Kuwait-France ties hailed as Sheikh Jaber, Hollande meet

40 Pages·2015·13.84 MB·English

by  Islam Mac

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015 MUHARRAM 8,1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net
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PARIS: French President Francois Hollande received HH
conspiracy theories the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-
Hamad Al-Sabah yesterday for broad talks on bilateral rela-
Racism and wasta! tions and an overview of the situation in the Gulf region
and the Middle East, Hollande’s office said. During the
meeting at the Elysee Palace, Hollande told Sheikh Jaber of
his satisfaction with the visit, which he said represents a
“new step” in bilateral relations, noting that “this visit con-
stitutes a reinforcement of our bilateral partnership”.
Sheikh Jaber is heading an important delegation over
By Badrya Darwish the next two days to discuss relations with France in a vari-
ety of areas, including in the political, economic and
finance, military, cultural and scientific and health areas.
Contacts between a delegation of Kuwaiti businessmen
from the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry
[email protected] (KCCI) and their French counterparts are also taking place
at the MEDEF business federation.
In the meeting with Sheikh Jaber yesterday, Hollande
Call it discrimination. Call it racism. Call it whatev- indicated that “agreements will be reached in several
er you want. These are diseases that kill society. areas” during the visit. He remarked that France and
They are viruses which creep into a society and Kuwait will create “a public-private fund” aimed at financ-
slowly destroy it. Such diseases should not be nour- ing small and intermediary enterprises and industries in
ished in my country. Lately, I heard the disturbing “strategic sectors” here. The French leader also indicated
news that there is a study or possible plan to allocate that “a security and defense partnership” will be agreed
the new Jaber Hospital only for us Kuwaitis. and also an accord on “cultural and scientific cooperation”,
Why? Are we superior to the rest of the human an area that has been growing solidly in recent years.
race? The expats that are serving us and our country “The president of the republic also praised the impor-
are not allowed to enter this sacred place? Makkah tant health cooperation that is being established with
does not forbid expats from coming. Madinah, where Kuwait,” his office said. On regional issues, “the president
the Prophet (PBUH) lies, is for everybody from all races. praised the moderating actions of Kuwait in the region
So why should Jaber Hospital be allocated only for us? PARIS: French President Francois Hollande meets Kuwaiti Prime Minister HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- (and) its contribution to the fight against Daesh (IS).”
Continued on Page 13 Sabah yesterday at the Elysee Palace. — AFP Continued on Page 13
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER21, 2015
LO C A L
Fawaz Al-Farah (right) and Yousef Al-Fouzan launch the exhibition.
Kuwait Airways to make profit in two to three years
By Nawara Fattahova
KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways expects to make a profit
within the next two to three years, its chief executive
said yesterday, as it aims to cut costs and improve its
operational efficiency. The airline’s losses for 2015 will
be less than KD 20 million ($66.3 million), compared
with KD 33 million in the previous year, Chief
Executive Abdullah Al-Sharhan said. “In 2015, we aim
to reduce some of the losses. We continuously
improving,” he said. Kuwait’s government has
approved plans to privatize the airline. Under the pro-
posal, 20 percent of the airline’s shares would be
offered to Kuwaiti citizens, five percent to current and
retired employees, while the government would
retain the rest. Sharhan said that parliament is expect-
ed to pass this plan in the next few months. Sharhan
also revealed some of the carrier’s present and future
operations and expansion plans. “We intend to renew
the current fleet with 12 aircraft from Airbus - five
A330s and seven A320s - which should be executed Fawaz Al-Farah presenting a speech dur-
during 2015 and 2016. By the end of 2016, we will ing the opening ceremony of the
start receiving 10 Boeing 777 aircraft till the mid of
Al-Farah and Al-Fouzan are pictured during a tour of the exhibition. Conference. —Photos by Joseph Shagra
2017. In 2019, we will start receiving 25 aircraft from
Airbus including 15 A320 planes, which we will develop the civil aviation sector in Kuwait. The value expansion of the new terminal 2 at the airport, the Factories Co, United Projects for Air Services, the Sokker, Business Development Manager - SITA, a
receive till 2021, and another 10 A350/900 aircraft of these projects is around $6 billion,” Farah noted supporting terminal project, developing the current French company Real France and several internation- company specialized in the field of air transport com-
from 2020 till 2022,” he pointed out. during the opening ceremony held yesterday. The runways - both the east and west ones - and building al companies such as Selex, Smiths Detection, munications and IT, spoke about moving towards the
“To execute this plan, we need to develop and two-day conference at the Regency Hotel is held a third new runway, building a second control tower, Siemens, Jet, Teko International and Cavotech. next phase of airport development through technol-
enlarge the airport. We also need infrastructure and under the auspices of Minister of Communications carrying out the second phase of an air freight city, During the conference, Vice Chairman and CEO of ogy and innovation.
smart and spacious airports. In 2022, we will have 47 Essa Al-Kandari, with Kuwait Airways as the diamond develop navigation equipments and the weather ALAFCO Airplane Finance, Purchase and Leasing On the agenda of the second day of the confer-
new aircraft in the fleet, both leased and bought. We sponsor and ALAFCO as golden sponsor. The event is broadcast system, building and developing the road Ahmad Al-Zeben spoke about the general trends of ence is Jamal Al-Foudari from the Australian College,
expect to have the second terminal completed within organized and managed by Kuwait’s Expo Tag for network at the airport and developing the electricity the aviation industry in Kuwait and the region. Then who will speak about training requirements in the
5 to 10 years, and in 18 months from now, the con- Organizing Exhibitions and Conferences Co and infrastructure,” he explained. CEO of Bahrain Airport, Mohammad Youssef bin aviation field in Kuwait and the region; while Senior
struction of a new airport for Kuwait Airways will Babylon International of the UAE. Director General of DGCA Youssef Al-Fouzan stat- Falah, spoke about airport economic and commercial Consultant of Business and Financial Services Vinod
start. As part of the expansion plan, we will build a Airports in the region and particularly in the GCC ed that this event contributes to strengthening the development opportunities, while the Hassan Houri, Karthik from India will deliberate about the motivat-
maintenance base, 10 hangars and runways, a train- countries are rapidly developing. “These govern- Kuwaiti economy and will highlight the latest prod- the CEO of National Aviation Services (NAS) Group ing factors for development and change in airports.
ing center, and land service center. We are only wait- ments aim through these developments to increase ucts, technologies and services related to airports. spoke on the issue of development and improvement Moreover, Vice Chairman of Facilities
ing for the lands to start the projects,” stressed abilities and improve services according to the “The conference will discuss studies of investments of passenger services and the future developments of Management at Saudi Oger Dr Waleed Youssef will
Sharhan. Sharhan was speaking at the Directorate increasing number of passengers using their airports. and commercial opportunities for joint ventures with self service. First-day panel discussions covered three address the management of airport facilities; and
General of Civil Aviation’s 5th annual emerging air- The civil aviation in Kuwait has prepared a major plan the public and private sectors through BOT (Build- main themes - airports capacity in the region, sustain- Sales Manager at Cavotech Co Yakeen Dabda will talk
ports conference and exhibition called “Expansion of of expansion and developing projects of Kuwait Operate-Transfer),” he stated. ability in the development of airports and effect of about ways to improve ground operations at airports
Airports - Kuwait 2015”. DGCA President Fawaz Al- International Airport. All these projects aim to The Ministry of Public Works and Ministry of regional situations on the aviation sector, with pre- and provide services to airplanes at airports.
Farah said civil aviation is one of the most important improve the aviation services provided here,” added Interior are participating in the conference, in addi- sentations by Fouzan, Zeben, Falah and Regional Additionally, Pedro Russo, Business Development
sectors participating in realizing economic and devel- Farah. The expected growth of air traffic at Kuwait air- tion to many companies specialized in aviation and Manager of Hill International Mohammad Al-Rais. Manager at Tisen Group Elevators in the Middle East
opment plans by providing work opportunities and port during the next 10 years will reach 7 percent per its various services such as NAS Co, Nisf Group for CEO of Erbil International Airport Talar Fae, spoke in Dubai will give a lecture; plus a speaker from Cisco,
increasing the total local product. “Such conferences year. “The expansion plan is in line with the fast Trade and Industrial Engines, the Aviation about the challenges facing Erbil International as well as Hamdi Shok and the CEO of GRM Airport
and exhibitions shed light on projects that aim to growth of air traffic. The most important plans are the Department of the Australian College, Alam Steel Airport in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Meanwhile, Adonis Development in India.
FIFA decision unconvincing,
unjustifiable: Sheikh Salman
Info Minister blasts FIFA
KUWAIT: Minister of Information and those of other countries in the region; voiced hope that everybody will work
Minister of State for Youth Affairs they are on par with the international for the interests of Kuwait and refrain
Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al- standards. “It would have been more from any measures that could have
Humoud Al-Sabah has blasted FIFA for proper for FIFA to hold Kuwait in high negative impacts on the progress of
its recent decision to ban Kuwait from esteem after His Highness the Amir the sports movement in the country.
participation in international soccer decreed in 2012 amending the sports “The government remains commit-
activities. “The decision is utterly legislations to enshrine the independ- ted to impartiality regarding the sports
unconvincing and unjustifiable. It’s an ence of the sports institutions. But the institutions and clubs, and will not
uncalculated punishment that harms FIFA, to the contrary, resorted to threats,” interfere in the affairs of the Kuwait
the fame of the Kuwaiti sport,” the min- he went on. Football Association in keeping with
ister told reporters on Monday evening. “The International Olympic the local and international regulations.
Sheikh Salman made the comments Committee issued threats to Kuwait on “Nevertheless, the government will
during a ceremony held by the Public July 20 and October 15. We offered continue shouldering its responsibility
Authority for Sports and Youth (PAYS) to detailed explanations regarding the and offer limitless support to these
honor the former board members of legal and technical aspects of the mat- institutions as usual in order to main-
PAYS. “Given its numerous contribu- ter to the honorable IOC deputy chair- tain the good fame of the Kuwaiti
tions to FIFA and the international man and board members, but all to no sport,” he added. Asked on the apology
sports, the State of Kuwait doesn’t avail,” he recalled. “Out of keenness on for the country’s inability to host the
deserve this treatment,” he regretted. participation in overseas sports activity, 23rd Gulf Cup, Sheikh Salman blamed
In the meantime, Sheikh Salman reaf- we keep the door open for further dis- the decision on the abrupt FIFA ban,
firmed Kuwait’s “unequivocal respect” for cussions of all sticking points during adding that Kuwait was eager for the
the Olympic Charter and the interna- meetings between the IOC and our event and put all its resources at the
tional sports regulations. “The Kuwaiti Olympic Committee in a responsible disposal of the championship but faced
legislations are more advanced than way,” Sheikh Salman went on. He formidable hurdles. —KUNA
Kuwait promotes SDGs
NEW YORK: Kuwait is ready to shoulder its regional
and international responsibility towards achievement
of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2015-30,
Diplomatic Attache in Kuwait’s Permanent Delegate to
the UN Farah Al-Gharabally has said. Kuwait is keen on
dealing seriously and effectively with the SDGs-related
issues, Al-Gharabally said in a speech at UN Economic
and Social Council meeting on Monday.
She expounded that Kuwait has hosted a number of
high-level economic, social and humanitarian meetings
and conferences with a view to fostering development
and humanitarian partnership among regional and
Diplomatic Attache in Kuwait’s Permanent
world countries. Kuwait has been also providing finan-
Delegate to the UN Farah Al-Gharabally
cial assistance to set up development projects in devel-
oping and least developed countries, through its differ- Gulf states eye
ent financial institutions at the forefront of them the
Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, Al- ‘green schools’
Gharabally stated. She noted that Kuwait in the past
few years provided development assistance that
amounted to 2.1 percent of its GDP, which is more than KUWAIT: A consultative meeting of Gulf countries and Yemen has
double the percentage agreed-upon internationally. mulled an ambitious proposal to set up green schools in Gulf coun-
Al-Gharabally emphasized her country’s backing to the tries and Yemen as a part of the region’s efforts to promote sustain-
UN and particularly the Economic and Social Council able development. The conferees have discussed a number of recom-
efforts to eradicate poverty, materialize SDGs and con- mendations to put into effect the proposal, General Coordinator of
trol the communicable and non-communicable dis- the meeting Dr Ali Al-Kanderi said following the conclusion of the
eases. She stated that Kuwait would end its term in the two-day event. They also thoroughly debated a plan of action on the
green schools projects, detailing the roles of the students, teachers,
membership of the UN Economic and Social Council in
school administrations and local community, he said. Al-Kanderi added
December 2015.
