‘Invasion was purely Iraqi’
‘History cannot be forged’
“WITH all due respect and appreciation to the Iraqi Ambassador to the State of Kuwait H.E. Alaa Al-Hashimi, we would like to draw his kind attention to the fact that we are quite conversant with geography, and this assures us that our brothers in Iraq will remain our neighbors for good,” columnist, general manager of Scope satellite TV channel and former MP Talal Al-Saeed wrote for Al-Seyassah daily.
“Building good neighborly relations between the two countries is inevitable and essential. However, we know history well and we feel the need to emphasize that the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait was an Iraqi act by all means, not just Saddamist alone, as the Iraqi ambassador likes to depict.
“Just for his information, until the eve of this invasion, there was an Iraqi embassy in the State of Kuwait. There was an accredited ambassador who had duly submitted his credentials to Kuwait. Likewise, there was a Kuwaiti ambassador in Baghdad.
“There were also two delegations representing the two countries involved in negotiations in Jeddah under the patronage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Despite all this, the Iraqi army had overrun Kuwait and took over her through an unprecedented occupation. This army also persecuted Kuwaitis, killing many of them and displacing others. It also destroyed everything in the country.
“However, I don’t think the ambassador needs to hear more stories of those who can relate to the Iraqi invasion, its repercussions and associations because he knew well about all of this prior to his appointment as the ambassador of Iraq to the State of Kuwait.
“During the invasion, we saw people from all Iraqi segments on the usurped Kuwaiti territories without exception. However, we confess that the Baathists were the most devilish, brutal, aggressive and unjust among them.
“The ambassador also knows that most of the Iraqis were Baathists during that time. Even though some of them were not convinced by the principles of the Al-Baath Party, fear made all of them Baathists. They were involved in instigating the then Al-Baath regime against us.
“We were exposed to various types of torture in their hands. Our properties were looted and embezzled in our full view by civilians who had come from various Iraqi provinces and were under the protection of the Iraqi “hero” army in seeking “gain.”
“I think His Excellency the Ambassador knows well what the term “gain” means for the Iraqis. After their vehicles were loaded with the “illicit gain” from the properties of Kuwait that they had looted to such an extent that they had not left anything behind and returned to their country singing happily.
“Were all of these people Iraqis, or did they come from another planet to brand the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait as only “Saddamist”?
“In this regard, we would like to stress that the term “Saddamist” seems too small and doesn’t keep abreast with the volume of the invasion. This is because our country was invaded by the entire Iraq except those who feared Almighty Allah and thus held themselves above “the looting of Kuwait.”
“Your Excellency the Ambassador, you need to realize the fact the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait was 100 per cent Iraqi by all means. In other words, you Iraqis are in disagreements over probably everything, but all of you were in agreement against us.
“Our history actually ignores many painful events, and motivated by the feeling of brotherhood, neighborliness and Arabism, we had refrained from recording all these events. However, the immediate outcome was represented by the disaster called the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
“We, prior to the invasion, had relayed the assurances that were extended to us by Arab leaders indicating that no invasion will occur, but unfortunately our country was invaded suddenly and treacherously.
“Given the above, Your Excellency the Ambassador, what you would like us to tell the future generations? Is it reasonable to tell them that we invited our Iraqi neighbors for a lunch party on August 2, 1990 and that they responded to our invitation by overrunning our country with their full army and weapons?
“Many painful pages are likely to be turned over, but history certainly will not be forged. Therefore, the invasion of Kuwait was an Iraqi invasion. This is something that should be included in our curriculums in order to ensure all of the generations know this fact. We often hold ourselves above the injuries and show tolerance but we will certainly not forget.
“Your Excellency the Ambassador, for your information, the “popular songs” of our brothers in Basra, since the Iraqi invasion of our country until date, still talk about the “great Iraqi triumphs” which means its invasion of Kuwait. However, these songs don’t refer to the liberation war of the State of Kuwait, Safwan Tent and the capitulation of Iraq under this tent.
“In light of the above, Your Excellency the Ambassador, do you have any evidence to prove that the invasion of Kuwait was Saddamist alone? We will be waiting for your response.”
Also:
“THE heathenish Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, had failed to break the will and unity of the Kuwaitis as well as their commitment and loyalty to their legitimate leadership 28 years ago,” columnist Dr Nasser
Khamees Al-Mutairi wrote for Al-Nahar daily. “The Iraqi politicians will today fail to forge Kuwait’s national awareness through their attempt to undermine historical facts and leap over the resolutions of the international legitimacy by describing the events that occurred on August 2, 1990 as “Saddamist Invasion” and linking it to a person instead of a state.
“It was indeed an Iraqi invasion and this is based on the testimony of history, the international community and the Kuwaiti blood
“It seems as though some Iraqi officials and diplomats are under the illusion that the elapsing of about three decades since the Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait in 1990 may result in Kuwaitis forgetting that vicious crime, and the sacrifices that were made and the blood that was shed for resisting that crime.
