KUWAITI FM REMAINS RELUCTANT ON KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000736 SIPDIS NEA/ARP, EUR E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV KU KV SUBJECT: KUWAITI FM REMAINS RELUCTANT ON KOSOVO REF: A. KUWAIT 708 ¶B. STATE 71885 Classified By: DCM Tom Williams for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C) In a follow-up to ref A, Ambassador used the opportunity of a July 20 airport meeting with FM Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al Sabah prior to his departure for London, en route to Washington for the Amir's August 3 visit, to engage him on the issue of GOK recognition of Kosovo. The FM pointedly asked what Washington hoped to achieve through this recognition. He said Kuwait remains concerned at the precedent established by conferring statehood on ethnic enclaves, which in this instance effectively segregated Muslim communities and worked against their integration into European society; such an approach to ethnic minorities could have broader unintended consequences elsewhere, especially where natural resources are an issue. Comment: -------------- ¶2. (C) The FM's explanation does not necessarily contradict, but does provide context, for MFA U/S al-Jarallah's earlier assertion (ref A.) that Kuwait "eventually" will recognize Kosovo. We will nonetheless continue to press the GOK to follow the lead already set by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and the UAE. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES