The painful anniversary
August 2, 1990 was not an ordinary date for Kuwait. It will always remain memorable for all Kuwaitis and the people living here at that time. A large army ranked in top positions worldwide invaded our country without having mercy on the children, adults, men, women, doctrines, tribes or sects. They destroyed everything. They punished, looted, raped, killed, robbed and committed the worst forms of crime against everyone with no regards to norms, traditions or the rights towards neighbors and fellow-Muslims.
That regime and its officials are fully responsible for the destruction inflicted upon Kuwait and for the whereabouts of martyrs and people who are missing till this very date. They committed the worst crimes, destroyed Kuwait’s government buildings, landmarks and houses. They looted our national archive and our historical documents. Iraq’s coverts about Kuwait were not new then, they had come a long way.
HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah managed to strongly refute all Iraqi radios and press allegations in addition to those stated by Abdul Kareem Qasim using historical and political logic. He managed to strongly express Kuwait ruler, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem, the government and the people’s determination to defend Kuwait’s independence as well as Kuwait’s trust in friendly peace-loving and brotherly Arab countries keenness on protecting Kuwait’s security and independence.
HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad was keen on preparing Kuwaiti people to face the Kuwaiti-Iraqi crisis in 1961-1963. He did not limit his actions to publishing official documents proving Kuwait’s independence but also used many other proofs including history and geography books and the maps taught in Iraqi schools showing clear borders between both countries. He also referred to the customs and visa procedures needed to move between both countries to emphasize that the two countries were separate.
In addition, HH used letters and all forms of correspondence showing Iraqi government’s wish to enhance cultural and economic cooperation with Kuwait. Using his powers as minister of information, HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad refuted the Iraqi allegations that only indicated regional expansion ambitions. Kuwait was never subject to the Ottoman Empire that had no representatives in Kuwait throughout its reign in the Arab world. Kuwait has been independent and sovereign ever since inception and officially declared its independence on June 19, 1961.