‘Free thoughts irk neighbors’

Embassies eager to file lawsuits

“THE Kuwaiti Court of Appeals recently upheld the verdict of the Court of First Instance and acquitted the writer Ahmad Al-Sarraf in a libel lawsuit which was filed against him by the Iranian Embassy,” columnist, the General Manager of Scope Satellite TV Channel and former MP wrote for

daily. “In this context, we say all foreign embassies in Kuwait file lawsuits against Kuwaitis, be they political activists, writers or may be even those who are dealing in political affairs.

“This happens although the Kuwaiti embassies never file lawsuits against the respective governments even if insults are hurled at the State of Kuwait and its symbols although the attacks entitle the Kuwaiti embassies in the relevant countries give the litigation option on behalf of the State of Kuwait.

“As a matter of fact, I don’t know whether or not our embassies abroad had been instructed not to file cases against the host countries.

“But the most important question in this connection is, why all countries who have embassies in the State of Kuwait in general and the neighboring countries in particular are actually filing lawsuits against Kuwaiti political activists and writers just because what is written does not meet the satisfaction of the respective countries.

“Anyway, what we must realize is that currently what is taking place on the political front in Kuwait is obviously followed by all countries in the region, because the events or developments that occur on the local arena in Kuwait directly affect the peoples of the relevant countries in the region.

“However, irrespective of these events or developments which may negatively or positively affect the policies of these neighboring countries, we should keep in mind that the State of Kuwait was and is the pulse and the heart of the entire region at all levels in general and at the political level in particular.

“Such being the case anything that occurs in the State of Kuwait is being followed in view of its significant impact on all the peoples in the region. Hence, we find the foreign embassies in Kuwait rushing to file libel lawsuits against Kuwaiti political activists, columnists or writers.

“This happens although the writers and the political activists in the neighboring countries may write on the same issues covered by their Kuwaiti counterparts, but no lawsuits are filed against these writers or political activists of the neighboring countries, or rather embassies in the relevant countries ignore what has been written about their countries by the writers in the neighboring states to such an extent these embassies pay no attention to such articles.

“But these embassies are on full alert over any articles that may be published by the Kuwaiti press about their countries, because these embassies actually realize that any topics that might be covered by the Kuwaiti press are readable and has enough echoes among the readers not only in the Gulf, but in the entire Arab world.

“In this context, we say even the Kuwaiti issues are always followed by others on the basis of the freedom of expression which currently distinguishes the State of Kuwait whereby all Kuwaitis are in a position to say freely whatever they want, because the area of freedom in our country us too wide, and the Kuwaiti issues represent the issues of the entire region.

“But the manner of expression is different. In other words, the State of Kuwait since the very beginning of its history has played a pioneering role in the area of the freedom of expression, hence, we are not surprised to see a pile of lawsuits filed by the foreign embassies in Kuwait in vain attempts to effectively shut the voice of Kuwait, particularly since we know this voice has impact everywhere.

“In the meantime, we would like to emphasize our confidence in our lofty judiciary which always supports the right.”

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Al-Saeed

“It is nice indeed to see that some of the new Gulf studies centers are at the moment seriously involved in issuing researches, conducting a significant studies over various issues which constitute a guidance for politicians in terms of dealing with the future issues of the region and the impact of various geopolitical projects,” columnist and former MP

wrote for daily. “As a matter of fact, the Abu Dhabi based ‘The United Arab Emirates Centre for Policies’ is currently playing a vital role. This centre was founded by the United Arab Emirates government in 2013.

“In this context, we say one of these studies centers was given last year the title as ‘The Change of the American Strategic Estimations towards the Middle East region and its reflection on the Gulf Security’.

“This study is actually based on studying the US decision to focus on Asia and downplay the importance of the Middle East including the Gulf region.

“In other words, the concentration on the so-called ‘Obama Doctrine’ which mostly depends on minimizing the US intervention in the regional struggles through direct military intervention and eventually focus only on assisting the allies by providing the latter with the intelligence data as well as by selling them weapons.

“In this connection, we cite what has been attributed to the Chairman of the United Arab Emirates Centre For Policies Dr Ibtisam Al-Kutobi who was quoted as saying ‘The arguments and the differences over what was raised by former President Obama and before the current US policy towards the region, actually emphasizes the relationship between the US and the countries in the region which have entered a new phase, and this means the relevant changes must be studied carefully and explored to its potential’.

“Meanwhile, the study in question confirms that it would be important for the countries in the region to depend on their own potentials as well as on independent studies without underestimating the importance of cooperation with the coalition countries.

“However, in spite of the significance of the study in question and the opinions that have been raised, most of those who were involved in studying these opinions were adopting a single viewpoint and this means the study still needs to be studied by more people who are likely to adopt a different viewpoint in a prelude to transform this study into a topic to be discussed on the table of dialogue.

