By Jumana Al Tamimi, Associate Editor
Published: March 18, 2009, 23:21
Dubai: The Emir of Kuwait finally stepped in to solve the political crisis in his country and dissolved the elected parliament Wednesday. Sources told Gulf News that the Emir, Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, has appointed the Crown Prince as the prime minister.
In a late night televised address to the nation, Shaikh Sabah regretted “practices” that ruined cooperation between legislative and executive authorities and announced the dissolution of the parliament. He called on the Kuwaiti people to elect a new House.
This new parliament, Shaikh Sabah hoped, would shoulder the responsibility of advancement and development in a spirit of cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities “which is the cornerstone for the development of any nation”, the state news agency Kuna said.
Welcome move
The appointment of the Emir’s brother, Crown Prince Shaikh
Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah as the new prime minister signals the return to a practice given up a few years ago to combine the offices of the Crown Prince and prime minister.
A top Kuwaiti source told Gulf News that he expected fresh general elections to be held in mid-May.
Meanwhile, analysts welcomed Shaikh Sabah’s stepping in to end the crisis which has plunged the country into chaos. “It is a suitable solution and a constitutional exit,” veteran Kuwaiti journalist Abdul Hamed Da’as said.
The Emir’s intervention was “necessary” to put an end to the crisis, as the democratic means were “misused”, Kuwaiti lawyer Labeed Abdal told Gulf News. “It was a clear and strong message to the three parties.”
“The MPs should follow the right ways to scrutinise the government’s performance away from personal agenda. The government should carry out its duties and react to quizzing requests as it should. Thirdly, it was a call to the people to choose their representatives,” Abdul said.
Political life in Kuwait has been paralysed more than once in the past few months as a result of the disputes between the government and the parliament over quizzing requests submitted by MPs to ministers.
Earlier yesterday, the Kuwaiti government approved a decree dissolving the parliament and for holding elections within two months, government sources were quoted by news agencies.
http://www.gulfnews.com/news/gulf/kuwait/10296218.html
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
‘Govt should approve financial rescue package at the earliest’
KUWAIT CITY, March 16: The government should approve the financial rescue package as soon as possible because many local banks and investment companies have been hit hard as they were engaged in borrowing, lending and re-lending operations in the global markets, says Labeed Abdal, Constitutional expert and Head of the International Committee at the Kuwait Bar Association. Talking to the Arab Times on Monday, Abdal went on to say that Kuwait needs to issue new laws to protect the local investment companies and public funds. Replying to a question as to which of the sectors of the local economy had been worst affected by the slowdown, he said that the sectors that are witnessing a slowdown include: construction and that it needs more governmental spending in development projects to revive the upward mobility of the economy.
“In essence, Kuwait should forge ahead with many important projects but sadly the Parliament is soft-pedaling on issues such as the development of Failaka Island, Boubyan Port, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Bridge and renovation of the Kuwait International Airport.” Abdal also said that the government was successful in convincing the Parliament to issue the law in protecting the fixed deposits in the local banks and that this gave big relief to local banks and individual investors. Abdal also said that the new law should consider the default in payment of the loans involving the citizens which many MPs are raising, as some banks illegally, started to file for claims against debtors.
To a question whether he was expecting any big job losses in Kuwait, he said that “It is already happening as many companies from different fields, education, investment, banking etc. have laid off their workers.” “Here we must say the Kuwait labor law is against any illegal terminations, especially if it was against the contract that does not permit decreasing the salary or making any deductions without the consent of the employee.”
Kuwait, including its GCC peers can weather the economic crisis, given their considerable money reserves in their respective budgets, he added. He went on to say that the GCC countries should shun protectionism and join international efforts to stimulate the global economy and that Kuwait should also channel its efforts in developing more international trade links. “I am of the view that Kuwait should use the current situation to make prudent investments and we have the resources to do so,” he added. He added that the UAE government was quick to render financial support to the local economy and that this move paid off because the foreign investors stood their ground and did not pull out their money from the market.
Abdal noted that the matter of the financial crisis is not only a local matter but also has an international dimension, given the “new extreme differences between the countries in the financial position, specially the size of the public debts, which will effect the size of projects and the employment in general.” “That might affect the whole world and could lead to a new era with big changes, like the emergence of a new world order which might make new powers start to appear on the international arena and others might disappear,” he added. “Again this requires strong combined efforts and advanced steps toward repositioning in the new global political changes which might come to surface as a result of the economical factors. This could have a direct or indirect bearing on global peace and security,” he concluded.
By Francis A. Clifford Cardozo
Arab Times Staff
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/client/pagesdetails.asp?nid=29959&ccid=9
“In essence, Kuwait should forge ahead with many important projects but sadly the Parliament is soft-pedaling on issues such as the development of Failaka Island, Boubyan Port, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Bridge and renovation of the Kuwait International Airport.” Abdal also said that the government was successful in convincing the Parliament to issue the law in protecting the fixed deposits in the local banks and that this gave big relief to local banks and individual investors. Abdal also said that the new law should consider the default in payment of the loans involving the citizens which many MPs are raising, as some banks illegally, started to file for claims against debtors.
