Potholes in road to the UN

Kuwait in uphill battle for recognition

“FROM the very beginning since its independence, the State of Kuwait was able to weave a close relationship with both the regional and international organizations,” columnist, professor at Kuwait University’s Political Science Department, an Advisor to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Chairman of the Arab Human Rights Fund Dr Ghanim Al-Najjar wrote for Al-Jarida daily.

“It was a relationship of mutual interests based on the exchange of reciprocal benefits mostly favoring Kuwait more than the others except in certain exceptional cases, particularly during the recent years where the relationship between the State of Kuwait and the international sports organizations was miffed with confusion and that harmed the interests of the country.

“In this contest, we cite what occurred recently with regards to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the world football federation FIFA.

“However, we believe this remains a mystery because of the role played by non-government organizations in the international arena. However, we will write a separate article on this issue.

“Here we speak of the relationship between Kuwait and the Arab League, the regional organization and the United Nations, the international organization and the ‘battles’ which were ‘fought’ by Kuwait to join this organization and those who have been following these issues will definitely observe the salient features of the Kuwaiti political system and its components which were actually dictated by the above two battles.

“Although the ‘battle’ related to Kuwait’s membership in the Arab League (AL) had its associations on the Kuwaiti local and foreign policies, it is needless to say the ‘battle’ to join the United Nations (UN) was complicated to such an extent Kuwait in its ‘battle’ for admission to the world body had lost many rounds.

“In this context, we say the ‘battle’ with the UN Security Council to give its consent to allow Kuwait to join this world body lasted from July 2, 1961 until May 7, 1963 — approximately two years. Kuwait joined the UN in May 1963.

“As a matter of fact, the ‘battle’ with the United Nations was multifaceted. Take for example Kuwait filing a complaint against Iraq in July 1961 because the latter had issued threats against Kuwait.

“However, based on the strength of this complaint and with support from Britain, the UN Security Council held a meeting on Sunday, July 2, 1961 to discuss the Kuwaiti complaint in question.

“For its part, Iraq in retaliation filed a complaint against Britain with Baghdad accusing London of threatening Iraq. Such that Iraq called on the UN Security Council to discuss the British threats against Iraq and the existence of the British military forces on Kuwaiti soil.

“Meanwhile, we refer to the Kuwait delegation to the United Nations which was headed by Abdulaziz Hussain who at that time was in Geneva to attend the International Education Bureau meetings.

“But when Hussain received a cable from the then Amir the late Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem, he immediately made plans to leave Geneva for New York. But it so happened that his departure for New York coincided with the US Independence Day on July 4 and as a result the US embassy in Geneva remained closed.

“Anyway, to surmount this obstacle, the Egyptian Consulate in Geneva made necessary contacts which resulted in Hussain and his accompanying delegation getting the entry visa to the US. However, the Kuwaiti delegation arrived late in New York after the meeting had begun and it turned out to be more tough than expected.

“In conclusion, we would like to point out that the United Nations battle was pregnant with many lessons and we will see that later on.”

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Al-Najjar

“As a matter of fact, the State of Kuwait looks no different than the other Gulf countries which mostly depend on the major sole source of income — oil,” columnist Mohammad Al-Jedei wrote for Al-Qabas daily.

“And as a matter of fact, the country’s budget is tied to the oil revenues which are in turn tied to the price of the barrel of crude oil in the international market.

“In other words, if the oil prices increase, the State income gets a boost accordingly and this shall in turn increase the government expenditure to meet the requirements of various projects including the infrastructure and these expenditures will also benefit the local banks and the private sector at large.

“Given the above, we infer that all State economic aspects will be directly affected by this mechanism which is mostly linked to the oil price.

“Hence, we found the government resorting to the austerity policy to offset the drop in oil prices and as a result of which the projects which are being implemented have suffered. But the question is, will the prices of commodities increase or decrease?

“In this context, we suggest the economic reforms undertaken by the government based on the current austerity policy are aimed at boosting the non-oil revenues, but it goes without saying this austerity should not touch the pockets of the citizens.

“The government should rather show its keenness to improve the standard of living of the citizens, particularly since we know that the government is responsible for preventing the collapse of the so-called ‘omnipresent economy’ and this definitely means protecting the citizens in general and the people of limited income in particular.”

“I met an Egyptian expatriate at a cooperative society; it was clear that he was new in the country due to his expression and less knowledge of Kuwait. Asked about the sum he spent to secure visa to come to Kuwait, he told me with integrity that he paid KD 1700 after selling all his belongings,” columnist Talal Al Saeed wrote for Al Seyassah daily.

“The Egyptian said he did not come alone, indicating he came together with 300 others. Only God knows how many had come before them and those coming after them. The wound of work visa is still bleeding while visa traders and illusory companies exert utmost efforts to keep their trade flourishing. The poor Egyptian expatriate is victim of deception and visa trade. Unfortunately, the party that brought him to Kuwait is a cooperative society.

“It is known that any new cooperative society administration usually terminates the services of thousands of workers to bring in thousands more in return for KD 1.7 million during takeover. I wish the previous thousands expelled will leave the country but they are given the so-called transfer visas to raise the number of expatriates, while our country drowns with marginal workers that disappear from one place and reappear at another.

“The situation necessitates demographic composition. We need to address the issue as visa traders have become more powerful than the government. It is understood they have become the center of authority and control appointments in the departments of work to guarantee issuance of visas.”