“This is because we know the decision-makers in the relevant countries want to listen to various opinions and familiarize themselves with all intellectual tendencies, prior to adopting any futuristic opinion for dealing with the prospective forthcoming political changes.

“It is needless to say this manner is followed by international scientific research institutions of high credibility when it comes to dealing with future issues as well as monitoring the moves of great powers and their changeable policies.”

“In a press statement, His Highness the Prime Minister said necessary accounting steps will be implemented soon and corrupt officials in all ministries will be dismissed, stressing the importance and seriousness of these steps,” wrote for

daily. “However, if the prime minister himself is corrupt, who will dismiss him? When he dismisses officials of the ministries based on corruption charges without evidence or referral to the concerned authorities, the ministry will then be free for him and he can swallow the whole camel under the slogan of “anti-corruption.”

“If the corrupt officials are asked for accounting followed by their dismissal, the offices will be free in just one month. In addition, who knows if the second class of employees is also free from corruption?

“It seems they both are waiting for the chance to take advantage and receive their share from the cake because as soon as the big corrupt official is dismissed, the next corrupt individual in line will replace him to eat the entire fruit. We are not suspecting the intentions of His Highness the Prime Minister concerning his calls for accounting and dismissal of corrupt individuals. The real widespread problems, which have even been highlighted in the international reports, are the corruption in the governmental departments and bureaucracy. However, there are hidden beneficiaries who gain advantages with the assistance of corrupt people who facilitate the completion of their transactions easily.”

“Great joy swept throughout Kuwait when news was received about restoration of the revoked citizenships of some Kuwaiti citizens in order to end their suffering,” wrote for

daily. “This resulted from the benevolent efforts exerted by the National Assembly Speaker Marzouq AlGhanim and some faithful MPs after they met the International Humanitarian Leader His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who is known for his wisdom and is a veteran in handling issues related to the people of his country.

“Every person should remember the speech delivered by His Highness the Amir on Feb 24, 2011 on the occasion of Kuwait’s National Days. He said, “Democracy means the language of Constitution, law and freedom within the legal frameworks for achieving the higher national interests. On the other hand, it allows supervision, accountability and objective criticism for every failure and shortage.”

“He added, “Freedom is not a tool for creating mess, insecurity, suspicions and incitements. Blessed are those who live on this land and pray to God in their homes. Blessed are the governments and the legislatures. Blessed are each loyal person who participates in building a modern state, a state of law and institutions.”

“These words should remain in the minds of every citizen in Kuwait in order to know who should be confronted concerning the issues they face and to realize that threats, suspicions, intimidations and incitements have never been the language of Kuwaiti people.”

“Democracy and freedom of speech are available in new Iraq – post Saddam Hussein era – with about 70 Arab speaking TV channels, keep counting. Some of these channels represent political parties, while some represent provinces and others that represent individuals plus four which are foreign-financed. Besides these, there are some official channels and semi-official channels,” columnist wrote for daily.

“Although the number and variety of free media in any country is proof that freedom of expression is guaranteed, the reality is not rosy in Iraq. The media there is not necessarily working to serve viewers and readers with credible news as majority are working to instigate conflicts, escalate differences, mislead and conceal the truth, making the ordinary man a victim.

“This was witnessed in the recently fabricated ‘Khor Abdullah’ crisis. TV channels, scribes, political parties and blocs conspired on Iraq before they turned to Kuwait. They mobilized and incited common men, fools and paid-up-thugs to the streets or to the borders between Kuwait and Iraq against Kuwait as if the latter was the one attacking.

“That is Iraq media for you, hiding facts and poisoning good relations between the two countries. I was informed that millions of dollars in funds from foreign players are going to some individuals and political figures so they incite the common man to turn against Kuwait with the aim of disrupting Kuwait’s Mubarak Port project!

“I don’t think the Kuwaiti government with its diplomatic, security and intelligence apparatuses missed this piece of news – I’m just an ordinary man! But the question here is: Do Iraqis know how big is the aid that Kuwait has given to them – government and people? Or this information has been concealed from the Iraqi ordinary man?”

“Our Arab World is suffering consistently from problems and crises that are occurring in quick succession. Kuwait is also gripped by incessant crises that have been shaking our internal peace,”

wrote for daily. “The problem represents a serious warning about the dangers facing the security of the nation and safety of it Kuwait’s territories. With the crises becoming more complicated, multiplied and extended further, it is evident that officials should surround themselves with advisors who are excellent in their various fields and disciplines in order to ensure they provide the right pieces of advice. This is the way to proffer right solutions to problems, societal issues and other complicated crises.

“There is no official who can claim knowledge of all aspects of required knowledge in life. Therefore, the standard of their advisors and appropriateness of the offered advices will enable them in making the right decisions, by the grace of Allah. Decisions made through such a method will be devoid of objections since they resulted from thorough studies and long years of experience of those advisors.”

— Compiled by Zaki Taleb