To a question whether he was expecting any big job losses in Kuwait, he said that “It is already happening as many companies from different fields, education, investment, banking etc. have laid off their workers.” “Here we must say the Kuwait labor law is against any illegal terminations, especially if it was against the contract that does not permit decreasing the salary or making any deductions without the consent of the employee.”
Kuwait, including its GCC peers can weather the economic crisis, given their considerable money reserves in their respective budgets, he added. He went on to say that the GCC countries should shun protectionism and join international efforts to stimulate the global economy and that Kuwait should also channel its efforts in developing more international trade links. “I am of the view that Kuwait should use the current situation to make prudent investments and we have the resources to do so,” he added. He added that the UAE government was quick to render financial support to the local economy and that this move paid off because the foreign investors stood their ground and did not pull out their money from the market.
Abdal noted that the matter of the financial crisis is not only a local matter but also has an international dimension, given the “new extreme differences between the countries in the financial position, specially the size of the public debts, which will effect the size of projects and the employment in general.” “That might affect the whole world and could lead to a new era with big changes, like the emergence of a new world order which might make new powers start to appear on the international arena and others might disappear,” he added. “Again this requires strong combined efforts and advanced steps toward repositioning in the new global political changes which might come to surface as a result of the economical factors. This could have a direct or indirect bearing on global peace and security,” he concluded.
By Francis A. Clifford Cardozo
Arab Times Staff
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/client/pagesdetails.asp?nid=29959&ccid=9
Monday, March 16, 2009
قضايا الاختلاسات تتزايد في المحاكم الكويتية
قد يكون من البديهي ان يزيد عدد القضايا في أروقة المحاكم كل عام عن العام الذي سبقه، لكن هذه الزيادة يفترض ان تكون وفق إطار محدد ومعروف، فما نلاحظه اليوم ان هناك نوعية من القضايا بدأت تزداد وبشكل يومي في المحاكم وهي قضايا الاختلاس سواء كانت واقعة على المال العام أو الخاص.
في السابق كانت هذه القضايا نادرة ومقتصرة على بعض المسؤولين الذين إذا وقعوا في هذا المحظور يكون أمرهم مفضوحا لقلة وندرة هذه القضايا، أما الآن فإن مرتكبيها هم مديرون وموظفون وهو الأمر الأشد خطورة.
أهل القانون يؤكدون ان هذه القضايا بدأت تتزايد بشكل رهيب، محذرين من عدم وضع دراسة قانونية شاملة لا تكتفي بإصدار أحكام الإدانة من دون وضع حلول مساندة، بل انهم يشددون على ضرورة زيادة العقوبة القانونية على مرتكبيها، موضحين ان المشرّ.ع اهتم بالاعتداء على المال العام وترك المال الخاص كأن ليست له حرمة؟! بعض القانونيين ألمحوا إلى ضرورة زيادة الجهات الرقابية، وعمل تفتيش دوري على كل ما يتعلق بالمال العام.
ويبقى السؤال الذي تطرحه «القبس» على القانونيين لبحث الأسباب قبل إيجاد الحلول: لماذا تصدر المحاكم عقوبات الحبس على المتهمين في هذه القضية وتبقى المسألة في تزايد؟
في البداية أكد المحامي لبيد عبدال انه لا يمكن عزل الجريمة خاصة المتعلقة بالأموال كالسرقة أو الاختلاس أو النصب والاحتيال أو التدليس وخيانة الأمانة، عن الحالة الاجتماعية والمالية في الدولة.
وأضاف: «الجريمة ظاهرة اجتماعية ترتبط في هذه الحالة بالتفاقمات والأزمات الاقتصادية وأحوال انكماشها، إذ يترتب عليها قدر من التزايد الطردي».
وأكمل: «بل انها تتزايد مع كثرة الأزمات السياسية وضعف الرقابة من الدولة، بالنسبة للجرائم التي تقع على الأموال العامة المملوكة لها، وتتزايد التعديات على المال الخاص كلما زاد الكساد الاقتصادي، بحيث نكون أمام اتجاه شديد للتكسب بواسطة الطرق غير المشروعة والاحتيالية».
تطور الجريمة
وتابع عبدال: «وفي كل الأحوال لا بد من تزايد وسائل الرقابة بالنسبة لحماية المال العام، وإيجاد كوادر إدارية متخصصة داخل أجهزة الدولة للرقابة والمتابعة، بل متابعة تطورات أسلوب ارتكاب الجريمة، خصوصا تلك التي تقع على المال العام خارج الدولة، أو تلك التي تقع بواسطة وسائل متطورة وإلكترونية».
وأشار إلى ان زيادة الوعي أمر مهم أيضا، بالنسبة للحلول المطلوبة لحماية المال الخاص، والعمل على تحاشي التعديات التي قد تقع عليه، على اعتبار ان هناك جرائم تدليس ونصب دولية كبيرة وكثيرة، تتطلب الانتباه والتحوط من خلال الرجوع الى اهل القانون والرأي، لتجنب الآثار السلبية لها وما تسببه من أضرار، خاصة مع وجود مجموعات إجرامية منظمة في أوروبا وأفريقيا تستخدم كل الوسائل والوسائط للإيقاع بضحاياها عبر الرسائل الإلكترونية، وتعمل على إضعاف كل الوسائل للوصول إليها، وتتطلب جهودا قانونية كبيرة لمكافحتها ومتابعة آثارها.
http://www.alqabas.com.kw/Article.aspx?id=481452&date=16032009
في السابق كانت هذه القضايا نادرة ومقتصرة على بعض المسؤولين الذين إذا وقعوا في هذا المحظور يكون أمرهم مفضوحا لقلة وندرة هذه القضايا، أما الآن فإن مرتكبيها هم مديرون وموظفون وهو الأمر الأشد خطورة.
أهل القانون يؤكدون ان هذه القضايا بدأت تتزايد بشكل رهيب، محذرين من عدم وضع دراسة قانونية شاملة لا تكتفي بإصدار أحكام الإدانة من دون وضع حلول مساندة، بل انهم يشددون على ضرورة زيادة العقوبة القانونية على مرتكبيها، موضحين ان المشرّ.ع اهتم بالاعتداء على المال العام وترك المال الخاص كأن ليست له حرمة؟! بعض القانونيين ألمحوا إلى ضرورة زيادة الجهات الرقابية، وعمل تفتيش دوري على كل ما يتعلق بالمال العام.
ويبقى السؤال الذي تطرحه «القبس» على القانونيين لبحث الأسباب قبل إيجاد الحلول: لماذا تصدر المحاكم عقوبات الحبس على المتهمين في هذه القضية وتبقى المسألة في تزايد؟
في البداية أكد المحامي لبيد عبدال انه لا يمكن عزل الجريمة خاصة المتعلقة بالأموال كالسرقة أو الاختلاس أو النصب والاحتيال أو التدليس وخيانة الأمانة، عن الحالة الاجتماعية والمالية في الدولة.
وأضاف: «الجريمة ظاهرة اجتماعية ترتبط في هذه الحالة بالتفاقمات والأزمات الاقتصادية وأحوال انكماشها، إذ يترتب عليها قدر من التزايد الطردي».
وأكمل: «بل انها تتزايد مع كثرة الأزمات السياسية وضعف الرقابة من الدولة، بالنسبة للجرائم التي تقع على الأموال العامة المملوكة لها، وتتزايد التعديات على المال الخاص كلما زاد الكساد الاقتصادي، بحيث نكون أمام اتجاه شديد للتكسب بواسطة الطرق غير المشروعة والاحتيالية».
تطور الجريمة
وتابع عبدال: «وفي كل الأحوال لا بد من تزايد وسائل الرقابة بالنسبة لحماية المال العام، وإيجاد كوادر إدارية متخصصة داخل أجهزة الدولة للرقابة والمتابعة، بل متابعة تطورات أسلوب ارتكاب الجريمة، خصوصا تلك التي تقع على المال العام خارج الدولة، أو تلك التي تقع بواسطة وسائل متطورة وإلكترونية».
وأشار إلى ان زيادة الوعي أمر مهم أيضا، بالنسبة للحلول المطلوبة لحماية المال الخاص، والعمل على تحاشي التعديات التي قد تقع عليه، على اعتبار ان هناك جرائم تدليس ونصب دولية كبيرة وكثيرة، تتطلب الانتباه والتحوط من خلال الرجوع الى اهل القانون والرأي، لتجنب الآثار السلبية لها وما تسببه من أضرار، خاصة مع وجود مجموعات إجرامية منظمة في أوروبا وأفريقيا تستخدم كل الوسائل والوسائط للإيقاع بضحاياها عبر الرسائل الإلكترونية، وتعمل على إضعاف كل الوسائل للوصول إليها، وتتطلب جهودا قانونية كبيرة لمكافحتها ومتابعة آثارها.
http://www.alqabas.com.kw/Article.aspx?id=481452&date=16032009
المحكمة أجّلت القضية إلى 10 مايو لتقديم الدفاع والمرافعة
كتب أحمد لازم |
لم تكن هوية اثبات شخصية هي الشيء الوحيد الذي نسيه وزير التجارة والصناعة (الحالي) وزير العدل (السابق) أحمد باقر اثناء مثوله امس امام محكمة الجنايات للإدلاء بشهادته في قضية اختلاسات الناقلات، فقد نسي باقر معظم تفاصيل القضية، طالباً العودة إلى شركة الناقلات او المسؤولين عن القضية، مجيباً عن عدد من الاسئلة بـ «لا أعلم».
وبدا بعض التضارب في اقواله خصوصاً فيا يتعلق بالمبالغ المستردة التي وصلت - حسب قوله - إلى 100 مليون دولار، ثم تغير الرقم إلى 102 و104 ووصوله في حكم المحكمة البريطانية إلى 151 مليوناً، وبقيت علامة استفهام بلا اجابة عن مغزى تصريحه لصحيفة الوطن بأن جميع المبالغ استردت، على الرغم من اقراره بأن التصريحات حول قضية منظورة امام القضاء يضعه تحت طائلة المساءلة القانونية.
وبالعودة إلى تفاصيل جلسة الأمس، فقد أجلت محكمة الجنايات برئاسة المستشار عبدالله الصانع وعضوية القاضيين اشرف السقا ومحمد غازي المطيري قضية اختلاسات ناقلات النفط المتهم فيها اربعة متهمين إلى 10 مايو لتقديم الدفاع والمرافعة، وصرحت للمتهم حسن قبازرد والمدعي بالحق المدني بالتصوير.
وحضر وزير التجارة احمد باقر امام هيئة المحكمة وما ان طلب منه اثبات هويته لتسجيلها في محضر الجلسة حتى تبين له انه قد نسي جميع اثباتاته في المنزل فطلبت منه المحكمة احضارها بأسرع ما يمكن فقام بالاتصال بسائقه الذي قام باحضارها على الفور.
لذلك، جلسة 10/5/2009 لتقديم الدفاع والمرافعة وصرحت للمتهم وللمدعي بالحق المدني بالتصوير.
وقال المحامي لبيد عبدال الموكل للدفاع عن المتهم عبدالفتاح البدر بان المدعية بالحق المدني خالفت القانون من خلال تكرار المطالبات دون سند قانوني صحيح وخاصة مع تناقض اقوال الوزير باقر مع أقوال الشاهد بدر الكندري وهو ما يؤكد عدم صحة الاتهامات وسقوطها قانونيا.
http://www.alraimedia.com/Alrai/Article.aspx?id=118660
لم تكن هوية اثبات شخصية هي الشيء الوحيد الذي نسيه وزير التجارة والصناعة (الحالي) وزير العدل (السابق) أحمد باقر اثناء مثوله امس امام محكمة الجنايات للإدلاء بشهادته في قضية اختلاسات الناقلات، فقد نسي باقر معظم تفاصيل القضية، طالباً العودة إلى شركة الناقلات او المسؤولين عن القضية، مجيباً عن عدد من الاسئلة بـ «لا أعلم».
وبدا بعض التضارب في اقواله خصوصاً فيا يتعلق بالمبالغ المستردة التي وصلت - حسب قوله - إلى 100 مليون دولار، ثم تغير الرقم إلى 102 و104 ووصوله في حكم المحكمة البريطانية إلى 151 مليوناً، وبقيت علامة استفهام بلا اجابة عن مغزى تصريحه لصحيفة الوطن بأن جميع المبالغ استردت، على الرغم من اقراره بأن التصريحات حول قضية منظورة امام القضاء يضعه تحت طائلة المساءلة القانونية.
وبالعودة إلى تفاصيل جلسة الأمس، فقد أجلت محكمة الجنايات برئاسة المستشار عبدالله الصانع وعضوية القاضيين اشرف السقا ومحمد غازي المطيري قضية اختلاسات ناقلات النفط المتهم فيها اربعة متهمين إلى 10 مايو لتقديم الدفاع والمرافعة، وصرحت للمتهم حسن قبازرد والمدعي بالحق المدني بالتصوير.
وحضر وزير التجارة احمد باقر امام هيئة المحكمة وما ان طلب منه اثبات هويته لتسجيلها في محضر الجلسة حتى تبين له انه قد نسي جميع اثباتاته في المنزل فطلبت منه المحكمة احضارها بأسرع ما يمكن فقام بالاتصال بسائقه الذي قام باحضارها على الفور.
لذلك، جلسة 10/5/2009 لتقديم الدفاع والمرافعة وصرحت للمتهم وللمدعي بالحق المدني بالتصوير.
وقال المحامي لبيد عبدال الموكل للدفاع عن المتهم عبدالفتاح البدر بان المدعية بالحق المدني خالفت القانون من خلال تكرار المطالبات دون سند قانوني صحيح وخاصة مع تناقض اقوال الوزير باقر مع أقوال الشاهد بدر الكندري وهو ما يؤكد عدم صحة الاتهامات وسقوطها قانونيا.
http://www.alraimedia.com/Alrai/Article.aspx?id=118660
$100 million recovered from KOTC officials
$100 million recovered from KOTC officials
KUWAIT CITY : Minister of Commerce and Industry Ahmad Baqer on Sunday told the Criminal Court that Kuwait Oil Tankers Company (KOTC) has recovered more than $100 million from the funds embezzled by four KOTC officials.
The court then adjourned its hearing until May 10, 2009 to allow the defense team for the company and the suspects to prepare their argument.
Baqer added that part of this amount is the interest of the embezzled money. He also confirmed that he sent regular reports to the Cabinet when the case was heard by the United Kingdom legal authorities.
