‘Documenting invasion, occupation’

‘Need to form team of experts’

“IT IS needless to say the documentation related to the Iraqi invasion and occupation of the State of Kuwait, requires the formation of a team of specialized researchers who are experts in academic research in addition to having the much-needed knowledge and experience in the old and modern history to guarantee good quality as well as the ability to follow up the events and place them in good stead in the framework of its appropriate context,” columnist Dr Saud Muhammad Al-Asfour wrote for Al-Qabas daily.

“But the documentation needs efforts from the concerned authorities and institutions which are specialized in collecting information to provide validity to historical issues.

“Apart from the above, the documentation process requires the researchers to be patient and full of determination to follow up the events from the very outset, complete with background of all the events from the very beginning and up to its end in addition to the dues payable by Iraq to the State of Kuwait as well as expected future relations between the State of Kuwait and Iraq complete with positive and negative aspects.

“However, the historical data, can be collected from many sources, including the official documents left behind by the Iraqi army in the State of Kuwait and are stored at the Kuwaiti researches and studies centers in addition to Gulf and Arab Peninsular Studies Centre, the State Archive in addition to many other research centers.

“Likewise, the events can be followed up through the destruction that befell the Kuwaiti government and private institutions and departments during the Iraqi invasion and occupation of the country.

“Meanwhile, we must keep in mind that many countries during that time had played their roles in terms of dealing with the events from the beginning until the end and this means we have to expand the base of collecting the required information and place the data in its right political and historical framework.

“In other words, the process of documentation must record the attitudes supporting the Kuwaiti cause at Arab, regional and international levels and this shall help establish the necessary future relations that should be commensurate with the attitudes of the relevant states towards the Kuwaiti cause.

“Apart from the above, we call for documenting the resolutions that were issued by the United Nations and other international organizations turning down the Iraqi invasion and occupation and supporting the international legitimacy and its role in liberating the State of Kuwait in a bid to place these resolutions in the framework of its appropriate historical context.

“Likewise, we should not forget the eyewitnesses to the event from the very beginning particularly those who lived the event and those who preferred to remain steadfast in the State of Kuwait throughout the period of the invasion and occupation, particularly since we know these people have witnessed and heard about the details of some events unlike those who had left the homeland during this period.

“In this context, we say the relevant topic requires the verification of the witnesses, their honesty and accuracy in narrating the events and this can be realized through asking the help of those who witnessed the same events.

“Speaking of the Kuwaiti martyrs, I would like to point here that we as a team of specialized professors in the history of the State of Kuwait, must hasten to get the documents on martyrdom and its background from the Martyrs Bureau (office) affiliated to the Amiri Diwan, given the fact so far 14 volumes were issued in this connection under the title ‘Prints In The History of Kuwait … The Martyrs of Kuwait … Their Heroisms and Sacrifices’.

“Apart from the above, we are currently involved in completing the bio-data of the Kuwaiti martyrs whose remains were recently located in Iraq.

“As a matter of fact, the historical role played by the Martyrs Bureau in documenting the bio-data of the Kuwaiti martyrs through a choice of specialized professors complete with historical minutes, should be actually placed in its right context and highlight the same through awareness and informational programs prepared covering the bio-data of these martyrs and their heroic roles that embodied the Kuwaiti people’s rejection of the Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait and its reasons and record a clear cut image about their heroisms … it is a genuine material that shall benefit all educational curricula of various educational phases.”

Also:

Dr. Al-Asfour

“It looks like the ‘Great America’ has failed to protect itself from terrorism which has been initiated and grew on its territories,” columnist, general manager of Scope Satellite TV Channel and former MP Talal Al-Saeed wrote for Al-Seyassah daily.

“It is this terrorism that targets part of its territories almost on a daily basis, the last of which happened in Ohio State and claimed the lives of nine people and 19 injured. The terrorist had shot the victims point blank.

“The terrorism in America shifts from one place to another, and it appears the concerned authorities are unable to prevent the same or even stop support for terrorists inside America itself.

“In this context, we say in spite of their failure to fight terrorism, they accuse the Gulf states of this menace and accuse them of exporting it. This happens although the entire world has confirmed that the Americans are incapable of countering terrorism and this means they are unable to protect their country and themselves from this menace.

“We recall when King Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ordered the first strike on Yemen, terrorism actually existed along the borders of the Kingdom and this means if it was ignored during that time the cost of getting rid of it would be tenfold.

“The determination and the courage to take the crucial decision has resulted in shifting the battleground to inside Yemen, not on the Saudi soil and this is a credit to the Saudi leadership, because the right evaluation of the reality is important when taking the decision to go to war.

“Although settling conflict in Yemen is something very difficult, certainly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has succeeded in keeping the terrorism supported by Iran within Yemen unless the Yemeni people settle the conflict and wake up from their slumber or from the after effects of ‘Qat’ (an intoxicant) and take care of their country to enable it to restore its happiness that it enjoyed before.

“Returning to America, this superpower still very much suffers from terrorism to such an extent, it has shown a deficit in fighting it. Not only that, when America finds itself exposed to terrorism, the authorities there don’t know what to expect or where the terrorists will strike next.

“Speaking of the Gulf countries, it is obvious the springs of terrorism are surrounding us from all sides. In other words, this part of the world lies between some states which are involved in terrorist activities and others are involved in exporting the same. Our countries are actually caught up in between the hammer of terrorism and the anvil of the human rights and other human rights organizations which don’t know the ground reality.”

