May 30, 2010Iraq, Kuwait must build a new future
It doesn't help either side that bitterness from the past is allowed to fester ...
The Iraqi government's decision to dissolve the state-owned airline, in order to avoid paying the company's debt to Kuwait Airways, will not absolve the occupied country from its financial obligations, according to a Kuwaiti government statement on Thursday.
The debt is part of massive compensation worth some $23 billion set by the United Nations following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The current Iraqi government argues the UN compensation resolution should be scrapped because the Saddam regime which invaded Kuwait has been overthrown and a new, democratic, regime installed.
But Kuwait insists Iraq must pay the amount in full regardless of who is running the country. Other countries, including Gulf states, wrote off Iraqi debts following the fall of the Saddam regime to help the rebuilding of the war-ravaged country. For this reason, Iraqi relations with Kuwait have not improved like they have with other countries.
Moreover, the reluctance of both governments to tackle the issue diplomatically sparked a media war between the neighbouring countries over the issue. Hot-headed MPs and commentators on both sides have been trading insults and inflaming sentiments.
The debt issue should be handled carefully and diplomatically. Taking into account the historical suspicion that engulfs the relations between Iraq and Kuwait, it is not in the interest of both countries and the Gulf region to wage another war even if it confined to the pages of newspapers.
Gulf News
Moreover, the reluctance of both governments to tackle the issue diplomatically sparked a media war between the neighbouring countries over the issue. Hot-headed MPs and commentators on both sides have been trading insults and inflaming sentiments.
The debt issue should be handled carefully and diplomatically. Taking into account the historical suspicion that engulfs the relations between Iraq and Kuwait, it is not in the interest of both countries and the Gulf region to wage another war even if it confined to the pages of newspapers.
Gulf News