that the conferees reviewed a number of the stories of success of the
She expressed gratitude for countries which voted
eco-friendly projects in the region. The outcome of the meeting, organ-
for Kuwait’s membership in the Commission on the
ized by the Kuwaiti national educational, scientific and cultural commit-
Status of Women (CSW), the United Nations Entity for
tee under the auspices of Minister of Education and Minister of Higher
Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, for Education Dr Bader Al-Essa, would be formulated in a comprehensive
four years starting from 2016. —KUNA report to be implemented by the participating countries. —KUNA
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER21, 2015
LO C A L
Kuwait underscores the importance of
closer coordination among GCC states
‘Gulf should exert effort to improve labor markets’
DOHA: Kuwaiti Minister of Social charity to offer more contributions determination of the GCC states to
Affairs and Labor, and Minister of to the social development in modernize their social legislations
State for Planning and Kuwait. He spoke highly of the in a way that could ensure justice
Development Affairs Hind Al- support given to civil society insti- to marginalized or vulnerable seg-
Sabeeh has underscored the tutions by the Ministry of Social ments of their communities, and
importance of closer coordination Affairs and Labor which set the improve the quality of social serv-
among GCC states in social action standards for selecting the best ices.
to realize the objectives of devel- projects in this regard.
opment. In statements to KUNA Led by Al-Sabeeh, Kuwait’s del- GCC labor markets
following the opening session of egation to the meeting includes Meanwhile, Qatar’s Assistant
DOHA: Kuwait’s Minister of Health Dr Ali Saad Al-Obaidi hold talks with GCC health ministers in Doha. —KUNA
the 32nd GCC social affairs minis- Undersecretary of the Ministry of Undersecretary at the Ministry of
GCC Health ministers’ meetings aim ters’ meeting, she said the GCC Social Affairs and Labor Dr Matar Labor and Social Affairs Ahmad Al-
societies face almost identical risks Ali Al-Mutairi, Deputy Director- Nasser urged GCC states to exert
to bolster cooperation, unify visions which require concerted efforts to General of Human Resources and more efforts to eliminate obstacles
ensure better future. Financial Affairs Dept of the public that face the GCC markets. Al-
“Today’s meeting led to an authority of disability affairs Dr Nasser said that local and regional
DOHA: Kuwait’s Minister of Health Dr ment quality, provide better health- received by Qatar’s Minister of Public agreement to promote sharing of Hussein Al-Duwaihes and director challenges are affecting the GCC
Ali Saad Al-Obaidi has stressed the care, share expertise and enact legis- Health Abdullah bin Khaled Al- information and experiences of the cooperative development markets and its manpower sources
importance of meetings of GCC health lations and regulations pertaining to Qahtani and Kuwait’s Ambassador to among the GCC states in the social dept Sami Al-Othman. since the Gulf countries share the
ministers - aiming to coordinate the health sector, the minister said. Qatar Muteb Saleh Al Mutoteh. The fields in order to advance the joint
efforts, bolster cooperation and unify The meeting’s agenda has several top- Kuwaiti delegation headed by the
action,” Al-Sabeeh pointed out.
visions in regional and international ics, mainly preparations for emer- minister, includes Undersecretary
She added that the executive
scenes. Upon his arrival in the Qatari gency, the possibility of providing Khaled Saad Al-Sahlawi, Assistant
office discussed a range of issues
capital to take part in the second better healthcare to GCC citizens and Undersecretary for legal Department
foremost among which are the
meeting of GCC health ministers’ com- following up the relevant resolutions Dr Mahmoud Al-Abdelhadi, Assistant
youth question, the risks of vio-
mittee, Al-Obaidi said that the meet- of supreme council, he added. The Undersecretary for Medicines and
lence and extremism, and how to
ing will be held today in implementa- meeting will also discuss putting in Medical Equipment Affairs Dr Omar
offer social care for the vulnerable
tion of the directives of GCC leaders place comprehensive health cover- Al-Sayed, Assistant Undersecretary for
segments of the society including
and the foreign ministers’ meetings to age, financing healthcare and follow- Public Health Affairs Majda Al-Qattan,
achieve a Gulf health system from ing up the progress made by GCC to Director of Public Relations and Media the elderly people, people with
which all citizens benefit in several achieve development objectives of Faisal Al-Dosari and Director of special needs and the street peo-
fields. the third millennium. Emergencies Department Dr Tareq Al- ple. On the sidelines of the minis-
Among these fields are to imple- On arrival, the minister was Jassar. —KUNA terial meeting 11 projects, includ-
ing two Kuwaiti ones, were hon-
ored for leading the social action
in the GCC states.
Quality, Reliability, Together
The project to rehabilitate and
Kuwait’s Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Sabeeh
employ disabled persons of Majd
International Trading Co won the Good citizenship same economic, social, cultural
By Douglas Silliman known for its quality products, servic- nationals, particularly in the petro- award of the commercial sector Al-Sabeeh noted that the GCC is and environmental conditions. He
US Ambassador to Kuwait es, technology, automobiles, educa- chemical industry. Through Discover while the student care project of ready to address social problems pointed out that the meeting dis-
tion, films, and music-all of which are America Week, you will see many Al-Najat Charitable Society was such as those related to the issues cussed means on increasing
O
ne of the most exciting and popular with discerning Kuwaiti con- more examples of how American cul- awarded on behalf of the civil of belongingness, identity and cit- employment opportunities for
rewarding aspects of being sumers. This passion for quality unites ture and business are creating new
society sector. Director General of izenship. “Good citizenship, from national labors, updating voca-
the US Ambassador to Kuwait Americans and Kuwaitis and is evi- opportunities for our people to grow
Majd Co Dr Isa Ali Al-Saadi wel- the legal point of view, constitutes tional classifications, and renew-
is the opportunity to help Kuwaitis dent in the American businesses rep- closer and prosper together.
comed the honoring, saying that it the principal social bastion against ing plans for joint markets activi-
discover new and interesting sides of resented here. Discover America Week is a fun
will give impetus to the social the menaces of extremism, terror- ties.
