GOK OPTIMISTIC ABOUT POSITIVE OUTCOMES FROM AL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000602 SIPDIS NEA/ARP, NEA/IPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV KU SUBJECT: GOK OPTIMISTIC ABOUT POSITIVE OUTCOMES FROM AL MINISTERIAL REF: STATE 62909 Classified By: A/DCM Pete O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C) A/DCM on June 18 raised reftel points concerning the need for moderate Arab states like Kuwait to exercise leadership during the upcoming June 24 Arab League ministerial with Ahmad Al-Baker, lead official on AL issues in MFA's Arab World Department. ¶2. (C) In response, Al-Baker assured A/DCM that the GOK shares the USG desire for a positive outcome from the ministerial leading to a two-state solution and the early resumption of peace negotiations and will work to support such a result. Al-Baker noted that the President's Cairo speech has instilled a new spirit of optimism not just in Kuwaiti officials, but also in the leadership of most of the other Arab countries. The GOK is particularly pleased, he said, that a U.S. President is seen as approaching Israel/Palestine issues -- for the first time -- in a "neutral" spirit. Without offering specifics, Al-Baker said the GOK will do its part to help create a positive framework for the resumption of negotiations, consistent with the aims of the Arab Peace Initiative. Al-Baker predicted that the AL ministerial will focus far more on what was positive in the President's Cairo speech that on any negative aspects of the June 14 Netanyahu speech. ¶3. (C) Al-Baker also assured A/DCM of the GOK's continuing firm support for President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority government. The GOK has already contributed generously to this cause, he noted, with its only caveat being that Kuwaiti assistance should be directed to infrastructural projects aimed at benefitting all the Palestinian people rather than to salaries or "non-transparent" purposes. Al-Baker indicated that the GOK will continue to support these causes, but he was not in a position to discuss future assistance levels. ¶4. (C) Separately, Ambassador made reference to these points with MFA U/S Jarallah, who was supportive of the need to encourage positive advances, while questioning how Israel expected a demilitarized Palestinian state to bring Hamas and other extremist elements under control. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES