‘Act to combat air pollution’
‘Chronic diseases on rise’
“I STILL believe in the American supremacy, and I bet on America as an influential force on the international stage,” columnist, professor at Kuwait University’s Political Science Department and the assistant undersecretary for legal affairs at the Ministry of Information Dr Haila Hamad Al-Mekaimi wrote for Annahar daily.
“I do say the above although many voices over a period of time have repeatedly said the status of America as superpower will diminish in favor of another power. However, it is needless to say that the survival of America’s might will not prevent the rise of other powers such as China, India and Brazil and so on.
“But the American greatness lies in the center of forces of capitalism, state institutions, legal battles, freedom of expression, the strength of civil society and the creativity of science, thinking and scientific research, not to mention the ability of the American personality to adapt to various circumstances.
“Meanwhile, the State of Kuwait, especially after the liberation of Kuwait from the Iraqi invasion was still in the American periphery, where the United States of America is the first destination for our students to continue higher studies.
“Not just that, it is America which still represents the first for us in terms of commercial relations in addition to the conclusion of military pacts and the purchasing of US military weapons in addition to the other types of American products which the Kuwait government has put trust in.
“This means that the statement which was issued recently by the US embassy in Kuwait over the pollution of Kuwait’s atmosphere is also right. In this connection, we elucidate that the American embassy in Kuwait, has recently announced that it is still going ahead in terms of monitoring the air contamination and has declared the air of Kuwait is no longer healthy.
“By doing so, the embassy aims to caution members of the US community in the State of Kuwait. In this context, we say the US embassy is actually obliged to give the right information in this respect, simply because the statement was addressed to the American community in the country.
“Such being the case, the embassy will not conceal the fact just for the sake of political courtesies or for any other thing. Ironically, the Kuwaiti reaction was represented only by the statements that were issued by some welfare societies.
“Or according to the environment activists, the relevant piece of news said the US embassy report in question is incorrect and the air of Kuwait is similar to that of Switzerland. They said the Kuwaiti government has equipment which can be seen as better than that which the US embassy is currently using to measure the air pollution.
“But the fact shows that we are perplexed. Can we believe our American friends where the study, the science, the knowhow and the technology are there or the government apparatuses or exactly the activists?
“As a matter of fact, Kuwait’s air pollution is not in need of measuring devices. The best device to measure it is the human body, where Kuwait leads in the diseases of the lungs, heart, lung cancer and respiratory system, which has claimed the lives of many.
“In this connection, the emission of gases and mismanagement of this file is not new. Rather than engage in media polemics and exchange statements, the government should make real efforts to combat air pollution, whether by moving factories, garages, controlling the cars, inspecting them and reducing their number, and other mechanisms that contribute to creating a clean environment.”
Also:
“The US President Donald Trump continues to threaten Ankara unless the US pastor who is under house arrest is released by Turkey,” Abdulmohsen AlHusseini wrote for Al-Anba daily.
“As a matter of fact, Trump’s threat is motivated by his responsibility as head of state to defend any American citizen who is subjected to any kind of challenge to his character and freedom.
“There are not as many as political issues as some people claim, but the relationship between the United States and Turkey is strong in terms of common interests and the two countries are North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members.
“Not only that, the United States of America benefits from its current Incirlik military base in Turkey and this means that the exchange of the military interests between the two countries still existing.
“That being the fact of the case, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in a position to end this difference between his country and the United States of America and this can be realized by the release of the American pastor who is currently detained in Turkey.
“In this connection, one may say it will have been better for him to do so instead of exposing Turkey to an economic collapse in addition to the collapse of the Turkish lira vis-à-vis other currencies.
“However, I do hereby see that the two countries will go latter towards the settling of their differences and eventually resume their normal relations as it was prior to the current crisis. In the meantime, the two countries will inevitably strive to maintain their joint interests where the relevant normal relations will be imposed by the joint interests.
“I think that the two countries will move forward to remove the dispute to restore previous relations to what it was before the crisis. The two countries should strive to preserve common interests and relations which will be imposed by those common interests. Countries still have compatible policies on Syria, where the United States and Turkey are involved in protecting the Syrian city of Manbej on the Turkish border.
“Apart from the above, there is also joint work in the city of Idlib and joint action on various matters between the two countries. Moreover, Turkey cannot continue in the relationship with Iran at the expense of Sunni Arab Muslims and even the relationship with Russia is not permanent, but there are several points of disagreement and may be one of these differences is to retain Bashar al-Assad as the president of Syria.
“In the meantime, there is a consensus in the relationship between Turkey and the United States of America and that means even if the countries whose armies are located in Syria to divide the Syrian state into regions and states, Turkey will not agree with Russia and Iran, but its position will be different as Turkey believes that its positions are coordinated with the US position on these issues.”
“I received a large number of messages that really satisfied me and confirmed what I wrote last week on the high quality of public hospitals in Kuwait and the sufficiency of staff,” columnist Dala’a Al-Moufti wrote for Al-Qabas daily.
“One message drew my attention. It came from a Kuwaiti woman who accompanied her sick husband for months at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital. She praised the excellent care provided to her husband and the skillful nurses and doctors. She pointed out that she is proud of the Kuwaiti doctors, especially the youths, as they work hard and devote themselves to providing the best medical services.
