KUWAIT CITY, Nov 3: “Britain remains committed to maintaining stability in the Gulf.  We intend to maintain a substantive military presence in the region.  We will work to ensure that Iraq re-integrates into the community of Gulf states, so it can actively participate in settling disputes in a peaceful manner contributing to progress and growth in the region,” said United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth, MP during the ‘Thank You Kuwait’ ceremony at the British Embassy headquarters in Dasman Tuesday.
The ceremony concludes a three-day joint military exercise between the United Kingdom and Kuwait — both on and off shore — which started on Nov 1.  Land, sea and air elements from the Kuwaiti ministries of Defence and Interior and a significant contingent from the Royal Navy took part in the event.

Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to say ‘thank you Kuwait’ for its support to the UK military operations in Iraq and to mark the dawn of a new period in Britain-Kuwait relations, Ainsworth revealed “this is my first visit to Kuwait as a minister in Her Majesty’s government but it is not the first time I had cause to be grateful for the generosity of Kuwait.  Twenty years ago, I was Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council in England and in charge of the Finance Committee. The city was desperate for investment and modernization. With the help of the people of Kuwait we were able to invest millions of pounds to reinvigorate the city centre, bringing new commerce and new opportunities. The people of Coventry had reason to say ‘Shukran Ya Kuwait’ (thank you Kuwait).”

Uncertain
Ainsworth went on to say “Little did we know then, in 1989, that in just over a year, the future of Kuwait itself would be uncertain when Saddam Hussein invaded the country. This was a desperate time for your people. A vast coalition assembled to liberate Kuwait and Britain was proud to play its part. From that point forward, Kuwait has played host to and supported allied forces in the ongoing efforts to contain and then remove the threat that Saddam’s regime posed to the region and to international security.”
Indicating Kuwait has played a crucial role in the military operations of the UK and the Coalition in Iraq over the past 18 years, as well as the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq earlier this year, Ainsworth asserted this ceremony and other events in the last few days have been organized to express the United Kingdom’s gratitude for Kuwait’s help.  “This ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter in the long, fruitful and enduring relationship between our countries. This year marks the 110th anniversary of the signing of the Special Treaty of Friendship between Britain and Kuwait.  We are looking forward to maintaining this unique friendship,” he added.

On the trading relations of both countries, Ainsworth opined “our trading relationship is getting stronger.  British exports to Kuwait rose by nearly a fifth last year while Kuwaiti exports to Britain increased by twice that.  Kuwait is among the largest single investors in the UK.”
Ainsworth added “In April this year, Lord Mandelson concluded a very successful visit to Kuwait to extend our business relationship. With the end of the UK operations in Iraq, our military foot print in Kuwait will decline but this does not mean reduction in our commitment to Kuwait. The British Military Mission in Kuwait will remain and we are proud of the training delivered to the Kuwaiti Armed Forces both in Kuwait and the UK.  We will work to ensure that Iran recognizes the fact that its future is best served by cooperation and integration with the international community, and peaceful co-existence with its neighbors.  We will work with our friends in the region to secure a lasting settlement for peace in the Middle East, in particular, between Israelis and Palestinians.”

Confirming his country’s commitment to work for the prosperity and security of Kuwait and its people, Ainsworth stressed “Kuwait and the UK are old good friends.  Together we face an uncertain future but together we will face the challenges of the future with same commitment that we have shown in the past.”
On the other hand, Kuwait’s Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah emphasized the belief of all Kuwaitis that it is their duty to stand side by side Britain. “I am grateful to be given this opportunity to welcome the British Secretary of State for Defence to spend time with us and speak about the long friendship between the two countries.”
Sheikh Al-Mubarak added “it has been a truly honorable experience to support and work with Britain and vice versa in different fields - military, politics, economics and education. It has always been Kuwait’s duty to work with its British partner because we have many common goals and commitments that we have achieved and we will continue to work together.”

The British Embassy also thanked the Kuwaiti government as well as the individuals — both past and present — in departments, directorates and divisions for their hard work and support throughout these years.  The British Ambassador is most grateful for their help.
“Kuwait’s support has been crucial to our efforts to bring security and stability to southern Iraq since the US-led coalition brought an end to the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein,” Ainsworth said.
He noted that the UK’s strategic goals in Iraq — to help Iraq become an independent, prosperous and democratic country that is secure, stable, free from terrorist violence, at peace with its neighbors and able to play a constructive role in regional security — were brought “closer to fulfillment” thanks to the “unstinting support and generosity of Kuwait.” The secretary added that without providing British forces access to Kuwaiti airports, airbases and naval ports “we would not have been able to support all phases of our operations, including the successful withdrawal of troops completed this year.” He added that Kuwait’s support helped the UK operate and transfer people to and from Iraq efficiently and effectively, and reduced the burden and eased the complexity of conducting these operations.

Grateful
“Your commitment of resources, of both finance and people, and your hospitality in general have been crucial to our efforts. You have been the most generous of hosts,” he said.
Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak said that his country supported all humanitarian and noble actions, adding that “we suffered for many years from instability in the region, and we had to end these circumstances and look to the development and advancement of our country.” He reiterated that Kuwait’s stance came out of “firm belief that what we did was our duty towards our friends and allies, who deserve to be thanked for their noble actions.” The Kuwaiti defense minister expressed his condolences to the British government and people for the service personnel killed in action.
The two ministers then exchanged trophies on this occasion, and then went to the British Residency balcony to view the British and Kuwaiti navy ships out at sea.
Iraq cannot develop its economic potential other than in friendship with Kuwait, and if the two countries develop together over time it will be to the benefit of both, said Ainsworth.

Asked whether he thought that it was too soon to withdraw from Iraq given the continued unstable security situation, he said, “I think that the mission that we set out and agreed with our coalition partners and the Iraqi government has been completed.” He said the British troops trained two Iraqi army divisions in the south and that they were now at the point where they were “very capable people and impressive in their own right, not only their ability on the street, but their ability to command respect from their own people in the Basra area.”
“We don’t intend to withdraw from the Gulf region. We’ve got many friends, we’ve got many interests in the Gulf region — Iraq as well as Kuwait — and we’ll be here for as long as we’re welcome and I hope that’s many years to come,” he said.
Commenting on a question on whether the security agreement between Kuwait and the UK would be renewed, he said, “I think we should judge our relations between our two countries based on our record over time, and I think when you look back in history, Britain has never been lacking. I think we can be judged by the fact that when Kuwait has needed as friend, she’s had a friend. That record speaks for itself, and I can say on behalf of the British government, we’re determined that we should carry that record of friendship forward into the future as it has been in the past.”

By Rena Sadeghi
Arab Times Staff and Agencies