‘Palestinian issue stands foremost’

‘Kuwait pressurized to normalize ties’

“THE State of Kuwait has and continues to place the issues of the Arab world in general and the Palestinian cause in particular at the top of its priorities,” columnist, the Chairman of The Arab and The International Relations Council and the former MP Mohammad Jassem Al-Saqer wrote for Al-Jarida daily.

“That being the case, those who attempt to cast doubts over the approach of Kuwait towards the Palestinian cause are only those who have ‘blind hearts’ to achieve their whims and fancies.

“In other words, the eye of any sagacious and the heart of any smart person will inevitably observe how the pillars of the Kuwaiti foreign policy were built by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, since the very beginning of his involvement in politics and its channels based on realizing the risks taking place around, so we found how His Highness build a fort with wisdom, balance, moderation for supporting the right.

“Post the significant successes that have been realized by the march of the Kuwaiti foreign policy which always walks a straight line free of any curve and void of any doubt particularly in the wake of the country’s liberation from the Iraqi invasion and this was evident through the progress that has been made by this policy in terms of defending human issues throughout the world.

“Given the above, we wonder, will any fair-minded person direct any criticism or cast any unjustifiable doubt on the picture of the Kuwaiti representative to the recent ‘Warsaw Conference’? Is it logical to see some people motivated by their fanaticism leveling charges at the State of Kuwait accusing it of relinquishing the basics of the nation and its issues in spite of all actions that were taken by it in favor of its Arab nation?

“It is needless to say the participation of the State of Kuwait in the conference (Warsaw Conference) with a low level of representation compared to that of the relevant Arab sisterly states, was very logical. Moreover, this participation was in the framework of its attitude towards the Palestinian cause.

“We wonder what mistake the State of Kuwait has committed. Should Kuwait’s representative to the conference not been part of the group picture and cause embarrassment for his country in front of the United States as well the host country, Poland?

“Should he, while representing his country hasten to mar the conference which was held to discuss the issues of the region, in which many people had expressed their optimism in this conference and were hoping that the latter will open a new era of peace in the region in addition to settling the issues topped by the Palestinian cause?

“However, let us presume and concede the soundness of their logic and their viewpoint calling for the withdrawal from any international forum that may be attended by the Zionist entity, then this shall entail that the State of Kuwait should withdraw from all international organizations such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) in addition to all international sports unions and live far away from the entire world and ultimately lose every forum through which it can announce its attitude. Is this what ‘you’ want? Can we bring the camel to the water in this way and force it to drink?

“Anyway, it would have been better for every jealous person – some of our MPs instead of leveling criticism and fomenting crisis – to call for a meeting between the government and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly as the usual mechanism requires to deal with this type of issues to ask (the government) the aim of its participation in the conference in question as well as about the high interests behind such a participation.

“In conclusion, we say, please don’t outbid the State of Kuwait in terms of the Palestinian cause, because it is the State of Kuwait which has always been and is always keen about this cause. It is the State of Kuwait which had founded the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (FATH) on its territories, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) will not forget that, but the question is, how you (some MPs) are forgetting the same?

“In this connection, you are requested to remember how the State of Kuwait defended the rights of the Palestinians when it got a seat at the United Nations Security Council. Keep in mind that His Highness the Amir of the country has his own Islamic and nationalistic ideals that would have never been affected by any conference, invitation talks. Likewise, you have to bear in mind also that not everything known must be declared.”

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Al-Saqer

“The State of Kuwait is currently under strong pressure, more than its neighbors, to accept the preamble of normalizing ties with the Israeli enemy,” columnist Waleed Ibrahim Al-Ahmad wrote for Al-Rai daily.

“This happens because the State of Kuwait is still committed to its attitude towards the Palestinian cause of rejecting and shaking hands with the enemy and this was evident through its official attitudes at the international forums in general and at the United Nations in particularly.

“This attitude is in harmony with the popular Kuwaiti attitude which was expressed recently by the Speaker of National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanim before the General Assembly of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) when he condemned the violations committed by the Israeli authorities against the Palestinians. This attitude angered the Israeli delegation participating in the event and the delegation members left the conference.

“A few days ago in line with the same pressure, it was rumored that the Kuwaiti delegation had met the Israeli delegation on the sidelines of the ministerial conference in Warsaw – the conference that was held to promote peace and security in the Middle East.

“This rumor resulted in the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizing that the Kuwaiti delegation to the Warsaw Conference had avoided meeting the delegation of the Israeli enemy, and to the contrary confirmed the principle and attitude of the State of Kuwait towards normalization of ties which is a far cry.

“In this connection, we suggest that we have to put our trust in our government and reject the normalization of ties and this can be realized by organizing popular rallies and seminars to support the official Kuwaiti attitude.

“Through such popular attitudes of rejecting the normalization of ties, the State of Kuwait can send a clear cut message to the West in general and to the United States in particular that the official attitude will not contradict with the popular demand which constitutes a support for the government in case the pressures increases.

“We say the above, because we have observed that some people who introduce themselves as media men and are seeking fame in addition to some others who are promoting Zionism have started poking their noses to cause embarrassment for the country through their calls for normalization of ties with Israel and open an embassy in addition to entering into commercial exchange on the pretext of peaceful coexistence, security, peace and so on – the terms that we have nothing to do with reality.”

“Ministry of Health announced a few days ago that the sum received from expatriates by the government in health insurance fees in just two years added up to 176 million Kuwaiti dinars, which is good and reasonable for a state that is supposed to provide free health service for all,” Zayed Al-Zaid wrote for Al-Nahar daily.

“What I have noticed is the comparison between the aforementioned sum and the ongoing lawsuits to restrict health services provided to expatriates amid decisions to increase the excessive fees in government hospitals. The situation has reached the extent whereby some cleaning and construction workers – who receive the lowest rate of wages in the society – are now reluctant to go for treatment and prefer to treat themselves in unhealthy ways, according to the testimonies of many doctors. One of those poor people even refused to conduct an operation for fear of paying high fees to be deducted by his sponsor while suffering from a terminal illness.

“We do not want to deny the State’s efforts to provide excellent health services to all those living on this land, but at the same time, we advocate humanity for expatriates and also remind some people that health services provided by the State to expatriates have been paid for through the health insurance fees. The idea of increasing the fee despite the existence of health insurance is a harmful process in health sector and to national development, because an expatriate who is not assured of his health and treatment cannot do his job in the best way.

“We call on the Ministry of Health to utilize the fees paid in health insurance to establish private hospitals for expatriates at the highest level and to make private sector an operator with very strict control to ensure that greedy health companies do not tamper with the health of expatriates. The State is determined to provide excellent health services to expatriates without paying more than what they have paid for health insurance. The State can obtain funds by imposing tax on the companies operating these hospitals while providing new investment and employment opportunities for citizens.

“In conclusion, there is no sane person who does not want his citizens to receive excellent health services, but on our way to seek better health services and quality of the health sector, we should not forget that we live with more than 3 million expatriates who serve this country and contribute to its development . The improvement of health services should not be achieved through emergence of these, because in principle, it is inhuman and unethical, while in terms of interest, it harms us in the medium and long term.”

“I feel deeply sorry to see in February, precisely at the height of the National Day celebrations and the joy we feel, some strange practices in our society! We celebrate independence and liberation yet in the midst of these beautiful feelings, we see some cars from which Iraqi songs are blaring!” Kholoud Al-Dohaim wrote for Al-Shahed daily.

“Why?! We celebrate the day of liberation from the brutal Iraqi invasion of our beloved country but some contradict this joy! It hurts us that some people impose on us to hear Iraqi songs!! From my point of view, this is inappropriate behavior. We need educational courses that can help preserve patriotism, not tamper with or crack it!

“Compatriot, you can hear what you want freely, but do not infringe on the freedom of others, so you can reduce the sound of these songs as you drive your car and do not force us to hear them, so as not to distort the beautiful picture, patriotic spirit and feelings of national festivities.

“Celebrate with advancement holding the flag or pictures of the Amir and Crown Prince to manifest a beautiful picture of our country to visitors. The homeland is associated with love, sacrifice and conscience stemming from the heart. Love for the homeland is a responsibility and a message entrusted by transferring pictures of your father to the children and grandchildren.

“Also, refrain from harassing people on this day by spraying white foam and water on cars, obstructing traffic and causing many bitter accidents that may lead to loss of life, thereby, turning joy into sadness and misery!

“We hope to see the streets are well organized with application of the law on all those who engage in unruly activities. Recently, I was walking around Keifan Park and saw a billboard that drew my attention to pictures of the martyrs. This is an excellent gesture to commemorate their good memories and heroism. So, we hope to see these pictures with their names in all the gardens, complexes and schools in the country.

“This is in addition to teaching our children that this homeland was once stolen and returned through the strength and rigidity of its citizens who acted in cohesion, solidarity and cooperation. They sacrificed their blood and soul for the homeland to ensure its return, while proving that Kuwaiti citizens are intelligent, have enough experience and endurance to deter the enemy, and are able to cope with crises. The brutal invasion of Iraq is the biggest proof.”

“Democracy as a system of government is not old but a product of social transformation in the world and a timesummary. Democracy is not the end of history but part of its process. It is the latest of human thought in good governance. It is not the best form of government, as it has many flaws but remains the best system available,” Professor Ghanim Al-Najjar wrote for Al-Jarida daily.

“Principles of justice, equality, separation of powers, rule of law, political participation, elections and human rights are all new concepts in history but people treat them as if they are postulates and the origin, though they are the product of human evolution needed for improved performance. The West has neither been created democratically nor has it come into being just, and its powers have been separated only recently. The West is suffering from serious challenges to democracy in this era.

“Therefore, many western countries have recently fallen in the indicators of democracy. The West, more than any other entity, was engaged in uncompromising wars to consolidate the dictatorship and its products such as Nazism, Fascism, Francoism, and others. Until recently, wars were not about democracy but domination and control over resources, whatever the claim might be.

“The principles of democracy began to form and settle only in the middle of the last century, and then suffered a sharp setback during the two world wars. When the Second World War ended, democracy plunged into the Cold War, and the values of non-democracy as McCarthyism spread in America. When the Arabs received democracy, they treated it as a foreign product, while it was a human product, around which there was conflict in the West as well as in the East.

“For example, the Arabs insisted on preserving the form of their ruling regimes, and with various pretexts such as identity, on an impossible attempt, namely “Arabization of democracy.”

“In other words, formal acceptance of the external structure and rejection of internal values such as justice, equality, separation of powers, public and private freedoms, rotation of governance and so on. The crow that was trying to imitate the dove did not succeed in this and forgot about its walk. Therefore, the Arabs remained at the bottom of the indicators of democracy, and they do not seem to depart from it in the foreseeable future as we shall see.”

— Compiled by Zaki Taleb