Kuwait calls for understanding western demands for reforms; Moussa: the reforms will fail if not fully discussed
Kuwait, Politics, 2/21/2004

The secretary general of the Arab League (AL), Amr Moussa, considered that the American and European initiatives for political and democratic reforms in the Middle East "are incomplete" because they do not tackle the Arab- Israeli conflict. He said that there is no "opportunity" for initiatives that are not discussed with the parties concerned.

Moussa said in Cairo commenting on the American and European initiatives to maintain reform in the Middle East "the sky rains initiatives as if the Middle East will be a field trials, but the proposed initiatives are incomplete." He added "with our interest and acceptance of democracy and human rights, however, this is one part. Stability in the region requires solving its problems, especially the Arab- Israeli conflict." He continued "Double standards are not accepted in the issue of weapons of mass destruction," in a remark to the Israeli nuclear arsenal.

Moussa said that the Arab states were not notified officially about the American initiative on "a Greater Middle East" and criticized not consulting the Arab states in this regard. He added "the Americans should listen to us so as we will listen to them and considered that there is 'no opportunity' for any initiatives that is not discussed with those concerned."

Meantime, the Kuwaiti prime minister, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, called for understanding the western demands which call for developing education and the political systems in the Arab states. He said in an interview with the Egyptian daily al-Ahram issued yesterday "I believe that we have to be cautious over rejecting things and cling to the old because a certain side wants it to be changed." He added "such a matter will keep us in the circle of backwardness which various international studies proved that our region suffers the most." The Kuwaiti prime minister indicated that his country "overcame the phase of dispute with the Arab League" over the issue of Iraq. He explained that Kuwait is committed to revitalize the role of the Arab League and amend what is necessary in its charter so as to give it more authorities "in order to solve the cold war among the Arabs and preventing them from converting into crisis."

Previous Stories:
  Kuwait bans Bahraini citizens from entering its lands   (2/19/2004)
  Acts of violence returned back against the Kuwaitis in Iraq   (2/18/2004)
  Syrian- Kuwaiti relations are deeply rooted   (2/17/2004)

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