31. Telegram From the Embassy in Kuwait to the Department of State1
886. Beirut pass Baghdad. Subject: Iraqi Attack on Kuwaiti Border Post. Ref: Kuwait 872 and 873.
Summary: FonOff explained border incident as unprovoked attack on Kuwaiti border posts. GOK seeking resolve problem by peaceful means and has asked friendly governments to use their influence to convince Iraq to avoid further unreasonable action. Meanwhile Iraqi Radio accuses Kuwait of attacking its forces during maneuvers. Embassy urges USG issue statement calling for settlement of dispute by peaceful means. End summary.
1. All Ambassadors and Chargés in Kuwait called to Fon Ministry 1:30 p.m. Mar 20 to hear Under Sec Rashid explain GOK viewpoint on Iraqi attack and request support for Kuwait as injured party. Following is gist Under Sec’s remarks, delivered orally:
2. Iraqi-Kuwaiti border first agreed upon in 1932. Further agreement implementing 1932 understanding was signed in 1963 by current President Bakr for Iraq and Amir Sabah of Kuwait. GOK has been trying ever since to achieve actual delineation of frontiers, last effort was during January visit of Kuwait FonMin Sabah to Iraq. Kuwaitis at that time received assurances from Baghdad that top echelons of GOI had taken note of Kuwaiti interest in border question and that subject would be further discussed within several weeks when Iraqi delegation would come to Kuwait.
3. Kuwaitis were happy when told GOI ready to discuss border issue, but in fact Iraqis continued to build road and commit other violations of frontier. Showing great forebearance, Kuwait continued avoid clash.
[Page 174]4. Kuwait has five posts from west to east along border with Iraq. The two stations involved in today’s attack were posts on sea at Umm Qasr (just south of Iraqi base which also in Umm Qasr area), and post at al-Sumtah, four or five kilometers to the west. For some months Iraqis have been building roads in Kuwaiti territory at al-Sumtah. Despite this provocation, Kuwait reacted calmly and reasonably. Kuwait not interested in making enemies but in peaceful development and friendship.
5. At 3:20 a.m., Mar 20, Iraqi forces attacked al-Sumtah. Of 20 men, lightly armed, police garrison, one officer reported killed, four wounded and about eight missing. GOK has requested Iraqi force withdraw immediately, surrender Kuwaiti prisoners, and deal with matter across negotiating table, not with guns. Kuwaiti information is, however, that Iraqis intend occupy second post at Umm Qasr which was also attacked this morning with artillery fire. Kuwaiti forces have been moved to border area and will defend Umm Qasr post if necessary.
6. GOK wants to solve dispute peacefully and still prepared do so. Kuwaiti radio refraining from provocative statements. Nevertheless Kuwait entitled defend its territory and will do so. Kuwait hopes reason will prevail. It has conveyed its viewpoint to all Arab capitals and requests that all friends of Kuwait lend support and use their influence to convince Kuwait’s neighbor to north to avoid further unreasonable action. Kuwait also wants world to know that all demonstrations have [garble—been?] prohibited in Kuwait and that measures have been taken by Kuwaiti security forces to protect all Iraqis living in Kuwait. End of Under Sec’s remarks.
7. Note: Iraqi radio has just broadcast following announcement: Qte: Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior issued statement this morning saying that an Iraqi armed unit attacked a Kuwaiti police post and injured some soldiers etc. Truth is that aggression was originally initiated by Kuwaiti forces against Iraqi forces which were carrying out their normal training in that area including area where incident took place, which resulted in killing two and injuring others of our local forces. We regret that this should happen at a time when visits are being exchanged between two sisters and when an Iraqi delegation is to visit Kuwait shortly and efforts are being made to strengthen brotherly ties between two countries. . . Unqte.
8. We therefore urge that, as appropriate, Department make statement calling on parties to dispute to settle their differences by peaceful means in accordance with provisions on UN Charter. If subject is brought before United Nations Security Council we urge United States play an active role in supporting any resolution to this effect. Presum[Page 175]ably such a resolution would also call for ceasing of all military action and negotiations between parties to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
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Summary: Kuwaiti officials briefed Ambassador Stoltzfus on an Iraqi attack on two border stations. Stoltzfus recommended that the United States not involve itself directly in the dispute.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Jidda, London, Manama, Muscat, Sana’a, Tehran, USCINCEUR, COMIDEASTFOR, and USUN. Telegrams 872 and 873 from Kuwait City, March 20, are ibid. Additional documentation is in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XXVII, Iran; Iraq, 1973–1976, Documents 210 and 213.
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