Multimedia Mania/abacus-multimedia-mania.iso/dp/0038/00383.txt

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$Unique_ID{bob00383}
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$Title{Kuwait
A Brief History of Kuwait Events}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Embassy of Kuwait, Washington DC}
$Affiliation{Embassy of Kuwait, Washington DC}
$Subject{kuwait
iraq
iraqi
arab
countries
agreement
borders
kuwait's
saddam
kuwaiti
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see
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see
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$Date{1990}
$Log{See Table 1.*0038301.tab
}
Title:       Kuwait
Book:        Kuwait Events
Author:      Embassy of Kuwait, Washington DC
Affiliation: Embassy of Kuwait, Washington DC
Date:        1990

A Brief History of Kuwait Events

The brief history of KUWAIT (PART 1)

     The state of Kuwait is a peaceful Arab Islamic country. Since its
establishment as a political entity in 1756, faithful to Allah the Almighty,
the Holy Koran and the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, Kuwait never
deviated from these doctrines throughout its political history.

1756:

     The state of Kuwait emerged as a political entity when the people of
Kuwait elected Sheikh Sabah (1) as their emir in 1756. This was based on the
principle of the Islamic Shoora, which was embedded in their beliefs. These
events preceded Iraq, which only emerged as a modern state during the early
1920s. It never occurred to either Kuwaitis or others that Iraq, which was
subjected to direct Ottoman rule would claim Kuwait as part of its domain.
Using this pretext that Kuwait was linked to the Ottoman rule, the Iraqis
forcefully subjected Kuwait and its people to a brutal and unjust invasion.

     It is a historical fact that Kuwait, contrary to claimed by Iraq, was
never subjected to Ottoman rule, and it was free to practice its legislative
authority. The Ottomans never appointed a ruler to Kuwait, as they did for
Iraq. The Turkish communication with the Kuwaiti emir was always direct and
never through any Iraqi channels.

1899:

     To signify its independence when faced with threats from the Ottoman
rule, Kuwait opted to practice its freedom by signing a treaty with Britain
in 1899.

     At the start of World War I, in October 1914, a British decree was issued
to Sheikh Mubarak stating that Kuwait was an independent state under British
protection; while Iraq was under British colonialism. During this time Kuwait
had full jurisdiction over its internal affairs with complete acknowledgement
of the British government. This agreement was accepted by the rulers of the
Arabian Gulf for practical reasons. Britain would administer their foreign
affairs in exchange for guaranteeing their internal sovereignty and
protection, while Iraq was under British administration and subject to
complete rule over its internal affairs, to the extent that all ministries
and governmental offices were run by British advisors. The Ottomans came to
realize that they couldn't stand against Britain, so they entered into
negotiations in 1911 thru 1913. This resulted in the British/Turkish agreement
in 1913 covering 5 sections, the first concerning Kuwait. In articles 5-7
Kuwait's borders were drawn with the Iraqi Ottomans, specifying that Kuwait
recognizes the islands of Warba and Bubiyan as its own, and Sufwan and Um Qasr
were given to Iraq. This resulted in the demarcation of Kuwait's borders by
an international agreement obligatory to all parties concerned.

1922:

     During the Aqueer Conference in 1922, Iraq enquired about the
relationship between Britain and Kuwait and its influence on the negotiations
concerning the demarcation of the borders. In response to these enquiries,
Britain confirmed its friendly relationship with Kuwait based on the
protectorate agreement signed between the two parties in 1899. The demarcation
of the Kuwaiti-Iraqi borders were specified in the British-Turkish agreement
in 1913.

1932:

     In 1932 when Iraq was on the threshold of independence from the British
administration, it had to define its borders with the neighboring countries
as a prerequisite to its entry into the League of Nations. To that accord,
correspondence was reciprocated between the British representative and the
Iraqi Acting Prime Minister Jaafar Al-Askary, stating that the demarcation of
the borders would be based on the English-Turkish agreement of 1913; to this
effect official documents were exchanged between the Iraqi Prime Minister
Nouri Al-Saed and the Kuwaiti Emir Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, with the British
representative acting as the official mediator. The exchange of these
documents is considered to be an obligatory agreement to the parties concerned
in accordance with international law.

