GAZA REMAINS RALLYING CALL FOR GOK

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000058 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA/ARP, NEA/IPA ///// C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - SENSITIVE CAPTION ADDED ///// E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON PINR KU SUBJECT: GAZA REMAINS RALLYING CALL FOR GOK REF: KUWAIT 0054 ¶1. (SBU) In an attempt to deflect criticism of Arab leadership divisiveness as witnessed in the January 19-20 Arab Economic Summit (reported reftel),and to appear cohesive prior to next week's (scheduled) encounter with parliament, the Kuwaiti Council of Ministers united in a statement condemning the Israeli actions against Hamas in Gaza. The General Secretariat of the Council released a statement on January 21 decrying Israel's disregard to international calls to stop the "barbaric massacres, terror, and systematic destruction" of Gaza and saluting the Palestinians in Gaza for their "heroic steadfastness". ¶2. (U) The Council of Ministers also confirmed its adoption of measures to ensure the cessation of further attacks, and claimed Israeli military actions in the conflict were illegal and that the "barbarous perpetrators" would be brought to justice. The council also pledged its support for the reconstruction of Gaza. ********************************************* * 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