Kuwait envoy pleased with state of bilateral relations with RI
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)