1963:

     Verifying the above, another agreement was signed in 1963 between Kuwait
and Iraq where both parties agreed on the following terms:

     1 - The Republic of Iraq recognizes the independence of the state of
Kuwait, and its full sovereignty within its clarified borders stated in the
official letter of 21/7/1932 from the Iraqi prime minister. This in turn was
accepted by the Emir Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in his official letter
dated 1/8/1932.

     2 - Both governments will work in unison within their boundaries to
strengthen their brotherly relationship, Arab cause, their bilateral interests
and strive for Arab unity.

     3 - Both governments will work at establishing bilateral cooperation in
the cultural, commercial and economic fields and the exchange of technical
information between them.

     In accomplishment of the above, diplomatic representation was achieved
through the level of ambassadors. This agreement was signed by the head of the
Iraqi delegation Brigadier Ahmad Hassan Al-Bakr who was the prime minister at
that time and Sheikh Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, head of the Kuwaiti delegation
who was also the prime minister at that time.

Comments: The above clearly states that:

     1 - Historical facts falsify the claim that Kuwait was once a part of
Iraq, or that it was a part of the Ottoman Empire. These claims, despite their
fallacy open the door to worldwide chaos, in that if other countries commit
similar acts claiming historical rights. By the same token, the Iraqi regime
could invade and occupy Jordan by claiming it to be a part of the Ottoman
Empire. Even Iraq could be liable to such actions if other countries claim to
have historical rights in Iraq.

     2 - If the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait is as stated by the Iraqi
regime that Kuwait is a part of Iraq, then is it comprehensible that a country
would establish full diplomatic relations with a part of itself? How could
Iraqi (the origin!) accept the participation of Kuwait which it now claims to
be a part of Iraq to have full equal membership and in many cases surpasses
that of Iraq in all international organizations.

     3 - It is a known fact that Kuwait, an independent political entity was
established many years before Iraq. So how can one conceive the idea of an
independent state becoming a part of another country which acquired its
independence much later? These facts are not hidden from anyone. They only
contradict common sense and logic.

     4 - Iraq claims that it has no legal agreement concerning the demarcation
of the borders between Iraq and Kuwait and it does not recognize any agreement
dealing with this subject.

     We conclude:

     A - Saddam Hussein's regime does not recognize the basis of international
law. Therefore it is of no surprise that he denies the existence of any legal
agreement relating to the demarcation of the borders between Iraq and Kuwait.

1975:

     If Saddam himself cancelled the 1975 agreement which he personally signed
with Iran relating to the demarcation of the Iran-Iraq borders for no
legitimate reason other than promoting his personal greed, then it is feasible
for Saddam to cancel any other agreement signed by anyone other than himself,
which in this case was signed by President Ahmed Hassan Al-Bakr whose one time
deputy was Saddam Hussein.

     B - After signing the agreement of 1963, the articles were immediately
put into effect. As cultural and economic relations were alongwith diplomatic
relations were established. By these implementations, Iraq from the legal
point of view, had recognized the agreement and all the sections covered,
since the majority of these sections were put into effect. It is well known
that the execution of the agreement does not take place except after receiving
the approval of the ministerial council or the revolutionary council.
Therefore, there is no legitimacy in claiming that the 1963 agreement wasn't
approved by the councils mentioned above. The practice of the political,
cultural and social relations was a clear proof that the articles of this
agreement were all accepted.

     Finally, if Iraq claims to have a case against Kuwait then why did it
refuse Kuwait's repeated invitations during the past years, to present its
case to the International Court of Justice? And why did Iraq refuse Kuwait's
suggestion of appointing an Arab commission to look into the issue of the
borders between the two countries? If Iraq rejects its borders with Kuwait due
to the fact that they were drawn during colonial rule as they claim, then who
drew Iraq's borders with its other neighbors? Why is it acceptable for Iraq to
recognize its colonial borders with one neighbor and refuse it with another?
Had not Iraq itself recognized as mentioned, the signed agreement concerning
the demarcation of the borders with Kuwait in 1963?

     Iraq's deviance from international law and its defiance to all values and
treaties is shameful and sad not only for Iraq but for all Arabs and Muslims
alike. Iraq should bear full responsibility of its actions. Yet Iraq is
resorting to policies of "divide and conquer" particularly among Arab
countries. The Iraqi regime employs vile methods such as: mixing up different
issues and beliefs, evoking ill feelings between the Arab countries and
thereafter the Arabs against the rest of the world. By these actions it aims
to create a state of death and destruction, which it falsely believes will be
able to survive.

