KUWAIT CITY, May 22: MPs Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Mohammad Hayef and Mubarak Al-Waalan on Sunday submitted a grilling request against HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to the Secretariat-General of the Parliament.
This is the second grilling motion presented against the premier since the formation of the new government two weeks ago. The proponents intend to quiz Sheikh Nasser on allegations that he ruined relations between Kuwait and other GCC countries, jeopardized national security when he failed to deal with the Iranian threats appropriately and bias of the government’s foreign policy towards the Iranian regime.
It could be recalled that MPs Ahmad Al-Saadoun and Abdulrahman Al-Anjari submitted a grilling request against the premier on behalf of the Popular Labor Bloc immediately after the swearing-in of the government with four points — violations in the development plan, Zain Telecommunications Company, environmental compensation and Abu Fateera area. However, the Parliament voted on the postponement of the grilling for a year after its referral to the Constitutional Court. A few days later MPs Marzouq Al-Ghanem and Adel Al-Saraawi presented an interpellation motion against Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs and State Minister for Housing and Development Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Fahd Al-Sabah and it was included in the agenda of the Parliament in its May 31 session. This increases the total number of grilling requests to three, barely two weeks after the oath-taking of the new Cabinet.
Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi confirmed receiving the second interpellation request against Sheikh Nasser, indicating it will be included in the agenda of the May 31 session. He hopes the deliberations on the two interpellation motions will yield positive results. However, he believes these motions were presented at the wrong time, considering that three of the proponents were among the lawmakers invited by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to a luncheon Sunday to reconcile those involved in the fight during the last session. He pointed out it would have been better if the proponents postponed the submission of the grilling.
On the other hand, the proponents of the second grilling against the premier organized a press conference after the submission of the request to the Secretariat-General of the National Assembly. Al-Tabtabaei explained the security and political issues are the priorities of the lawmakers; hence, the grilling motion is part of their commitment to maintain national security and Kuwait’s relations with other GCC countries. He argued this grilling is in the interest of the government and the people, because it is aimed at guiding the whole nation towards the right path. He also asserted that grilling the premier is a normal parliamentary procedure according to Articles 101 and 102 of the Constitution, since he is in charge of the general State policies. He confirmed there are many pieces of evidence to prove the government has jeopardized the security of Kuwait and its relations with other GCC countries.
Al-Tabtabaei claimed Iran poses a grave threat to Kuwait, as was reflected in the previous statements of Iranian Army Chief of Staff General Hassan Fayrouz Abadi. “We will not tolerate any threat to Kuwait,” he stressed.
Calling on the Shiites and Sunnis to unite in confronting the Iranian threats, Al-Tabtabaei asserted, “All Kuwaitis must stand united in facing the Iranian threat and to expand our Gulf wings — our next shield after God Almighty.”
Hoping the grilling will be discussed in an open session, Al-Tabtabaei said this is the best step for the Kuwaitis to witness how the premier will clarify the points included in the grilling. He outrightly rejected attempts to refer the request to the Constitutional Court or the Legislative Affairs Committee, discussing it behind closed doors, or postponing it for more than two weeks.
Reacting to comments that the submission of the request coincided with the invitation of the Amir for those involved in the fight last week to settle their differences, Al-Tabtabaei asserted there is no connection between the two issues. He said the original plan was to present the grilling on Tuesday, prior to the exchange of blows among some lawmakers on Wednesday. He claimed the incident was actually a ploy to prevent the lawmakers from submitting the interpellation. “Anyone who tries to stop us from exercising our grilling right will not succeed. We welcome the Amir’s invitation for reconciliation because we all consider him our father,” he concluded.
On the other hand, Hayef condemned statements published recently in local dailies that the grilling request is not worth discussing. He accused the government of trying to dodge the grilling by referring it to the Constitutional Court. He also warned against holding a closed-door grilling session because this is tantamount to allowing the premier to continue with his policy on Iran that has offended other GCC nations and instigated chaos in the country.
Hayef contended the Iranian spy network and other issues are clear manifestations of attempts to appease Iran. He said the visit of the Iranian foreign affairs minister, during which an agreement was reached on the reinstatement of the ambassadors of both countries, is enough proof that the prime minister prioritizes maintaining relations with Iran at the expense of other GCC states.
In the meantime, Al-Waalan vehemently denied speculations that the grilling request is a personal vendetta against the premier. He affirmed the request was presented in the interest of Kuwait and its people. He lamented the weak stand of the Kuwaiti government on the recent incidents in Bahrain, in addition to its policies that undermine national unity and strengthen relations with Iran, are an embarrassment to the whole nation. He slammed the government for remaining silent over the provocative statements issued by some Iranian officials.
Meanwhile, several MPs expressed their objection to the grilling request, pointing out it is unconstitutional because it is an attempt to interfere in the foreign policy of the country.
MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan urged the prime minister not to face this grilling, since it focuses on foreign policy. He said the Constitutional Court ruled in 2008 on the unconstitutionality of parliamentary queries on foreign policy and the need to clearly state grilling points based on specific events to prove the violations.
MP Saleh Ashour is of the view that grilling the premier on issues under the jurisdiction of the Foreign Affairs minister raises doubts on the actual motives behind this step.
Ashour added he postponed the submission of an interpellation request against Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr Mohammad Al-Sabah due to the current political situation and its possible impact on national unity.
Without elaborating, MP Dr Maasouma Al-Mubarak said the proponents of the grilling have deviated from the right path.