Iraq, Syria rebuilding soon?
What will be Kuwait’s role?
“DESPITE the current political escalation in the region, there are a lot of indications that major settlements are in the offing at the moment leading to the cooling of the open fronts in many countries in general and Iraq and Syria in particular,” columnist
Dawood Fahd Al-Sabah wrote for Annahar daily. “In other words, talk about the reconstruction of both Iraq and Syria, has started gaining ground, particularly in light of the efforts that have been currently exerted for the return of refugees to their respective countries.
“However, based on certain calculations, the reconstruction of both Iraq and Syria, requires as much as $500 billion, but in reality this calculation can be seen as initial, given the fact that once the process of reconstruction begins, both the public and private projects will increase accordingly.
“In fact this was the case by the end of the World War I and the reconstruction period was initially estimated to be 15 years and in reality in Germany alone the reconstruction period continued until the beginning of the 1990s which could be attributed to the expansion of industries while the neighboring countries benefitted because post war Germany continued to be a major economic power in the wake of the war where the companies and institutions are still seeking foreign manpower to cover the shortage in industries and services sectors.
“However, this fact is still alive in modern history and is likely to be repeated in both Iraq and Syria, particularly since we know that some reports confirm that the two countries will need of six million workers each during the reconstruction phase.
“This reality in modern history can be repeated in Iraq and Syria, especially as the reports confirm the need of about six million workers in each country during the reconstruction phase.
“In other words, 12 million workers will enter the labor market in these countries and as such the ports in both countries will not be able to handle the influx of these workers which means dependence on neighboring countries for import facilities, in addition to the emergence of manufacturing and simple industries in those countries.
“But the question here is: what does this all mean for the State of Kuwait? If we keep the negative outlook resulting from the political positions of the different forces in the Arab countries, the isolation from the ocean will result in economic shrinkage as well as setback in the production sector and this shall eventually aggravate the economic and structural problems which Kuwait is currently facing.
“The above is likely to happen although, we at the moment are enjoying all the appropriate financial potentials, infrastructure and logistic ability that qualifies us to be at the top of the economic powers which shall benefit from the reconstruction process in both Iraq and Syria, particularly in light of the kind initiative of the wise Arab man His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad represented by the hosting of the International Donors Conference.
“In this context, it is imperative that Kuwait, through the private sector, will create an appropriate ground for participation in the reconstruction of Syria and Iraq and that the private sector be prepared for this opportunity in parallel with the launch of the Al-Harir (Silk) City project and the Islands Development Project that is likely to form a real base for the Kuwaiti contribution to the fourth industrial revolution.
“Meanwhile, we suggest this opportunity requires us to re-examine the realistic legislation and ministerial decisions that are still based on a backward mentality in building the national economy in a prelude to transform the Kuwaiti economy into indeed a free economy, not free in terms of just slogans, since we know the current legislations and decisions will enhance the dependence on the state in dealing with all aspects of life, let alone they shall result in the inflation of State’s administrative staff and shrink the private sector and it will almost fade away under the discouragement of individual initiative.
“As a matter of fact, there is a standard pattern in the word at the moment which is the ease of business, which is based on the progress of countries in all fields. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Kuwait, which suffers from a major economic imbalance.
“Despite the increase in capital expenditure in the state budget reality shows the indicators are still negative and this can be mostly attributed to real implication that has been created by the contradictions in the ministerial decisions and the legal revisions that are mostly based on personal calculations as well as on electoral interests, but without real studies.
“Such being the case, the State of Kuwait is currently in need of facilitating the businesses and increasing opportunities to be made available for the private sector immediately and starting seeking the much-needed opportunities through the reconstruction process to be carried out in both Iraq and Syria and later on in Yemen.
“In other words, the State of Kuwait must benefit from its wise foreign policy which is currently under the supervision of His Highness the Amir which has resulted in the State of Kuwait becoming acceptable.
“But the question here, will the Kuwaitis win the current challenge or will they lose the opportunity just like they have lost other opportunities before?”
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“Day after day, Kuwait confirms to the world that it is clear in its policies to implement its international obligations towards others without any mentality and that it is one of the few countries to remain committed to its word to honor its pledge,” columnist Waleed Ibrahim Al-Ahmad wrote for Al-Rai daily.
“Consequently, the State of Kuwait and by the virtue of the Almighty Allah, had gained the respect of all of the peoples throughout the world and this could be foremost attributed to the experience and the policy followed by His Highness the Amir where he is also the leader of the humanity and the owner of such a middle and reconciliatory method in dealing with the international and regional issues, the last of which was represented by his extinguishing reconciliatory role in dealing with the Gulf crisis.
