Viewing cable 08KUWAIT128, TERROR FINANCE: DESIGNEES CONTINUE TO RANT WITH SOME SUPPORT FROM PARLIAMENT
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
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08KUWAIT128 | 2008-01-31 14:02 | 2010-12-05 21:09 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Kuwait |
Appears in these articles: http://http//www.spiegel.de |
VZCZCXRO6229 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #0128/01 0311446 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 311446Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0703 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 3162 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 of 03 KUWAIT 000128 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/ESC/TFS; TREASURY FOR KRISTEN HECHT E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2018 TAGS: EFIN KU KTFN PGOV PREL PTER SUBJECT: TERROR FINANCE: DESIGNEES CONTINUE TO RANT WITH SOME SUPPORT
FROM PARLIAMENT Ref: A. 06 KUWAIT 4637 ¶B. KUWAIT 79 c. KUWAIT 90 d. KUWAIT 97 e. KUWAIT 98 f. STATE 7443 Classified By: CDA Alan Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The reaction by the Kuwaiti media and GOK to the January 16 UN Security Council designation of three Kuwaitis -- Hamed Al-Ali, Jaber Al-Jalahmah and Mubarak Al-Bathali-- as terrorist facilitators and inciters has remained relatively subdued with the exception of defiant statements from the designees (Ref D) and now statements by Kuwaiti Members of Parliament (MP) Dr. Walid Al-Tabtaba'i, Khudair Al-Enezi and Abdullah Akash. Their comments appeared in the January 20 internet version of the Arabic-language newspaper Al-Rai Al-Amm and on January 30 in the Arabic-language newspapers Al-Qabas and Al-Wasat. The MPs criticize "the terrorist policy of the US" and condemn the addition of the three Kuwaitis to the blacklist of terrorist financiers by the UNSC. Two of the designees, Al-Ali and Al-Bathali continue to blast the airwaves with interviews, claiming their innocence and criticizing U.S. policy and the UNSC decisions to designate them. The three vocal MPs are all Islamists and are regular grandstanders in criticizing U.S. policy on a host of regional issues. End Summary. ¶2. (U) In an interview appearing January 20 in the Arabic-language newspaper Al-Rai Al-Amm, titled "Al-Tabtaba'i Asks the Government to Object to the International Resolution Against Three Kuwaitis," Dr. Walid Al-Tabtaba'i, MP, informed Al-Rai of his intentions to discuss the UNSC resolution with Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaykh Dr. Mohammad Al Sabah. Al-Tabtaba'i told Al-Rai that the government must object to the "unjust and unfounded resolution," and pointed out that it is unacceptable to accuse people without irrefutable proof. MP Akash accused the U.S. of engaging in terrorism through its accusation of innocent people without possessing irrefutable proof to condemn them, stating, "America practices terrorism against whoever disagrees with her, although she is the source of terrorism." He added that he would submit a question to the Foreign Minister concerning the resolution and would inquire about the role that the government played in confronting such an "unjust" resolution, which is not based on any legal proof. He criticized the "terrorist policy of the U.S.," calling for the government to confront the accusations it spreads against Muslims without any justification or proof. In an article appearing January 30 in the Arabic-language newspapers Al-Qabas and Al-Wasat, MP Khudair Al-Enezi condemned the addition of the names of the three Kuwaitis to the list of terrorist financiers by the UNSC and called on the GOK to exert more efforts to have their names removed. Al-Enezi stated, "It appears that all those who declare an opinion against the U.S., which is totally biased in favor of the Zionist entity (Israel), will be considered a terrorist and based on this, the Security Council should then list the names of all Arab and Muslim peoples to the blacklist." He also praised the three men, saying that they played no role in activities that breach the country's laws or encourage terrorism. ¶3. (SBU) There has been no lull in the objections by terrorist facilitators Al-Ali and Al-Bathali. In a January 28 interview appearing in the Arabic-language newspaper Al-Wasat, Al-Ali claimed he was unfairly designated and that the U.S. Treasury used false information regarding his alleged involvement in terrorist financing. In a January 27 article appearing in the Arabic-language newspaper Al-Rai, Al-Bathali opens with a message to the UNSC, claiming that all reports they received were lies. Following are excerpts from Post's unofficial translation: (Begin Text) Q: What would you like us to start with? A: I would like to send a message to Richard Birth (sic), UNSC Coordinator, to say that all reports you received are lies. I have not been to Saudi Arabia for over five years. My last visit to Saudi Arabia was in February 2003. From where did you get these reports? Q: Did you violate Saudi security? A: No, I went for the Omrah (minor pilgrimage). They said that I met with leaders in Saudi and coordinated with them, Kuwait 00000128 002 of 003 but this is false. Q: You mean with the outlaws in