American culture. That is why I am Reliability - What is made in the way to bring our two people closer
action players from the private ism and violence,” she stressed. The meeting also tackled labor
thrilled to announce the launch of United States lasts. This is as true of together, while highlighting the
sector. “The honoring shed light The minister called for strengthen- rights, improving markets’ struc-
the third annual “Discover America American products and services as it many ties between our countries.
on the effort to tap into the poten- ing the social relations and joint tures, and discussing international
Week,” October 25-31, a celebration is of the strong US-Kuwait relation- Culture and business are, after all, first
tials of people with special needs action among the GCC states with treaty No 189 for domestic work-
of my country’s culture, including ship. As we prepare to celebrate the and foremost about relationships and
education, technology, food, enter- 25th anniversary of Kuwait’s libera- shared experiences. As US and employ them in the private a view to coordinating their ers. Other high ranking partici-
tainment, and shopping. At venues tion, we are reminded that, then as Ambassador to Kuwait, one of my top sector,” he added. stances and reflecting their Arab pants in the meeting expressed
across the city, you’ll find events that now, Kuwait has a reliable partner in priorities is to strengthen and deepen Dr Al-Saadi thanked Qatar for cultural identity at the regional similar opinions on how to
capture your imagination and appeal the United States. the relationship between our coun- hosting this gathering and honor- and international forums. improve labor markets in the GCC,
to all five senses. Together - The Kuwaiti and tries, which I will continue to encour- ing the GCC social action leaders Earlier today, Qatari Minister of especially through exchanging vis-
There will be musical performanc- American people share much in com- age across the full range of sectors in 2015. Labor and Social Affairs Dr its and expertise of all member
es, food exhibitions, educational fairs, mon: a deep commitment to educa- and people-to-people exchanges. On his part, Dr Mohammad Al- Abdullah Al-Khulaifi opened the states in order to achieve objec-
a business speaker series, a car tion, to family, to health, and to her- My embassy, working closely with the Ansari, director general of Al-Najat meeting and delivered a speech in tives of social development and
launch, and much more. You’ll be itage. We have faced challenges Kuwaiti government and the private charity, expressed joy for honoring which he affirmed the GCC states’ social welfare of citizens and to
able to discover the incredible depth together in recent years that have sector, stands ready to support part- the student care project, saying commitment to advance the social ensure their security and their
and variety of the American experi- brought our two nations closer togeth- nerships that benefit our two that the award will encourage the development. He stressed the future. —Agencies
ence. This year’s Discover America er, creating an inseparable bond. economies, our citizens, and our
theme is: Quality. Reliability. Together. It is therefore no surprise to me shared future. The 2015 Discover
I chose this theme because it not only that trade between our countries America Week is an excellent exam-
describes American products and expanded by more than 165 percent ple of this partnership, and I hope
services, but also the enduring rela- between 2009 and 2014. I am proud that you’ll join me at one of the excit-
tionship between the United States to note that American industry is the ing events taking place this week.
and Kuwait. largest foreign investor in Kuwait and Visit www.daw-kuwait.com for a com-
Quality - The United States is largest private employer of Kuwaiti plete schedule.
Syrian network busted
By Hanan Al-Saadoun
KUWAIT: Detectives busted a Syrian network for forging
seals of vehicle technical inspection departments including
the employment numbers of workers in the department.
The network was run by a Syrian abroad, and after being
contacted by phone, he instructed people who wanted
transactions to be processed on where to go. Members of
the network confessed and their cases are being
processed.
Bogus domestic help office
Residency affairs detectives arrested a gang of nine
Ethiopians for running a bogus domestic help office and
trading in absconding helpers. The gang used to make an
agreement with a maid to escape from the sponsor’s house
and return to them. Authorities urged citizens and expats
to only deal with licensed offices to avoid swindlers and
maids with infectious diseases.
Coastguard patrols rescue 2
Coastguard patrols rescued two citizens after receiving
a call about a boat that had flipped over in Al-Mafattah bay
in Khairan. The two were in good condition, and their boat
was tugged to Khairan coastal center. The coastguard
urged citizens and expats to inform them about their times
of sailing out and return, while complying with the safety
rules.
Airport officials nab 56
Airport security said the passport department, using the
fingerprint system, arrested 56 persons, cancelled their res-
idencies and deported them. The department also sent 31
persons to the central department for entry and exit proce-
dures, 109 were sent to residency affairs detectives as they
had security restrictions, while 36 forgers were arrested in
the month of September.
Firemen rescue Asian
Firemen rushed to an accident site and freed an Asian
from one of the vehicles involved in the accident. He had
minor leg injuries and was handed over to medical emer-
gency personnel.
Cat freed
Firemen freed a cat trapped in an electricity box in Jahra
unharmed.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015
LO C A L
Photo Crime
o f t h e d a y R e p o r t
EPA chief dives into water
to ensure reefs’ well-being
KUWAIT:General Director of Environment Public Authority
(EPA) Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah dived
into the deep waters at Jaber marine reserve to examine
status of coral reefs and marine life in the depths. EPA said
in a statement yesterday that Sheikh Abdullah put on the
scuba diving equipment and dived into the waters, accom-
panied by a team of divers to see for himself conditions of
the coral reefs and the sea creatures living in and around
the locations. Sheikh Abdullah, during the tour of the
reserve, set up new buoys, as a precaution to safeguard the
reefs and guide divers and visitors. He also checked on the
oysters farming and sea-goes to abstain from acts harmful
to the marine environment.
General Director of Environment Public Authority
(EPA) Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah
dived into the deep waters at Jaber Marine Reserve to
examine status of coral reefs and marine life in the
depths. — KUNA
Minister, US delegation
discuss media relations
KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State
for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-
KUWAIT: A fisherman tries to fix his net near the Arabian Gulf. The fishing net, locally known as ‘Al-Saliah’ is a main part of our sea heritage. — KUNA Humoud Al-Sabah held talks with General John Allen,
US President’s Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to
Cuba’s Minister of External Trade
Counter ISIL and his accompanying delegation. The
meeting, which was held at Kuwait National Library,
aimed to strengthen Kuwaiti-US relations in the media
and Foreign Investment in Kuwait and cultural fields, said the Information Ministry in a
statement. They also discussed boosting youth capa-
bilities in scientific, cultural and sporting aspects, it
added. The meeting was attended by a number of offi-
cials in the US embassy and Information Ministry.
Diaz woos Kuwaiti investors
Cost of Maximo project
hits KD 1 million: KNPC
KUWAIT: Total costs of the Maximo electronic project sys-
tem in use at the Kuwait National Petroleum Company
(KNPC) since 2012, have hit about KD 1 million, spokesman
Khaled Al-Asousi said. Maximo brings all the technical and
administrative operations at KNPC refineries under one
umbrella, Al-Asousi, also Deputy CEO for Support Services
said. The statement was made on the sidelines of the com-
pany’s celebration of applying the IMB Maximo Enterprise
Asset Management system, to all its refineries. The KNPC
initially used the system for administrative work, and later
in refineries as a “strategic step,” he said. Maximo stream-
lines administrative work and duration of procedures in
KNPC refineries, which have reached an advanced stage of
using it. Since 2013, the system has finalized 300,000 work
permits inside the company refineries, saving much time
and effort, and it controls all commercial and administra-
tive matters, he noted.