Baqer further said he cooperated with the Public Prosecution to restore the embezzled money and arrest the second suspect, Hassan Qabazard. The witness has also corresponded with the Swiss judiciary regarding the case. “However, I don’t remember the details of this issue,” he said, adding it can be obtained from KOTC Chairman Abdullah Al-Roumi.
Baqer pointed out he did not know the exact amount paid by Qabazard, but the information he obtained is relevant to the funds restored from the Swiss judiciary according to the British verdict.
Following the session, the lawyer for the main suspect, Attorney Labeed Abdal, told the Arab Times, the KOTC has violated the law as it had repeated claims against the suspects without legal reasons.
“This is evident in the contradiction of the testimonies of the two witnesses — Baqer and Bader Al-Kandari,” said Abdal.
He added this contradiction proves the charges against his client are not true.
During a previous session, former KOTC official, Bader Al-Kandari, said the total amount of money embezzled in this case is $100,475,000.000 and $85,532,000.000 have been paid back.
The session was presided over by Judge Abdullah Al-Sane.
By Moamen Al-Masri
Special to the Arab Times
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/kuwaitnews/pagesdetails.asp?nid=29947&ccid=22
KUWAIT CITY : Minister of Commerce and Industry Ahmad Baqer on Sunday told the Criminal Court that Kuwait Oil Tankers Company (KOTC) has recovered more than $100 million from the funds embezzled by four KOTC officials.
The court then adjourned its hearing until May 10, 2009 to allow the defense team for the company and the suspects to prepare their argument.
Baqer added that part of this amount is the interest of the embezzled money. He also confirmed that he sent regular reports to the Cabinet when the case was heard by the United Kingdom legal authorities.
Baqer further said he cooperated with the Public Prosecution to restore the embezzled money and arrest the second suspect, Hassan Qabazard. The witness has also corresponded with the Swiss judiciary regarding the case. “However, I don’t remember the details of this issue,” he said, adding it can be obtained from KOTC Chairman Abdullah Al-Roumi.
Baqer pointed out he did not know the exact amount paid by Qabazard, but the information he obtained is relevant to the funds restored from the Swiss judiciary according to the British verdict.
Following the session, the lawyer for the main suspect, Attorney Labeed Abdal, told the Arab Times, the KOTC has violated the law as it had repeated claims against the suspects without legal reasons.
“This is evident in the contradiction of the testimonies of the two witnesses — Baqer and Bader Al-Kandari,” said Abdal.
He added this contradiction proves the charges against his client are not true.
During a previous session, former KOTC official, Bader Al-Kandari, said the total amount of money embezzled in this case is $100,475,000.000 and $85,532,000.000 have been paid back.
The session was presided over by Judge Abdullah Al-Sane.
By Moamen Al-Masri
Special to the Arab Times
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/kuwaitnews/pagesdetails.asp?nid=29947&ccid=22
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Any dissolution of Assembly will delay much needed laws:Abdal
By Francis A. Clifford Cardozo
Arab Times Staff
KUWAIT CITY, March 8:
The local economy requires a
fillip and any dissolution of
the parliament at his stage
will cause more delay in
issuance of the much-needed
laws. This in turn will hit the
banking and investment sectors
hard, says Labeed Abdal,
Constitutional expert and the
Head of the
International
R e l a t i o n s
Committee at
Kuwait Bar
Association.
Abdal was
expressing his
views on reports
indicating that
the Parliament
may be dissolved
to avoid the grilling of the prime minister.
“If the grilling request is based on
valid grounds, then it can be used
against a minister or the prime minister
for that matter to monitor their performance
in managing public affairs,” he
added.
Abdal added that the country can illafford
another election and that both
the government and the Parliament
must explore ways to forge cooperation
taking into account national interests.
Abdal also added that there are many
pending laws such as the labor law, the
private-public partnership (PPP) law,
new stock market law, new foreign
investment law, information technology
law, advanced intellectual property law
etc, and these laws need to be passed
urgently to move the country forward.
He noted that the current grilling
requests from the members of the
Parliament can be considered
Constitutional and that it is the responsibility
of the prime minister in line with
the Constitution of Kuwait to provide
answers to the questions that are being
raised.
“Also, some newspapers reported
that the Council of Ministers might
request the Constitutional Court to give
its opinion about some aspects of the
grilling, especially matters which are
related to some alleged violations about
the mismanagement of the public funds
in the office of the prime minister,” he
added.
“In that specific regard and after the
Prime Minster decides to transfer the
mentioned allegations to the public
prosecution, practically, all powers must
wait for the results of the criminal investigations,”
he added.
“The government must take the lead
in submitting the laws needed to perform
and meet the local and the international
needs, besides carrying out its
existing programs with more meetings
with the MPs aimed at strengthening
relations.”
“On the other hand, the MPs should
avoid more conflicts and forge alliance
with the parliamentary committees.