Saudi? A: Yes, Al-Qaeda. I was in jail after the Omrah for six months, but I did not meet anybody. I did not have money and I did not hand over money to anybody. They took me directly from the Jeddah Airport to jail. With whom then did I meet? These reports are lies and I do not want the UNSC Coordinator to be like a puppet following the instructions of other countries or certain people. Q: Have the sanctions affected you? A: Yes, I have been gone without a salary for 11 months and the GOK is not helping me. I need my salary. It is not an asset to freeze. They have no right to freeze it. It is for me and my children. I cannot get money without working. Q: Are you still working? A: Yes, at Kuwait Municipality. Q: Is your salary being transferred to the Bank? A: Yes, Kuwait Finance House. But, my account is frozen. Q: Since you are in debt, does the "Jihad movement" pay you? A: No one pays me. I am like the Gaza Strip in Kuwait. Q: But you do not deny you participated in Jihad in Bosnia? A: Yes, and I was honored. Jihad is mandatory for all Muslims. Q: The UNSC does not believe in that. A: We follow God's law. We have nothing to do with the UNSC or international law. Q: You do not think you did anything against the law? A: I did nothing against the law. Q: You did not go to Afghanistan? A: No, I did not go there. Q: What about Iraq? A: No. Q: In Bosnia, Muslims were being killed and you believe there was a reason to defend them? A: Also in Iraq and Afghanistan. Q: What about Palestine? A: Jihadis were there since Abdulla Azzam. But, Palestine is being guarded very strictly and no one can penetrate it. Q: Who are these guards? A: Neighboring countries. Now Egypt has opened its borders, I hope they can manage to penetrate. Q: Does Islam call for a truce like what happened with Saladin? A: Saladin made a truce while he was in power. Q: Who won in Lebanon in 2006? A: It was the resistance, Jihadis, Hizbullah, and Sunnis with them. There is a battalion of Sunnis and Druze and even Christians. All together. Q: This has never been published or shown through the media. A: We have nothing to do with the media. But it is well known. Why did that Army surround Naher al-Barid Refugee Camp? Why did they not fight Israel? Q: They say that you went to Kosovo? A: Yes, I was the only Kuwaiti there. We should help our Muslim brothers everywhere. The time that Iraq invaded our country we asked the whole world to help us. Why is it strange now to help each other? Q: Many people think that you are dragging the youth into trouble without reason. A: We see victory so close. The Americans are in trouble in Iraq. They are in a quagmire. Is that not a victory? Q: You think the West is screaming in Afghanistan? A: Yes I do. Q: Is it true that Al-Qaeda's activity has been limited there? A: American military leaders say that Afghanistan is a difficult situation. This means it is a victory. Al-Qaeda's recruitment is growing. In every house there is someone who Kuwait 00000128 003 of 003 supports Al-Qaeda. Q: Where are they? A: Everywhere, in Kuwait and other countries. Is that not a victory? Q: Victory comes by making a truce and peace. A: The one in power does not make a truce or peace with the feeble. Shall we let them go on attacking the Muslims? Q: If this is your position, why do you find it strange that they punish you? A: We are talking about my salary, my earnings, my food and drink. My monthly salary is KD 300 (USD 1100), does that defeat America in Iraq? They paid USD 400 billion in Iraq! Q: I meant do you expect them to show you mercy? A: Kuwait is an independent country and has sovereignty Q: Would you like to say anything else? A: I hope they intervene to unfreeze my salary before I find myself forced to go according to Hadith (prophetic tradition); whoever dies defending his honor or money, he is a martyr. Please do not force me to do so. I tried my best to get back my salary, but without success. (End Text) Comment -------- ¶4. (C) The three designees continue to try to use the media -- with limited success -- to gain sympathetic advantage with the Kuwaiti audience and to try to exploit their roles as "victims" of the USG war on terror. We have also noticed a degree of discomfort with the designations within the MFA: --xxxxxxxxxxxx glossed over the TF charges against the three and showed more concern over the financial plight of the families of the designees (ref E). --xxxxxxxxxxxx was indignant that three Kuwaitis would be targeted in such a manner, and was convinced that there was not enough evidence to support the UN's claims (ref B). ¶5. (C)xxxxxxxxxxxx (who plays a largely behind the scenes role in the Kuwaiti political scene), told poloff that these three individuals are guilty of TF and deserve the imposition of sanctions. He added, though, that the GOK does "not know how" to proceed with the UNSCR 1267 sanction mandates and is secretly content to allow the negative attention on the USG Sipdis to continue while it sorts out the Kuwaiti role and responsibility in the matter. We are continuing to press the GOK for strict adherence to their international obligations and will report results septel. ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * misenheimer
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