Amir of Kuwait opens Ummah council session: political rights for the woman; economic reforms

Kuwaiti prime minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah said yesterday that the government's main policy for 2005 is to implement urgent political reforms and work for issuing a law allowing women the right to elect, vote for the Ummah council which opened its legislative session on Tuesday by the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah for the first time since a long time.

Sheikh Jabber ( 75 year old) appeared in a public place for the first time since his return back from New York where he held successful routine medical tests. The prince who seemed to be a bit tired was supported by his aides in entering and leaving the hall of the council. He was welcomed by the parliamentarians and the guests by great applause as he arrived at the forum. he took a long time in reading the inauguration statements which read:"In the name of the God and the generosity of Almighty God, we open this session, hoping you success." Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad said in a speech before he council " reform in Kuwait is a large national project." He added: it was natural for the state of Kuwait following the collapse of the toppled regime in Iraq and security conditions inclination to stability that a new phase of openness and modernization to be introduced at different levels."

Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad said in the speech which was read on his behalf by Sheikh Jabber "it has become necessary that the Kuwaiti woman be able to practice her role in voting and be a candidate for the Ummah council so as to embody her inspired position." Sabah al-Ahmad urged the council to respond with the government to approve the reforms which have been waiting for. He announced he wants to verify the sources of the income in the country in which sales of oil and its byproducts represent 90% of its revenues. He said that Kuwait is looking to get out of the cycle of an economy dependent on a unilateral source to a productive and multi- resource economy, noting the magnifying the role of the private sector and converting it into an effective element in the national economy that constitutes the main entry gate to the forthcoming phase."

On the other hand, the Kuwaiti minister of information Muhammad Abu al-Hassan said yesterday it is time for Kuwait to be back as the country of political and economic initiatives and to be an example in the area.