‘US key to ending crisis’

‘Persecution decades old’

“MYANMAR or what was earlier called Burma was actually ruled by military regimes for about fifty years,” columnist and former MP wrote for daily.

“Myanmar has the biggest Buddhist temple in the world. It has been persecuting the Muslim minority for several decades and until now through various types of methods.

“However, about five years ago, we as members of the former National Assembly heard about the tragedy of the ‘Burmese Muslims’ and we decided to form a parliamentary delegation to pay a visit to Myanmar to investigate this tragedy like any other facts finding committee and in our capacity as members of the then Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly.

“Prior to our departure to Myanmar, we got in touch with the Kuwaiti ambassador in the capital of the country which was then called Rangoon and he contacted the concerned authorities in Myanmar to make necessary arrangements for the visit.

“This delegation comprised the then MP Saleh Ashour, Captain Taher Al-Failakawi and myself. We had meetings with the then Myanmar Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor. Both ministers were members of the military institution.

“During our meetings with these two ministers we told them about what we had heard about the persecution of the Muslims in their country and exactly in the Rakhine province (Arakan).

“However, although they denied reports of persecution, during our meeting with some Muslim leaders which were arranged by the Kuwaiti ambassador to Myanmar, they confirmed Muslims had been persecuted. They said Muslims were persecuted by all means. However, our meeting with these leaders remained a top secret.

“Not just that, they said the meeting was held after making some hasty complicated arrangements and the Muslims leaders declined to reveal their identities, but we in turn made an excuse for them.

“During our meeting with these Muslim leaders, we observed that they were attaching hopes on the opposition party led by Aung San Suu Kyi, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize to come to power hoping this woman to deal with them fair and square, but unfortunately, time has revealed that this woman cannot do anything.

“Apart from the above, these leaders told us that they are not in a position even to seek assistance because they didn’t receive any assistance from abroad, since the Burmese government doesn’t allow foreign assistance to reach the country.

“This happened although some Gulf countries had attempted in vain to send humanitarian assistance to Rakhine but in spite of the pressures on the Burmese government by the international community over the past years, the government in Myanmar insisted not to respond to any pressure.

“Meanwhile, the Muslim leaders told us they don’t need financial assistance, rather protection from the Burmese killers saying the persecution had reached a point of no return. It was unbearable to such an extent they were not allowed to give their children Muslim names. Hence, we had observed that every Muslim had two names – a house name and official name.

“In this context, we recall how one of these leaders told us not to exert any effort in this connection because the Burmese government was seemingly determined not to pay attention to Muslim countries.

“This government was reckless when it came to dealing with Muslim countries, particularly in the wake of improving ties with the United States of America since Washington has huge investments in Myanmar, and is the only nation that can force Myanmar to change its internal policy.

“However, these Muslim leaders added as such if you have influence with the Americans then use it, otherwise your visit will have no effect and nothing will benefit us.

“After we returned to Kuwait, we prepared a report about the situation in Myanmar and submitted it to the Kuwaiti Parliament, but until now we know nothing about the fate of this report, because the National Assembly was dissolved in 2012.

“In conclusion, we pray to Almighty Allah to protect the Muslims in Myanmar — it is the Almighty Allah only who can do everything.”

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Dr Al-Ateeqi

“Russia Today Satellite TV Channel recently broadcast the live coverage of peaceful marches in many Russian cities in a prelude to celebrate one hundred years of the Bolshevik Revolution,” columnist and former director of the Culture Department at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) wrote for daily.

“It was observed that the participants in these marches were carrying the Russian Communist Party flag in addition to banners calling for global peace and anti war slogans.

“This happened although a majority of the participants were young men and women, not many from the so-called ‘Old Guard’ representing the Communist Party.

“Not just that, these young participants were wearing army uniforms of the former Soviet Union to mark the anniversary of the Soviet Union Red Army victory against the Nazism during the World War II.

“However, the celebrations to be held this year will be attended by a host of intellectuals and artistes in addition to a dialogue which will be attended by a galaxy of various communist and labor parties in addition to the youth organizations and unions and International Democratic Women’s Federation and many peace organizations of the world.

“Given the above, the celebrations are expected to be huge commensurate to the event. Not just that, the occasion shall witness the organization of many artistic fairs in various European capitals and cities including London and Malaga of Spain to mark the anniversary of the greatest revolution in the history which actually changed the face and the map of the world.

“However, some intellectuals say marking the anniversary should not be confined to holding celebrations in praise of the past, rather this should be exploited to discuss the follies of the socialists including the ignorance of democracy and how to create the necessary methods in dealing with the Marxist Theory in a manner that should keep abreast with the contemporary requirements.

