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POL-QATAR-CONFERENCE-KUWAIT
Closer coordination among regional states needed for
security -- Kharafi
(WITH POL-QATAR-NATO SERIES) (WITH PHOTOS) DOHA, Nov
26 (KUNA) -- Speaker of the Kuwaiti National
Assembly Jassem Al-Kharafi affirmed on Saturday
significance of collective action among the GCC
states against terrorism and the need for further
coordination at the level of regional strategic
security.
Terrorism is no longer confined to a certain country
or representative of a religion, thus there is great
need for joint action among states of the region
against it, said Al-Kharafi, speaking at a news
conference on sidelines of a conference on Nato and
the Greater Middle East.
He expressed deep satisfaction with the
distinguished ties with the State of Qatar at the
governmental and parliamentary levels.
Al-Kharafi also praised the GCC's works since its
establishment in 1980, but, while commenting on the
upcoming summit of the Gulf countries, he said,
"Results of the GCC summits have remained short of
the aspirations of the peoples of the Gulf
countries," urging these people to press for further
"priviliges." On the ruling system in Kuwait, he
said the relationship between the rulers and the
ruled in Kuwait is ideal. "We have declared
allegiance to Al-Sabah family since the era of
Al-Sabah I and there are no differences whatsoever
regarding the relationship with the ruling family.
"The Kuwaiti people proved their loyalty to this
family during the hardest times namely the Iraqi
aggression," he said, alluding to the national
conference that was held in Jeddah under the
chairmanship of the legitimate leadership of the
Kuwaiti people when the country became under the
control of the invaders.
On post of HH the Crown Prince, he indicated at a
recent statement by HH the Prime Minister, Sheikh
Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who categorically
denied any intention by the ruling family to make
any changes at this level. Asked whether Kuwait
would press charges against the head of the ousted
Iraqi regime, Saddam Hussein, Al-Kharafi said the
latter had committed genocides against both Iraq and
Kuwait. "Work is underway to prepare a special file
concerning the Kuwaiti charges against this regime
with regard of the genocides it had committed
against the people and the leadership of the
country." On the issue of compensations for Kuwait
for the losses incurred as a result of the 1990
aggression, the speaker of the parliament said some
compensations, particularly for the private sector,
have been paid, "but the bulk of these compensations
has remained under examination and assessment and
subject to dialogue." He re-affirmed Kuwait's
support for the stability of Iraq and expressed hope
that the national unity there would be maintained.
On the Kuwaiti women participation in politics, he
affirmed that the females would be allowed to
register for the next parliamentary polls due in
2007, in February, and expressed his belief that the
Kuwaiti women would be up to the challenge.
On proclamation of political parties in Kuwait, he
indicated that the law bars establishment of such
parties, but expressed his confidence that democracy
to be complete should be crowned with the
establishment of these parties.
Al-Kharafi affirmed the vital role of the joint Gulf
Parliament and indicated that the joint action among
the Gulf states could be further boosted with
participation of figures at this level.
On his perspective regarding Kuwait's ties with the
Palestinians, he said, "Despite the wounds of the
past we will not abandon the Palestinian people,"
noting that Kuwait has continuously aided the
Palestinians. He also called for backing Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas "in his quest to attain
rights of the Palestinian people." The question of
Jerusalem must not be exempted in any settlement
because it is an Arab and Islamic cause, he said,
hoping that Abbas would succeed in making a
settlement for establishing justice and peace in the
region.
Asked on NATO intervention in some security affairs
of the Gulf region, Al-Kharafi indicated that he has
no information in this regard and called for
expanding cooperation with the alliance. (end)
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