“I DON’T know why the Iranian leaders prefer to issue threats against the world during their visits to Kuwait,” columnist, former Editor-in-Chief of Al-Furqan magazine and the Deputy Chairman of the Islamic Heritage Revival Society Dr Wael Al-Hasawi mused for Al-Rai daily Tuesday.

“This happened last Wednesday during the visit of the Speaker of the Iranian Shura Council Ali Larijani to Kuwait. He warned the GCC states which are currently hosts to US military bases on their territories including Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. He added these countries must not transform their territories into launch pads for US troops to strike Iran. However, he confirmed his country doesn’t like to hurt the GCC states.

“Needless to say Larijani’s statement doesn’t only violate the diplomatic conventions, but rather it is a disdain for the host nation, because these type of statements constitute a threat. Hence, Kuwait should have requested him to leave the country immediately.
“If Larijani, who is also known for his commitment to diplomatic rules in the Iranian regime, has issued this type of threatening statements, we say the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was also once quoted as saying his country is the most important country in the Middle East region and the world at large.

“He added the Iranians are a source of inspiration for the whole world. He hinted his country will go ahead in its efforts to enrich uranium. By this attitude, the Iranian president failed to abide by the time schedule - until the end of the year — given by the Western countries for Iran to give its response to a Western proposal related to enriching uranium outside Iran.
“In this context, we cite a report which has been published by The Washington Post, which is close to the decision makers in Washington, in its Jan 31, 2010, issue saying the administration of President Obama is accelerating the deployment of a new defensive system in the Gulf region to encounter prospective Iranian attack. The report said the US Navy has also deployed warships off the Iranian coast.

“Apart from the above, the report says the United States America has also erected an anti-missiles system in at least four Arab countries including Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
“Meanwhile, the newspaper added this development coincides with the decisive turning point of the administration of President Obama towards Iran. The report hinted the measures have been taken following failures at diplomatic level to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear program. On the other hand, the American newspaper said Washington is currently drumming for international support to impose new sanctions against Iran.

“In light of the above, we infer the United States of America will not stand idle in the face of snubs from Tehran to repeated warnings from Washington calling on the former to relinquish its nuclear program.
“In the meantime, we believe the US will not use the GCC states as a launch pad to attack Iran, rather the Americans will most likely strike Iran from remote US bases from around the world.
“In spite of the above, we fear the GCC countries are likely to be exposed to Iranian attacks even if these states remain neutral during the prospective war between the US and Tehran.

“But we believe in the scenario that portrays the war against Iran will be ‘fought’ by Israel on behalf of the United States of America, because Israel sees the Iranian danger more than the West, and the Israelis have experience in attacking military objectives in some countries and this was evident by its attack on Iraq by virtue of support from US logistics.
“However, irrespective who will attack Iran, the latter will resort only to hysteric reactions by attacking its Gulf neighbors. Now the question is: are we prepared for such an imminent war? And can we prevent the United States of America from using our territories as a launch pad to attack its foes in the region? Are we capable of stopping the war in which we are involved on behalf of the West since a long time?”

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“In the wake of failures of attempts by the United States of America to achieve peace and progress in the Middle East, Washington is currently trying to threaten Iran,” columnist Dhari Al-Shamali wrote for Annahar daily Tuesday.
“As usual, the United States of America tries to push the Gulf countries in its prospective war against Iran. I say this in view of the missiles bases which have been built in the Gulf region by the US to fend off Iranian missiles that may be directed against this part of the world following any prospective Israeli attack against Iran.
“In this context, we have observed that many people have started talking about the Gulf region indicating if the latter is not a post box for the US strategy, then it will certainly be a missile base.

“However, reality shows the United States of America during the Bush administration and prior to the financial meltdown and failures in Iraq and Afghanistan and failure to stop the construction of new Jewish settlements on Palestinian territories, was more capable of attacking amid its war on terrorism.
“But for the time being amid many international developments represented by the West crisis with China on the background of the deal that was concluded with Taiwan, the arrival of Taleban elements into the centre of Kabul, the Iraqi parliamentary elections, we expect the US will behave more cautiously when dealing with some arenas where Iran has stretched its tentacles by virtue of geopolitical factors.
“With regard to Israel, we say its strategic centers are still busy with Lebanon and Hezbollah and Israel is not in a position even to resume indirect negotiations with Syria in view of a tension currently besetting with the Turkish- Israeli relations.”

