Iraq returns back art works for Kuwait

Iraq yesterday returned back to Kuwaiti artistic pieces it had confiscated during its invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The spokesman for the UN force in charge of monitoring the borders between the two states, Daljit Bagha, said that the handing over process included a set of paintings, weapons, swords and sculptors "made in a good way."

The UN official clarified that Iraqi and Kuwaiti officials met in Um al-Qaser at the naval borders between the two states to hand over these pieces.

In a statement, the Iraqi foreign ministry said that the "Customs authorities have recently confiscated four paintings and seven gifts from Kings and heads of states to the ruling family in the state of Kuwait and a set of the properties of the Kuwaiti national Museum and confiscated them." In another development, the Jordanian government announced yesterday that it is not "a side" in a meeting concerning the missing in the Gulf war which will be held at the ICRC headquarters in Amman.

Last Thursday Baghdad had announced the convening of the meeting, noting this was decided during a meeting for the representatives of the three Arab states ( Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia) besides France, Britain, the USA and the ICRC in Geneva.

An official at the Jordanian foreign ministry said that "the Jordanian government was not contacted by any side, and if the meeting will be held at the ICRC premises in Amman, we will be at least informed about that." Kuwait confirmed the date of holding the meeting while the ICRC expressed satisfaction over convening it.