     In conclusion it is obvious that Saddam Hussein has no historical claim
on Kuwait, and that his intentions were to blind the eyes of the world with
his feeble attempts to justify the brutal invasion of Kuwait.

The Iraqi invasion of KUWAIT (PART II)

     On July 15, 1990, Saddam Hussein accused Kuwait and the United Arab
Emirates of stabbing Iraq in the back by overproducing their allotted quotas.
Thereby branding them as collaborators of the Imperialists and Zionists.

     On July 17, 1990, Iraq presented to The League of Arab Nations a letter
accusing Kuwait of stealing Iraqi oil from the Rumailah fields, establishing
military bases as well as agricultural farms and civilian installations on
Iraqi soil. The Iraqi regime demanded 2.4 billion dollars in compensation for
the allegedly stolen oil.

     On July 21, 1990, Kuwait responded to these accusations by stating that:

     1) - Since Iraq sent a letter to The League of Arab Nations complaining
of Kuwait's actions, it has asked The League to designate a committee to look
into these accusations and also to draw the borders in accordance with all
legal and binding agreements.

     2) - Kuwait's oil production is limited to its quota according to the
OPEC organization, it never exceeded its allotted quota.

     3) - Iraq's accusation of Kuwait stealing its oil was rejected and had
no basis. The oil field that Iraq calls Rumailah is in fact an oil vein that
extends equally in both countries and is known as Al-Ritga on the Kuwaiti
side. Therefore, the oil that Kuwait produces is rightfully within its own
borders. Moreover, Kuwait's oil production from this field is just 1 percent
of what Iraq produces from the same field.

     4) - Iraq's accusations that Kuwait transgressed Iraqi soil by
establishing military bases, agricultural farms and civilian installations,
was baseless. For it is incomprehensible that a small and peaceful country
such as Kuwait could mount an aggression upon a country that is by far bigger
in size, population and military force. After Kuwait presented its letter to
The League of Arab Nations, it was surprised by Iraq's insistence that the
dispute be resolved between them, without the interference of any 3rd party.
Iraq's contradictory stand is obvious in submitting the complaint to be judged
by The Arab League then at a later stage rejecting the Arab League's decision
to demand a bilateral solution to maintain its relationship with Iraq and for
the sake of stability and security in the region, and due to efforts of King
Fahd of Saudi Arabia and Mohammed Hosni Mubarak, president of the Arab
Republic of Egypt, Kuwait agreed to attend a meeting in Jeddah followed by
one in Baghdad and another in Kuwait, to discuss all unresolved issues between
the two Arab neighboring countries, after believing Saddam Hussein's
assurances and guarantees that he would not resort to the use of military
force in resolving these differences.

     On July 31, 1990, a meeting was held in Jeddah, between Izzat Ibrahim,
deputy chairman of the Iraqi Revolutionary Council and Kuwait's Crown Prince
and Prime Minister Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah. Sheikh Saad returned to
Kuwait on the night of August 1, 1990 to present the results of the
negotiations to H.R.H. the emir and the Kuwait government, while the Kuwaiti
government was scheduled to discuss the results of the Jeddah meeting at 9:00
a.m. August 2nd.

     Saddam Hussein as usual disregarded all the given promises and assurances
to the Arab leaders and invaded Kuwait at 2:00 a.m. August 2nd 1990,
committing unprecedented acts of aggression such as: the killing of innocent
people, massive looting and the vile acts of rape, forcefully evicting the
Kuwaitis out of their homeland by the use of terror, threatening to commit
inhuman crimes of rape and murder, and denying Kuwaitis the right to return to
their homeland from abroad. Furthermore Saddam Hussein transgressed the bases
of international law by his aggression on embassies in Kuwait and his massive
hostage-taking of foreigners in a manner that does not comply with basic human
values. Saddam Hussein claimed that his invasion of Kuwait was based on the
invitation of the "Kuwaiti people's revolution" that denounces the existing
regime. He then formed a puppet government. After failing to realize his
scheme, especially since not one Kuwaiti collaborated with him, he annexed
Kuwait claiming that "the branch has returned to its origin" and considered
it to be a district of Iraq.

     All these events are clear proof that his intention to invade and occupy
Kuwait was premeditated. In assertation to this fact is the size of the troops
that were mobilized which numbered 170,000 soldiers armed to the hilt. It
also signifies that his intention was not only directed toward invading
Kuwait but could extend to other countries in the region.

