Kuwait refuses any meeting with Iraq before releasing the captives

Kuwait expressed yesterday its absolute refusal to convene any direct meeting with Iraqi officials before the release of Kuwaiti captives. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Salem al-Sabah said his country opposes any direct meeting with the Iraqis before the release of Kuwaiti captives or a portion of them, saying that Baghdad must prove its good intent in the captives case first and what concerns the invitation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh for Kuwait and Iraq to establish a direct discussion concerning the suspended issues between them.