“The woman said her husband needed a minor surgery – cutting a small hole at the bottom of his neck in order to fix a tube to help him breathe. She disclosed the administration of the hospital asked for approval to conduct surgery and when she said she is ready to sign it, she was informed that the approval must be signed by one of the patient’s relatives but she is his wife, not among his relatives.
“The woman was astonished upon hearing this, adding that this year marks the 60th anniversary of their wedding. Can anybody believe that after all those years the wife is still not considered a relative?
“The woman investigated the issue to find the legal basis for not accepting the signature of the wife for her husband and the mother for her child. If a child needs surgery, the approval must be signed by the father, uncle (father’s brother) or the grandfather (father of the father).
“On my part, I researched on the issue and found out that a mother cannot open a bank account for her child without the approval of the father if she is divorced and the children are under her custody. She cannot even register the children in school without the approval of the father. Such laws are pro-men and unjust, especially for the mother and wife.
“I asked a lawyer if there is a solution and he said a lawsuit can be filed at the Constitutional Court, indicating that it previously cancelled the condition to obtain approval from the husband for his wife to get a passport. So, the ball is in your court, women.”
“The measures taken recently in relation to the Ministry of Interior’s file on referring accused employees in and outside ministry to the Public Prosecution and disclosure of other financial cases for which judicial procedures will be taken are worthy of support and encouragement,” columnist Waleed Al-Ghanim wrote for Al-Jarida daily.
“The measures are worthy of support provided the approach is general, comprehensive and continuous. Financial and administrative corruption issues are among the main reasons for deterioration of the national development process. These issues are among the biggest reasons behind the growing frustration of different segments in society and concern about the future of the country.
“According to the International Monetary Fund, bribery costs the Kuwaiti economy $2.1 billion annually as reported by the Anti-Corruption Authority. What if we add the abovementioned amount to the cost of other crimes such as embezzlement, fraud, commissions and wastage of public funds, how much will be the total annual bill?
“What happened in the ministry requires governmental evidence affirming the pursuit of corruption and corrupt individuals. The people of Kuwait have been waiting for such a new approach for a long time. The people have waited long for a strong and sincere approach to eradicate corruption, tear down the network of corrupt influential people, restore respect for laws and State properties, and ensure justice for all members of society.
“With everything said and done, we are yet to see the most important proof that it will not be business as usual for corrupt individuals once the crackdown on them transfers from the Ministry of Interior to the rest of the ministries, institutions and government bodies.”
“With great interest and admiration, I have been following the activities carried out by the Islam Presentation Committee (IPC) headed by Lawyer Maneef Al-Ajmi who has dedicated himself and his time with his companions for the invocation of Allah without expecting anything in return,” Talal Al-Saeed wrote for Al-Seyassah daily.
“He and his Kuwaiti companions in ICM are working sincerely, quietly and patiently without falling under any limelight. They put both the fear of God and the interest of the homeland as their top priority. They are a group of loyal and sincere citizens who stay away from sabotage, organizations, parties and owners of agendas.
“Apart from the above, they do not belong to any society or group but only to “Kuwait” party, raising the slogan “Allah, then homeland, and then Amir”.
“They like people and are loved by all. They have good relations with the residents and diwaniyas of Ahmadi Governorate and other governorates in Kuwait. They listen to people and they derive their strength from Allah and then from the benevolent people of Kuwait.”
“In his speech during the celebration of the Jewish New Year, Benjamin Netanyahu said the harmful nuclear treaty brought unintended benefits in terms of the development in relations with Arab countries. He described Israel’s relations with the Arab countries as friendly,” Dania Qlelat Al-Khateeb wrote for Al-Qabas daily.
“Of course, Israel seizes every opportunity to create disputes in the Arab world. Netanyahu’s speech was aimed at reducing the credibility of Arab countries. He indicated about some kind of normalization of the Israeli-Arab relations which will help in achieving peace with the Palestinians.
“Netanyahu said Arab countries asked for the Israeli recognition of Palestine as a condition to ensure normalization of relations with Israel. Actually, the idea of normalizing relations with Israel adopted by a number of Arab intellectuals will result in nothing but failure and will harm Gulf countries a lot.
“Some believe that Iran is more dangerous for the Gulf countries than Israel because Iran has greed when it comes to the Gulf countries, due to which they think we must stand by the side of Israel to face a common enemy represented in Iran. Such a way of thinking is far from logic. Enmity of Iran towards the Gulf countries differs from that of Israel, as enmity with Israel is much deeper.
“On the other hand, Iran managed to extend its domination over a number of Arab countries after it managed to obtain the sympathy of Arab people due its announced stances regarding the Palestinian issue and its support for the Palestinian resistance. While Iran was doing this, most of the Arab countries had adopted much lighter stances. Eventually, Arab people realized the truth behind the Iranian intentions and its sectarian project. Iran then lost the sympathy of Arab people after they were sure that Iran used the Palestinian issue as a tool to accomplish its extension project.
“We ask Arab countries not to fall in the trap of normalizing their relations with Israel due to the enmity with Iran. Arab countries must not give up supporting the Palestinian cause regardless to their opinion about the Palestinian leadership; otherwise their credibility will be negatively affected to a large extent.”