KUWAIT CITY, May 3, (KUNA): Kuwaiti government’s spokesman Dr. Mohammed Al-Busairi called here Monday on local mass media to ensure accuracy and seek official sources while publishing information bearing on State security.
Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly (parliament), Al-Busairi, who also doubles as Minister of Communication and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs, voiced dismay at the way mass media dealt with “this sensitive issue that has something to do with State security and internal and external security”.
He went on to say: “We hoped that the media could have appreciated the sensitivity of the issue.” “There are now investigations (into the issue) by different security agencies. Once such investigations are completed, suspects are to be taken to judicial bodies and Public Prosecution,” he added.
But, the minister declined to reveal any details of what he described as an “internal espionage network working for external bodies”, believing that revealing further details would surely affect the course of interrogations.
“I cannot give any further details as this could affect the course of investigations and justice. We are a state of law and legal institutions, and there is an independent judiciary, in addition to investigation agencies,” the minister said.
Asked if MPs’ statements about the “espionage network” contradict calls for avoiding insults to neighboring countries, the minister said: “Just as we urge mass media to ensure accuracy, we also hope MPs would give security agencies the chance to continue investigations. What concerns us now is to let justice to take its course.” But, he said: “Justice cannot take its course unless appropriate circumstances are provided. Therefore, mass media should not go into any further details.” Concerning a ministerial committee created to shore up national unity, the minister said the move came in response to an amiri speech during the opening of the current parliamentary session.
Al-Busairi added that the names of the committee members would be made public soon.
Responding to a question about parliamentary amendments to the privatization bill, he said the government is following up on the outcomes of the parliamentary financial and economic committee meeting.
“We have put forward some changes, and we are optimistic that they would be approved as a prelude to passing the bill in the second debate,” he said.
Regarding the bill on a planned fund for defaulters, the minister hoped that the bill would be given the thumbs up ahead of the end of the current parliamentary session.
Earlier on Sunday, the government spokesman voiced sorrow at the unreliable and incredible way local mass media handled a matter pertinent to State security.
Speaking to KUNA, Al-Busairi said: “No release or statement has been issued by any official quarter or source in this respect.”
Meanwhile, on financial cadre systems that are yet to be Okayed by the cabinet, the minister said only four cadres have not been approved yet and are now at the ministerial legal committee for further deliberations and settlement within just a week.
Regarding governmental amendments to the bill on labor and housing cities, he showed his government’s happiness at the parliamentary passing of some changes in several bills, hoping that other bills would be approved ahead of the summer recess.
In response to a parliamentary accusation against the government for reluctance to cooperate with a parliamentary committee while discussing the civil and social rights of bedouns (stateless people), he dismissed such an allegation, making it certain that the government is ready to attend the discussion of such a vital dossier.
The cabinet has even asked the Supreme Council of Planning to discuss and compile a report on the dossier of bedouns within three months’ time before referring it to the National Assembly, he added.
On a recent call by an Iraqi transport official for a meeting with Kuwaiti officials on the issue of Iraqi planes and compensations, the minister said the detention of an Iraqi plane in London lately “has something to do with final judicial verdicts at British courts, but has nothing to do with the relation between Kuwait and Iraq”.
He even reiterated Kuwait’s support for Iraq’s political process, stability and security. But, he said: “There are matters bearing on compensations and planes, which have been settled through final judicial rulings at British and Canadian courts. Kuwait cannot give up its rights, nor can it interfere into British judiciary.” Regarding pollution at Umm Al-Haiman, he voiced sorrow at students’ reluctance to go to school there in protest against air pollution caused by some plants there.
He added that some factories had been shut down at the area for failing to fulfill environmental requirements, vowing that other violating factories would follow suit.
Finally, commending on the nationality bill, the minister said the government would not mind any parliamentary remarks on, or amendments, to the draft law.