“With due respect to our brothers the MPs who have submitted a proposal to hold an extraordinary parliamentary session to discuss the topic of unity in the country, I would like to point out that the proposal is doomed to failure,” columnist and MP Dr Hasan Johar wrote for Aljarida daily Tuesday.
“In this context, we elucidate the proposed session which is to be held behind closed doors is likely to witness an exchange of accusations among MPs and this ‘war of words’ is likely to spill onto the street.
“However, if the session was open we say it would be transformed into a meeting to consecrate national unity and respect for laws in the country. If the prospective session is held behind closed doors or not, it will be transformed into a meeting through which the MPs shall try to convey their message to their voters.
“As a matter of fact, the topic of national unity is not like an ordinary TV program beamed by a satellite channel, some of which concentrate to promote sectarian discords.
“HH the Amir in his addresses to the nation has concentrated on the significance of maintaining national unity but unfortunately his instructions have fallen on deaf ears.”

“Those who believe there is no cooperation between the executive body and the legislature and the slump which currently prevails in the country in spite of the Minister of State for Development Affairs Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahd’s ‘billions’, is attributed to the absence of cooperation between the government and the National Assembly, are definitely mistaken,” prominent Kuwaiti columnist and attorney Mohammad Musaed Al-Saleh wrote for Al-Qabas daily Tuesday.
“Although the statements issued by the ministers confirm the existence of cooperation between the executive and legislative powers as it was evident through an agreement between the ministers and the MPs to revise the Press and Publication Law and the Audio Visual Law.
“However, the proposed amendments revolve around the imposition of more restriction on the freedom of the press to such an extent any journalists who violate the provisions of the above two laws may be jailed for two years and fined KD 200,000, given the fact this money is good enough to establish a company.

“Anyway, it was reported recently that the government has changed its mind and decided not to incorporate amendments into Press and Publication Law not into Audio Visual Law and this is something not strange, because this government is the government of action and reaction.
“Meanwhile, we say the cooperation between the government and the National Assembly was represented recently by erecting a barrier in the National Assembly to separate the members of both the bodies from journalists.
“However, the Aljarida newspaper said there is no parliamentary headquarters in the world that erects barriers for journalists. Our nation is the first to undertake such practices to preserve the prestige of the MPs.”

“Kuwait will always remain at the forefront of nations by virtue of the futuristic vision and political leadership and determination of HH the Amir of the State Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may Allah protect him,” columnist Hassan Al-Muhaimzi wrote for Al-Sabah daily.
“Unfortunately there are people out there who specialize in hindering the development of this great nation taking advantage of any statement to provoke and spread rumors about ministers.
“We feel the pain because some people look at such issues as accomplishments from their personal perspectives to undo efforts exerted by the authorities over a period of time towards the development of the nation.
“We also regret to see these people issuing misleading statements to frustrate the people.”

“There is no doubt the nuclear power plants are of utmost importance to nation but they have also become a source for international conflicts in our time,” columnist and member of the Nuclear Science Club Dr Abdulaziz Yousaf Al-Ahmad wrote for Alam Alyawm daily.
“However, the job of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is to ascertain the so-called members of the nuclear club make good use of this energy. States that do not comply with conventions will be referred to the UN Security Council.”

“I wonder about our government’s keenness to disprove reports issued by non-governmental organizations in US on some of Kuwait’s policies and methods”, wrote Dr Bader Nadir Al-Khodari for Al-Anba daily.
“Most of the reports issued in this regard are prepared based mainly on news stories published by local dailies. It is widely known that these dailies are only interested in creating controversies in order to sell more copies. For this purpose they use many stories in which concerned activists ask the government to control issues such as sponsorship for expatriates.
“The truth is, many people who follow up the situation in Kuwait are not aware of laws and policies in other countries. In the US, for instance, a Kuwaiti student is not allowed to leave his university campus, even to visit relatives. If he wants to do so, he is required to obtain permission from the authorities first. This seems like a form of sponsorship to me, but I don’t hear anybody questioning it.”