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/pdf09/mar/9/page%2007.pdf
Arab Times Staff
KUWAIT CITY, March 8:
The local economy requires a
fillip and any dissolution of
the parliament at his stage
will cause more delay in
issuance of the much-needed
laws. This in turn will hit the
banking and investment sectors
hard, says Labeed Abdal,
Constitutional expert and the
Head of the
International
R e l a t i o n s
Committee at
Kuwait Bar
Association.
Abdal was
expressing his
views on reports
indicating that
the Parliament
may be dissolved
to avoid the grilling of the prime minister.
“If the grilling request is based on
valid grounds, then it can be used
against a minister or the prime minister
for that matter to monitor their performance
in managing public affairs,” he
added.
Abdal added that the country can illafford
another election and that both
the government and the Parliament
must explore ways to forge cooperation
taking into account national interests.
Abdal also added that there are many
pending laws such as the labor law, the
private-public partnership (PPP) law,
new stock market law, new foreign
investment law, information technology
law, advanced intellectual property law
etc, and these laws need to be passed
urgently to move the country forward.
He noted that the current grilling
requests from the members of the
Parliament can be considered
Constitutional and that it is the responsibility
of the prime minister in line with
the Constitution of Kuwait to provide
answers to the questions that are being
raised.
“Also, some newspapers reported
that the Council of Ministers might
request the Constitutional Court to give
its opinion about some aspects of the
grilling, especially matters which are
related to some alleged violations about
the mismanagement of the public funds
in the office of the prime minister,” he
added.
“In that specific regard and after the
Prime Minster decides to transfer the
mentioned allegations to the public
prosecution, practically, all powers must
wait for the results of the criminal investigations,”
he added.
“The government must take the lead
in submitting the laws needed to perform
and meet the local and the international
needs, besides carrying out its
existing programs with more meetings
with the MPs aimed at strengthening
relations.”
“On the other hand, the MPs should
avoid more conflicts and forge alliance
with the parliamentary committees.
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/pdf09/mar/9/page%2007.pdf
Monday, March 2, 2009
Israel feels happy about this notorious struggle
“FROM the 1980s until now we have been living in a religious era, given the fact the consequences of this experiment were not even in favor of the religious thought itself because during this we saw religion had seeped into politics,” prominent Kuwaiti columnist and attorney Mohammed Musaed Al-Saleh wrote for Al-Qabas daily Thursday. “In this context, if we see the situations which currently prevail in Muslim countries we will inevitably observe that these countries are currently suffering from instability, economic devastation and are in a state of war where citizens are killing each other.
“In Palestine, for instance, there is an armed struggle between Hamas and the Fatah Movement and Israel feels happy about this notorious struggle. In Lebanon, the Fath Al-Islam Organization is currently battling the Lebanese army in Nahr Al-Bared Camp of North Lebanon in addition to explosions carried out in Lebanon in various areas.
“However, before the ‘birth’ of Fath Al-Islam Organization, Hezbollah through its war with Israel had brought destruction to Lebanese infrastructure, given the fact this war has negatively affected the economic and tourist activities of Lebanon, particularly since we know tourism is the backbone of Lebanon’s national economy. Moreover, the war in question claimed the lives of many innocent people in the country. “In Iraq, religious organizations are killing the people based on their doctrinal belonging, while in Somalia the war between Islamic courts and the interim government still continues. In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood Group is involved in remarkable political activities which are likely to conduce to a state of turmoil, in addition to the state of instability and insecurity perceived in some other Muslim countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan and Indonesia as well as every Muslim country which suffers from domination by the fundamentalists.
“In this connection, we say even Israel which is a religious Jewish state currently rejects the international resolutions issued by the UN Security Council calling for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the occupied Palestinian territories to allow the Palestinian refugees to return home and boost stability in Arab countries. “In light of the above, we say politicizing religion or mixing religion with politics is the prime cause of the state of violence, terrorism and turmoil seen at the moment in various Muslim states.”
Also:
“The atmosphere in Middle East is currently gloomy never before witnessed by this part of the world. The Arab world at the moment is at the cross roads,” columnist, former Chancellor of the American University of Kuwait and the Professor of Political Science Dr Sahfeeq Al-Ghabra wrote for Al-Rai daily Thursday. “In Iraq, for instance, the situation is steadily deteriorating. Iran is currently holding key political keys including one for the Kurds, the Sunnis and the Shiites. In Syria, people are following up the prospective outcome of the international court to be formed to investigate the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri and the clouded political atmosphere which currently prevails in Lebanon, particularly since at the moment organizations are involved in armed struggle. “In Palestine in view of the absence of the state of détente, the Palestinian arena is currently witnessing a Palestinian-Palestinian fight amid a persistent Palestinian-Israeli struggle. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia many questions hover over the volume of terrorism and the armed groups in the country, particularly following the recent arrest of many suspects, while in Egypt a similar question popped up following the terrorist operation on the heels of a confrontation between the opposition and the government.
