LOC16:51
13:51 GMT
Cabinet welcomes HH Amir''s return
KUWAIT, Sept 25 (KUNA) -- The ministers, at their weekly session held on Sunday, welcomed His Highness Amir for returning home after a private tour to three nations, approved a lengthy bill stipulating penalties against corruption offenses and congratulated the neighboring Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on advent of the National Day.
At start of the weekly session, the ministers welcomed the comeback of HH the Amir, due in the country later tonight, accompanied by the official delegation, following a tour to a number of friendly states -- alluding to Mongolia, the UK and the US.
The Cabinet adopted the bill for combating corruption and disclosure of financial assets, pending submission to HH the Amir, as a prelude to referring it to the National Assembly, for the final endorsement, said Dr. Mohammad Al-Busairi, the Minister of Oil, the Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs and the Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, following the session, held at Al-Sief Palace, under chairmanship of Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.
Reading the Cabinet statement in detail, Al-Busairi said the Cabinet discussed the draft law, out of its keenness on activating the efforts aimed at fighting various forms of corruption that constituted a threat to annihilate the basis of the society, and because it is one of the obstacles hindering the development and its high-status objectives, as well as in compliance with the (2006) United Nations Convention against Corruption.
The bill proposes formation of an independent public authority to take charge of fighting the various forms of corruption, divulging the financial assets, tracking down offenders, recovering embezzled funds and their proceeds, cooperating with international and regional agencies, boosting transparency and integrity in administrative, financial and economic dealings, solidifying supervision, protecting the state departments against manipulation, mishandling of the funds and nepotism.
The bill lists the penalties against the offenders, including those related to tenders, auctioning, kick-backing, exploitation of influence, money laundering, counterfeiting, illegal profit-making and custom trafficking, minister Al-Busairi said, indicating that the wrong-doers would be held behind bars -- up to seven years -- and compelled to pay fines.
The Cabinet approved the bill, submitted it to HH the Amir, pending referral to the Parliament, Al-Busairi stated.
The ministers, during the weekly session, reviewed a message addressed to HH the Amir from the Qatari Amir, inviting HH to the fourth forum for the alliance of civilizations, due in Doha in December. The scheduled gathering is aimed at launching initiatives intended to boost dialogue among nations and back efforts for global peace and security, as well as international partnership in the realm of development.
The ministers were also briefed about a message HH had received from the president of sisterly Iraq, dealing with the bilateral ties and means of enhancing the relations at various levels.
In light of the decree law, number 17 of 1967, regarding the awards and military insignia and the blessed relevant amended law, the ministers adopted a bill regarding the shape of Al-Soor Award -- that was referred to HH the Amir.
On the occasion of the National Day of the Sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Cabinet extended congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince and the Deputy Prime Minister, Sultan Bin Abdulaziz and the Saudi people. The ministers also discussed a host of political affairs, related to Arab and international arenas. (end) rk KUNA 251651 Sep 11NNNN