LOC12:25
09:25 GMT
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 24 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's Deputy Premier and Foreign
Minister Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah said his country will offer
"all forms of support" to help Iraq fulfill its Security Council obligations
related to pending issues with Kuwait.
The comment came following a meeting late Wednesday, which included Sheikh
Mohammad, His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad
Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.
Talking to KUNA, Kuwait Television, and Iraqi channels Al-Iraqia and
Al-Hurra, the foreign minister said that the two sides discussed Iraq's
endeavor to exit Chapter VII of the UN Charter, noting that the prime minister
had assured Talabani of Kuwait's full support of Iraq in completing these
obligations.
Seeing an end to Chapter VII means "fulfilling international resolutions,"
he said, citing examples like South Africa, which was held under Chapter VII
and only fulfilled its obligations after putting an end to the racial
political system of apartheid, and Libya which fulfilled its obligations after
conforming to global resolutions.
"We do not want to complicate matters, and we want to hasten Iraq's exit of
these obligations through easing their implementation," he added.
On the border issue he said: "Maintaining the border signs between the two
countries is the most important matter to Kuwait," noting that the UN has
presented an official request to Iraq over the matter, for the UN Iraq-Kuwait
Boundary Demarcation Commission to carry out its task.
He expressed satisfaction that the terrorist bomb attack in Iraq, dubbed
"Black Wednesday" which led to the death and injury of dozens, did not witness
a border penetration into Kuwait, and that "these borders were not used to
carry out evil deeds in Iraq."
"The security of Iraq is fundamental to the security of Kuwait, which is
why we are extremely concerned these borders are protected entirely and not
misused by any terrorist side," he added.
Sheikh Mohammad also said that the Iraqi president had expressed his
appreciation to the gesture of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad
Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who ordered Kuwaiti hospitals to receive Iraqi victims of
the attack. Kuwait also donated to a fund created for these victims.
"All these events reflect the warm heart-felt emotions between Kuwait and
Iraq, and this is what President Talabani discussed with HH Sheikh Nasser, as
well as means to build on these good sentiments," he said.
The two sides had also discussed means to develop a strategic political and
social partnership as further mentioned by the Kuwaiti foreign minister.
Sheikh Mohammad also refuted claims that Kuwait intends to sever its ties
with Iraq, stressing that Kuwait plans to strengthen its relationship with its
neighbor in the economic, infrastructure-related, tourism and investment
fields.
"This partnership is what we aspire to achieve with our neighbors in Iraq,"
he said.
The foreign minister also welcomed a suggestion by the UN Secretary General
Ban Ki-moon to resolve the issue of pending Iraqi debts to Kuwait, following
its 1990 invasion through investments.
He said: "This is what we are thinking of, and we would like to use these
matters to enable further partnerships between the economies of both countries
in order to reap the benefits for both the Iraqi and Kuwaiti people." (end)
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