Judiciary following
KUWAIT: Cuba’s Minister of External Trade and Foreign Investment Rodrigo Malmierca KUWAIT: Ali-Mohammed Thunayan Al-Ghanim (2nd from right) and a number of KCCK up PISS fraud case
Diaz (3rd from left) meets Kuwait officials at the KCCI. — Photos by Yasser Zayyat members at the KCCI. KUWAIT: Justice Salah Hussein, in charge of the Public
Institution for Social Security (PISS) fraud case, has
By Ben Garcia Al-Ghanem and a number of KCCI mem- approved the so-called guidelines for the blockade issue. It’s going to be a process
denied reports that Swiss judicial authorities have
bers. “Our political ties are excellent, but economic and social development of and it’s not going to happen in one day,
enforced reserve seizure on assets of the former gener-
KUWAIT: With the political environment in zero in terms of economic relations. So we Cuba,” he pointed out. but even before this (lifting of the embar-
al director of the PISS Fahad Al-Rajaan. The judge, also
Cuba improving rapidly as it reestablishes want to hear from you how we can “After discussions with the people and go), we want to have a diversified relation-
the Head of the Fatwa and Legislation Department
political relations with the US, business in improve this,” Ghanem said as he wel- with their ideas included, we changed the ship with the world,” he said.
and chief of investigators tasked with investigations in
Cuba is booming. A delegation of Cuba’s comed the delegation at the KCCI head- guidelines. The process is complemented In the presentation yesterday by Rivas,
the fraud case said that the department is continuing
Minister of External Trade and Foreign quarters in Kuwait City. with the relationship with the US - we have she stressed various ways on how to invest
legal procedures, in line with the Cabinet instructions,
Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz is in Diaz said he is keen on developing and already reestablished our diplomatic rela- in Cuba, mentioning a new law which was
concerning irregularities and suspected manipulation
town, enticing Kuwaiti investors to invest improving economic ties with Kuwait. “We tions, but the economic blockade or passed in Cuba’s parliament last year where
of public funds in the institution by the ex-director,
in Cuba. Diaz was accompanied by Cuba’s have excellent relations politically, and we embargo is very complex, so there is an she emphasized more guarantees and
along with “other parties,” pending referral to the judi-
Director of Foreign Investment are thankful for this, but we want to see the obstacle with our relationship with the more incentives for foreign inventors. “We
cial authorities. The department is diligently following
Opportunities Deborah Rivas and Cuba’s same level in terms of the economy,” he world. But we see the light at the end of created a special development economic
up on all detailed issues of the case. Orders had been
Ambassador to Kuwait Andres Gonzalez said in his opening remarks. the tunnel now since the US government zone to be developed and financed by for-
issued to suspend accounts of Al-Rajaan and the other
Garrido as they visited the Kuwait “We are in the process of change in has accepted that the blockade was a failed eign investors. We have invested a lot in
collaborators.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Cuba, a process we initiated with our policy,” Diaz mentioned. “US President new ports, we have portfolio of foreign
yesterday. The group was welcomed by own population. We have the consensus Barack Obama has declared that he will go investment opportunities and we hope to
KCCI Chairman Ali-Mohammed Thunayan of the majority of people when we to the US Congress and will act on the welcome you all in Cuba,” Rivas said. Khaleej Al-Noor Festival
strengthens GCC bonds
Kuwait Oil Tanker Kuwait Speaker and IPU chief hold talks KUWAIT: Gulf Festival ‘Khaleej Al
Noor’ Higher Committee Deputy
Company CEO wins Chairman Abdullah Abdulrasoul
GENEVA:Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union said yesterday that the upcoming
‘Seatrade award’ (AIPU) President and Kuwait’s National youth gathering reflects the politi-
Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim
cal leadership approach toward the
and his accompanying delegation met in
youth locally and strengthens
Geneva yesterday with President of the
bonds among them in other Gulf
KUWAIT:CEO of Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) Sheikh Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Saber
Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
Talal Al-Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has won the Seatrade Chowdhury. It was a “friendly and inti-
Abdulrasoul said the four-day festi-
Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa Award 2015, the mate”, Al-Ghanim told reporters after the
val, to be launched next November
company announced yesterday. In a statement to KUNA, KOTC meeting, adding that Chowdhury is by the Public Authority for Youth Abdullah
sinatiedr nthaatito Snhale iakwha Tradl aoln w Maso nadnanyo unnigchetd i na sD tuhbea wi, iinnn aepr porfe cthiae- arewaachre t hoef pKouswt.ait’s role that helped him and Sport (PAYS), will include many Abdulrasoul
tion for his efforts in the company and in Kuwait’s oil sector, During the meeting, Chowdhury reiter- activities and field visits, under the
adding that this is his second time to win - as he received the ated the pledges he had made before supervision of the festival’s organizing committee. Among
being elected for the IPU top job - namely the planned activities, there will be a fair for the youth
same award in 2013. The CEO noted that the award was due to
to adopt Islamic and Arab issues, Al- handicrafts. PAYS under the leadership of its Chairman and
KOTC’s efforts in developing its services and acquiring a large
Ghanim added, noting that Kuwait will would allow nobody to hinder the project,” that Kuwait proceeds as AIPU president till Director General (PAYS) Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour Al-
modern fleet performing on regional and international levels.
submit a project “that we won’t reveal for hoping it will serve the issues of the Arab March reflects their confidence in the Ahmad Al-Sabah is looking forward to organize this festival
KOTC is expected to receive several international awards this
the time being till we are sure it will be a and the Muslim nations. country and the policy adopted by His which will present in the inauguration ceremony an
year, presented by well known organizations for the compa-
success.” He said that the project would be In the meantime, the AIPU President Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- operetta titled “Khaleej Al Noor.” Around 900 participants of
ny’s efforts in the fields of safety, the environment, training,
submitted to the IPU’s 134th Assembly, in noted that the IPU 133rd Assembly, Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, he said. Kuwait’s Kuwait Education Ministry and Kids Garden Association of
performance and modern fleet. — KUNA
Zambia, March 2016 “and we want to Geneva 17- 21 October, was a success on diplomacy has reached “advanced levels the Social and labor affairs will take part in the operetta.
