TFKU01: SIDEBAR TO HISTORY OF THE INVASION - AN

S E C R E T KUWAIT 04520

E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: PREL PGOV KU IZ
SUBJECT: TFKU01: SIDEBAR TO HISTORY OF THE INVASION - AN
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE JEDDAH SUMMIT


1. SECRET - ENTIRE TEXT


2. FRENCH CHARGE' D'AFFAIRES TOLD DCM AUGUST 9 THAT
TARIQ REZOUQI, KUWAITI AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE AND MEMBER OF
THE KUWAITI DELEGATION TO THE JEDDAH SUMMIT HAS CONFIRMED
TO THEM THAT THE IRAQIS WENT TO JEDDAH INTENT ON THE
SUMMIT'S FAILURE. ACCORDING TO REZOUQI, THE KUWAITI
DELEGATION MADE IT EXPLICITLY CLEAR THEY WERE WILLING TO
DISCUSS ALL ISSUES, INCLUDING THE BORDER, OIL AND DEBTS.
THE IRAQIS WANTED NO PART OF ANY REAL DISCUSSIONS.


3. COMMENT: THE FRENCH STORY TELLS US NOTHING WE DIDN'T
ALREADY SUSPECT. THE IRAQIS DISMISSED THE KUWAITI
AGREEMENT TO HOLD TO OIL PRODUCTION QUOTAS AT THE OIL
SUMMIT IN JEDDAH BECAUSE IT DID NOT FIT INTO THEIR
GAMEPLAN. THE JEDDAH SUMMIT WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO BE A
SERIOUS EFFORT AT RESOLUTION AND IT WASN'T. UNLESS
SADDAM IS MORE OF A MILITARY GENIUS THAN EVEN HE GIVES
HIMSELF CREDIT FOR BEING, THIS INVASION COULD NOT HAVE
BEEN PLANNED AND LAUNCHED IN THE MERE HOURS BETWEEN THE
END OF THE SUMMIT AND THE MORNING OF AUGUST 2. TARIQ'S
TALE ONLY CONFIRMS ALL OF THIS.


4. BAGHDAD/DHAHRAN MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.


HOWELL