Split seen over delayed grillings
‘Group of 62’, political currents lose way
“IN ITS recent statement, the so-called ‘Group of 62’ has described the National Assembly decision to postpone the discussions on the two interpellations which were filed earlier against two ministers as wise and rational,” columnist and Professor at the Kuwait University
wrote for Wednesday.
“The Group said the statement was motivated by a nationalistic sense and reflects the intention of the MPs to keep abreast with the desire of HH the Amir to give the incumbent government time and opportunity to achieve its objectives.
“It is needless to say this Group of 62 or any other group or political current in the country reserves the right to define its attitude to what is currently taking place on the local political arena, but the strange thing that has drawn the attention of observers is the decision by seven MPs who belong to this Group to reject the postponement of the two parliamentary interpellations in question.
“The seven MPs are Sayed Adnan Abdulsamad, Saleh Ashour, Sayed Hussain AlQallaf, Faisal Al-Duwaisan, Yaqoub Al-Sane, Masouma Al-Mubarak and Ahmad Lari. Moreover, MPs Sayed Hussain AlQallaf and Faisal AlDuwaisan have fiercely attacked the decision by the Parliament to postpone the discussion on the two interpellations.
“Besides, we found other MPs who don’t belong to the Group of 62 expressing their objection to the parliamentary decision in question through media such as MP Dr Hesham Al-Saleh who has labeled the postponement ‘unconstitutional’.
“However, this contradiction among members of the Group of 62 and the recent statement in question may raise serious doubts indeed on who has prepared the said statement. Did those who prepare the said statement consult all members of the Group over its topic?
“In this context, let me point out that I personally asked MP Sayed Adnan Abdulsamad if he knew anything about the statement in question before it was issued, but he said he read it in a newspaper and that he knew nothing about it before it was published in the local press.
“We also found out that the coordinator general of the Group of 62, for instance, who was reportedly at loggerheads with the opposition, has written praises about former MP Musallam Al-Barrak in the form of a poem.
“Moreover, the Group of 62 had earlier issued a statement accusing the Human Rights Watch of involvement in undermining the image of Kuwait and favoring the Kuwaiti opposition as if this organization (Human Rights Watch) was working for Ahmad Al-Saadoun or Musallam AlBarrak.
“Such contradictions among members of the Group of 62 and other political currents in the country emphasizes the existence of essential defect in the structure and the organizational chart of these groups and currents.
“In this connection, I would like to point out that our political organizations, groups and currents from time to time pop up and then disappear and this can be attributed to rapid reaction when dealing with a specific event because it is not founded on solid basis or mutual vision.
“In conclusion, we cite the contradictory attitudes of four MPs who had turned down the proposal to postpone the discussions on the two parliamentary interpellations until the next legislative round. They are MPs Sayed Hussain AlQallaf, Faisal Al-Duwaisan, Masouma AlMubarak and Sayed Yousef Zalzalah.
“These same MPs had once upon a time given their consent to postpone the grilling of former prime minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad for one year. Hence, we wonder, how these MPs can justify their contradictory attitudes.”
daily
“Iraq at the moment suffers from a huge security void and this has enabled some political groups to dominate various affairs of this oil rich country which basks also in a lot of natural resources including gas, agriculture, rivers and so on,” columnist wrote for daily Wednesday.
“But reality shows that these groups which currently govern the fate of Iraq shall inevitably lead that country to a catastrophe and slow death. In this context, we elucidate that the countries neighboring Iraq are currently striving to establish good neighborly relations with Baghdad based on reciprocal respect and mutual interests but we find some Iraqi groups from time to time issuing threats against Kuwait.
“In this connection, we refer to the last threat that has been issued by the leader of the Iraqi Hezbollah Watheq Battat, who is known as an agent of Iran. However this threat reflects the fears which currently govern the behaviors of the Iranian Mullahs (clerics), because they expect the downfall of their big ally in Damascus.
“In other words, the government of Mullahs in Tehran is currently striving to shift its battle with the international community to the Gulf region and this is evident through maritime maneuvers and through ‘hot’ political statements they issue to divert the attention of the world opinion away from what is currently taking place in Syria. But it is needless to say this manner represents a naÔve move which still tickles only the emotions of stupid people.
