Home>>World
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, December 15, 2002

Kuwait Vows to Take Firm Stand Against Iraq

Kuwait on Saturday accused Iraqi President Saddam Hussein of attempting to "fracture the Kuwaiti national unity" and vowed to take a firm stand against Iraq.


PRINT DISCUSSION CHINESE SEND TO FRIEND


Kuwait on Saturday accused Iraqi President Saddam Hussein of attempting to "fracture the Kuwaiti national unity" and vowed to take a firm stand against Iraq.

During a special session of the National Assembly (parliament), Kuwaiti foreign minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah accused Iraq of plotting aggression and expansion in the region.

Last Saturday, Saddam made his first apology to the Kuwaiti people for Iraq's 1990 invasion while saying Kuwaiti authorities were to blame in the run-up to the invasion.

Saddam also proposed that "the devoted and the holy warriors in Kuwait meet with Iraqi counterparts" against "infidel armies" of London, Washington and the Zionist entity.

Describing Saddam's speech as "a naive bid to split the nationalunity of Kuwait," Sheikh Sabah, who is also the first deputy prime minister, stressed that his country would be forced to take necessary measures to safeguard its security, sovereignty and stability.

Kuwait and other Gulf states have all rejected Saddam's unprecedented apology, which was termed as "provocative," he said.

Last Tuesday, Sheikh Sabah sent a letter to UN Secretary GeneralKofi Anna, demanding the United Nations criticize Saddam's speech.

Relations between Kuwait and Baghdad have been severed since Iraq invaded the oil-rich Gulf neighbour in 1990.

At the Arab summit held in the Lebanese capital of Beirut last March, Iraq affirmed its respect for Kuwait's "independence, sovereignty and security" and pledged to avoid "all that could repeat what happened in 1990."

However, The United States has recently intensified its militarybuildup in Kuwait, one of its close Gulf allies, arousing suspicions that Kuwait will be a key launch pad for a strike against Iraq.


Questions?Comments? Click here
    Advanced






Saddam Sends Apology to Kuwait for Invasion

Kuwait Denounces Iraqi President's Speech for Not Mentioning POWs

Saddam's Speech Impedes Restoration of Kuwaiti-Iraqi Relations: OIC





 


Top Planner on Main Economic Tasks for 1st 20 Years in New Century ( 16 Messages)

Archaeologists Revise Age of China's Civilization ( 9 Messages)

Chinese Economy to Enjoy Bright Future ( 13 Messages)

Nanjing Marks 65th Anniversary of Japanese Massacre ( 2 Messages)

China Hopes for Constructive US Role in Reunification: Jiang ( 8 Messages)

China Issues White Paper on National Defense ( 20 Messages)



Copyright by People's Daily Online, all rights reserved