VZCZCXRO5277
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHKU #0873/01 1560645
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 050645Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9286
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 KUWAIT 000873 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
NOFORN 
 
STATE FOR PM, NEA, S/CT, DS/ATA 
NSC STAFF FOR JESSEE 
ENERGY FOR KOLEVAR 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2022 
TAGS: PREL PARM MARR MCAP MASS KCIP EPET ASEC IZ
IR, KU 
SUBJECT: U.S.-KUWAIT GULF SECURITY DIALOGUE TALKS (MAY 
22,2007) 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
¶1.  (S/NF) Summary: Discussion on Iran and Iraq dominated the 
May 22 U.S.-Kuwait Gulf Security Dialogue (GSD).  Both 
countries agreed on the threat from Iran, but GOK officials 
expressed concern about Kuwait's vulnerability to Iranian 
retaliation (conventional and asymmetric) and the perceived 
ambiguity of the U.S. strategy to deal with Iran.  On Iraq, 
Kuwait is committed to supporting Al-Maliki for now, but 
fears he is losing support.  The Kuwaiti government (GOK) is 
also concerned that Al-Qaeda in Iraq could turn its focus on 
Kuwait, particularly if the Baghdad Security Plan succeeds. 
On energy infrastructure security, the two sides agreed to 
establish a joint working group to address vulnerabilities 
and welcomed the visit of a U.S. team to focus on maritime 
threat reduction.  The GOK is willing to participate in 
future PSI exercises.  Kuwait believes the GSD discussions 
are a very useful tool to increase U.S. communication on our 
Gulf policy and strategy.  End summary. 
 
¶2.  (S/NF) On May 22, Kuwait hosted the second round of the 
U.S.-Kuwait Gulf Security Dialogue (GSD) discussions.  Kuwait 
National Security Bureau (NSB) President Shaykh Ahmed Al-Fahd 
Al-Sabah chaired the meeting; Acting Assistant Secretary of 
State for Political-Military Affairs Stephen Mull and Deputy 
Assistant Secretary of Defense Mark Kimmitt led the U.S. 
delegation.  Both sides reiterated their strong support for 
and commitment to a long-term U.S.-Kuwait strategic 
relationship.  The two sides agreed to meet every six months 
for GSD discussions, alternating capitals, and to address any 
interim issues through their embassies.  A joint statement 
was issued and received favorable local press coverage (see 
para 17). 
 
Regional Security 
----------------- 
 
¶3.  (S/NF) The USG regional security discussion focused on 
Iran, Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, and Lebanon, and 
included a request for assistance to Yemen and Afghanistan. 
NEA DAS Gordon Gray emphasized the U.S. commitment to the 
diplomatic track on Iran, a two-state solution to the 
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the establishment of an 
international tribunal on Lebanon, and cooperation/discussion 
with regional allies through the GSD, GCC 2, and UN.  Shaykh 
Ahmed said Kuwait "shares the same goals on all these 
issues," and stressed the importance of resolving the 
Israeli-Palestinian dispute.  Kuwait pledged continued 
support for Lebanese PM Siniora's government and the 
international tribunal.  Shaykh Ahmed asked for U.S. help in 
resolving tensions between Libya and Saudi Arabia due to both 
sides' suspicions that the other is supporting rebel groups 
in neighboring countries: Saudi Arabia in Chad, and Libya in 
Yemen.  Shaykh Ahmed also expressed concern that Al-Qaeda was 
expanding operations in North Africa and Somalia, and 
stressed the importance of finding a solution in Darfur. 
AA/S Mull urged Kuwait to support the deployment of a 
UN/African Union peacekeeping force. 
 
