‘Iraq stability in Kuwait interest’
‘Nation deserves sacrifices’
“IRAQ’S stability and progress are in the interest of Kuwait and its growth, and stability, and vice-versa which is necessarily true,” columnist, professor at Kuwait University, an advisor to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the secretary-general of the Arab Fund for Human Rights Dr Ghanim Al-Najjar wrote for Al-Jarida daily.
“The above falls within the direct interest, without talking about the added human value. It is a matter for the benefit of both parties (the State of Kuwait and Iraq).
“Within such a framework, we see the convening of the International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq in Kuwait (ICRIK), which represents a serious Kuwaiti initiative, which many have rejected, but the State of Kuwait based on its habit in this connection has decided to host this conference.
Because it came at a critical time and in a critical place, and because it was an important task that no country wanted to accept but Kuwait responded. It attracted the attention of the world and the influx of more than 70 countries and thousands of companies, international organizations and hundreds of journalists from all sides. It is true that the weather is good these days in Kuwait, but it certainly will not be a reason for the presence of this huge gathering.
“For their part, the professional media seek things behind the lines to such an extent they will not be content to familiarize themselves with the declared apparent news. Such being the case, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) during an interview which was held two days ago in my home, asked me why the conference was organized and whether this event is aimed at restoring Iraq from the Iranian influence.
“It looks like, the above question at the moment is an attempt to construe the current event, but doesn’t deal seriously with Kuwait and its approach which has never hesitated to deal with the conflicts in various areas which need support at all levels. Hence, we wonder, when the issue is related to Iraq it is easy to generalize the logic that ‘priority must be given to relatives when it comes to helping’.
“As a matter of fact, it would be natural to see the conference, taking its dimensions and the outcomes, their portion during wide discussions and arguments in Iraq where the same will dangle between pessimism and optimism, because the situations in Iraq are not pleasing.
“But it is needless to say the conference has succeeded in encouraging foreign investments and we expect a significant change, not only in terms of carrying out the projects, but also in terms of economic structure and philosophy, and the role of the private sector in terms of development.
“It is an issue that is being discussed in the Iraqi arena, without much optimism. Of course, the rate of corruption is the highest in the world, in addition to the impact of the outcome of the conference on the upcoming elections in May 2018.
“As a matter of fact, the donors’ conferences in the world are not always successful in achieving their goals, especially as they often focus on politics and forget development, but it seems that its investment introduction will be different this time.
“Anyway, it is important not to allow some tense opinions which are always against the State of Kuwait because it would be diverting the attention away from the conference. In this context, we refer to an Iraqi female MP who has consecrated her life to promote lies against the State of Kuwait, to such an extent, she once alleged that there are as many as 20 MPs in the Kuwaiti National Assembly who hold the Iraqi nationality.
“It is also irrational to base the positions of some Kuwaitis around the conference from a woman’s point of view, and to hold Iraq and its people hostage to their unconscious statements. We become like someone attacking Kuwait because a deputy made an unacceptable statement.
“As a matter of fact, I do see that Kuwait’s serious convergence towards Iraq represents a strategic tendency which has to do with the special bilateral relationship between the two countries, not with the regional arrangements as some people think.
“Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait, called it Iraq’s 19th province, changed the names of its streets, hospitals and areas, and even the plate numbers of their cars.
“It was indeed a bitter experience that we have lived and resisted the occupier with all our potentials for seven months, but for us we felt that this period was longer, before this nightmare ended, during which we lost the best of our people between martyrs and missing.
“We still look for them under the rubble here and there, the people who still live in our memory — they are in our eyes and our hearts here — they are dear to us.
“Such being the case, we have to consciously strive not to repeat it. Our hands were not in water, but in the midst of the burning fire, we experienced a painful experiment from A to Z and as such nobody is allowed to outbid the other but keep in mind that the State of Kuwait deserves our sacrifices.
“Consequently, the holding of the conference in Kuwait and before that hosting of many other events represent some measures for the sake of guaranteeing the security of country, not by buying scruples and destroying the consciences, rather through the creation of exchange of interests on the ground.”
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“Many countries have actually abandoned the traditional concept of managing political relations between them, and it became impossible to separate politics from the economy until the economy became a major factor in the development of diplomatic relations between States and the achievement of security and stability,” columnist Dr Nasser Khamees Al-Mutairi wrote for Annahar daily.
“In other words, the modern diplomacy is based on the consideration of all axes and angles in the relations between states, such as economic and humanitarian interests, which is now called economic diplomacy, by laying the foundations and standards through which the states overcome the difficulties and differences and the effects of the past to achieve common economic interests.
“In this context, the well-known former British prime minister the late Winston Churchill once said: ‘There are no permanent enmities and no lasting friendships among nations, but there are interests’.
“However, the economic diplomacy means diplomatic activities that use the economic factor in political dealings. This is the essence and goal which many may not realize that was behind the State of Kuwait initiative to host the International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq.
“Kuwait follows a civilized manner in terms of economic diplomacy to achieve common interests in cooperation with the neighboring countries. It produces its political effect in achieving regional security.
“This is undoubtedly a prudent policy characterized by far-sightedness, understanding of reality and dealing with political geography in terms of peaceful coexistence, positive giving, construction and reconstruction.
“However, we confirm the importance of ingraining and practicing economic and the commercial diplomacy in dealing with Kuwait’s neighbors and regional states, as stated by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad, who called for building a real partnership with Baghdad, considering that the mutual interests between the two countries are too big.