“We have repeatedly said that the final destination of the Arab Spring train is Iran — the Ahwaz province being the first station until it finds its way to Tehran because we know the current deterioration in Iraq and the popular resentment shall help pave the way for this train to have access to all Iranian provinces, because injustice and persecution cannot last long.”
“On Feb 24, 1991, history registered the AlQurain battle in Bait Al-Qurain in which Kuwaiti heroes known as the ‘Al-Messilah Group’ courageously confronted the invaders and became the symbol of Kuwaiti resistance against the invaders,” columnist for daily.
“Those people laid down their lives in defense of their homeland and its future. Those martyrs are an extension for Kuwait’s history.
“Have we understood the lesson from the invasion? Have we learned the lesson which our martyrs have taught us?
“Don’t you feel ashamed when you try to humiliate this country and its history which is full of sacrifices and patriotic stances?
“Those martyrs with their blood brought glory to the homeland. They have given us dignity and showed us the road of chivalry. Therefore, it is not logical to compare them with those who are keen only on occupying seats inside the Parliament.”
wrote
“Was there any health symptoms, God forbid? Was his trip to London sudden or planned? Would it be sufficient for the Council of Ministers to issue a statement to wish him good health and to postpone the interpellation against him?” columnist wrote for
daily. “Is it true as it has been rumored that the Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmad Hmoud plans to refer some of the senior officials in the Interior Ministry to retirement on pension while at the same time issues orders to renew the terms of others?
“If Sheikh Ahmad Hmoud was indeed sick, it is up to us not only to pray for him, sincerely, for a speedy recovery, but we also wish him good health and safe return home.
“If these rumors about health apparently are not going the right way, we wonder: why the secrecy? Why give the opportunity to tendentious rumors to discredit not only the Interior Minister, but the entire government?
“Don’t you think that we as a people deserve clarification about what is happening around us?”
“As we celebrate the anniversary of the liberation of our beloved Kuwait from Iraqi occupation, it is worthy for us to send a clear message to our neighbors in Iraq, the enemies of yesterday and friends of today, because we still doubt their intentions towards us,” columnist, former MP and general manager of the Scope Satellite TV
wrote for daily. “While their government ‘officially’ tries to be friendly to us, there are others who have issued threats against us and the latest threat came from the Iraqi Hezbollah who has threatened to bomb the Mubarak Al-Kabir Kuwaiti port which is being constructed on our island.
“Earlier ‘unknown’ persons had fired rockets on the port but they failed to hit the target and exploded near the borders with Iraq. The government response was it did not know who had fired the rockets but the Iraqi Hezbollah branch had claimed responsibility and now has threatened to hit the port again.”
“The deputy head of the European Journalists Association a few days ago said Kuwait has made exceptional progress in the field of freedoms in spite of the social and political challenges facing the nation,” columnist
wrote for daily.
“The official said Kuwait has succeeded in this regard because it has realized the importance of achieving transparency when dealing with the citizens and granting journalists and media men a wide margin to work freely, considering the freedom is a natural result of deep-rooted democratic system in Kuwait and its fair political openness which constitutes a good example for the region.
“This new ‘certificate’ and other certificates given by Arab and foreign officials and writers is a testimony that our country enjoys a distinguished level of democracy and freedoms as well as human rights.”
“We had mixed emotions when we commemorated the 52nd anniversary of Kuwait’s independence and the 22nd anniversary of the liberation. We were happy because the country remains protected from any harm but at the same time we were sad as our efforts to improve the current situation proved futile,”
wrote for
daily. “If we compare the achievements of the country for 30 years, starting from the time it obtained independence until 1990, with its accomplishments from 1990 till date, we can say there were more achievements before 1990 although there were more opportunities after that year. In the second part, failures are bigger than the achievements. Some projects are just ink on paper, and those which have been implemented cannot be considered remarkable achievements.
“Under such circumstances, the authorities must reconsider their actions and start thinking seriously what they can do for this country to grow. This is necessary to bring back the happy days, especially when the people of Kuwait lived in harmony and peace without fear of being treated unjustly.”
“The Kuwaiti society highlighted a number of incidents in and outside the country during the Iraqi invasion. At the time, the people of Kuwait courageously faced their enemies, while many countries supported it in its fight for freedom from the invaders,” wrote for daily.
“More than 40 Kuwaiti and international personalities joined hands in establishing an international organization in solidarity with Kuwait’s fight for its rights. The organization had eight chapters in different parts of the world. These chapters updated each other on what was happening in the country during the invasion. They also served as centers where the people gave and searched for information on missing relatives.