Iran 
---- 
 
¶4.  (S/NF) DIA Senior Defense Intelligence Officer for the 
Middle East Bruce Hardcastle provided a detailed brief of the 
U.S. assessment of the current state of the Iranian nuclear 
program and Iranian intentions.  Kuwait shares our assessment 
of and opposition to Iran's nuclear program.  Shaykh Ahmed 
pledged Kuwait's continued support for any additional UN 
Security Council Resolutions on Iran, but outlined several 
concerns: the perceived lack of a clear U.S. strategy on 
Iran; Kuwait's vulnerability to Iranian missiles; differences 
within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) over the level of 
public opposition to Iran's nuclear program; the lack of 
solid intelligence about the program; and the threat of 
Iranian retaliation against Kuwait if attacked by the U.S. or 
Israel.  Kuwait expressed difficulty interpreting and 
supporting what it sees as an inconsistent USG policy towards 
Iran. 
 
¶5.  (S/NF) Shaykh Ahmed said cooperation within the GCC was 
improving.  He confirmed that plans are afoot within the GCC 
for a joint meeting of foreign ministers, defense ministers, 
and national security advisers to discuss security concerns. 
(Over lunch, he told the Ambassador that GCC national 
security advisors were to meet before the joint session but 
 
KUWAIT 00000873  002 OF 005 
 
 
that dates had not yet been set for either GCC meeting.)  He 
asked the U.S. to apply more pressure on GCC countries to 
cooperate among themselves.  He also noted GCC countries' 
recent discussions with NATO on developing a capability to 
deal with consequences of a nuclear incident, for which they 
"may need U.S. help in developing."  (Note: Shaykh Ahmed and 
Shaykh Thamer told Ambassador recently that they are 
satisfied at this time with the level of cooperation with 
NATO.) 
 
¶6.  (S/NF) NSB Deputy Director Shaykh Thamer Ali Al-Sabah 
argued that Kuwait had "no way" to protect itself against 
Iranian missiles, particularly Silkworms, or rockets similar 
to those used by Hizballah against Israel last summer.  Since 
no missile defense system is capable of addressing this 
vulnerability, he stressed that there must be a political, 
not a military, solution to the Iranian threat.  Shaykh 
Thamer said the widespread perception among many Kuwaitis 
that a U.S. attack on Iran was imminent was creating 
"mayhem."  Commander of the Kuwaiti Air Force General Yousef 
Al-Otaibi echoed these concerns and asked what precautions 
could be taken to prevent GCC countries from being "caught in 
the crossfire."  Shaykh Ahmed said the GOK did not anticipate 
a conflict this year, but believed that Iran would respond to 
any attack by retaliating against Kuwait: firing missiles at 
Kuwait if attacked by the U.S., or sponsoring terrorist 
attacks in Kuwait if attacked by Israel.  He noted that Iran 
had increased its intelligence activities in Kuwait in 
preparation.  AA/S Mull, DASD Kimmitt, and DAS Gray stressed 
that the U.S. was not seeking a military confrontation with 
Iran and was advising Israel to let diplomatic efforts take 
their course.  Shaykh Ahmed reiterated Kuwait's support for 
the U.S. and opposition to Iran's nuclear program, but urged 
the U.S. to understand Kuwaiti (and Gulf) sensitivities to 
aggressively confronting its much larger neighbor. 
 
¶7.  (S/NF) AA/S Mull concluded the regional security session 
by emphasizing the U.S.'s clear opposition to the emergence 
of a nuclear-armed Iran and by outlining the USG's seven-fold 
strategy in preventing this from happening by: 1) pursuing 
multilateral action through the UN; 2) restricting Iran's 
access to international financing; 3) maintaining a strong, 
visible military presence in the region; 4) coordinating 
carefully with GCC allies; 5) reaching out to the Iranian 
people; 6) pressuring Iran regionally; and 7) trying to 
convince Iran to play a more constructive role in Iraq.  AA/S 
Mull said the U.S.-Iran meeting in Baghdad on May 28 would 
focus solely on Iraqi security and would not address Iran's 
nuclear program.  Shaykh Ahmed noted Kuwait's support for 
such U.S. talks with Iran. 
 
