'Kuwait is not asking its former occupier Iraq to repay a multi-billion-dollar debt but only for assurances on security and good neighbourly ties, the Kuwaiti foreign minister has said.
"What we need from Iraq is security and assurances. We don't want money which is the last thing on our mind," Sheikh Mohammad al-Sabah told Al-Qabas newspaper in an interview due to appear on Sunday.
"Let me be very clear. We have not asked Iraq to repay the debt," said Sheikh Mohammad, according to an advance copy of the interview received by AFP.
Kuwait loaned Iraq an estimated 16 billion dollars during the 1980-1988 Iraq-Iran war.
Iraq's new leaders have repeatedly urged oil-rich Arab countries to cancel Baghdad's debt, mostly comprised of Gulf support during the war with Iran.
Sheikh Mohammad called on Iraq to help create the atmosphere conducive that could allow the Kuwaiti parliament to write off the debt.
"We want Iraq to be a good and safe neighbour," said the Kuwaiti minister who complained that some Iraqi MPs still praise former leader Saddam Hussein for invading the oil-rich emirate.'
25 comments :
It is the "Kuwaitis" who need to pay reparations to Iraq for their participation in the US invasion and occupation. The Iraqis do not owe them anything at all. Kuwait is an Iraqi city and in the future every head of the Sabah family will be chopped off. The next time Iraq liberates kuwait it will not let the Sabah family off the hook. They will be captured and chopped up and turned into dog food.
So what do you make of it Mojo, you speak the language, what do you think it means?
We could always use more dog food.
Do I speak the language or understand it? Or both?
I think it's another Arab American who puffs and pontificates about resistance and what should be, and it's all talk. If one observes reality, there are 72 Starbucks in Kuwait and a huge American military presence, with no terrorism.
C'est la vie. Iraqis have been cursed for decades by irony and hypocrisy from our Muslim "brothers" who pretend to care about Iraqis.
No not the idiot commenter, What do they mean by:
but only for assurances on security and good neighbourly ties,
Or should we read that literally, and live happily ever after.
For instance, you don't think it might have anything to do with Yemen, do you?
LOL, I thought you were referring to the commenter!
Yes it's a good question - what DO they mean by assurances of security and good neighborly ties, after many Kuwaiti extremists have crossed into Iraq to participate in the "resistance"!?
The Kuwaitis are an enigma, but most of them do understand the criminality of Saddam's regime, and they too fear the Baathist return to dominance. They don't want to be invaded again, no matter who takes power in Baghdad in March. Let's forget about money for now, they're saying.
You think there is a real chance of the Baathist returning, I thought that was just a conspiracy. They don't have the votes to win a majority in an election, or do they?
I heard Obama was using Baathist intelligence out of Jordan to help with the Yemen...think there is anything to it, and you don't think he would trade Iraq for intelligence about Yemen...too crazy to consider, right.
The neo-Baathist alliance may have up to 15% support among all Iraqis, in my estimation.
Then why would Kuwait be trying to barging with the Shi'a, and why now?
The Kuwaitis may be afraid of a huge Baathist win, or a coup. Rumors of a coup spread fast. The Kuwaitis may be covering their bases, no matter what happens.
Speaking of bases, the US has many bases in Kuwait, so the Kuwaitis should not worry about an Iraqi invasion anyway.
I think the Iraqis should respond to the Kuwaitis and suggest they forgive all remaining debts to them, since the Iraqis had nothing to do with Saddam's decision to invade Kuwait. All debts should be forgiven, and of course we will be good relations with Kuwait. There are many Shia in Kuwait.
Iraqi Mojo said...
The neo-Baathist alliance may have up to 15% support among all Iraqis, in my estimation.
Saturday, January 16, 2010 9:27:00 PM PST
So Says stupid from his ideal vantage point in the Castro district of San Francisco California
Mojo, the Baa3th poll 6% in Iraqi public opinion polls, or roughly one third of Iraqi Sunni Arabs (about 18% of Iraqis are Sunni Arabs.)
I don't see how the "Baa3thists" can get 15%. Do you consider Allawi Baa3thist? That is the only way you get 15%.
Yes Anand. I was thinking that an alliance between Allawi and Mutlaq could get 15% at the MOST.
Great we have two idiots who do not speak Arabic, have never been to Iraq, and have zero knowledge of the place analysing the puppet elections. Priceless.
Anonymous, the Iraqi Army already is the second best quality army in recorded Arab history. Only the Jordanians are arguably better. But hopefully not for long.
When Iraq has the toughest army in recorded Arab history . . . well you know.
"well you know."
Not really, could you explain. What does it have to do with the Kuwaiti's. Seems hard to believe that they would fear a new incursion after the US has made it clear that it will not allow such a move, more so today than ever with a standing army in place to prevent any such move on the part of the Iraqis. At least at this point.
Kuwait fears Iraq violence could spread - minister
Seems kind of strange that now they worry about this stuff.
"Let the Iraqis handle the Arabs their way."
Isn't that how we got into this mess in the first place?
Don't get me wrong, no doubt they do know best, but democracies are chaotic and scary on their own even with the best support networks, Iraq is surrounded by blood thirsty military editorships, and the rest of the world hate, or at least distrust the Shi'a for reasons I have yet to understand, not like the Sunnis are that great. They need someone's support, and guidance, not to mention the room to fail on their own. The US is still working our it's own democracy 200+ years and two oceans that protect it. Expecting the Iraqis to just up and handle the pressures and daemons is not really very realistic.
Oh and the US is going to reduce it's military presence from the current 150+ thousands to around 50 thousand. Not exactly abandoning the place.
Madtom, clear guide path to 4 US combat brigades from 24 US combat brigades and 6 coalition brigades at the peak.
50K is by September. Guide path to 30 K after that.
Madtom, every Arab army is a joke; other than perhaps Jordan's. The Iraqi Army is better than they are. If the non Iraqi Sunni Arabs keep messing with Iraqis; they will soon find out the depths of their mistake.
After reading the article Anand posted, it seems clear the Kuwaitis are genuinely interested in keeping extremists out of their country. But it makes me wonder why they released the ex-Gitmo detainee in 2005. That guy ended up suicide bombing ISF in Mosul.
Sorry, that article was posted by madtom. Thanks madtom!
"Oh and the US is going to reduce it's military presence from the current 150+ thousands to around 50 thousand. Not exactly abandoning the place."
I'm sure that's what the Iraqis and Kuwaitis want for now.
"Seems kind of strange that now they worry about this stuff."
Madtom, that article was a hatchet piece.
Consider that Baghdad had 1,500 violent deaths last year, according to "Musings on Iraq" (Mojo has it on his sidebar). This is a city of almost 6 million people.
By comparison, Ciudad Juarez in northern Mexico had over 2,600 violent deaths, almost entirely attributed to the drug war. This is a city of just over 1.5 million people, yet its death toll is almost twice as high.
If Middle Eastern countries are concerned about Iraq, what does that say about what's happening in our own backyard?
Reading that Reuters article, I can only draw up the conclusion that its "journalists" want Iraq to fail.
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