By Adnan Al-Failkawi KUWAIT, May 14 (KUNA) -- The late Father Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah is dear to the hearts of all Kuwaitis for many of his attributes, and specifically for the great statesman he showed himself to be during and throughout the efforts to liberate Kuwait from the 1990 Iraqi occupation, and throughout the aftermath of that crisis.
The late figure started his efforts to rally support for his homeland and his countrymen early into the August invasion of the Gulf state, addressing the Kuwaiti people on the third day of their plight and urging them to trust in God the Almighty that right shall prevail and to maintain solidarity, which would both conquer their enemy.
The late figure was the first to insist the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah leave the state, stressing that it would be a disaster if he fell into the enemy's hands.
The Kuwaiti leadership thus sought the hospitality of Saudi Arabia. From there, the leaders of the small country rallied unprecedented international support for their cause against the betrayal of a neighboring Arab and Gulf state.
August 5, Sheikh Saad met the late Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Fahad bin Abdelaziz in Jeddah and discussed the situation, and later met Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Alexandria, and then again in Cairo where an Emergency Arab Summit was called August 9. The late Amir Jaber Al-Ahmad gave the Kuwaiti delegation's address to the summiteers and left Cairo, leaving Sheikh Saad in his place.
Sheikh Saad was then to make many Arab, regional, and international tours to stress Kuwaiti right and rally support for action to restore the state's independence and free the people's state and home.
Between August 13-23, he delivered messages from the Amir to the leaders and officials in Syria, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. He held meetings and talks in the states he visited and held press conferences, repeatedly stating Kuwait was not after war but rather implementation of Arab Summit resolutions and Security Council resolutions 660, 661, and 662, and the resolutions of the OIC Foreign Ministers Summit, all calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwaiti territory and restoring legitimacy.
Sheikh Saad was in constant close contact with diplomats, and with diplomats of the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Arab states in particular, reviewing the latest developments and making the justified Kuwaiti points of view known.
With like earnest, the late statesman followed up on measures to maintain decent livelihood for Kuwaitis outside their homeland, whether in the gulf states or elsewhere.
With even more earnest, he sought constant contact with Kuwaitis still in Kuwait to boost morale and let them know what was going on both politically and militarily and to convey their concerns and decry the crimes committed against them in their own homeland.
From the first month of the seven-month occupation of the state, Sheikh Saad declared an unwavering stance over sovereignty over Kuwaiti territory and over compensations due for the damage and harm Iraqis caused. Neither would be foregone, he reiterated throughout the crisis.
Kuwait never wavered from its stance that it would stand for no compromise or mediation, and it demanded full implementation of international legitimacy resolutions as it stressed to all the close bonds of loyalty and love between ruler and subject.
Sheikh Saad kept constant contact with the leaders of the popular resistance in Kuwait to boost their morale, know the latest developments, and convey the messages and blessings of the late Amir Sheikh Jaber.
-- The most dramatic moment in the early months of the occupation was the holding of The Kuwaiti People's Conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, October 13-15, demonstrating to the international community the unity of the Kuwaiti people and their support of the legitimate government.
Sheikh Saad had first proposed such conference during his visit to the United Kingdom in the first week of September when he met a number of Kuwaitis in the UK.
The idea was conveyed to the Amir in Taef and was approved, and efforts began to form a preparatory committee with the late Father Amir supervising everything personally, starting from meetings of and with the committee, planning the agenda, meeting Kuwaiti personalities, all the way to deciding on a motto and sending out the invitations on behalf of the Amir.
The event took place with the participation of some 1200 Kuwaiti figures representing the whole political, economic, and social spectrum. This was in addition to foreign dignitaries and 433 media representatives.
Both the Amir Sheikh Jaber and the Father Amir, then Crown Prince and Prime Minister, addressed the opening session of the conference, which was held under the motto "Liberation our motto, path, and goal." The conference yielded a closing statement of 19 items. A Higher Advisory Committee of 29 members was also formed to follow up on implementation of conference recommendations under Sheikh Saad's chairmanship and upon his initiative.
With all the added duties with regard to this crisis, Sheikh Saad still fulfilled his duties as Crown Prince and Prime Minister, with the cabinet in constant session in Taef to debate state of affairs and measures to be taken for the benefit of the Kuwaiti people abroad.
The issues discussed were of great weight, and were addressed with both care and all due speed.
Among the issues discussed; providing weaponry for the Kuwaitis taking part in the military action on land to liberate the state; managing state and citizens' affairs to maintain their decent livelihood; supervision over plans for reconstruction after liberation; reviewing diplomatic reports from embassies and diplomats abroad; managing the diplomatic battle which was just as fierce as the military one; and managing the economic battle to secure the needs of the liberation efforts and the reconstruction plans and the needs of the citizens upon their return.
Soon after the liberation, Sheikh Saad presided the meetings of the Kuwaiti cabinet which were held at Al-Shaye Diwaniya in Shamiya, having been among the first state officials to enter free Kuwait. His presence at that critical stage made all the difference in re-establishing law and order throughout the state.
The late Father Amir again proved a keen and wise statesman after the liberation when he firmly opposed calls and attempts at retribution against those who collaborated with the occupiers, and insisted this was the sole jurisdiction of the legal system.
Again and again, Sheikh Saad showed strong determined leadership as the state sought to shake the shock and start reconstruction after the colossal deliberate damage caused by the Iraqis to all state facilities and private properties.
Non-nationals who previously resided and worked in Kuwait were not forgotten and Sheikh Saad instructed plans to organize their return to their jobs to take part in the reconstruction process.
The worst of all catastrophes, however, apart from the humanitarian aftermath, was the setting aflame of the state's oil wells by retreating Iraqi forces.
Sheikh Saad proved capable and determined as he countered all these issues and sought to inspire nationals with devotion and drive to restore normality, to what ever level was possible and as soon as possible.
Sheikh Saad had returned to a free State of Kuwait March 4, 1991, and was received by masses who stressed their solidarity with their legitimate leadership and optimism that work would soon be afoot under his wise leadership, a trial in which he succeeded.(end) adf.wsa