Iraq 
---- 
 
¶8.  (S/NF) DASD Kimmitt and USCENTCOM Director of Strategy, 
Plans, and Policy Maj Gen Vern Findley outlined progress in 
implementing the Baghdad Security Plan and emphasized that 
its main objective was to buy time for political 
reconciliation.  They said it was still too soon to tell if 
the plan was succeeding and noted that there would be a major 
strategic review in September.  Shaykh Ahmed said Kuwait 
would continue to support Iraqi PM Nouri Al-Maliki and urge 
other Gulf countries to do the same, but noted that he was 
losing support within Iraq and among GCC states.  DASD 
Kimmitt argued that the U.S. military leadership was capable 
and flexible enough to adjust the plan to cope with changes. 
Shaykh Ahmed expressed concern that, if the plan succeeded, 
Al-Qaeda in Iraq could begin targeting Kuwait.  He also 
stressed the need for more communication and cooperation on 
Iraq, and asked the USG to pressure the GOI to do more to 
stop smuggling/militia activity along the Kuwait-Iraq border, 
noting that these incidents undermined domestic support for 
assistance to Iraq. 
 
Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (S/NF) AA/S Mull proposed that the USG and GOK establish 
a Joint Working Group for Critical Energy Infrastructure 
Protection (CEIP) as a mechanism to enhance Kuwait's energy 
infrastructure security through a formalized exchange of 
expertise and intelligence.  Shaykh Ahmed accepted the 
proposal and suggested it be formalized after the follow-up 
visit by a USG CEIP team tentatively scheduled for June 
12-13.  Referring to energy infrastructure as "the number one 
 
KUWAIT 00000873  003 OF 005 
 
 
target for Kuwait's enemies," Shaykh Ahmed said he looked 
forward to more bilateral cooperation on CEIP.  He indicated 
that the GOK Security Decision Follow-up Committee (SDFC) 
would coordinate Kuwaiti CEIP efforts. 
 
¶10.  (S/NF) Hussain Ismail, Deputy Managing Director of 
Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) delivered a short 
presentation on CEIP, saying that significant activity was 
already underway to implement many of the recommendations 
made by the USG teams.  Ismail said the Kuwaitis were already 
aware of most, but not all of the vulnerabilities identified 
by the USG teams.  He said KNPC, the Kuwait Coast Guard, and 
the SDFC, which was represented at the GSD by Colonel 
Mohammed Al-Faresi, were working together to develop a 
"structured, time-bound plan" to implement most of the USG 
security recommendations.  He added that "80 per cent of the 
necessary hardware upgrades are either complete or in 
progress."  Kuwait expressed strong support for the USG 
teams' recommendation to establish a GOK Joint Coordination 
Committee (JCC) to integrate Kuwait's CEIP regime. 
 
Enhanced Defensive Capabilities and Cooperation 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶11.  (S/NF) Gen. Al-Otaibi expressed appreciation for U.S. 
support in enhancing Kuwait's defensive capabilities and 
asked the USG to consider 1) stockpiling more Patriot 
missiles in Kuwait for both U.S. and Kuwaiti use should the 
need arise, and 2) providing back-up Patriot radar systems 
while Kuwait upgrades its own systems over the next four 
years.  Shaykh Ahmed noted that Kuwait's security focus had 
shifted from its northern border to its coastline.  AA/S Mull 
reaffirmed the USG's commitment to providing additional 
defensive systems/weaponry to Kuwait, including PAC III, 
unarmed UAV platforms, F/A-18 upgrades, 3-D radar systems, 
and advanced communications systems.  He said the USG should 
be able to move ahead without difficulty.  Maj Gen Findley 
said CENTCOM technical experts were available to help Kuwait 
develop and integrate its air defense strategy. 
 
¶12.  (C/NF) AA/S Mull asked Kuwait to reconsider 
participating in the upcoming conference in Lima to discuss a 
Norwegian-sponsored treaty banning cluster munitions.  Shaykh 
Ahmed noted the USG's concerns and promised to convey them to 
the Foreign Minister. 
 