“In this context, Sheikh Nasser is currently working to establish an international investment zone in North Kuwait in cooperation with Iran and Iraq. It is needless to say linking of the economic interests with the neighboring countries which may pose a security concern to Kuwait, will lead to the consolidation of a security situation through concerted regional efforts to maintain common commercial interests.”
“Why doesn’t Kuwait University open its doors for the children of residents in Kuwait to study therein in return for fees? — this was a question posed by an expatriate, my travel mate, during our flight to Cairo,” Hassan Ali Karam wrote for Al-Seyassah daily.
“We engaged in a conversation in order to break the boredom of our long flight. He introduced himself, saying he was born and raised in Kuwait and studied here. He never left Kuwait except to visit some relatives in Jordan. He was on his way to check on his son who is studying medicine in one of the Egyptian universities.
“During our discussion, I learnt that he and his kind among the residents are forced to send their children to Arab and foreign universities abroad, which cost them large sums of money. If Kuwait University opens the doors for expatriates to enroll their children there, it would save them the burden of travelling, bearing living costs and being strangers away from their homes.
“I told myself that, if our only university, which has surpassed half a century since its establishment, is still suffering from chaos like the yearly recurrence of the problem of limited seats for accommodating citizens, will there be any seats for expatriates?
“There have been renewed promises of expansion plans and the ‘promised land’ represented by Shaddadiya University which has seen more than quarter of a century since the first cornerstone was put in place; yet our dream is still a mirage.
“About 20 ministers, latest being Minister Dr Hamad Al-Azmi, have been in the education portfolio since Kuwait’s independence in 1961. They are not new in the education field, but the educational system is deplorable, and is deteriorating under their watch. However, we have been made deaf by the dazzling promises of advanced learning and modern learning tools but nothing on the ground has changed.
“Back to my intro, it is not wrong if the government allows the children of residents or even foreigners from overseas to study in our schools, institutes and our public universities. After all, our own sons and daughters are studying abroad in Arab and foreign universities.”
“There are two issues that have been given much interest internally in Kuwait. They are the statements issued by the Philippines President Duterte and the speech given by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad during his meeting with some Iraqi journalists”, Hassan Al-Essa wrote for Aljarida daily.
“Both these issues reveal the large degree of arrogance and prejudice attached to Kuwaiti nationality and depict a sick image of Kuwaiti characteristics of solitariness and discrimination along with refusal to face the reality of its daily performance and the attitude of looking down at nonKuwaitis. This is a result of the high oil revenues.
“Ironically, these arrogant voices are always ready to criticize the stances of the government and MPs when the latter aim at upholding the reputation of Kuwait.
“It seems the whole world is scheming against us and plotting against the reputation of Kuwait. However, our laws are full of unconstitutional articles that abuse the basic human rights including freedom of speech. We saw the verdicts that were issued against bloggers who are now in jail just because they expressed their opinion.
“Regarding the first issue, President Duterte did nothing more than express his concern for Filipino expatriates, majority of who are domestic labors. Reports on the cases of abuse and humiliation against Filipino expatriates in Kuwait are published in newspapers almost on a daily basis. The crimes against them include physical attacks, being locked up inside the houses of their employers, and prevention from receiving day offs among others. These newspapers ‘proudly’ display humiliating pictures of cross-dressed labors who work at massage centers. As part of the culture of arrogance and discrimination, the media does not highlight the fact that these places are owned and run by Kuwaiti citizens who cannot stand being criticized.
“We talk about a large number of incidents that do not reach the court. We need nothing more than a brief look into the labor law to realize that there is no article that protects expatriate workers through strict decisions, making them victims of the ‘monster’ called the sponsorship system in the Gulf region.
“We have to be honest and ask ourselves about the real condition of expatriate workers in the country. We have to ask the bold MPs whose favorite activity is despising expatriates and describing them as ‘useless creatures’ about what these respected MPs have offered Kuwait. Do these arrogant people think the whole world has to be portrayed in the form of the image of the three monkeys that are deaf, dumb and blind?
“The second issue is concerning the speech of Sheikh Nasser Al-Sabah where he revealed the importance of Iraq to Kuwait in terms of investment. It is very sad that some objected to that speech under the pretext that Sheikh Nasser met an Iraqi MP who had previously criticized Kuwait. They took that chance to highlight what that Iraqi MP had said to all 20 million Iraqi citizens. They recalled the dark period of the Iraqi invasion in Kuwait and all the sad stories related to it. Their objective is to say that Iraqis do not deserve to be helped. This is because they consider Iraqi people as stereotype copies of Saddam Hussain.
“We ask them to present solutions to the economic crises that resulted from the fall in oil prices, instead of showing arrogance. We invite them to show little bit of humility.”
“I wonder about what some media men in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are doing in terms of attempting to ignite the strife among the sisterly Gulf countries. We have the right to wonder whom they work for. Are they working in favor of their countries or the interests of other countries or parties?” Omar Abdulaziz Al-Baloul wrote for Al-Anba daily.
“Our interest specifically is for Kuwait and the rest of the Gulf countries to work on reducing the severity of conflict among the various parties, and not to aggravate the issue and provoke sedition.
“Undoubtedly, the media has become the main player in this critical phase experienced by the Gulf countries. Higher the self control, lesser the losses.
“Kuwaiti media is supposed to base its role on the foreign policy of Kuwait that aims for harmony among the GCC countries.”