“Twenty-nine years ago, Kuwaitis woke up to the sound of Iraqi guns and warplanes. Kuwait was occupied and its citizens were martyred while they were defending it until they withdrew to Kaifan where a severe battle was witnessed. The invading forces used all types of weapons including tanks against houses, killing many residents of Kaifan”, counselor

wrote for daily. “The invaders destroyed hotels and bombed Dasman Palace. Thanks to God Almighty, the legitimate rulers of Kuwait at that time were the Amir His Highness Late Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and the Crown Prince His Highness Late Sheikh Sa’ad AlAbdullah Al-Sabah.

“Kuwaitis were certain that God will turn the entire world to defend the Kuwaiti right. The invaders forgot that Kuwaiti citizens will stick to the legitimacy of Al-Sabah Dynasty since the time the latter started ruling Kuwait based on a social agreement and not the power of tank.

“A few days later, the words of the immortal King of Saudi Arabia came into the hearts of the people of Kuwait to relief their sufferings, when he stated that both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were now and before one united state and that they will either live together or die together.

“Saudi Arabia, other Gulf countries and Egypt opened their territories for the Kuwaiti citizens. The stances of Egypt, Syria and the United States of America represented by the President George W. Bush as well as the United Kingdom represented by Prime Minister Margret Thatcher constituted the core of the international coalition that defended Kuwait and its legitimacy, and led to the dismissal of the evil invasion and restoration of the Free State of Kuwait.

“Kuwaitis survived seven months of suffering either inside or outside Kuwait or as martyrs or war prisoners. During that period, Kuwaiti citizens declared civil disobedience but the invaders found no one to support them. Kuwaiti citizens kicked off the organized military resistance along with their daily demonstrations. Throughout that dark era, Kuwaiti citizens saw no difference between a Sunni or a Shiite and an urban resident or Bedouin.

“My message to the youth is to never forget the criminal Iraqi invasion. Always remain united as Kuwaitis in favor of your beloved homeland just like your fathers did. Stick to your national unity which represents the wall of defense against any external attacks. Your duty is to fulfill the Vision of New Kuwait 2035 and exert as much effort as you can to follow the footsteps of your forefathers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Kuwait.”

“On the 29th anniversary of the invasion, we return to the experience and lessons that Kuwaitis were supposed to draw from this painful memory and then behold to read their experience in the last three decades. Did they learn from the tough lesson and draw their way towards the future?” wrote for daily.

“During the seven months occupation, suffering and pain, Kuwaitis rallied and turned into an effective force, relying on themselves. They did everything they could to withstand and worked in various fields. They were not ashamed of any work. They distributed supplies to themselves, including bakeries and cleaners. At the same time, they resisted and disturbed the invaders.

“At the level of steadfastness at home, abroad, the “Jeddah National Conference” was the title of the meaning of national unity and how Kuwait could be a capable state whose political forces were able to differentiate between their internal strife for what is best for the country. They confronted the invaders by preventing them from realizing the objective to break up the society and ensured they did not find supporters to prolong their presence in the country.

“Therefore, everyone turned around legitimately. Newspapers were issued from the Diaspora (Riyadh, Cairo and other capitals). Kuwaiti diplomacy was active at all levels.

“In that crisis, there were no accusations made to settle personal accounts. The personal interest fell in the face of the supreme national interest, so Kuwaitis made their real national speech, which represented the world in the sense of national solidarity and true expression of a just cause. The world is like the image of Kuwaitis.

“This great picture has already been translated nationally after liberation, and in the past three decades. Has the national character been reconstructed based on the lessons learned by Kuwaitis during the occupation?

“It is regrettable that we look at events of these three decades and see a very different picture of what Kuwaitis were in their historical crisis, and the national solidarity has become a struggle for personal interests in which personal welfare takes precedence over national identity.

“The majority drown in the pursuit of everything that destroys the homeland, because some people see few votes as greater than the national interest. There is a lot of corruption in the institutions and projects turn into special benefits in the absence of real responsibility. We woke up with a rainy winter on a terrifying scene of poor infrastructure. It has been a harmful fraud in the past three decades.”

“The term ‘blue economy’ means good management of water resources and protection of the sea using sustainable methods to keep them safe for the coming generations,” columnist wrote for daily.

“Due to the great importance of the topic, a number of countries participated in the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference in Nairobi, Kenya with the attendance of 18,000 representatives of 184 countries. Blue economy is expected to double the growth of traditional economy by 2030 due to the fact that most countries are focusing on water resources through which energy can be produced and salty water can be desalinated. According to scientists, the oceans have definite currents in the form of rivers which can be used for producing electricity by fixing turbines on their way. Such energy is clean and environment friendly. Blue Economy includes many other aspects of wealth such as fishing and raising water animals which are linked to supporting industries.

“A study conducted by the World Bank revealed that blue economy contributes about $3.6 trillion to the entire global economy, in addition to supporting relevant businesses such as marine tourism which provides more than 6.5 million jobs. About three billion individuals depend on the sea in their daily life. The sea used to be the source of wealth for all Gulf countries. I think time has come to take advantage of the sea and invest in it as a sustainable economic source.”

— Compiled by Zaki Taleb