“Apart from the above, the Middle East is likely to witness a military confrontation between the United States of America and Iran over the latter’s nuclear file, and Washington and Tehran are currently in confrontation over the situation in Iraq and South Lebanon. “In spite of the above, the Arab world represented by the GCC countries and Jordan is currently resisting these situations in question, given the fact these countries are currently looking forward to achieve economic and developmental progress. “In this context, we say these countries including Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan are currently striving to preserve their economic stability motivated by their realization that their future rests in achieving the economic and educational reforms as well as imposing law and order and restoring human dignity. In other words, these countries are involved in intellectual and developmental resistance, but not a military one.”
“We pray for Almighty Allah to help the Iraqis to truthfully sort out their sectarian, doctrinal and ethnic discords and agree upon a unified constitution capable of unifying them under one banner and one homeland where all citizens can enjoy the wealth, oil and other resources,” columnist Mohammed Hatem wrote for Al-Watan daily Thursday.
“Meanwhile, I hope all Iraqi politicians must follow the example of India in terms of achieving national unity. As such we call on the politicians to pay a visit to India to familiarize themselves with the distinguished Indian democracy and its applications on the ground and how various ethnic, doctrinal and religious minorities are living under the ceiling of the Republic of India’s Constitution and this has resulted in every Indian citizen feeling proud of their homeland, simply because they are freely practicing their religious, doctrinal and religious rituals customs and traditions.
“Recently, there was a proposal calling for isolating North Iraq and South Iraq, but for us we believe Iraq should be for all Iraqis without discrimination. In this context, we cite the example of Kirkuk where one million Iraqis live — Kurds, Arabs, Sunnis, Shiites and Christians — given the fact that these Iraqi citizens have been historically living in their city peacefully without any ethnic, sectarian, doctrinal or religious struggle, but unfortunately this state of national concord which prevailed in this city began to disappear in the 21st Century.”
“In spite of the significant changes which surfaced recently in two major Western European countries followed by the election of a new president in France and the resignation of Britain’s prime minister Tony Blair which will become effective on June 30, 2007, we have observed two significant points — the first is the ruling out of the eruption of a new war in the Gulf region and this could mostly attributed to attempts currently exerted by France and some European countries to restore European role in the international arena, given the fact this role is based on excluding any new war in this part of the world and eventually boosting economic relations in the region in a bid to transform the same into a prospective economic market to promote West European products,”
***Columnist Labeed Abdal wrote for Al-Qabas daily Friday.
“While the second point is represented by the absence of pre-emptive clarification of the British Cabinet’s new leadership, particularly in terms of the prospective war in this part of the world which is likely to be directed against Iran.
“In this context, we cite the difficulties faced by the incumbent British government during the war on Iraq represented by a popular British information opposition against the said war.
“Not just that, the Britons still oppose the idea of a new war in the Gulf and sending more British troops to this part of the world and this per se signifies the difficulties that shall face any new global mobilization that may aim at waging any prospective war in the Gulf region.”
“What occurred recently on the floor of the National Assembly — the outbursts among some MPs may raise a question, the type of question that has been repeatedly raised by us about the belief in the democratic method, the respect for opinions of others and the dialogue in the framework of a significant awareness that should rise to the responsibility of the MP in the National Assembly,” columnist Fahd Al-Hindal wrote for Al-Rai daily Friday.
“Needless to say an MP isn’t an infallible human being, but it goes without saying popular representation should be free of any defect, let alone the MPs after being elected to the Parliament must strive to establish a healthy relationship with each other as well as the government in the interest of the nation, particularly since we know the National Assembly is a constitutional institution which has been empowered to enact laws and legislation and control the performance of the executive.
“In other words, for a citizen the MPs are not elected to flex their muscles and exchanging vulgar and indecent words or accusing each other of corruption, rather these MPs have been elected to shoulder their responsibilities in the service of the nations and its citizens.”
— Compiled by Zaki Taleb
“In Palestine, for instance, there is an armed struggle between Hamas and the Fatah Movement and Israel feels happy about this notorious struggle. In Lebanon, the Fath Al-Islam Organization is currently battling the Lebanese army in Nahr Al-Bared Camp of North Lebanon in addition to explosions carried out in Lebanon in various areas.
“However, before the ‘birth’ of Fath Al-Islam Organization, Hezbollah through its war with Israel had brought destruction to Lebanese infrastructure, given the fact this war has negatively affected the economic and tourist activities of Lebanon, particularly since we know tourism is the backbone of Lebanon’s national economy. Moreover, the war in question claimed the lives of many innocent people in the country. “In Iraq, religious organizations are killing the people based on their doctrinal belonging, while in Somalia the war between Islamic courts and the interim government still continues. In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood Group is involved in remarkable political activities which are likely to conduce to a state of turmoil, in addition to the state of instability and insecurity perceived in some other Muslim countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan and Indonesia as well as every Muslim country which suffers from domination by the fundamentalists.
“In this connection, we say even Israel which is a religious Jewish state currently rejects the international resolutions issued by the UN Security Council calling for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the occupied Palestinian territories to allow the Palestinian refugees to return home and boost stability in Arab countries. “In light of the above, we say politicizing religion or mixing religion with politics is the prime cause of the state of violence, terrorism and turmoil seen at the moment in various Muslim states.”
