LOC21:53
18:53 GMT
By Eman Al-Awadhi
KUWAIT, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- US President George W. Bush has promised to
"seriously" take into consideration Kuwait's request for the return of its
four citizens held in Guantanamo prison, said Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister
and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah on Friday.
"His Highness the Amir brought up the issue of Kuwaitis detained in
Guantanamo ... and President Bush promised to take this request into serious
consideration and notify us as soon as possible with measures that will be
taken in this regard," he told KUNA following a meeting between the two
leaders at Dar Salwa.
Sheikh Mohammad said His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber
Al-Sabah said at the meeting that the continued detention of the four Kuwaitis
at Guantanamo was "an insult to the principle of American justice, and hoped
that they would be handed over to Kuwaiti authorities."
His Highness the Amir noted that the former eight Kuwaitis detained at
Guantanamo that were handed back were now "good citizens and work hard to
prevent youth from falling victims to extremist ideologies, which is proof of
Kuwait's ability to contain its sons and rehabilitate them for the good of the
nation."
Moreover, the foreign minister said the "important talks" between the two
leaders included the issue of establishing an independent Palestinian state.
"President Bush reiterated his intent to see the establishment of a
Palestinian state before the end of his term (at the White House) ... and His
Highness the Amir said efforts of the US Administration to bring justice to
Palestinians and guarantee their right to establish an independent state would
no doubt be supported by the international community."
His Highness the Amir and President Bush also discussed the situation in
Iraq and efforts of the US Administration to instill stability, as well as the
need to support the Iraqi government.
"President Bush thanked Kuwait for the support it was presenting to Iraq
and for hosting the neighbors meeting that will be held in April of this year,
" Sheikh Mohammad added.
They also spoke about Iran, saying that it was "important for the Iranian
government to clarify any ambiguity with regard to its nuclear program,
especially as IAEA reports still indicated the need for greater transparency
in this regard."
President Bush had arrived in Kuwait earlier today on a two-day visit,
coming from Israel. His regional tour will also take him to Bahrain, the UAE,
Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Tomorrow, the US president will address his country's troops stationed in
Camp Arifjan, and meet with prominent Kuwaiti women activists. (end)
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