Cablegate: Amir: Iran Should Cooperate with Iaea; Iran Amb

VZCZCXRO8388
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK
DE RUEHKU #1429/01 2631449
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 201449Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9996
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001429

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/IR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KU KPAO PM
SUBJECT: AMIR: IRAN SHOULD COOPERATE WITH IAEA; IRAN AMB
DECLARES PEACEFUL NUCLEAR INTENT

REF: KUWAIT 1413

Classified By: A/DCM Lenderking for reasons 1.4 b, d and h

Kuwait calls on Iranian cooperation with IAEA
--------------------------------------------- -

1. (U) On September 19, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)
reported that the Amir of Kuwait Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmad
Al-Jaber Al Sabah urged neighboring Iran to cooperate with
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He was quoted
as saying, "We believe in the importance of reaching a
peaceful solution, but at the same time we call on the
Iranian officials to extend full cooperation to the IAEA."
According to KUNA and other press outlets, the Amir also
called for making the Gulf and the Middle East free of WMDs,
but remarked that countries have the right to possess nuclear
energy for peaceful purposes.

Meanwhile...
------------

2. (SBU) Also, on September 19, Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait
Ali Jannati penned an opinion piece in Al-Rai Al-Aam (an
independent, moderate daily) that declared the following
translated/paraphrased remarks:

-Iran's claim to peaceful energy
---------------------------------

--Having peaceful nuclear technology is a legitimate right
for all states.
--The non-civilian use of nuclear energy is prohibited
according to Shari'a (Islamic law).
--Iranian interest in nuclear energy is based on the desire
for clean and cheap energy pending the depletion of oil
reserves.
--Iran is established as a nuclear power and is ready to
extend to Gulf and Islamic countries a helping hand to
establish nuclear capabilities.
--Iran has given guarantees to reassure the world of its
peaceful intent. Opponents are politicizing the issue to
advance their agendas and are exercising double standards
(with Israel) for obtaining nuclear power. Lying and
fabricating have become systematic policies for the American
government.
--Iranian negotiations with the IAEA have never been
disrupted.
--Gulf states have always supported Iran's nuclear program

-If the U.S. attacks
---------------------

Jannati continued:

--America is using scare tactics to steer Arab and Islamic
public opinion against Iran and to undermine IAEA/EU
negotiations. Iran takes seriously a possible U.S. military
strike and is equipped and ready to combat such aggression.
At the same time, though, Iran estimates that the American
offensive capability is weak due to its languishing in the
Iraqi quagmire.
--If attacked, Iran will retaliate against the launch sites
where the attack originated.
--America is demonizing Iran so it can launch an arms race in
order to market American weaponry.

-Iraq and Gulf neighbors
------------------------

--Iranian-Iraqi relations are positive, and Iran supports the
Iraqi government and people.
--America is scapegoating Iran with charges of causing
sectarianism in Iraq to avoid its responsibility for its
failure in Iraq.
--Iran maintains a positive relationship with the U.A.E., but
asserts its claims to the three disputed islands in the Gulf.

--The Kingdom of Bahrain is a sovereign and independent
state, and Iran denies claims asserting a desire to annex the
kingdom.
--Shi'a pilgrimages to holy sites in Iran do not indicate a
political loyalty to Iran. Remarks indicating that Gulf
Shi'a are loyal to Tehran are simply aimed at stoking
controversy between Iran and Gulf neighbors.
--The file on the attack of the Kuwaiti diplomat in Tehran is
now closed. Iran-Kuwait relations are solid and Kuwait's
stance on Iran is wise and supports the Iranian cause.
--Iran seeks to establish close relations with the Gulf

KUWAIT 00001429 002 OF 002

States on all levels and has offered to establish a Gulf free
trade zone.

Comment
-------

3. (S) Iran fever is rising again in Kuwait, with a number
of our contacts expressing nervousness about a possible U.S.
attack on Iran, as they did last spring. The GOK is walking
a delicate line; the GOK has stated publicly that no country
would be allowed to launch an attack on Iran from Kuwait, but
at the same time has oriented its defense posture away from
Iraq and towards Iran. (Note: Patriot Missile launchers,
now facing Iran, can clearly be seen from Kuwaiti highways
and the Kuwait MOD recently established an air defense
control mission as part of an effort to defend against a
potential Iranian attack. End note.). The GOK has clarified
that it does not want WMDs in the Gulf, but rarely criticizes
Iran directly. Discussions among Kuwaitis about an Iran
equipped with a nuclear weapon are more likely to highlight
the dangers of Iran's nuclear capacity in environmental
terms, and note that the Bushehr nuclear facility is less
than 200 km from Kuwait's border. End comment.

********************************************* *
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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