Since the establishment of Iraq as a political entity in 1921, Kuwait has been suffering from baseless Iraqi claims, as if Baghdad has no other business than dominating Kuwait and inciting hostility between peoples. Today, on the eve of the anniversary of Kuwait’s liberation from the Iraqi invasion on Feb 26, and the National Day (Feb 25), Iraqi media outlets circulated a poisonous report about sending marine maps and location coordinates to the United Nations.
This comes at a critical time when the region is on a knife’s edge due to the US-Iranian tensions. It seems that some Iraqi politicians are rushing to add fuel to the regional fire. We must deal with the current problem calmly, because the Iraqi claims are flimsy and have no basis in political or geographical reality. The documents that have been deposited with the United Nations since 1963, reinforced by Security Council Resolution no. 833/1993, adopted unanimously under Chapter VII and ratified by the Iraqi National Assembly in 1994, have refuted any claims regarding the maritime and land borders.
These claims may serve as political propaganda for domestic consumption or to create the basis for a new Iraqi dispute with Kuwait. Therefore, the statement issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, claiming that Baghdad “considers negotiation as the best way to address the issue,” is just a fabrication intended to create a problem out of nothing. It is self-evident that reopening closed files constitutes a political infringement on the sovereignty of states. We must acknowledge that geography has been unfair to Kuwait. Its northern neighbor has caused much harm, particularly after 2003. This is in addition to the presence of sectarian militias linked to Tehran, which have caused numerous problems for Kuwait and other Gulf states for 23 years.
Hence, creating claims regarding a settled matter is not only an infringement on Kuwaiti sovereignty, but also a direct threat to its national security and that of the entire Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Thus, the firm stances declared by Gulf, Arab and international capitals refuted the flimsy arguments of Iraqi parties attempting to divert attention from what awaits the region in the coming days and weeks, as new spheres of influence begin to be drawn amidst the US-Iranian conflict.
In the eyes of reasonable people, the Iraqi claims appear to be nothing more than a futile summer night dream. International resolutions were issued with the consent and recognition of Baghdad, both before and after 2003. Based on this, laws were enacted, and the game is over. Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) spoke the truth when he said, “The pens have been lifted and the ink has dried.” Following the principle that every harmful thing has a beneficial outcome, political missteps reveal what is concealed in dark rooms and expose the secret plans.
Today, despite all that Kuwait has done for its people since 2003, Iraq still supports shadowy figures operating against Kuwait and the GCC. The international and regional rejection of Iraqi claims has affirmed Kuwait’s standing in the world. On this occasion, I say, “May Allah reward adversity, for through it, I learned to distinguish between my enemy and my friend.