“The organization was formed to show to the entire world that Kuwait had to fight for its rights. It also spearheaded gatherings in cooper- ation with governmental agencies especially those in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where the headquarters of the organization was established.
“Despite the hardships that the Kuwaitis went through during those days, we cannot help but notice the most beautiful aspect of the sad incident — the unity of the people. They all stood united against the greedy country which was keen on expanding its territories in the region.”
“From my perspective, nepotism minimizes the possibilities for achieving harmony within the society and provokes wrath among people. It is the worst form of social and professional corruption in our contemporary world”, columnist
wrote for
daily. “When nepotism and discrimination is widespread in the field of employment, at illegal governmental facilities and among certain privileged group of the society, it directly impacts the sense of patriotism in the victims of these phenomena.
“How can any normal individual disregard the crimes committed through nepotism and discrimination particularly when he is committed to his duties and responsibilities towards his society?
“Why would he, as a victim of nepotism, continue to carry out his responsibilities and duties towards the society and be a good patriot when other individuals around him disregard such duties and responsibilities?”
“Ministry of Public Works officials acted swiftly after detecting a pothole on a highway recently. This news is not strange to me, since excavations surround our roads from all angles and maintenance ‘shops’ are those benefiting. Best wishes to you if your car works on hydraulics,” wrote for daily.
“Excavations and potholes on the roads cause traffic jams and accidents, and all other types of holes are equally dangerous! Just recently, the Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shimali dug a hole of loan interests for us; even though the National Assembly Speaker Ali Al-Rashed covered the hole by his statement assuring the problem would be resolved before the end of May.
“In the Kuwaiti society, political holes are on the rise, and the most recent hole is the postponement of grilling. Anybody who knows the source of the political game should understand the reasons for the absence of accountability”.
“In our annual celebration of Independence and Liberation days, Kuwait becomes alive with joy and jubilant atmosphere, and Kuwaitis are entitled to enjoy!” Professor
wrote for daily.
“On Feb 25, we celebrate the day Kuwait transformed from a tribal state ruled by Sheikhs to a state of law and establishments for the people to participate and share the ruling. We celebrate on Feb 26 because the people of Kuwait stood hand in hand against the invaders until the country was handed back to the rightful owners. Both occasions are full of ambitions and hope for our beloved country. Even so, are we truly free and liberated?
“I always tell my friends we have rare historic opportunity to rebuild our nation after enduring series of chaos and conflicts that found their way to break up our national unity. Those pretending to love their country have been exposed, so every facility needed to restructure our country now remain in our hands. Events following our liberation clearly prove we are not liberated or cured from diseases that put us asunder. We have not liberated ourselves from the traditional way of administrating our country.
“We are not liberated from the conflict mentality and personal political or factional gains at the expense of the nation and its people. We are still in the captivity of allegiance that contradicts allegiance and loyalty to Kuwait and its Constitution. Do we have the will to become independent and liberated?”
“Close observers of our lifestyle in Kuwait may have noticed how we focus on affluence; such that individuals, the government and politicians always sing about toying with expenditures on the future of the national economy,”
wrote for daily. “Deals on expenditures for non-economic life cannot guarantee a bright future and stability for the country. Subsidizing many commodities like fuel, education, health care, agriculture and animal resources without economic justifications will only encourage the people to be fully dependent on the government. They will no longer think about budget planning for their families, so they end up spending whatever they have in their pockets with hope of getting a replacement from nowhere.
“This kind of policy is dangerous for those with inadequate financial resources as they may look elsewhere, even the illegitimate sources to satisfy their whims. Therefore, the wise should push for the modification of the policy in the interest of the nation and its people.”
“Our honorable government will never find a parliament like the ‘one-vote’ parliament, which is willing to cooperate in the fight against corruption to such an extent that the lawmakers postponed grilling the ministers of Interior and Communication until the next parliamentary term,” columnist wrote for daily.
“I am sure the National Assembly would have agreed if the government demanded for further postponement after two or three parliamentary terms. The parliament is by all standards both weak and interesting. It shares similar traits with advisory councils, as it considers accepting all proposals from the government.
“However, we have noticed the anger of the government whenever the parliament makes recommendations that affect a large component of the society. Probably the government warns the lawmakers to be careful to ensure continuity of the legitimate tenure of office.”