KUWAIT, June 15 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah delivered a speech to the nation at 9:00 p.m. Wednesday.
Commencing the speech, HH the Amir thanked the citizens and expatriates in Kuwait for "the sincere feelings" they showed during and after his recent medical trip to London.
"I'd like to express high appreciation for the impressive public welcome I've received upon my return to the dear homeland; this materializes the warm ties among us as members of the big Kuwaiti family.
"Let us renew our oath of allegiance to the homeland and remain steadfast in protecting the country's safety and unity," he said.
"Dear brothers, sisters and sons; "Out of profound sense of responsibility I feel obliged to address you as father to sons and share with you the concerns over the ongoing events on the local and regional scales.
"The people of Kuwait have been living as one coherent family from generation to generation united by common destiny and love and dedication for the homeland.
"While handing down these values to the next generations, we proudly recall and pay tribute to the sacrifices made during the most bitter catastrophe in Kuwait's modern history - the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. All Kuwaitis, men and women, old and young, stood valiantly as one in the face of the powers of destruction and sabotage. All of them were held in high esteem in the eyes of the whole world," HH the Amir recalled.
"Dear brothers, sisters and sons; "You may have followed the practices which took place at the National Assembly (parliament). These are very serious and harmful practices that went beyond the parameters of the constitution and the national interests; they are after mere personal political gains.
"Some (MPs) overshot the controls, set by the constitution to protect democracy and freedom, and deviated from the genuine values of the Kuwait society such respect for the law and constitution and commitment to decency. They went as far as to infringe on the dignity of others and offend sisterly and friendly countries.
"Yes, we as many other nations, have to admit that have shortcomings in the employment sector and many other fields but we have to work together to find the best possible solutions. When could problems be solved by feud or wrangling or chaos? "Dear brothers, sisters and sons; "There's room neither for feud nor wrangling nor chaos that could jeopardize the nation's security, wealth and gains.
"Thank God, we enjoy true democracy, integrated constitution, free press and elected parliament. We have to shoulder our national responsibilities to protect these merits selflessly.
"I'd like to thank the security men who handled the recent demonstrations in wisdom, patience and self-restraint. Meanwhile, I'd like to remind you that we all have a shared responsibility to protect the stability and safety of the country.
"I've asked the minister of interior to adopt all necessary measures to protect the safety and stability of the country and never compromise with anyone who attempts to destabilize the country or infringe on our national fundamentals.
"To preserve the rule of law is a common responsibility not only for the law-enforcers but for all citizens; we expect all of them to abide by the law and show an even deeper sense of responsibility.
"I've said once and again I'm keen on protecting the constitution and I will not allow anybody to tamper with it. The constitution is the real guarantee for the stability of our political system and the main support to the country's security. "I have full confidence in our democratic approach and will not replace it with any other one. Democracy is deeply rooted in Kuwaiti people. They inherited and protected it generation after generation.
"We have to do our best to secure the core democratic values and to make freedom, enshrined by democracy, a mean for working, building and making achievements that strengthens the state not weakens and dividing it. All have to make Kuwait's interests the top priority and its service the main goal.
"We know that Kuwait does not bear cleavages and divisions, so we have to be aware of the several and huge dangers and challenges that Kuwait faces in light of the recent developments in the region and whole world and its direct impacts on our national security, gains and potential. This forces us to be vigilant and not to give a chance to those who jeopardizes our unity and security.
"We have to turn the loyalty to our country from slogans to clear practices to citizenship rights that add to the country and raise its position and to keep our national unity.
"When we talk about Kuwait's security and future, we should stress that our youth are the real guarantee of security and guardians of its future. Youth represent the renewable resource and the generating power for Kuwait at present and in the future.
"If their minds are not filled with positive and constructive ideas, they would be filled with vague and destructive ideas. This is a great responsibility that should be born and given due care by families, schools, mosques, clubs and other societal institutions.
"The burdens and responsibilities of the present and its repercussions on the future are bigger and more difficult than what we used to face and the efforts we exerted before. We are facing long path and huge responsibilities and this forces us to adhere to wisdom, constructive dialogue and cooperation and to truly believe that our national unity is the solid ground from which Kuwaitis, from different sects and all walks of life, moved to make heroic achievements that added to our history the most brilliant and wonderful chapters.
"I am sure that we are able to face all these challenges with great determination and respect to law, system while cheering and enjoying our freedom.
"I am sure Kuwaitis will rebuff all calls for division, extremism and sedition and to live up to the great responsibility we shoulder. We have to learn lessons from what others have experienced, so we have to work hand in hand to make Kuwait and its interests our top priority. "This is a national awakening call, particularly to youth, to help protect national unity that guarantee for Kuwait security and constants.
"I urge you to focus on building the future of Kuwait and spreading hope and optimism and to concentrate your efforts on making all what add to our country. We have nothing to do other than achieving success in this mission. This is our joint responsibility and I am sure we can do it." (end) ibi KUNA 152157 Jun 11NNNN