VZCZCXRO2361
OO RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHC #7981 1762237
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 242238Z JUN 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 2268
INFO IRAQ COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 9112
RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT IMMEDIATE 4059
UNCLAS STATE 067981
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: TALKING POINTS FOR UNSC CONSULTATIONS ON KUWAITI
PROPERTY AND MISSING PERSONS
1.(U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 2.
2.(U) USUN is instructed to draw from the following talking
points during the June 25 consultations on the
Secretary-General,s June 19 report on the repatriation or
return of all Kuwaiti and third-country nationals or their
remains and the return of all Kuwaiti property, including
archives, seized by the former regime in Iraq. Additional
points are also included for Ambassador Khalilzad,s June 26
meeting with Ambassador Gennady Tarasov, successor to
Ambassador Vorontsov.
3.(U) Begin points:
-- I would like to begin today by welcoming Ambassador
Gennady Tarasov and congratulating him on his appointment as
the High-Level Coordinator for the repatriation or return of
all Kuwaiti and third-country nationals or their remains and
the return of all Kuwaiti property, including archives,
seized by the former Iraqi regime. I am confident in his
ability to facilitate the resolution of outstanding issues
and continue the work of his esteemed predecessor, Ambassador
Vorontsov. Ambassador Vorontsov carried out his mandate with
compassion and determination and will be remembered for his
dedication to his country and the international community.
-- Today, I would like to discuss four points on the
developments and progress achieved during the reporting
period.
-- First, allow me to commend the Iraqi and Kuwaiti
governments for their cooperation in resolving the fate of
missing persons and the work of identifying human remains.
We extend our condolences to the families of all those who
are still missing and those who have been identified. In
light of the improved security situation in Iraq, I am
hopeful that search and assessment operations will increase
in the future. The cooperation of witnesses and local
residents will be crucial to the success of such operations,
and we encourage efforts to reach out to them.
-- Second, I regret that the case of our own missing Navy
pilot, Captain Michael S. Speicher, has not been resolved.
The United States continues to investigate the loss of
Captain Speicher, who has been missing from action in Iraq
since January 17, 1991. The government and people of the
United States share a common bond and a lasting commitment
with other nations and families seeking answers to the fate
of their missing personnel. Efforts to conclusively
determine the circumstances or fate of Captain Speicher have
not yet been successful and the United States desires all
efforts possible to be taken until he is recovered and
returned to his family and loved ones. We look forward to
the resolution of this case and are grateful for the
cooperation of the Kuwaiti and Iraqi governments in this
regard.
-- Third, I am disappointed by the lack of progress made in
the retrieval of Kuwaiti national archives. However, the
Iraqi government,s discovery and promise to return hundreds
of Kuwaiti radio and television tape recordings is
encouraging, as it signals a renewed effort by Iraq to locate
and return seized documents.
-- Finally, I would like to thank Ambassador Tarasov for his
efforts to achieve progress on these issues. I am pleased to
note that he has been invited to visit Iraq and meet with the
officials in charge of the issue of missing Kuwaitis, Kuwaiti
property, and archives. I hope that this visit can occur as
soon as possible, and I look forward to the continued
cooperation of all parties concerned. His visit to Kuwait
and his discussions here in New York have, I hope, proved
helpful in his task. Thank you.
4.(U) Additional points for Ambassador Khalilzad,s June 26
meeting with Ambassador Tarasov:
-- It is important that we see progress on missing
persons/remains and archives in the coming months. What is
your candid assessment of what progress might be possible?
-- What further assistance do you think we might be able to
provide?
RICE