Kuwait seeking support in conflict with Iraq

JAKARTA (JP): Kuwait yesterday solicited the support of Indonesia, which currently chairs the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), in its bid to have the international economic embargo against Iraq extended.

Chairman of the Parliament of Kuwait Saleh Yousif Al-Fidhalah met with President Soeharto, who also chairs the NAM, to ask Indonesia to use its influence in ensuring an extension of the embargo until Iraq recognizes Kuwait's sovereignty and independence.

Both Kuwait and Iraq are members of NAM.

"Don't lift the embargo. If Iraq intends to live in peace, it should comply with UN orders," he said.

He added that Kuwait has extended this request to the United Nations Security Council.

The five-member delegation was accompanied by Ambassador of Kuwait Ali Zakaria Al-Ansari and Vice Chairman of Indonesia's House of Representatives/Peoples Consultative Assembly Ismail Hasan Metareum.

"On behalf of the government of Kuwait, I would like to thank President Soeharto for his stand in the Iraq-Kuwait dispute. We also believe that Soeharto fully understands the problem."

Al-Fidhalah said Soeharto received a report on the condition of Kuwait prisoners held by Iraq since the Gulf War in 1991, the unresolved dispute over the delineation of their common border, and the execution of UN resolutions in the region.

"President Soeharto was clearly against the detention of the 630 Kuwait prisoners, most of whom are women, children and the elderly. They were arrested by the Iraqis from the streets and at their places of worship," he explained.

The Iraqis, however, denied the existence of the prisoners, despite the fact that sufficient data has been supplied by the International Red Cross, the international community and the UN Security Council, he said.

Al-Fidhalah also considered Iraq as continuously making problems by disrupting the areas along their common border.

"We asked President Soeharto, in his capacity as NAM leader, to convince and urge Iraq to abide by the UN resolution, especially concerning the fate of the Kuwait prisoners there, and to respect Kuwait's sovereignty and security" he said. (pwn)