Obama messages people of Kuwait – US envoy commemorates liberation

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US Ambassador Douglas Silliman’s remarks to Commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Gulf War on Board the USS Arlington Amphibious Carrier

I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight as we come together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait on this magnificent a US Navy warship, the USS Arlington.

We are here tonight to pay tribute to those men and women who contributed to the Gulf War and Kuwait’s liberation: service men and women, diplomats, companies, and the families who supported them.

People like United States Marine Colonel Rod Arrington, who was among the first Marines to cross the border from Saudi Arabia in the ground operation to liberate Kuwait.

People like Salah Al-Jemaz, a Kuwaiti air force pilot who was captured by Saddam’s forces and brutally held as a prisoner of war in Iraq.

People like Saad Al-Enzi, who, while living in the United States at the time of the Invasion, volunteered to serve with the US Army and return to Kuwait to fight for his homeland.

And people like my own father in law, Retired Colonel Doctor Ted Raia who, like 700,000 other US service men and women, traveled half a world away to help liberate Kuwait.

People like Sheikh Saud Nasser Al-Sabah, God rest his soul, who as Kuwait’s Ambassador in Washington, helped organize the coalition and galvanize the support of the American public.

And people like my good friend Edward “Skip” Gnehm, the first US Ambassador to Kuwait after liberation, who laid the foundation for the unbreakably strong bonds of friendship that we see today.

And finally let’s remember the families… mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, children, aunts, uncles, cousins…here in Kuwait, in the United States, and in the other coalition states.

They sent their loved ones off to war because it was, in the words of president George H.W. Bush, “simply the right thing to do.” To all who served, to all who sacrificed, thank you.

It is now my great pleasure to read to you a message from President Obama to the people of Kuwait.

“I send greetings to all those marking the 25th anniversary of Kuwait’s liberation and the 55th anniversary of Kuwait’s independence. America has long been steadfast in our resolve to strengthen and stabilize the Gulf region.

In Kuwait’s struggle for sovereignty 25 years ago, American service members underscored that commitment when they stood alongside a coalition of brothers and sisters from 34 other countries to advance the ideals of peace and security.

As I reaffirmed to His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and other Gulf leaders when we met at Camp David last May, the United States’ commitment to use all elements of our power to deter and confront external aggression against our allies and partners, as we did in the Gulf War, is unequivocal.

Today, this region faces new challenges and threats.  We all have a responsibility to help defeat ISIL, to facilitate political transition in Syria, and to reduce the sectarian tensions that have contributed to untold human suffering.

Kuwait is helping tackle these challenges by providing essential access, basing, and overflight for thousands of US military and coalition personnel working to defeat ISIL.

 Our joint support of  Iraqi forces has helped halt ISIL’s advance in Iraq and has rolled back their territorial control.  And Kuwait has delivered more than $1 billion to assist Syrian refugees, providing humanitarian assistance to address the needs of those made vulnerable by the ravages of conflict.

But true and lasting security requires more than success against external security threats; it requires good governance that serves all citizens.  Kuwait has taken steps to foster civic participation by reinstating an empowered National Assembly following its liberation and extending voting rights to women.

With a continued commitment to transparency and the rule of law, the United States looks forward to Kuwait making progress toward even more inclusive governance that upholds the rights and dignity of people of all backgrounds — men and women alike.

As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of Kuwait’s liberation, I am confident that through continued close partnership, the United States and Kuwait will help build a more stable and prosperous region.”

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