Counterproliferation 
-------------------- 
 
¶13.  (S/NF) Shaykh Thamer affirmed Kuwait's desire to 
participate in future Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) 
exercises.  He noted, however, that it would be easier for 
the GOK if it were a UN, rather than a U.S., initiative. 
Shaykh Thamer echoed this sentiment regarding the Global 
Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, which he suggested 
could be introduced in the UN as part of a third UNSCR on 
Iran.  AA/S Mull expressed disappointment that Kuwait 
withdrew from last October's PSI exercise in Bahrain, but 
welcomed Kuwait's commitment to participate in future 
exercises. 
 
¶14.  (S/NF) Al-Awadi reported that Kuwait had formed a 
committee headed by the Foreign Minister to ensure 
implementation of UNSCRs 1737 and 1747.  He said Kuwait had 
been complying so far and would continue to do so.  Shaykh 
Ahmed agreed, adding that "Kuwait will respect and act on all 
UNSCRs related to Iran."  AA/S Mull emphasized that the 
UNSCRs would only succeed if everyone cooperated in enforcing 
them. 
 
Counterterrorism and Internal Security 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶15.  (S/NF) While praising the overall intelligence 
relationship, Shaykh Ahmed stressed the need for increased 
cooperation and communication on intelligence issues.  In 
particular, he emphasized the need for enhanced technology. 
Shaykh Ahmed said Kuwait was struggling to keep track of the 
threats from both Al-Qaeda and Iran and complained that 
Kuwait only got "one quarter of the information" from the 
U.S.  The GOK believes the main targets in the country are: 
1) energy facilities, 2) expatriates and civilian areas, and 
3) the country's leadership.  AA/S Mull agreed on the 
importance of intelligence sharing and urged the GOK to 
pursue any issues about the liaison relationship through 
 
KUWAIT 00000873  004 OF 005 
 
 
liaison channels or through the Ambassador. 
 
¶16.  (S/NF) On countering money laundering and terror 
financing, Shaykh Thamer argued that laws adopted over the 
last year had proven effective in limiting transfers of large 
funds to illicit/terrorist organizations.  He claimed known 
Kuwaiti terror financiers, such as Mubarak Al-Bathali, were 
now only able to raise and transfer small amounts of money. 
 
U.S.-Kuwait Gulf Security Dialogue Joint Statement 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶17.  (U) Begin text of joint statement: 
 
Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military 
Affairs Stephen D. Mull and His Excellency Shaykh Ahmed 
Al-Fahd Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the President of Kuwait's 
National Security Bureau, today co-chaired the second meeting 
of the United States-Kuwait Gulf Security Dialogue (GSD). 
The inaugural meeting of the GSD was held in September 2006 
in Washington, DC, with follow on meetings occurring 
approximately every six months and alternating between Kuwait 
and the United States.  The second round of talks are a 
reflection of the U.S. and Kuwait's commitment to regional 
security and cooperation on shared security matters that 
affect the Gulf region, including the situations in Iraq and 
Lebanon, terrorism, proliferation, and infrastructure 
security. 
 
The key objectives of the GSD are to convey U.S. commitment 
to a long-term presence in the Gulf for the peace and 
security of our GCC allies, as well to encourage regional 
partners to take the steps necessary to enhance their 
capabilities to deter or defend against shared threats. 
 
The GSD addresses conventional as well as non-conventional, 
asymmetric, and terrorist threats to Gulf security.  To 
counter these threats, the U.S.-Kuwait discussions focus on 
six key "pillars": 
 
(1) Enhanced defensive capabilities and cooperation; 
(2) Regional security; 
(3) Critical infrastructure protection; 
(4) Counterterrorism and internal security; 
(5) Counterproliferation; and 
(6) Developing a shared assessment on Iraq. 
 
During today's meetings, Ambassador Mull and Shaykh Al-Sabah 
affirmed their countries' commitment to the long-standing 
U.S.-Kuwait strategic relationship and agreed to continue 
their cooperation in promoting regional peace and security. 
 
