Kuwait envoy pleased with state of bilateral relations with RI

JAKARTA (JP): Outgoing Kuwait Ambassador Ali Zakaria Al-Ansari said yesterday that he was pleased with the state of bilateral relations, and was particularly gratified by Indonesia's relentless support in Kuwait's dispute with Iraq.

Al-Ansari said he fully appreciated Indonesia's support for Kuwait's demand that Iraq return hundreds of its citizens who have been held by Baghdad since the end of the Gulf War in 1991.

"I know there were communiques from President Soeharto requesting the prisoners and detainees be released ... The Kuwaiti government and the Kuwaitis highly appreciate the support from Indonesia," he told journalists after meeting with Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher at the latter's office.

President Soeharto is the chairman of the Non- Aligned Movement of which both Iraq and Kuwait are members.

According to the ambassador, there are still more than 600 Kuwaitis held by Iraqis. He said his government has no idea of their whereabouts, nor do their relatives.

"Even their families do not know whether they are still alive or not. Even if they are dead, please bring the corpses to Kuwait, so we can pray and bury them according to Islamic teachings," he said.

The Ambassador said his government has no intention of opening a new chapter of relations with Iraq until the latter recognizes Kuwait's sovereignty and abide by a UN Security Council's resolution which delineates their common borders.

Al-Ansari also expressed his government's appreciation toward Indonesia's support for his country during the six-month Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

"We appreciate Indonesia's support during our difficult time ... President Soeharto had asked Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait, of course in the light of the principle that a Moslem country has no right to invade its neighbor in the name of Islam or in the name of Arabicism."

He noted that the Gulf War has left deep psychological effects on Kuwaitis. "It takes some time to heal ... Besides, we are still nervous because our neighbor is still aggressive."

Al-Ansari noted that Kuwait now is promoting its ties with other Moslem countries, especially Indonesia as it is the home of the largest number of Moslems in the world.

Quiet projects

A number of Moslem organizations in Kuwait are helping with Indonesia's development, including building roads, dams, as well as more than 600 mosques. However, all these projects are not widely known among Indonesians as they have been done quietly.

"They (Kuwaitis) do them very quietly because Islam teaches you when you do something for your brothers, you should not announce it, but you should do it quietly."

The ambassador said economic relations between the two countries have increased. The two countries have signed an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation, which is bound to encourage more Kuwaiti entrepreneurs to invest in Indonesia.

Two weeks ago, a big Kuwaiti financial institution, the Baitul Tamwil of Kuwait, came here to establish its branch office and study the markets, he said.

Baitul Tamwil has also forged cooperation with the first Indonesian Islamic bank, Bank Muamalat Indonesia (BMI) established three years ago. It promised to train BMI's employees on Islamic banking system.

Another major breakthrough is that Kuwait Airways' direct flights between Kuwait City and Jakarta, now twice a week, will soon be increased to three times a week. (rid)