Kuwait recalls French town’s hosting of nationals during Iraqi invasion
Kuwaitis become attached to Divonne-les-Bains since then: Diplomat
DIVONNE-LES-BAINS,
France: Kuwait will never forget the French town of Divonne-les-Bains’ embracing of its nationals in the delicate time of the 199091 Iraqi occupation, Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarrallah said. Kuwait remembers how Divonne-lesBains welcomed, supported and offered all facilitates to citizenry, who moved to it during this difficult time, to pursue their lives and study, Jarallah said on the sidelines of his participation in a function organized by the Kuwaiti embassy in Paris on Friday for Kuwaiti tourists visiting the French town.
“Since then, many Kuwaitis have become attached to this town due to its picturesque landscape and ideal location near the Swiss city of Geneva and the rest of the south of France,” Jarallah stated. He underlined that Kuwait also recalls the French government’s support to Kuwait and its remarkable contribution to the liberation war. The Kuwaiti official hailed the warm welcome of Kuwaiti tourists during their visits to Divonne-les-Bains every year. In addition to Jarallah, the ceremony was also attended by Chairman of the Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ali Al-Ghanem, Kuwait’s Ambassador to France Sami Al-Suleiman and a large audience of Kuwaiti diplomats and tourists as well as French officials and public figures, including Divonne-lesBains Mayor Vincent Sacttolin.
Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Ambassador Suleiman highlighted the depth of Kuwaiti-French relations and their great future prospects. He expressed appreciation to Mayor Sacttolin and town council for their welcome of Kuwaitis, who prefer to spend their summer vacations in their beautiful town. “Our choice of the second of August reminds us of the noble stance of Divonne-les-Bains during the plight of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait which started on the same day in 1990,” Suleiman said in a speech during the ceremony. “The town has provided all facilities to Kuwaiti citizens who stayed here throughout the seven-month-long Iraqi occupation,” he noted. He renewed Kuwait’s gratitude for France’s principled stance and support to Kuwait during the occupation ordeal and its participation in the liberation war. In a statement after the ceremony, Suleiman unveiled that he held a fruitful meeting with Mayor Sacttolin before the start of the function. He disclosed that they discussed efforts to bolster relations with the French town as well as investment opportunities in Divonne-les-Bains and Kuwait.
In the meantime, Mayor Sacttolin said that the remarkable Kuwaiti presence in town has given it a distinctive character. Divonne-les-Bains remembers those difficult days experienced by Kuwaiti visitors during the Iraqi invasion of their country, he said, recalling how the local community extended a helpful hand to the Kuwaiti guests in a great show of solidarity, especially with children. He also recalled how local schools had opened their doors for Kuwaiti children to enroll and continue their study. Relations with Kuwait have developed over the past years and began to take cultural, economic and humanitarian dimensions as the Kuwaiti visitors have become part of Divonne-les-Bains’ community that “We cherish and respect,” he concluded.