KUWAIT CITY, Nov 1: There are no NATO plans for intervention in Syria, says Alistair Burt, United Kingdom’s Minister of State for the Middle East as he spoke Tuesday at a press conference held at the Bayan Palace to shed light on the visit to Kuwait by The Prince of Wales Prince Charles. Also in attendance was the British Ambassador to Kuwait Frank Baker as well as other embassy staff.

This visit by the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, Burt stated is a further commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of independence from the United Kingdom and 20th anniversary of liberation from Iraqi forces, adding that Kuwait is one of United Kingdom’s famous and most trusted allies.

On why the Western nations are not talking about intervening in Syria after successfully overthrowing the Libyan regime, the UK minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt said that the exception to the West’s non-intervention in the Arab Spring is Libya, no intervention in Egypt, Tunisia or anywhere else, adding that the reason for the difference between Libya and Syria should be well known; in Libya there was a call from Arab states when Muammar Gaddafi announced what he intended to do in Benghazi, a plea taken up by the United Nations with no veto from Russia or China, allowing a resolution to be passed protecting civilians, to which the UK and others responded, whereas in Syria there has been no such clear cut call by Arab Nations, and in addition the United Nations has not even been able to pass a condemnatory resolution.
Burt stated clearly there is no plan for intervention and that there is even no clear call for intervention, saying that different groups in Syria have said different things about the issue. He advised that on this occasion, Arab nations should look at each other and take it as an Arab problem. The reality of the UN is that there is no prospect of getting a resolution passed. He said what is happening in Syria is wrong and a matter of the deepest distress. “We trust and believe that the Arab League will exert its influence and we wish it well in relieving the Syrian people”, he added.

The UK through the European Union has supported sanctions which have been the most appropriate course of action to follow.  He said the UK’s view on the Arab Spring remains clear, stating that his country supports the process of peaceful reform and that there is no one model of governance which is acceptable to all and that the Arab Spring in all states are different with concern for governments measured in different ways in different states, “but continuous violent repression of protesters is wrong. I hope the Arab League approach to Syria works; it is for those with greater leverage with Syria than the UK to be effective”.
On Iran’s nuclear program and its influence in the Gulf region, Burt stated that the UK and its allies continue to have grave concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and its human rights record, saying that people should not forget the huge distress caused to people in the region from watching a very cruel regime abuse human rights for political protesters, for religious minorities and that they continue to appeal for a change to this record. He added that the movement of centrifuges underground to the Qom facility shows Iran has no good intentions and should turn away from this path.

Answering a question on why the UK abstained in their vote for the Palestinian UNESCO membership, Burt stated that it is the stated policy of the UK government that negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel is the only way to a mutual settlement of the conflict which eventually will lead to a full Palestinian UN membership.

On the British Royal visit, Burt said it builds on the great strides that the UK has achieved in reinvigorating its relationship as part of the UK’s Gulf Initiative, further stating that it started with the visit of three Prime Ministers, ending with the visit of His Royal Highness and twelve government ministers in twelve months, which shows the depth and the breadth of the relations between the two countries. “We look forward to making progress in advancing our target of increased bilateral trade which should be doubled by 2015”, he added.

On the continuous participation of United Kingdom in Kuwait’s development, Burt expressed the hope that the multibillion pound National Development Plan in Kuwait will provide opportunities not only for Kuwait but for British business as well.

Burt, who was scheduled to hold a meeting with the Kuwaiti foreign minister Sheikh Sabah, said he was looking forward to an opportunity not only to discuss bilateral relations but also the extraordinary year in relation to the region in which Kuwait is playing an increasingly important and an assertive part in regional stability, adding that “it is the UK’s views that Kuwait’s deep-seated democratic system and its vibrant free media have played an important part in its continued stability during this remarkable year.”

Agencies add:
Kuwait Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Tuesday met Britain’s Prince Charles, who is on a two-day official visit to the country, the official KUNA news agency reported.
The two men underscored the depth of the historical relations between the two countries and vowed to work to further develop their ties, KUNA said.

The heir to the British throne, who arrived in Kuwait late Monday, also met with British and Kuwaiti business leaders taking part in a three-day energy conference organised by MEED.
Prince Charles’ visit is to mark Kuwait’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain and 20th anniversary of liberation from Iraqi occupation.

Prince Charles and his accompanying delegation also visited on Tuesday Kuwait’s National Assembly. Prince Charles was received by Parliament Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi and memebers of the parliament.
The UK Prince was accompanyied by Head of the Mission of Honor and Advisor at the Premier’s Diwan, Sheikh Dr Salem Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and the emabssadors of Kuwait and Britian.