Cablegate: Kuwait Provides Medical Care for Wounded Yemenis

VZCZCXRO7698
PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHKU #1177 3501222
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 161222Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4321
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA PRIORITY 0602
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001177

SIPDIS

NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MOPS KU YM
SUBJECT: KUWAIT PROVIDES MEDICAL CARE FOR WOUNDED YEMENIS

REF: A. KUWAIT 849
B. KUWAIT 896
C. KUWAIT 1030

1. (U) Kuwaiti news media widely reported on December 12 the
arrival in Kuwait for medical treatment of 20 Yemeni
civilians allegedly injured by rebel fighting in Yemen's
Saada province. Press accounts noted that the victims were
transported from Yemen on a Kuwaiti medical evacuation
aircraft. All 20 are being treated at Jaber Ahmad Al-Sabah
Hospital, Yemeni Embassy Counselor Intisar Al-Noman confirmed
to Embassy on December 15.

2. (U) Comment: The GOK routinely uses hospital diplomacy to
aid its policy goals, to include highly publicized treatment
of Palestinians and Iraqis (reftels), and now Yemenis. The
message in this case is clearly one of support for Yemeni
President Saleh, a trope that featured prominently in the
Amir's speech to the GCC earlier this week. End comment.

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For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
visit Kuwait's Classified Website at:

http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it
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JONES

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