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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011
Local
Kuwait-US relationship aims to set stability in Mideast Seminar discusses changing political landscape By Nawara Fattahova
KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receiving the Chairman of Kuwait Transparency Society Salah Mohammad Al-Ghazali and society members at Seif Palace yesterday.
Kuwait hosts forum on river blindness KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of Kuwait Fund for Economic Development (KFAED) Sheikh Sabah AlKhalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Sunday launched the 17th joint action forum of the African Program for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC). The minister said in speech he gave at the opening ceremony, “It gives me a great pleasure to welcome you to the State of Kuwait and to this important meeting on the elimination of River Blindness. This significant meeting coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) in 1961.” “KFAED has joined the Onchocerciasis Control Program (OCP) on behalf of the State of Kuwait since its inception in 1974. Being the second largest development institution after the World Bank, KFAED is a key pillar in Kuwait foreign aid policy,” he added. He said that Kuwait has far exceeded the 0.7% of GNP (gross national product) of developed countries set by the United Nations for development assistance. “Our formula is simple, we invest in the well-being of people, over the course of five decades, the Fund has provided loans and assistance worth $15 billion to over 100 nations,” he added. “The Fund has extended development assistance for the implementation of over 800 projects in recipient countries in various sectors, primarily
economic and social. Recognizing the important role of human resources development in eradicating poverty and achieving economic growth through health and social services, the fund expanded its activities in the health sector in recent years and provided finance for the construction of various clinics and hospitals, including supplying them with modern medical equipment for screening and treating diseases in a number of countries especially low-income countries,” the Deputy Premier said. “Controlling diseases such as river blindness and other health problems is crucial to fight against poverty. Onchocerciasis does not only dis-empower humans by loss of sight, but also aggravates their misery and deepens their poverty by forcing them to abandon their livelihood resources in infested fertile lands,” he mentioned. The 17th joint action forum of the African program for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) continues till Dec 14, with the participation of 120 to 150 representatives of around 20 financing institutions, and 30 African countries, represented by their health ministers. More than 15 non-governmental development organizations, and representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, United Nations Development Program, and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are also taking part in the event. —KUNA
KUWAIT: Shedding light on the constantly changing political situation in the region, the Kuwait Diplomatic Institute (KDI) held a seminar entitled ‘US Foreign Policy in a Changing Middle East’ yesterday at its premises. It was held in cooperation with the George Washington University and the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). The first two panels of this seminar covered pertinent issues on the evolving situation. It was followed by an interaction between panelists and the audience. The event was especially relevant thanks to its newsworthiness. ”Since the beginning of the year, the Middle East and North Africa have witnessed momentous events that have been unrivalled since the achievement of independence by countries in the area. While nobody can be certain of the final outcome of the changes sweeping the area, one thing is clear: When the status quo is intolerable, change will be sought by people, even if they don’t have a clear idea about what comes next. Of course, ideally, change would be followed by a better alternative. We can only hope that these political ‘earthquakes’ will convince more and more people that democracy is the best shock-absorber,” said Ambassador Abdulazeez AlSharikh, Director-General in KDI in his opening remarks. At his keynote speech on the United States-Kuwait relations, Edward Gnehm, former US Ambassador to Kuwait and the Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs at George Washington University said that the relations between Kuwait and the United States is very close and is based on shared interests. “This relationship aims to set stability in the region and
to protect it against any aggression. It also aims to assure free oil movement, anti-terrorist and anti-aggression procedures, and to support the economic development between the two countries,” he pointed out. “About 25 years ago, Kuwait demanded US protection for its oil tankers, and this relation was strengthened during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, which ended with the liberation of Kuwait and signing of a bilateral military agreement to develop the ability
US forces have been present in the Gulf since the 1940s due to the importance of the Middle East region. Currently there are 40,000 US soldiers stationed in the Gulf region,” he fur ther added. Gnehm stressed there is a need to forge better relations with Turkey in the Gulf region. “The strengthening of GCC-Turkish relations and the role played by the Arab League will not affect or lessen the role played by the US in the region. They are also search-
there is a possibility of deploying special forces for this purpose,” concluded Gnehm. Marc Lynch, Director Institute for Middle East Studies, The George Washington University said that there are many changes taking place in the Middle East. The American interest has not changed, and will always be sober towards Arab-Israeli conflict, according to which the two countries Israel and Palestine will exist. This can happen in the long term,” he explained. “The Arab countries are now
KUWAIT: Dr. Nathan Brown, Ambassador Edward Gnehm and Dr. Marc Lynch during the seminar at the Kuwait Diplomatic Institute. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat of the Kuwaiti army through joint training,” added Gnehm. The withdrawal of American forces in Iraq will have a great impact on the region. The United States aims to strengthen its relations with countries in the region. “ The withdrawal from Iraq means the end of military activities. The US is not an occupying force, and the withdrawal from Iraq is not related to the US military existence in the Gulf. The
ing for an alternative to the American role in the region. The US military support for GCC countries will continue, so will the military presence in Kuwait and other GCC countries according to the conventions.” Regarding the economic issue he said, “The world economy depends on Gulf oil. The United States assured that there is no country that can affect ‘oil movement.’ In case it becomes necessary,
deciding their faith. Those who say that these changes may be bad for the US actually think these are good changes. Not all Arab regimes will fall even though some have begun reforms. Aggression is a ‘redline’ and the US won’t allow it. The US is acclimatizing to the changes in the Middle East, and the best example are the discussions held with the Islamists in Egypt who are politically active,” he pointed out.