INTERNAL REVIEW OF MLAT WILL DELAY NEGOTIATIONS

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000774 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA/ARP, L/LEI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS CJAN SNAR KTIA KCRM PTER KU SUBJECT: INTERNAL REVIEW OF MLAT WILL DELAY NEGOTIATIONS REF: A. STATE 68941 ¶B. KUWAIT 686 ¶1. (U) On August 3, Econoff followed-up with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Justice to discuss a diplomatic note inviting representatives of the GOK to Washington DC for negotiations of a new Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and including a proposed treaty text (REF A). ¶2. (U) Zakaria Al Ansari, Director of International Relations, Ministry of Justice (MOJ) stated that the Ministry intends to form a working group to review the MLAT text after the September 20 Eid holiday. He reported that it would take time to have the text translated and for the new committee to complete their review. He commented that the process had not yet started and therefore would likely not be finished in time for an October meeting with the USG. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Although we have not received a formal GoK response to the proposed dates, we believe that it is highly unlikely that the GOK will be ready to begin negotiations in the week of October 4. Many GOK officials have left for summer holidays, which will be followed by shortened business hours during the month of Ramadan (o/a August 20 - September 20),which will delay the GOK's MLAT review. Post will follow-up with MOJ and MFA after the Eid, but suggests a date later in the Fall would likely be more feasible. End Comment. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* WILLIAMS