Covert crisis between USA and Kuwait over Kuwaiti Parliament
Kuwait, International, 9/29/1997

American-Kuwaiti relations are heading towards a crisis after the US administration prevented a member of the Kuwaiti parliament, Dr. Hassan Gohar, from attending the meeting between a delegation comprising Kuwaiti parliament members and officials in the US government and Congress last week.

During the visit of the Kuwaiti Parliament Friendship delegation to Washington, Dr. Gohar who is a Shiite Muslim, was informed by Dr. Nasser Al Sanea that the US administration objected to Dr. Gohar's attending the official meetings without giving a clear or official explanation for this decision.

In a press conference in the Kuwaiti parliament, Gohar mentioned that he got an official visa from the US Embassy in Kuwait to visit Washington and that his entry to the USA met with no obstacles as the visit came through legitimate channels.

Dr. Gohar requested a clear explanation from the US administration, asserting that he was amazed by such an act from the US which is governed by the institutions system. Gohar studied at a university in the American state of Florida and has strong relations with many American organizations, societies, and study centers.

The speaker of the Kuwaiti parliament, Ahmed Al Saadon, will meet with the US Ambassador in Kuwait Ryan Crocker to get a more complete explanation for what happened. Some Kuwaiti newspapers mentioned that Al Saadon was informed before the departure of the delegation that the American side had reservations about Dr. Gohar.

Commentators on US-Kuwaiti relations stated that the US administration believes that Gohar has connections with political organizations that are known to be terrorist ones and he is also believed to have strong relations with Iran, the arch enemy of the US in the region.

Gohar pointed out that he is not looking for a certificate of good behavior or integrity from anyone, as he is performing his responsibilities as an elected member of parliament, and that his beliefs stem form Islam and from his defense of the Arab and Islamic issues.

The US played the major role in liberating Kuwait from the Iraqi occupation in 1990.

Previous Stories:
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