Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 64621 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 03KUWAIT1973, RETURNING STOLEN KUWAITI PROPERTY

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #03KUWAIT1973.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
03KUWAIT1973 2003-05-11 09:39 2011-08-24 16:30 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Kuwait
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS KUWAIT 001973 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/NGA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL IZ KU
SUBJECT: RETURNING STOLEN KUWAITI PROPERTY 
 
1. This is an action request. Please see para. 5 
 
2. Summary: A member of Kuwait's ruling family met with the 
Ambassador on May 4 to seek his assistance in reclaiming 
property stolen by Iraqis during the 1990-91 occupation of 
Kuwait.  The request highlights the need to establish a 
procedure for current and future property claims. End Summary. 
 
3. Shaykh Ahmed Jaber al-Abdullah al-Jaber al-Sabah paid a 
visit to the Ambassador on May 4, and asked him to help 
recover property he and his family had stolen from them 
during the occupation of Kuwait.   Shaykh Ahmed said he had 
recently seen the articles -- a 1964 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud 
vehicle with historical significance to the State of Kuwait, 
and a personalized china set -- on television, when camera 
crews displayed vehicles and other property in the palace of 
Uday Saddam Hussein.   Shaykh Ahmed presented the Ambassador 
with a letter in imperfect english from his father, Shaykh 
Jaber al-Abdullah al-Jaber al-Sabah, and a packet of papers, 
including photos and a vehicle title, showing his ownership 
of these items. 
 
4. The text of the letter follows: 
 
28 April 2003 
 
Your Excellency Richard H. Jones 
Ambassador of the United States of America 
To the State of Kuwait 
 
Among my invaluable fortune looted by Iraqi soldiers 
during the Iraqi invasion of the State of Kuwait in 1990, 
there's a unique antique "Rolls Royce ) Silver Cloud  64" 
that had been shown on TV's and other media when displaying 
cars in the Palace of Odai, Saddam Husein's elder son.  This 
Rolls Royce is so important that several foreign heads of 
state and top officials who visited Kuwait in the past used 
it.  I enclose the car's traffic documents.  Among my 
belongings, there's also an official coffee china-set had 
been shown in newspapers April 16.  It goes back to 1960's 
and served many heads of state I hosted.  I enclose photos 
verifying that the china-set belongs to me.  You'll find my 
name on each piece.  Photos of the rest of the set, that I 
still have, are also enclosed.  Please kindly let me know the 
proper procedures to restore the above-mentioned Rolls Royce 
and other belongings from Iraq?  Thank you in advance for 
your kind help in this regard. 
With best regards. 
 
Yours Sincerely, 
 
Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah 
 
END TEXT. 
 
5. Action:  Embassy requests State Department coordinate with 
appropriate Department of Defense elements to locate these 
items, and inform us of the proper procedure for Shaykh Jaber 
to follow to ensure their return. 
URBANCIC