“Meanwhile, some observers say Marxism still attracts the youth who are looking forward to social justice and world peace and that the use of the global wealth rests in the socialism.

“Last December, the Russian President Vladimir Putin had formed a committee for marking the anniversary of the Communist Revolution — a measure that was seen by some people as diverting the attention from protests and rebellions that were likely to be organized to mark the said event motivated by the desire of these people to reinstate socialist system into the country particular by those who suffer under the current capitalistic system as well from the related mafias.”

“The visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the US on the third anniversary of his naming as humanitarian leader by the UN is significant indeed, “columnist wrote for daily.

“The visit represents HH the Amir’s optimism and keeness to spread the principle of peace around the world amid self-devotion to resolve disputes among his brothers. That’s why his visits — whether on the regional, international or Kuwaiti-American level needs to be interpreted carefully.

“Kuwaiti investments in America, according to the minister of finance, are worth approximately $400 billion and are deemed a crucial component of the largest economy in the world, indicating active participation of Kuwait in such a giant economy will yield many denefits.

“Even so, exchange of experiences and extension of Kuwaiti-American partnership need to be enhanced. The meeting of His Highness the Amir and his children studying in various institutions in the US stimulated the students to put the utmost effort to acquire knowledge to fulfill the vision of HH the Amir of Kuwait and its future through highly educated citizens who are capable of serving society.

“On the regional level, the plain speech of the Amir concerning the ongoing Gulf dispute set the record straight and cleared ambiguities shrouding the issue, stressing he’s pushing for a solution to the crisis to avoid possible disintegration of Gulf unity in such critical era.”

“During his press conference in Washington with US President Donald Trump, the diplomatic humanitarian leader His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah explained to the American and international media his role of mediating in the Gulf crisis. Everyone was dazzled by the transparent and convincing statements of His Highness the Amir concerning his mediation role in the Gulf crisis”, Abdulmohsen wrote for

daily. “His responses to the questions of journalists give high hopes about the resolution of the crisis among the sisterly countries. Everyone across the globe expressed appreciation for the positive diplomacy of His Highness the Amir.

“He vowed that he will not stop, but will continue to work in bringing the brothers closer.

“His Highness the Amir said he hoped the media wrangling regarding the Gulf dispute would be brought to an end so that focus can be made on the desired rapprochement, and the efforts of those who seek to deepen the differences between the Gulf States can be curbed.”

“The speech of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah after the KuwaitUS summit held at the White House was filled with wisdom, and showcased the ability of this diplomatic humanitarian leader to assess situations and circumstances sensibly and draw sound conclusions, as well as his several years of experience,”

wrote for daily. “This speech has given hope for a solution to the Qatari-Gulf crisis, which has become a matter of concern for all GCC citizens since last Ramadan. The speech highlighted on the need for tolerance, brotherhood, healing and forgiveness, as well as a sincere desire for the return of brotherhood in the Gulf house just like in the many yesteryears. It would not have been so, had it not been for the prudent and wise policy pursued by His Highness the Amir which he acquired internally and externally during his years in the field of politics from his youth until date.

“However, to be more realistic and to call things by their names, it is better for us to say that the speech gave a very small glimmer of hope, nothing more! The statements that followed the speech of His Highness from both sides of the dispute and at the time of writing this article do not give room for optimism at all, but they have given clear and direct impressions that the efforts to resolve this dispute are back to zero again!”

“I have lately noticed huge mistakes into which some of the members of the Cabinet and Parliament fall. Despite the fact that making mistakes is possible in any field of work, the strange thing is the silent position adopted by some MPs and political factions in calling for rectification of such mistakes and providing remedy,” wrote for daily.

“In the past, whenever the government proposes a bad law, for instance concerning the state properties or the rights of citizens, people used to engage in fierce campaign against the government, especially against the concerned members of the Cabinet. Heavy pressure was exacted on the Cabinet and its ministers in a bid to withdraw or repeal such controversial proposals.

“However, these days we see other ministers proposing laws which are more damaging to the state properties or the rights of citizens or public funds. Various regulations such as those related to promotions and recruitment are being violated. The saddest thing is that those who used to protest in the past have now become mute and perhaps deaf.

“His Highness the Prime Minister shouldn’t fall for such tactics due to his huge constitutional role that he has in this country in terms of monitoring the ministers and the level of adhering to the laws. He also shouldn’t forget the essence and objectives of the directives he adopts.

“All these apply also on the people so that they can avoid falling into the same trap. This can be achieved by maintaining proper awareness of what is transpiring in the country and also having the ability to remember the past in a manner so that following the same unjustified political games can be avoided.”

— Compiled by Zaki Taleb