KUWAIT CITY, April 9: Kuwait is keen on waging war against terrorism and its ramifications, reports Al-Anba daily quoting Direc-tor of Coordination and Follow-up De-partment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Khalid Maghames.
Maghames made the statement in response to the allegation of acting Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Treasury David Cohen that Kuwait does not cooperate with the US in counterterrorism funding.
Affirming that Kuwait is serious in combating terrorism, Maghames cited the proposed anti-terrorism funding draft bill, which has been presented to the National Assembly for approval. He said Kuwait will not relent in its efforts to amend loopholes in the Constitution to meet the demand in this regard.
Meanwhile, MP Ali Al-Omair urged acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr Mohammad Al-Sabah to stand firm against the false and unfair statement issued by Cohen to tarnish the image of Kuwait, particularly its charity activities. He called on the acting minister to respond immediately to the statement, especially since the charity organizations in Kuwait has been performing their duties efficiently.
MP Ghanem Al-Mae’i appealed to the ministry to refute the allegations against the charity organizations in the country, asserting that Kuwait conducts charity programs in a transparent manner to help the needy in various countries.
On the other hand, Al-Watan Arabic daily has quoted Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Khalid Al-Jarallah as saying that the US knows more than any other country the level of Kuwait’s cooperation with the international community in combatimg terrorism.
Al-Jarallah confirmed Kuwait always abides by the resolutions of the United Nations (UN), particularly in freezing the accounts of some individuals and institutions involved in terrorist funding. He explained Kuwait takes procedures in coordination with the US through the constant visits of American officials, including Cohen.
Meanwhile, a number of Islamic preachers have vehemently denied the allegation of acting Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Treasury David Cohen that Kuwait does not cooperate with the US in combating terrorism, reports Al-Anba daily.
Chairman of Bayan and Mishref Committee at the Islamic Heritage Revival Society Dr Nazem Al-Mesbah outrightly rejected Cohen’s allegation that Kuwait is the only GCC country which does not ban financing terrorist activities. He challenged authorities to prove the society is funding such activities, affirming their main purpose is to carry out humanitarian and charity works. He warned against raising suspicions on the activities of charity organizations in Kuwait without evidence.
General Manager of International Islamic Charity Authority Dr Sulaiman Shamsuldin confirmed all the Kuwaiti charity organizations have auditing offices that review their accounts and transactions in accordance with the international regulations. He wondered if the promotion of Islam and funding Islamic charity projects - the main activities of charity societies - are considered ways to support terrorism.
Secretary General of the Secretariat General of the Zakat Committee in the Social Reform Society Saad Al-Rajhi said a delegation from the US Department of Treasury has been visiting the country since 2001 and they have not found any violation. He asserted all the transactions related to charity work are approved by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. He added Kuwait is free from various forms of terrorism according to the statements issued by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, as well as the acting ministers of Social Affairs, Labor and Foreign Affairs.
Meanwhile, Kuwait has received intelligence that Iran was planning to assassinate some well-known Shiites in the country, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The aim was to incite Shiites in these countries against their respective governments over the death of their icons and ultimately destabilize the region, informed sources told Al-Watan Arabic daily.
Sources said the Iranian intelligence service also wanted to kill some senior security officers in Kuwait after they exposed the Iranian spy network and a court convicted some of their members to death and imprisonment a few days ago.
Iran’s evil plans were foiled by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain which take necessary measures after the exchange of information and confidential reports, say sources, adding all this had prompted the three Gulf states to send a firm message to Iran.
Security authorities in the country are also monitoring an important oil pipeline after receiving intelligence that Iran was planning to explode it. Though the motive of this plan is not known, sources say, authorities have thwarted it.