“The political leadership in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are very keen on the interests of their citizens. They have bolstered study relations among the Islamic nations, prior to the international community. As citizens, we respect the supreme administration in both countries, while we willingly obey them. We are simply satisfied with their fair and wise judgments,” Hassan Mohammad Al-Ansari wrote for Al-Dar daily.
“It seems some individuals are just eager to incite chaos with the issue of entry ban imposed on religious scholar Al-Areefi. I am beginning to wonder the excessive support by Ameer Khalid Bin Talal to Al-Areefi in this regard, besides his interest in aggravating the situation instead of employing efforts to calm it. I do reject his interference with the national security. Revered Ameer, you are highly honored, so kindly stop interfering in our internal affairs and systems”.

“I apologized to the ‘editors’ of the Parliament and other journalists after many MPs excused themselves from the luncheon hosted by MP Musallam Al-Barrak at the party hall in the National Assembly building,” Mefraj Al-Dousari wrote for Al-Watan Arabic daily.
“How can somebody who has been claiming to be a defender of freedoms celebrate an alleged victory in a court case? How can he consider himself a public personality if he cannot tolerate criticisms from the opposition?
“Apparently, Al-Barrak wants everybody to be happy with his performance and policies. However, he should realize that disagreements are natural and symbolize healthy democracies around the world. We hope he follows in the footsteps of MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun who believes in freedom of expression.”

“The incumbent US President took the mantle of leadership in January 2009, which is a year now and one quarter of his term in the White House,” Abdullah Ismail Al-Kandari wrote for Arrouiah daily.
“Upon completion of the four-year term, there will be another presidential election and we are not sure if he can get a second term. I wrote this piece due to disappointment over escalation of crises in this region, contrary to expectations that things would improve under his leadership.
“People expected positive changes when Barack Obama was elected president of the US due to his Islamic background. They thought he would be passionate about the plight of Muslims, in addition to the general perception that he could be well disposed to the problems of the masses as the first black American president. The third and most important reason was the way he has been presenting Arab and Muslim cases, giving the public an impression that he is keen on resolving all the pending issues.
“Personally, I did not share the optimism of others. I believe the US policy is not determined by the president alone. It is rather institutional-based with strategies which take into consideration relations with several nations.”

“The weekly meeting of the Cabinet last Monday was hopeful, after the Cabinet declared the train of development has been launched and cannot be stopped,” Abu Khalid wrote for Al-Hurriyah daily.
“Apparently, the government is concerned with pushing forward the development plan, and it’s serious about getting the major projects executed. This is what citizens are looking forward to seeing in reality, after expressing readiness to make whatever sacrifice possible to fulfill development, due to long years of waiting. Hence, issuance of the annual plan 2010/2011 during the Cabinet meeting on Sunday indicates the government has become aware of the situation, following the inclusion of five public shares companies in the annual plan.
“There are several attempts by some lawmakers to drag the government into minor political problems. However, the government has realized such issues must not affect its national mission, and it has gained the trust of HH the Amir by focusing on its mission to attain development and advancement in the country”.

“The expected developments and advancement in the government’s plan cannot be achieved until different authorities in the government correct their mistakes and mend their ways”, wrote Abdulaziz Al-Qannaie for Al-Shahid daily.
“If government positions are being given based on a person’s tribe or sect, what kind of development are we talking about? The hope for a promotion in many government departments is based on the tribe or sect he belongs to. Moreover, educational institutions in the country have also become victims of sectarian ideology.
“If you are a Shiite, for example, and want to be promoted, your wish will be fulfilled if the top-ranking official is also a Shiite. It is the same case with the Sunnis as well. We evaluate a person’s performance in this country based on his religion and sect, instead of his qualifications and skills.”

— Compiled by Zaki Taleb