTER ENRG ASEC PGOV PINS PREL ECON KCIP KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT DELIVERS ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE MOU

REF: A. KUWAIT 32

B. 08 SECSTATE 126863

Classified By: Economic Counselor Oliver John for reasons 1.4(b) and (d
).


1. (C) On May 28, Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered to
Post Kuwait's response to the proposed Memorandum of
Understanding regarding establishment of a joint working
group to improve protection of Kuwait's energy
infrastructure, which it had received from the USG in early
January. The MOU contained modifications to sections 4, 8
and 9 (see para 3 for new text). Post is transmitting by
email the original Arabic and MFA English translation of the
MOU via email to the desk and to S/CT.


2. (C) The primary modification to the MOU was in section 4
dealing with how costs for the working group would be borne.
The new language, excerpted from the English translation
provided by the MFA, states "Each party shall bear all the
expenses for services provided to it by the other party," and
drops any reference to Kuwaiti pre-payment as required by
Section 573 of the Foreign Assistance Act.


New Text from Kuwait
--------------


3. (C) Section 4
- The JWG is to strive to meet three times per year at sites
alternating between the State of Kuwait and the United States
of America. The JWG is to be made up of the following:
First, the Kuwaiti Side
Represented by the High Coordination Committee for Protecting
Critical Energy Infrastructure.

Section 8
- Each party shall bear all the expenses for services
provided to it by the other party.

Section 9
- This Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into force on
the date of receipt of the last notification in which one
party notifies the other in writing, through the diplomatic
channels, of its fulfillment of all the legal and internal

procedures necessary for its entry into force.

This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended with the
consent of the two parties. The amendments shall enter into
force according to the procedures stipulated in the previous
paragraph.

This Memorandum of Understanding Shall remain in force for
two years, and will be renewed automatically for similar
period(s), unless one of the parties notifies the other in
writing of its desire to terminate it before the passage of 6
months from the date of expiration of the initial period or
any subsequent period(s).


Original U.S. Text
--------------


4. (C) Section 4
- The JWG is to strive to meet three times per year at sites
alternating between the State of Kuwait and the United States
of America. The JWG is to be made up of the following:

First, the Kuwaiti Side
Represented by the High Coordination Committee for protecting
critical energy facilities, which includes the following:
- The Vice President of the National Security Bureau (NSB),
who chairs the Kuwaiti side of the Joint Working Group.
- Two other representatives of the NSB.
- The Deputy Minister of Interior for Vital Installations
Group.
- The Vice Chairman of the Oil Sector Services Company (OSSC).
- One other OSSC representative.
- The Managing Director of Kuwait National Petroleum Company
(KNPC).
- One other KNPC representative.
- Two representatives from the Security Decision Follow-up
Committee.


Section 8
- The State of Kuwait is to pay for all costs for services
performed, equipment provided, and expenses incurred by the
United States to provide the assistance specified herein,
including, but not limited to, site security assessments and
training, exclusive of the regular salaries and benefits of
United States Government direct-hire personnel. As required
by section 573 of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act, the State
of Kuwait is to make full advance payment for such
assistance.

Section 9

1. The Participants intend to commence activities under this
Memorandum of Understanding upon signature.


2. A Participant that desires to discontinue its activities
under this Memorandum of Understanding should endeavor to
provide six months notice in writing to the other
Participant.


3. This Memorandum of Understanding may be modified in
writing by the two Participants.

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For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
visit Kuwait's Classified Website at:

http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it
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JONES