     The whole world - nations, states and organizations condemned this
invasion, resulting in the resolutions of the Security Council # 660-# 665.
Emergency Arab Summit meeting that was held in Cairo during August 9 thru 10,
1990 including the foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic
Conference, representatives of the European countries, national and
international bodies including associations for amnesty and human rights.

     We would like to point out that this response is an unprecedented event,
unparalleled by any other in history. The occupying Iraqi forces began
systematic looting of the state of Kuwait to the extent that one can not
describe in words. Major operations: robbing the state of its properties,
public and private establishments, personal assets including household items,
factories, warehouses, hospitals, scientific institutes, schools and
universities. These events occurred under direct supervision of the Iraqi
authorities. The dismantling and transportation of these equipments required
not only ordinary manpower but the use of highly skilled technicians.

     What was committed in Kuwait is considered to be an act of armed robbery
initiated by Iraq, utilizing its military, technical and security systems.
The preceding facts give us an approximate picture to the extent of massive
looting and destruction that Kuwaiti properties and institutions were
subjected to.

     One can not hide the fact that Saddam Hussein and his criminal acts have
transgressed barbarically against all the Islamic laws and those of the
international community.

     Saddam Hussein's regime now stands against the world as a whole. The
world today passes through a crucial period in history forcing barbaric acts
of aggression to be punished.

     Today, the international umbrella is the only guarantee for the safety
and security of small countries against any threats to its independence or
sovereignty. The responsibility for their defense lies or falls on the
shoulders of the international community and that is the role of the Security
Council which condemned the Iraqi invasion; and adopted the adequate
resolutions that would ensure, when fully implemented, the deterrence of the
Iraqi aggression and the restoration of justice.

Examples of the acts of looting committed by the Iraqi forces:

     1 - Looting Kuwaiti military equipment, amunition, arms, and maintenance
equipment of the ground, air and naval forces. They also took fighter
planes, and naval ships as well as their uniforms.

     2 - They seized a great number of civilian planes owned by KAC (Kuwait
Airlines Corporation) and transferred them to Baghdad. They looted
the spare parts warehouses, and maintenance equipment, computers and
office equipment of the corporation.

     3 - They looted the Kuwait Red Crescent offices, warehouses, and
equipment.

     4 - Looting of all food and medical supplies from both the public and
private sectors, transfering them directly to Baghdad during the
first days of the invasion.

     5 - Looting new cars from the showrooms and all their spare parts as well
as cars owned by the people. They order people to get out of their
cars, and thereafter drove away with them.

     6 - Looting the gold markets.

     7 - Robbing financial institutes and banks.

     8 - Robbing commercial businesses and shops.

     9 - Looting governmental printing presses.

     10 - Looting all printing equipments from the private sectors as well.

     11 - Seizing port authority equipment and the goods that were stored in
the warehouses.

     12 - Traffic lights, and lamp posts were taken.

     13 - Power generating facilities were dismantled and taken to Baghdad.

     14 - Robbing crude oil storages. In addition to refining equipment.

     15 - Looting equipment from the ministry of electricity and water.

     16 - Educational equipment including computers, books and even desks.

     17 - Looting medical equipment from both the private and public hospitals
and the ministry of health.

     18 - They threw the patients in the hospitals out on the street, and
replaced them with Iraqi soldiers that had been wounded.

     19 - Seizing equipment (cameras, computers, radios) from the ministry of
information that runs TV and radio broadcasts. They also seized the archives
which include films, documentaries and musical recordings.

     20 - They stole scientific equipment from the Kuwait Institute for
Scientific Research (KISR)

     21 - They took all the livestock from the private and public sectors and
seized all the animals in the national zoo.

     22 - Looting private residents, ruling family residents and government
employees' homes.

     23 - They took furniture and equipments from schools and from educational
institutes.

     24 - Dismantling the amusement park rides and moving them to Baghdad.

     25 - Attempting to repatriate Iraqi families into Kuwait, with the aim
of changing the population structure in Kuwait.

     26 - Looting modern baking equipment which they moved to Baghdad.

     27 - The Iraqi army burnt and destroyed all institutions after robbing
them.

     28 - They seized all artifacts from the national museum, including one
of the world's finest Islamic art collections.