make sure it won’t be a stumbling block to the international, Islamic, Arab and Gulf and established close ties with all sisterly
the relevant legal and regulatory proce- levels. He added that during Kuwait’s pres- and friendly parliaments” and in case of
dures.” According to Al-Ghanim, idency of the AIPU, it managed to “take it need, they will support Kuwaiti rights. He UN-Habitat and KRCS
Chowdhury renewed his commitment to to safe shores” despite hard Arab differ- hoped that the 134th Assembly would wit-
discuss cooperation
IPU regulations and statute and that he ences. Insistence by the Arab delegations ness a landmark event. — KUNA
KUWAIT: A visiting mission from the UN Human Settlements
NCCAL prepares for ‘World Program (UN-Habitat) held talks yesterday with Kuwait Red
Crescent Society (KRCS) on bilateral cooperation in the
humanitarian field. The visit aims at bolstering ties between
Arabic Language Day 2015’
UN-Habitat and KRCS, Dr Ameera Al-Hassan, head of the vis-
iting mission, said in a press statement, pointing out KRCS’s
significant role in providing aid for the needy, particularly the
KUWAIT:Minister of Information and Minister of State for titude of writers, scientific researchers, media figures and Iraqi people, recently. Al-Hassan also commended the
Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al- diplomats at the UNESCO, to highlight Kuwait’s civilized image Kuwaiti society’s efforts in aiding Iraqis since the fall of the
Sabah, has ordered officials at the National Council for Culture, as well as Arabic ability to interact with sciences, the state- former Iraqi regime and until this period, especially the
Arts and Letters (NCCAL) to prepare for the World Arabic ment added. In addition, Sheikh Salman tasked the NCCAL recent donation provided by His Highness the Amir to help
Language Day 2015. Sheikh Salman, who is also Chairman of officials to organize local functions on Arabic and the role of Iraqi refugees inside Iraq, stressing the importance of this aid
the NCCAL, entrusted the Council’s Secretary General Ali Al- early Arab scientists in developing sciences. Sheikh Salman that alleviated the suffering of refugees. Meanwhile, KRCS’s
Deputy Chairman Anwar Al-Hasawi confirmed the society’s
Yoha with making arrangements for participating in the event had received a message from Dr Ziad Aldree, president of the
keenness on cooperating and coordinating with UN-Habitat
DUBAI: CEO of Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) Sheikh slated for 18 December at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, International Advisory Board of the Plan for the Development
in providing aid for the needy, affirming Kuwait’s readiness to
Talal Al-Khaled receives the Seatrade Middle East, Indian the Information Ministry said in a statement yesterday. of Arab Culture that the theme of the 2015 celebrations will help those affected by conflicts anywhere in the world.
Subcontinent and Africa Award 2015 in Dubai. — KUNA Linguists and experts will take part in the event with a mul- be “Arabic language and sciences.” —KUNA
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21,2015
LO C A L
Kuwait ‘has achieved much of its
sustainable development goals’
Central Administration for Statistics marks World Statistics Day
KUWAIT: Kuwait has been fortunate to have Role of CAS
achieved a sizable portion of its goals for sus- Meanwhile, the Minister of Social Affairs and
tainable development for 2015 and beyond, said Labor Hind Al-Sabeeh said official data have
an official yesterday. At a meeting celebrating become cornerstone for planning and decision
World Statistics Day, Assistant Undersecretary making in Kuwait, stressing importance of
for Statistical Information at the Ministry of Central Administration for Statistics (CAS) role in
Two Kuwaiti female activists in Social Responsibility honored in Jordan. — KUNA photos
Planning and Development, Muna Al-Da’as, planning and development. Al-Sabeeh, also
Kuwaiti female social
delivered a speech in which she stressed that Minister of State for Development and Planning,
the nation predicated much of its sustainable made her remarks in a press statement Monday
activists honored in Jordan
development plans on information stemmed on the sidelines of an event where CAS celebrat-
from collating statistics on the socio-economic ed World Statistics Day, noting that whenever
conditions in society. database and official indicators were compre-
AMMAN: Two Kuwaiti female activists in the and cultural attainment, she added. The Kuwaiti
For instance, statistics provided to the gov- hensive, their impact grows bigger on the deci-
Social Responsibility field have praised the woman has always been leading and innovative.
ernment by the Kuwait Central Statistical sion making process. Celebrating World Statistic
prominent role of Kuwaiti women and their She is capable of taking decisions not only within
Bureau through the 2011 census and the 2013 Day in Kuwait is part of boosting Kuwait’s pio-
remarkable capabilities in leading and building her household, but also outside the home, she
survey of income expenditure by families and neering role at the statistical action level and to
the society along with the men. They stressed on affirmed.
the 2014 survey on the status of the work force support development at regional and interna-
the importance of trusting women’s abilities and Such capability of holding responsibilities is
in the country were instrumental in planning tional levels, the Minister said.
their skills in building the society. These remarks reflected in her continuous demand for gaining
came during interviews with the Kuwaiti constitutional support for rights of education, the near and medium future of development Assistant Undersecretary for Statistical The event was also an opportunity to bolster
activists, following their honoring ceremony, work, and politics until she gained them all, she plans and economic growth in Kuwait, said Information at the Ministry of Planning and public awareness on the importance of work and
organized by Arab Women Council, on sidelines added. The honoring of Al-Baghli came after her Lawaheth Al-Qattan Assistant Undersecretary Development Muna Al-Da’as. efforts exerted by statisticians at CAS in gathering
of Social Responsibility Forum, held in Amman nomination by Board Trustees of Arab Women’s for Administrative and Financial Affairs at the viable statistical information. database, support national and international
Jordan recently. The Executive Chief of ‘Safira’ Council, for creating a social responsibility for ministry. This fact, she said, has not been lost on activities, and contribute to the efforts to achieve
Company for Social Responsibility, and head of specialized company since 2014, which aims at In implementing a plan to gather statistics Kuwaitis who have paid serious attention to the the developmental goals for 2015. Al-Sabeeh also
rehabilitating woman and young people and concrete information on the nation’s work usefulness of statistics in the nation’s growth mentioned that celebrating World Statistics Day
through spreading social awareness and organiz- force, the government has had to work in unison and development plans. This is the second aims at confirming the importance of boosting
ing campaigns in cooperation with the public with the World Bank and the UN Development World Statistics Day. This year’s theme empha- society partnership in achieving duties and
sector institutions and bodies. She expressed her Program (UNDP), she said. Also speaking at the sizes the critical role of high-quality official sta- responsibilities of sustainable and integrated
happiness for this honoring besides a number of celebration was UNDP representative in Kuwait, tistical information in analysis and informed pol- development. She said that honoring His
activities and figures in the field in the Arab Dima Al-Khateeb who emphasized that celebrat- icy decision-making in support of sustainable Highness the Amir’s vision required the collection
region.
ing the World Statistics Day was an admission by development. It also reflects the importance of of accurate statistics in order to monitor the devel-
Instructor of marketing at Kuwait University,
the world community to the imperative that no sustainable national statistical capacity to pro- opment goals post 2015, as well as achieving
and member of Board Trustees of Arab Women’s
tangible sustainable development would face duce reliable and timely statistics and indicators Kuwait sustainable developmental plan 2030, and
Council Dr Mouna Al-Ghais said in remark to
success without enormous reliance on a pool of measuring a country’s progress. Kuwait’s strategic vision for 2035. — Agencies
KUNA that the woman has a remarkable and dis-
tinguished role in the society, as the woman
“composes half of the society and serves the oth-
er half”. She praised the role of the Kuwaiti
women in building the society, especially in the
field of small and medium enterprises. The
Kuwaiti woman proved through history that she
has a role which is not less important than the
role of man in community development.
