Alleviating of suffering for Iraqi people cannot be achieved through speeches but through 'full Iraqi adherence' to all the United Nations' Resolutions

["adr1ano" <adr1ano@DELETETHISnetscapeonline.co.uk>]

ALGIERS, Wednesday, February 23, 2000:

Kuwait Parliament Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi said Monday

the alleviating of suffering for Iraqi people cannot be achieved

through speeches but through 'full Iraqi adherence' to all the

United Nations' Resolutions related to its invasion of Kuwait.

Speaking before the ninth Arab Parliamentary Union (IPU),
Al-Khorafi said "Despite the wounds of Kuwait, it does not
accept to trade with the wounds of the nation."
He asserted that the Iraqi regime was fully responsible for

the suffering of its people.

At the same time, he pointed out that the Iraqi regime has never
cared about condemnations issued by various Arab and
international organizations, foremost those concerning the
release of all Third-country nationals and Kuwaitis who had

been detained during Iraq's invasion of the country.

He affirmed that the support extended by the participating
Delegations in the IPU could force Iraq end the 9 year ordeal.

He told the Conferees that this meeting was held under very
critical conditions confronting the Arab nation after unprecedented

Iraqi aggression against Kuwait had disunited the Arabs.

He called on the Arab representatives to strive in finding an
active formula for an Arab unity based on reciprocal respect.

He proposed at the same time that the IPU and Arab government
would speed up their efforts in offering political and financial
support to Lebanon to confront consequences of the Zionist
aggression.

Al-Khorafi had earlier praised an initiative of the Algerian
President for hosting this conference, stressing that the
Government and people of Kuwait have all affection to Algeria.
He expressed joy that Algeria has overcome its obstacles through
achieving the national reconciliation.

On the other hand, Al-Khorafi urged Iran to find a prompt
solution to its occupation of the three United Arab Emirates
Islands through direct negotiations between the two countries.

He said the current conference discussed many issues topped by
the establishment of a joint Arab market, saying it would be the
way to absorb the international changes.

Al-Khorafi extended gratitude to the Speaker of the Egyptian
Shaab Council, Dr Fathi Suror, for being able to run the IPU
under harsh conditions.

Furthermore, a meeting of the Arab Parliamentary Authority on
the Joint Arab Market was held, during which the Authority's
Bureau was selected.

Suror was elected Chairman, while Kuwaiti Parliament Member
Abdel Wahab Al-Haroun was elected deputy chairman.

The representative of the Lebanese Parliamentary Caucus,

Ali Al-Khalil was elected as Secretary.

On the other hand, Al-Khorafi urged the Conferees to assist
Kuwait find a solution to the ordeal of its war detainees in Iraq.

He asserted that the families of the prisoners were living in

sorrow day after day for the loss of their sons and daughters,

who are still being detained in Iraqi jails since Saddam invaded

Kuwait in August 1990.

"Despite the separation of loved ones, the Government and people
of Kuwait are sharing the worries of the Arab people including
the suffering of the Iraqi people," he added.

He denounced the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, saying that
despite the peace efforts, Israel was still continuing its
attacks and blood-shed in Lebanon.

Meanwhile the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Syria, Ibrahim Al-Mousa
reaffirmed Kuwait's support of the Syrian stance concerning the
Middle East Peace Process.

Interviewed by "Tishreen" local weekly magazine, Al-Moussa said
that the Kuwaiti policy is stable towards Syria and will support
Syria to regain its rights and occupied lands, according to the
international laws and the Land for Peace formula.

He pointed out that Syria proved that it placed peace as a
strategic choice and demands that this peace is just and
comprehensive, adding that all sides were optimistic when Syria
resumed talks, which proved its intention to reach peace.
There is definitely some disappointment with the Peace Process
being hindered as a result of Israel's inflexibility.

Al-Moussa asserted that Syria will continue the Peace Process,
despite all obstacles, believing that "peace will prevail" the
region one day followed by a development and construction
process.

He praised the Syrian-Kuwaiti relations, describing them as a
model of bilateral relations, which are build on mutual respect
and interests, adding that the two countries are adhering to an
Arab unity.

He added that the bilateral relations witnessed during the last
years a development in all the cooperative domains, proved
through the constant exchange of visits between the two countries.

He pointed out that the joint Kuwait-Syrian committee is to hold
meetings during its coming session, where it put a framework for
economic and developmental cooperation in Syria.

Al-Moussa said that the Kuwaiti Fund of the Arab Economic
Development is considered a model of this cooperation, as it
finances many vital developmental projects in Syria.

The fund presented 25 loans to Syria, worth KD318 million, to
finance important projects, such as expanding the communications
network, establish power stations, water, irrigation and health
projects.

He expressed his hope that Kuwait celebrates its National and
Liberation days, on Feb 25 and 26 amid the return of its 605
Gulf War prisoners detained in the Iraqi prisons since 1990.
--Kuna

>