Also:
“The atmosphere in Middle East is currently gloomy never before witnessed by this part of the world. The Arab world at the moment is at the cross roads,” columnist, former Chancellor of the American University of Kuwait and the Professor of Political Science Dr Sahfeeq Al-Ghabra wrote for Al-Rai daily Thursday. “In Iraq, for instance, the situation is steadily deteriorating. Iran is currently holding key political keys including one for the Kurds, the Sunnis and the Shiites. In Syria, people are following up the prospective outcome of the international court to be formed to investigate the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri and the clouded political atmosphere which currently prevails in Lebanon, particularly since at the moment organizations are involved in armed struggle. “In Palestine in view of the absence of the state of détente, the Palestinian arena is currently witnessing a Palestinian-Palestinian fight amid a persistent Palestinian-Israeli struggle. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia many questions hover over the volume of terrorism and the armed groups in the country, particularly following the recent arrest of many suspects, while in Egypt a similar question popped up following the terrorist operation on the heels of a confrontation between the opposition and the government.
“Apart from the above, the Middle East is likely to witness a military confrontation between the United States of America and Iran over the latter’s nuclear file, and Washington and Tehran are currently in confrontation over the situation in Iraq and South Lebanon. “In spite of the above, the Arab world represented by the GCC countries and Jordan is currently resisting these situations in question, given the fact these countries are currently looking forward to achieve economic and developmental progress. “In this context, we say these countries including Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan are currently striving to preserve their economic stability motivated by their realization that their future rests in achieving the economic and educational reforms as well as imposing law and order and restoring human dignity. In other words, these countries are involved in intellectual and developmental resistance, but not a military one.”
“We pray for Almighty Allah to help the Iraqis to truthfully sort out their sectarian, doctrinal and ethnic discords and agree upon a unified constitution capable of unifying them under one banner and one homeland where all citizens can enjoy the wealth, oil and other resources,” columnist Mohammed Hatem wrote for Al-Watan daily Thursday.
“Meanwhile, I hope all Iraqi politicians must follow the example of India in terms of achieving national unity. As such we call on the politicians to pay a visit to India to familiarize themselves with the distinguished Indian democracy and its applications on the ground and how various ethnic, doctrinal and religious minorities are living under the ceiling of the Republic of India’s Constitution and this has resulted in every Indian citizen feeling proud of their homeland, simply because they are freely practicing their religious, doctrinal and religious rituals customs and traditions.
“Recently, there was a proposal calling for isolating North Iraq and South Iraq, but for us we believe Iraq should be for all Iraqis without discrimination. In this context, we cite the example of Kirkuk where one million Iraqis live — Kurds, Arabs, Sunnis, Shiites and Christians — given the fact that these Iraqi citizens have been historically living in their city peacefully without any ethnic, sectarian, doctrinal or religious struggle, but unfortunately this state of national concord which prevailed in this city began to disappear in the 21st Century.”
“In spite of the significant changes which surfaced recently in two major Western European countries followed by the election of a new president in France and the resignation of Britain’s prime minister Tony Blair which will become effective on June 30, 2007, we have observed two significant points — the first is the ruling out of the eruption of a new war in the Gulf region and this could mostly attributed to attempts currently exerted by France and some European countries to restore European role in the international arena, given the fact this role is based on excluding any new war in this part of the world and eventually boosting economic relations in the region in a bid to transform the same into a prospective economic market to promote West European products,”
***Columnist Labeed Abdal wrote for Al-Qabas daily Friday.
“While the second point is represented by the absence of pre-emptive clarification of the British Cabinet’s new leadership, particularly in terms of the prospective war in this part of the world which is likely to be directed against Iran.
“In this context, we cite the difficulties faced by the incumbent British government during the war on Iraq represented by a popular British information opposition against the said war.
“Not just that, the Britons still oppose the idea of a new war in the Gulf and sending more British troops to this part of the world and this per se signifies the difficulties that shall face any new global mobilization that may aim at waging any prospective war in the Gulf region.”
“What occurred recently on the floor of the National Assembly — the outbursts among some MPs may raise a question, the type of question that has been repeatedly raised by us about the belief in the democratic method, the respect for opinions of others and the dialogue in the framework of a significant awareness that should rise to the responsibility of the MP in the National Assembly,” columnist Fahd Al-Hindal wrote for Al-Rai daily Friday.
“Needless to say an MP isn’t an infallible human being, but it goes without saying popular representation should be free of any defect, let alone the MPs after being elected to the Parliament must strive to establish a healthy relationship with each other as well as the government in the interest of the nation, particularly since we know the National Assembly is a constitutional institution which has been empowered to enact laws and legislation and control the performance of the executive.
“In other words, for a citizen the MPs are not elected to flex their muscles and exchanging vulgar and indecent words or accusing each other of corruption, rather these MPs have been elected to shoulder their responsibilities in the service of the nations and its citizens.”
— Compiled by Zaki Taleb
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