“The Iraqis should not mistakenly believe that Kuwait’s diplomatic behavior and its civilized, sublime and humane way of dealing with the Iraqi people’s torment in the past years means the historical facts represented by the Iraqi troops overrunning our frontiers in order to swallow our existence will be forgotten. They should keep in mind that history cannot be faked at all.
“The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait cannot be ignored internationally because this event represents part and parcel of the national memo of the Kuwaiti people.
“How can we forget, particularly since many of the Iraqi officials, in the past many years after the liberation of Kuwait, used to directly or indirectly either threaten and ignoring Kuwaiti rights or deny Kuwait’s humanitarian attitudes towards their country?
“The feeling currently settled in the Kuwaiti people’s conscience is that Iraq had invaded and occupied Kuwait in 1990. This feeling never changed even though the defunct Saddam Hussain no longer exists.
“The aggressive Iraqi mentality against Kuwait is still alive among most of the Iraqis to such an extent that such a mentality is not likely to disappear anytime soon. It seems apparent that the aggressive Iraqi eye against Kuwait will not be changed irrespective of Kuwait’s noble attitudes towards the Iraqi people.
“Yes, the concealed Iraqi minds continue to harbor enmity against Kuwait even if they are motivated by some political interest and show some fake love.
“Iraq as a state had invaded and occupied Kuwait. This naked historical fact cannot be ignored irrespective who is currently ruling Iraq. This history is something that is embedded in the minds of the people, and it will never be forgotten.”
“World Health Organization (WHO) recently disclosed that a new weapon has been discovered for defending and protecting the hearts of millions who are exposed to death every year due to cardiac diseases,” Dr Hind Al-Shoumar wrote for Al-Anba daily.
“This new weapon was declared by Director General of WHO Dr Tedros Adhanom. He called upon various countries to get rid of trans-fat within the next five years until 2023.
“WHO announced a plan titled “REPLACE” which is the abbreviation composed of the first letters of the procedures and policies required to be implemented for protecting peoples’ hearts.
“Actually, the weapon is not a secret; as it was revealed by WHO and is available on its website and other websites as well. Fortunately, we have a specific state body - Public Authority of Food and Nutrition - assigned to care about food and nutrition. Its responsibilities are not limited to closing down violating restaurants that sell falafel but go beyond that to conduct up-to-date researches in this regard.
“Among the duties of Public Authority of Food and Nutrition is to spread awareness about the dangers of fats on human health particularly for the heart. Fat tops the reasons behind death cases as per international statistics.
“As a member of the Board of Directors of Kuwait Heart Society, I would like to see the plan of Public Authority of Food and Nutrition concerning trans-fat. We need to figure out the actions intended to be taken against the importers of food items that contain high trans-fat.
“It is known that the reduction in the cases of heart diseases in Denmark since 2003 is a result of implementation of laws that prevent the inclusion of transfat which is responsible for increase in the cholesterol level.
“I wish a Kuwaiti initiative will kick off in this regard concurrently with the World Heart Day on September 29, and I hope for the participation of Public Authority of Food and Nutrition in favor of Kuwaiti citizens.”
“Among the requirements for preparing a successful budget for any country is to consider the labor needs of the institutions of both the public and private sectors with clear job descriptions and required qualifications,” Dr Abdullah Fahad Al-Abduljader wrote for Al-Anba daily.
“This step is essential for preparing to employ the new graduates along with experienced employees in each department and directorate. This is the way the labor power should be planned one year in advance. The previous and current budgets lack accurate description of the required jobs. Instead, the budget includes random job titles that is not based on scientific conditions, and pays no consideration to the available opportunities or the real work requirements.
“The jobs are included in the budget in accordance with the financial cost represented in salaries. Bad results appear when the budget is implemented in reality, which leads to employment crises. Among the flaws is that many of the employees are appointed in positions that do not match their qualifications or experiences. This results in a major problem in terms of underemployment, job inflation and accumulation of job applications.
“In order to ensure the success of a state budget and accomplish its targets in terms of appointing the required number of workers in line with the demands and in consideration of justice and equality, the budget must include job organization prepared by experts in organization and administration.
“I hope the Government and the National Assembly adopt my suggestion in terms of preparing the new budget in a way that will ensure many positive results especially for finding solutions concerning the unemployment crisis, underemployment and accumulation of job applications as well as adjusting the salaries’ cost. This is also applicable in employing citizens in the private sector with the cooperation of Public Authority for Manpower and Supreme Council for Planning Development and with the participation of the private sector.”
“Corruption in the form of forgery is like a series connected to each other, as each of the series supports the other in a sense that forgery has become rampant,” columnist Dr Nasser Khamees Al-Mutairi wrote for Annahar daily.
“It is not a matter of forging academic certificates and higher degrees. This is one of the types of forgery based on lack of morals and social corruption involving individuals, officials and governmental bodies.
“Forgery is widespread in the country. It comes in many forms which are more serious than the fake academic degrees. At the forefront is forgery of electoral will in parliamentary elections by turning a blind eye to vote buying and paving way for tribal and sectarian by-elections with fake designations.
“Another type of forgery is that of faking public awareness through media practices which distort facts and create bogus opinions.”