“Majority of Kuwaitis do not follow a certain faction or political group. The best testimony to that is the result of the 20th parliamentary election last year, when the Islamists dominated the seats and within the same year, the liberals came to dominate, then the tribal groups and even women managed to win let alone the independent candidates,” columnist Mizyad Al-Maosharji wrote for Al-Qabas daily.

“This does not mean though that Kuwaitis have no faith in the agendas, principles and objectives of political factions, considering some of these factions have strong agendas, firm principles and clear goals, while their slogans correspond with their actions.

“However, Kuwaitis have no absolute allegiance to anything apart from their nation — Kuwait. This is the reason why they avoid dealing with a certain political group in various stages of their lives, starting from the school. Instead, they deal with individuals who have clear thoughts and ideas and they are not afraid to retract if such ideas do not serve the country positively.

“Standing with what political factions dictate or what suits the interest of a political group is detrimental to the country and its people. This kind of political environment encourages corruption and jeopardizes the political future of the country because allegiance to the country has been replaced by allegiance to the party.”

“The entire population of the world in their divergent inclinations, varieties of doctrines and heterogeneous tongues watched the Syrian child ‘Imran’, after he was rescued from the debris of his family home in Al-Qatraji, east of Aleppo, the area which is under the control of the opposition,” Abdul-Rahman Al-Awwad wrote for Al-Sabah daily.

“The hospitals and buildings in that region have been destroyed by the Syrian government forces. At the sight of this we immediately remembered the toddler Elan, who whose corpse was washed ashore on a Turkish beach as soon as we saw Imran via the social media.

“Both these children are innocent and their only sin is that they lived in a country which is ruled by a tyrant who kills children at will, molests women and commits all sorts of atrocities — murder and destruction on the face of earth.

“Imran and Elan are only two cases lucky enough to get media attention for the world to see crimes committed by the inhuman regime in Syria. Behind those cameras are thousands of other terrible cases, which are concrete proof that we are facing a man who is completely ready to destroy the country and kill citizens to remain in power.”

“In the United States, the competition for presidency is limited to two parties –Republican and Democratic. The surprising aspect of the current US presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is the fact that their statements focus on Israel and Europe as if the Arabs and other countries are out of the equation,” columnist Mishref Eqab wrote for Al-Shahed daily.

“Democratic candidate Clinton spoke in front of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee — a lobby group that advocates pro-Israel policies. She attacked her rival for being neutral on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She said Trump is not suitable for the presidency. She condemned the attacks against Israel while she criticized the Palestinian leadership and accused them of inciting violence. She also urged them to stop honoring terrorists as martyrs.

“In return, Trump hurled accusations at Clinton claiming that she is helping DAESH. He accused the Democratic administration of the same. He promised that if elected, he will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and he will transfer the American Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He affirmed the Palestinians should be part of the peace talks, knowing the relationship between the US and Israel is unbreakable.

“The two candidates never spoke about the Arab-American relations and their mutual interests as if the Arabs and the rest of the world are non-existent and they have no muscles in foreign policy.”

“From time to time, we hear statements by those who do not care about the Arab affairs. They are as distant from us as we are from them”, Abdulaziz Al-Tamimi wrote for Al-Shahed daily.

“Interference in the affairs of the Gulf countries is ongoing in many shapes and forms. They come into our lands as delegations and under the cover of technical and cultural cooperation with the aim of spying and getting the information they seek. Sadly, we receive these people with honor based on our traditions and customs. On the other hand, they respond to us with hostility and by plotting against us. The enemy usually comes to our country with his face hidden behind a disguise of piety and godliness. He pretends to call for righteousness when his actual objectives are evil.

“They destroyed Euphrates and then headed to the Nile to destroy it as well. After destroying the country of love and peace, they are now extending their arms like octopus into our lands with the aim of connecting the Nile with Euphrates. The enemy forgot about the brave men who stay up all night watching over and keeping their beloved country safe from the evil attempts of the enemy. He has to be wise and think twice before making any attempts to threaten the security of our country.”

“The Minister of Finance and acting Minister of Oil Anas Al-Saleh said the country is currently studying to offer four companies affiliated to the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation for initial public offering. The companies are the Kuwait Petroleum International (Q8), the Kuwait Oil Tankers Company, the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) and the Petrochemical Industries Company,” columnist and former Director of the Culture Department at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters Waleed Al-Rujaib wrote for Al-Rai daily Monday.

“Offering these companies to IPO means privatization or in other words the State relinquishing its responsibilities of national resources as stated in the Constitution. Article 21 states ‘Natural resources and all revenues there from are the property of the State. It shall ensure their preservation and proper exploitation due regard being given to the requirements of State security and the national economy’. Article 17 states ‘Public property is inviolable and its protection is the duty of every citizen.”

“When this move comes to fruition, there is no doubt that those who will buy some of the shares or the majority of them are the private sector. This purely means selling state resources to a group of few individuals, owners of big capitalist firms. The private sector in general will not be able to manage these big companies.

“The same scenario we witnessed in the case of petrol stations in the aftermath of the privatization whereby national labor force was dismissed and replaced with cheap expatriate labor. This will not help in prosperity of the nation but will increase unemployment and the cost of living. The private sector is not concerned about the country or citizens but its only concern is profits.”

— Compiled by Zaki Taleb