Kuwait services to other countries (PART III)

     Kuwaitis are proud not only of the wealth of their country, but also of
the fact that they have shared this wealth with their fellow Arabs and the
developing countries. They also include their Iraqi neighbor which in fact is
considered to be wealthier than Kuwait itself. Had it not been for the
consecutive Iraqi regimes that wasted its wealth, Iraq would not be where it
is today.

     It is ironic that Saddam justifies his invasion of Kuwait by claiming
that his intention was to distribute Kuwait's wealth to all the Arabs. He
intended to create a new struggle between the upper and lower classes of the
Arab world, and hoped to make Kuwait the cause of all tragedies in the Arab
world, and the cause of hardships for Iraq and its people. He wants to
appoint himself as the protector of the rights of the poor, while he himself
transferred large amounts of the Iraqi people's money to private accounts, in
his own name and other family members as well as other Arabs. He squandered
the Iraqi wealth on personal whims such as his many statues and birthday
parties to glorify his ego.

     Kuwait's policy was never to disclose the aid and contributions it
extended to the Arab world and developing countries. As this is an Islamic
principle whereby one does not disclose the good deeds that he performed.
However, to silence Iraq's false accusations it is necessary for us to
clarify the following:

     A) - The distribution of Kuwait's wealth was always divided justly and
evenly between Kuwaitis and other residents in accordance to the laws of
Islam, and by moralistic and civilized manners. This fact could be verified
by any visitor to Kuwait. Contrary to the situation in Kuwait, we find that
poverty in Iraq is widely spread with the exception of members of the security
secret service and the elite members of the military armed forces. Whereas
Kuwait's wealth was directed toward construction, modernization and the spread
of goodwill. We find that the Iraqi regime with suppressing its people and
directing their wealth into building a humongous military machine.

     B) - With regard to Kuwait's contributions to Iraq, Kuwait extended all
its efforts on official and public levels into helping Iraq with the belief
that it's an Islamic national duty.

     Before the war, Kuwait contributed in many industrial and economical
projects. Kuwait's ports were open to all Iraqi transit trade. Kuwait stood
with Iraq during its hardships for it has contributed 15 billion dollars
besides other merchandise during the Iran - Iraq war.

     Disregarding the government the Kuwaiti people also gave to the Iraqi
people in belief that this regime represents a solid Arab ally to Kuwait.

     At the end of the Iraq - Iran war Saddam Hussein demanded that the Arab
countries should pay the expenses of the war, regardless of the fact that he
had initiated it without their consent. Egypt entered four wars, 1948, 1956,
1967, and 1973 and it carried the financial expenses on its own.

     A clear proof of Kuwait's stand with Iraq is found in the victory speech
that Saddam Hussein delivered after Iran consented to the ceasefire 1988,
where he singled out Kuwait with endless praise and gratitude.

     It is utterly incomprehensible that Saddam Hussein's stand point changes
completely and now he accuses Kuwait of scheming with Zionist and
Imperialists aiming for the destruction of Iraq.

     In regard to Kuwait's contribution to Arabic, Islamic and developing
countries:

     Kuwait's policy was based on the principle that the Arabs are one nation
therefore after achieving its independence in 1961 Kuwait undertook its
national duty by extending all help possible to fellow Arabs in solving their
problems.

     On Dec. 31, 1961, Kuwait established "Kuwaiti Development Fund" whose
main objective was to extend financial facilities to the Arab world to help
in their economic developments.

     This fund that is considered to be the first Arabic National Institution
established by developed countries for extending aid to other developing
countries, started with the capitalization of KD 50 million financed by
Kuwait.

     During the 1st phase 1962-74 aid was directed to the Arab countries and
from 1974 it expanded to include 3rd world countries. Due to the increasing
financial needs of the Arab countries its capitalization jumped from KD 100
million in 1963, to KD 200 million in 1966 to KD 1 billion in 1974.

     In 1981 its capitalization increased to KD 2 billion. The following is a
brief consensus of the Kuwaiti development fund's role in financing Arab,
Islamic, developing countries on Dec. 31, 1989.

[See Table 1.: Foreign Loans]

     This of course does not include donations or other contributions extended
to other Arab, Islamic, African or Asian countries.

     Therefore it is very clear that the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait does not
hurt the Kuwaiti people only but its scars extend to other countries in
particular the developing countries that were benefitting from the financial
help received from the Kuwaiti fund.