Both acknowledged a shared goal of a unified, democratic, and 
stable Iraq that is at peace with its neighbors and itself. 
They pledged to continue to support the legitimately elected 
government of Iraq. 
 
With regard to Iran's nuclear activities, both sides 
reiterated their strong desire for a diplomatic solution and 
noted that such a solution can be reached by implementing the 
requirements outlined in UNSCR 1737 and 1747. 
 
The U.S. and Kuwait agreed to continue their robust 
cooperation on counterproliferation and on addressing 
vulnerabilities to Kuwait's energy infrastructure.  Kuwait 
agreed to consider participating in future Proliferation 
Security Initiative (PSI) exercises and activities. 
 
Ambassador Mull and Shaykh Al-Sabah expressed their 
satisfaction with the second round of the GSD, and both look 
forward to continuing this important dialogue between the two 
countries.  The next meeting of the GSD will take place in 
Washington, DC in the fall of this year. 
 
End text. 
 
Participants 
------------ 
 
¶18.  (SBU) 
 
United States: 
 
- Ambassador Richard LeBaron, U.S. Embassy, Kuwait 
- Stephen Mull, Department of State, Acting Assistant 
 
KUWAIT 00000873  005 OF 005 
 
 
Secretary, Bureau of Political Military Affairs 
 
SIPDIS 
- Mark T. Kimmitt, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense 
(Middle East) 
- Gordon Gray, Department of State, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs 
 
SIPDIS 
- Maj Gen Vern Findley, CENTCOM 
- BGen Charles L. Hudson, Office of Military Cooperation, 
U.S. Embassy, Kuwait 
- Bruce Hardcastle, Defense Intelligence Agency 
- Nikhil Ramchand, National Security Council Staff 
- Lt Col Reginald O. Robinson, USAF, Department Of State, 
Bureau of Political Military Affairs 
- LCol Bernard Dodson Jr., CENTCOM 
- LTC Robert Friedenberg, Defense Attache, U.S. Embassy, 
Kuwait 
- Jonathan Turley, Political Officer, U.S. Embassy, Kuwait 
(notetaker) 
- Steve Conlon, Economic Officer, U.S. Embassy, Kuwait 
(notetaker) 
 
Kuwait: 
 
- Shaykh Ahmed Al-Fahd Al-Sabah, President, National Security 
Bureau 
- Shaykh Thamer Ali Al-Sabah, Deputy Director, National 
Security Bureau 
- Ambassador Mansour Al-Awadi, Director, International 
Organizations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
- Major General Yousef Duwaiyan Faris Al-Otaibi, Kuwait Air 
Force Commander 
- Major General Ibrahim Al-Wasmi, Land Forces Commander 
- Brigadier General Abdullah Al-Rasheed, Ministry of Interior 
- Brigadier General Faisal Al-Tabtabaei, Ministry of Interior 
- Colonel Mohammed Al-Faresi, Deputy Director, Security 
Decision Follow-up Committee 
- Hussain Ismail, Deputy Managing Director, Kuwait National 
Petroleum Company (KNPC), Ministry of Oil 
- Colonel Abdullah Al-Kandari, Director of Counterterrorism, 
Kuwait State Security, Ministry of Interior 
- Shaykh Fawaz Al-Mishal Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, National 
Security Bureau 
- Fawaz Al-Sammar, National Security Bureau 
- Shaykh Sabah Shamlan Al-Sabah, National Security Bureau 
- Shaykh Khaled Ahmed Al-Sabah, National Security Bureau 
- Abdulaziz Al-Salem, National Security Bureau 
- Mubarak Al-Hajraf, National Security Bureau 
- Ghanim Al-Otaibi, National Security Bureau 
- Abdul Mutaleb Ahmed, National Security Bureau 
- Mohsen Al-Mutairi, National Security Bureau 
- Khalid Al-Khulifa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
 
¶19.  (U) This cable was cleared by the GSD delegation. 
 
********************************************* * 
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