VZCZCXRO5252
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHKU #4289 3041421
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 311421Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7392
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS KUWAIT 004289 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR WALLER, NSC 
FOR RAMCHAND 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ECON KDEM KU NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FREEDOM AGENDA 
SUBJECT: FREEDOM AGENDA: PARLIAMENT RECONVENES; REFORM BLOC 
SWEEPS COMMITTEE ELECTIONS 
 
REF: A. KUWAIT 4206 
     ¶B. KUWAIT 4205 
     ¶C. KUWAIT 3826 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary: Parliament reconvened October 30 amid 
rising tensions between opposition MPs and the Government. 
In their customary speeches, the Amir, Prime Minister, and 
Speaker called for cooperation, development, and "national 
unity."  The Prime Minister also presented details of the 
Government's $67.4 billion, four-year development plan.  As 
expected, members of the recently-formed Reform Bloc swept 
the parliamentary committee elections, though pro-Government 
parliamentarians (MPs) still won a number of seats on key 
committees, suggesting some opposition MPs are still voting 
based on personal and/or tribal considerations.  Parliament 
also approved the Reform Bloc's proposed timetable for 
discussing key issues in Parliament (ref A).  End summary. 
 
Parliament Reconvenes; PM Outlines Government Program 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Parliament reconvened October 30 after a 
three-month summer recess and amid rising tensions between 
opposition MPs and the Government (ref A).  The Amir, Prime 
Minister, and Speaker delivered customary speeches marking 
the occasion, all of which focused on the need for 
cooperation, development, and "national unity."  The Amir 
proposed holding a national conference on education and 
teaching, making use of the "experience of advanced countries 
to serve our national needs and nurture a new generation 
qualified to build a good future for the homeland."  The 
Prime Minister presented details of the Government's 
ambitious development program, which envisions 690 projects 
costing $67.4 billion over the next four years.  Among the 
projects he proposed were construction of several new 
hospitals, a 3000-megawatt power station, and a new 
international port, and expansion of Kuwait's fibre optics 
network and international airport. 
 
Opposition MPs Sweep Committee Elections 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) As expected, members of the recently-formed Reform 
Bloc, an umbrella grouping of the three opposition blocs (ref 
A), swept elections for Parliament's 11 standing and 7 ad hoc 
committees, winning a majority on every committee except the 
Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, which was split 
between opposition and pro-Government MPs.  (Note: The 16 
Cabinet members, who serve as ex officio MPs in the 65-member 
Parliament, vote for parliamentary committees, but are not 
eligible to run themselves.  End note.)  The Reform Bloc 
failed to capture the important posts of Secretary General 
and Sergeant-at-Arms on the National Assembly Bureau, the 
Parliament's administrative body, suggesting some members of 
the bloc are still voting according to personal and/or tribal 
considerations.  Editorials in local press October 31 
interpreted this as a "failure" and argued that the Reform 
Bloc was "penetrated" by the Government and "tribalism." 
Among opposition MPs, Islamists won a majority in the 
Education, Health, Budgets and Closing Accounts, and Defense 
and Interior Affairs Committees.  The committees are expected 
to meet later this week to elect a Chairman and Rapporteur. 
Parliament also unanimously approved a timetable for 
discussing key issues, as proposed by the Reform Bloc (ref A). 
 
Opposition Lighting Up the Grill 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Despite their public support for cooperation and 
dialogue with the Government, opposition MPs announced after 
the session that they would "grill" Minister of Information 
Mohammed Al-Sanousi early next year, a move likely to 
increase tensions between the Government and Parliament. 
There are some rumors, however, that the Prime Minister could 
reshuffle the Cabinet in the next few weeks, removing several 
controversial ministers to relieve pressure on the Government. 
 
********************************************* * 
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s 
 
Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ 
********************************************* * 
LeBaron