The Executive Chief of ‘Safira’ Company She stressed on the importance of shedding
light on Arab women who are distinguished in
for Social Responsibility and head of
their working field, and to support them finan-
Kuwait Business and Professional
cially and morally through training and improv-
Network Maha Al-Baghli.
ing their skills.
Kuwait Business and Professional Network, Maha The main aim of the Board Trustees of Arab
Al-Baghli, shed light on the importance of reha- Women’s Council is working to create job oppor-
bilitation and empowerment of woman to be “an tunities for Arab woman, and to offer specialized
active entrepreneur, and effective leader of the training courses after studying each Arab society
society”. and understanding its needs, besides financing
Al-Baghli added that woman should receive woman projects, as well as honoring prominent
great care in the Arab society, indicating that Arab woman figures in various fields, she said.
whenever the women’s capabilities are support- Lebanon based-Arab Women’s Council, which is
ed, this leaves a boundless positive effect on the chaired by Lina Moukarzel has recently organ-
society. The Kuwaiti woman is efficient enough ized Regional Social Responsibility Forum, with
to be successful partner of the man in building the participation in specialized Arab governmen-
the state, due to her keenness on improving her- tal and public institutions, besides the civil socie-
self through her continuous strife in educational ty organizations. — KUNA
ABK contributes to Red Crescent
KUWAIT: Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK)
yesterday announced its support for
the Kuwait Red Crescent Society as
part of an initiative launched by the
Bank during Ramadan, whereby ABK
donated 50 fils for every ATM with-
drawal made using an ABK ATM
across Kuwait.
Fawzy Al Thunayan, ABK’s General
Manager of Board Affairs, presented a
cheque to Dr Hilal Al Sayer, Chairman
of Kuwait Red Crescent Society, who
thanked ABK for the contribution.
The Kuwait Red Crescent Society
provides assistance to vulnerable
people affected by social conflicts,
wars or natural disasters. Each year
ABK has a comprehensive Ramadan
program, and this is the second year towards the Red Crescent. For more an ABK representative via ‘Ahli Chat’ or
the Bank involves the community by information about Ahli Bank of Kuwait by contacting a customer service
donating through ATM withdrawals please visit www.eahli.com, contact agent via ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at 1899899.
Burhani Center for Bohra community
holds Muharram condolence session
KUWAIT: The Burhani Center for the Bohra the Prophet (PBUH), members of his family their Kuwaiti brothers for the service of
community in Kuwait held a Muharram and the late Bohra sultan Mohammed Kuwait in all fields. Jamali also presented to
condolence session attended by thousands Burhanuddin. The current Bohra Sultan HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-
of Bohras in Kuwait. The representative of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin is holding con- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown
the Bohra sultan in Kuwait, Sheikh dolence sessions in Houston in the US. Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah,
Saifuddin Jamali, started the session by Jamali reminded Bohras to abide by HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-
thanking God and sending prayers and Islamic law, be of good behavior, respect Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Interior
peace to His Prophet (PBUH). He praised the laws of Kuwait and participate with Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-
Sabah, MoI Undersecretary Lt Gen
Suleiman Al-Fahd, assistant undersecre-
taries of the MoI, the government and in
particular the ministry of interior and secu-
rity systems greetings of thanks and grati-
tude for the facilities and assistance they
offer for conducting religious rituals mark-
ing the anniversary of the martyrdom of
Imam Hussein in the month of Muharram.
Jamali asked God to extend the life of
Humanitarian Leader HH the Amir Sheikh
Sabah and wished him good health and
wellness, and continue the blessings of
security, safety, prosperity and progress on
Kuwait. He also asked God to extend the life
of Syedna Mufaddal for the sake of serving
Islam, Muslims and the entire mankind.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER21, 2015
From the Arabic press
Al-Qabas Al-Anbaa
FIFA stabs the NO Football Egypt’s most
heart of Kuwait crucial elections
By Yousuf Al-Shihab By Sami Abdullatif Al-Nisf
F I
IFA achieved what it wanted towards Kuwait sports, n view of unprecedented local and regional challenges,
and decided on what it wished with premeditation Egypt’s parliamentary elections are absolutely the most
to stop Kuwait sports activities for the second time, House Front Glass important and dangerous in its entire history. Coinciding
and with that it stabbed the heart of Kuwait, before tar- with those elections, a number of endless fatwas were
geting Kuwaiti sports and athletes. I expected such a deci- issued by several scholars who prohibited the entire demo-
sion, because intentions were clear and indicators do not cratic process, deeming it ‘haram’, because it allows women
need any clarification, despite the marathon meetings and non-Muslims to vote in the elections, while others more
between the government delegation led by Information radically announced that voting was a religious duty as
Minister and State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh important as prayer and that those who do not vote as just
Salman Al-Sabah and his delegation with FIFA officials, like those who never pray!
who confessed to receiving wrong information and differ- With its article 247, the new Egyptian constitution passed
ent from those given by the government delegation. by a founding committee presided by ambassador Amr
With those confessions, they should have been more Moussa grants the parliament endless powers including
realistic and fair in dealing with this case, and not consider demanding prosecuting and deposing the president upon
the lies they received from those who sought the suspen- the approval of two-thirds of its members, annulling or
sion from inside Kuwait, with regret. What we knew after rejecting legislations he passes and depriving him of the
Kuwaiti Football
the meeting of the government delegation with the right to dissolve the parliament unless through a public ref-
International Olympic Committee (IOC), is that the delega- erendum, which cannot be done twice for the same reasons.
—Al-Anbaa
tion asked for the points that alleged government inter- On the other hand, the new constitution authorizes the
ference, and IOC promised to send them, while at the president, after consulting his PM, to appoint ministers of
same time gave two more weeks as a deadline to send the defence, interior, foreign affairs and justice because they are
clarifications. The Kuwait delegation rejected the deadline considered ‘sovereign ministries’ usually given to members
in respect of Kuwait laws and the state’s sovereignty, of the ruling families in GCC states due to their significance
Al-Anbaa
which do not accept any encroachment from FIFA, IOC or as well as to give political leaderships a role to play in their
others. governments’ performance.