“Therefore, Kuwait by virtue of Almighty God has gained the respect of all the peoples of the world and this can be attributed to the experience and the policy followed by His Highness the Amir, the leader of humanity through his moderate approach in international and regional issues, the latest of which is his role in the Gulf crisis.
“Yesterday, Kuwait fulfilled all its obligations towards Yemen by paying in full its part — $250 million pledge after handing over the final payment of $50 million to WFP’s World Food Program (WFP) director Koko Yoshiyami, in line with what was pledged at a donors conference in Geneva in April 2018.
“However, we in turn must through the media concentrate on his aspect which calls for pride and we hereby say it once again without boasting. Rather it is the obligation of the State of Kuwait to fulfill its international obligations.
“This happens at a time when other countries ignore their obligations as if they had not undertaken to pay a specific amount during their participation in some of the international conferences related to foreign grants and assistances.
“At the same time, we refuse to be a dairy cow which some can exploit by persuading us to participate in the donors conferences for poor countries without everyone interacting with us, so that some forget the fulfill their commitments, which affects the success of projects established after they fail to complete their tasks because of the low amounts collected.
“And when we demand here that the media focus on this aspect, especially before the United Nations by announcing the fulfillment of Kuwait’s obligations to others, it stems from the humanitarian responsibility before the political first, and at the same time so as not to come out and accuse us that we do not fulfill our commitments.
“Our memories are still strong from the accusations of US President Donald Trump that we have not paid a single dollar to liberate our country from the Iraqi invasion.”
“US President Donald Trump has served Iranian interests to the max and transformed the country to a super power dominating Iraq, Syria and Yemen,” columnist Abdulreda Qumbur wrote for Al-Shahed daily.
“The United States protected Iranian interests in the aforementioned countries until withdrawal of the Nuclear Treaty, and stories about an impending war started circulating to incite fear among the Gulf countries and to push them to purchase weapons worth billions of dollars while getting ready for a war that may never occur.
“Today, Trump has invited the Iranians for negotiation without condition after managing to amass billions of funds from the Gulf under the pretext of getting them ready for the massive confrontation. He is now talking about kicking off a new era with Iran by normalizing relations and resuming commercial exchange through purchasing Iranian oil. Only the wise can adopt such ideal approach to keep the nations away from devastation and wars by handling issues in a manner that preserves ‘what have been acquired’ to avoid losses.
“It is wise to exploit minor issues for the maximum benefit and the European Union is an excellent example of this attitude; so is North Korea. We cannot ignore the way Iranian politicians managed the nuclear file with wisdom and awareness, especially in their dealings with America. Nonstop threats by the US against Iran compelled the latter to adopt a 100 percent different approach, which eventually led Iran to intimidate the former. The whole world is observing and calculating the consequences of Iran’s threat to shut down the Strait of Hurmuz.
“The Iranians realized that America does not understand the language of the powerful, so they took advantage of the current state of the Arab countries—especially the Gulf countries, which are marked by weakness and fear. This gave Trump the chance to blow the Persian danger out of proportion, reviving the old enemy of Shiite Crescent. That’s why Trump has received massive support in America, especially from the Jewish lobby in Congress and Israel before the introduction to the deal of the century. Actually, the region will witness wars no more.
“Those who believe in a forthcoming war are dreaming. I am particularly referring to strategic military analyzers who took the phrase of Henry Kissinger” “A deaf is that who does not hear the drums of regional war,” and kept appearing on TV channels to spread terror among Gulf citizens. The region is in need of alternatives rather than devastating wars. Politics only can force America to change its plans. We need to preserve the Gulf unity and keep good relations will all parties. We need to protect life and property rather than launch risky adventures.”
“Yes, it was an Iraqi occupation, although it is known among Kuwaitis as invasion. What Iraq did, its leadership, army, people and even the curricula can only be described as occupation,” columnist Kholoud Al-Khamees wrote for Al-Anba daily.
“The Iraqis have been fed with poison through fake history books stating that Kuwait is part of Iraq. Stupid calls for Kuwait to change the name of the Iraqi occupation to Saddam Hussein invasion will be met with slaps and kicks from Kuwaitis, who will tell the next generations that it is an Iraqi occupation preceded by threats to annex Kuwait.
“It was not a personal mistake committed by Saddam, but the sin of a State that denies the right of its neighbor to independence – sins committed by its rulers, one after the other, despite recognition of the international community as a State. I do not support the international community, I am against it because it is not fair, particularly to Muslims.
“It is naive to regard the aggression of one State on another as the personal behavior of the ruler, since all the tools and institutions of the State carried out this attack, and then we say that the extermination of millions was Hitler’s fault.”