Good intentions, bad results
All promises of FIFA did not take place, rather they car- However, voter turnout is not expected to be as much as
ried out their game and brought in the suspension, as if previous elections when competition was very fierce
they do not know, or they know and ignore that there are amongst various blocs and powers, as the current elections
countries with government interference more that those involve independent candidate and blocs. It is also a good
By Saleh Al-Shayeji
said the government here is interfering in sports, and this thing not to declare the result of overseas ballots first, the
is a lie that came out of Kuwait, and FIFA took it with E way it was did in previous elections, and wait until the ones
fforts exerted for good causes that are driven by good cooperation. We would all help each other in safeguarding
pleasure to fulfill what was wished by those who wanted counted at home come to light, and both added and
intentions of honest souls who strongly believe in common human values. A follower of a certain religion did
the suspension by any means to feel that they got what declared the way all other democracies do.
what they do will not necessarily be successful or fruit- not create that religion himself. He was rather brought up to
they wanted, even if that was against Kuwait sport. In view of their long passivity in terms of participating in
ful. Good intentions are not enough to achieve the desired it, and thus cannot and is not entitled to amend it to be com-
The issue, following the suspension decision, no longer general elections and in view of the traffic congestions in
requires any complacency with the sports union, follow- good. In this regard, I believe that efforts made by some patible with other beliefs. For instance, a Christian will not be major Egyptian cities, it might be advisable to adopt online
ing what the sports movement has seen in the form of countries, official establishments, some NGOs and even able to convince a Jew to break the ice between both reli- voting in the future to get higher participation.
destruction, deterioration and failure at the regional, con- some individuals to bring various religious beliefs closer gions for the good of Christianity simply because he had not
tinental and international levels. Our sports today need a together and hold inter-faith dialogues, conferences and set the religion he follows. The same applies for a Muslim Finally, I would like to point out that:
rescue tube, following where it has reached. It is enough seminars that cost fortunes are highly appreciated, but they with a Christian, because such attempts are doomed to fail- 1- The current voter turnout does not reflect negative nor
that our reputation abroad is the talk of all satellite sta- are unfortunately fruitless and in vain. They fail to achieve the ure for the same reasons. Moreover, it also applies to follow- positive acceptance of the current political leadership in
tions and various media, and enough pain and heartbreak purpose of holding them and all funds spent are uselessly ers of different doctrines within the same religion. Egypt.
that hit us (by the deed of more than one person). 2- This coming Egyptian parliament and the next one due
wasted, leaving each religion or discipline with its own preju- Accordingly, governments, activists, NGOs and people
We were on top recently, when there were people who to be elected in 2020 will not have any ruling majority
dices unchanged, which is normal, otherwise followers with good intentions must stop such attempts, because such
were not looking for the chair or budget as much as they party, and thus will go through the same democracy
should have followed it in the first place. good-intentioned attempts may revive and enhance differ-
were looking for achievements with which they raised game Kuwait has been experiencing over the past 50
If only those good-intentioned people and those who ences and disagreements that make people cling stronger to
Kuwait’s name at all events. Congratulations to those who years, in which the government had no majority within
were hoping and longing to stop Kuwait sports activities, arrange conferences, opened halls for them and held various their own beliefs - the ones they think are more genuine and the parliament, grilling motions have been excessively
and they got what they wanted, but the stumble will not seminars had used those efforts to bridge the gaps between correct. So, to all good people and mediators, leave every- used, a multitude of political crises took place, many
last long, and Kuwait will get its sports back as well as its followers of different faiths, we would have been all leading body to their own beliefs and focus on having people of dif- cabinets resigned, development has been delayed and,
pioneering role by those who are the people of sports, a more peaceful life dominated by the concept of coexis- ferent beliefs peacefully coexist. Bringing people closer and consequently, legislative corruption prevailed and
and not intruders. tence between people of various religions and doctrines. We leaving ideas would be much more fruitful. enhanced corruption in other powers.
—Translated by Kuwait Times would all act in a brotherly manner and exchange love and —Translated by Kuwait Times —Translated by Kuwait Times
Crime
R e p o r t
Good Samaritan
has car stolen
KUWAIT: Two people who pretended that their car
broke down stole the car of a good Samaritan who
stopped to help them. The citizen was heading back to
his flat at dawn when he noticed the two next to a car in
Ishbiliya area between blocks 2 and 3. The man stopped
to ask if they needed help, they told him their car broke
down so he got out of his car to help. Then one of the
two pushed him to the ground, they both jumped into
his car and drove off. The man called a friend who came
and followed him with the other car to the police sta-
tion. Hawally detectives are working on the case.
Expat wife robbed by hubby
An expat accused her husband of transferring KD
2,750 from her account to his through the internet
according to a complaint she filed at Salmiya police
station. The man was charged with forgery in a
bank document, and Hawally detectives were asked
to arrest him.
Convict arrested
A deputy prosecutor ordered the arrest of an ex-convict
for attacking and beating a policeman at a police station.
The policeman sustained a head wound, and his uniform
was torn inside Nugra police station. The policeman was
on duty at 5am when the culprit entered and all of a sud-
den began beating the officer. The injured policeman
was taken to Mubarak Hospital. The suspect was arrested
and is being processed for further legal action.
Nursery robbed
Thieves broke into a children’s nursery in Shuhada
and stole computers and damaged other material
inside the preschool. The nursery manager filed a
complaint at Zahra police station. Hawally detec-
tives are dealing with the case.
KUWAIT: The Palestinian Ambassador in Kuwait Rami Tahboub yesterday received condolences for the Palestinian martyrs who were killed recently by
Ethiopian mugged
Israeli troops in the occupied Palestinian territories. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat
Three men mugged an Ethiopian woman of KD 100 and
a smart phone in Mahboula area, the culprits escaped,
and she was not able to get the 4WD vehicle plate num-
ber. The victim told Abu Halaifa police that three per-
sons in a 4WD stopped next to her then took the money
and phone. Detectives are working on the case.
Fiancé attempts suicide
A drunk citizen threw himself out of his Iranian
fiancéé’s window, and was rushed to Mubarak
Hospital. The Iranian told police about her fiance’s
suicide attempt. So police rushed to the site and
found him in a pool of blood. Paramedics rushed him
to the hospital under heavy guard. The Iranian said
the citizen broke into her flat, drunk, then jumped
out of the window. He was charged with attempted
suicide and drunkenness by Salwa police. —Al-Rai
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015
Flood misery in
Philippines after
UN chief urges calm amid Palestinian-Israeli violence
typhoon kills 22
Page 8 Page 12
MONTREAL: Canadian Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie wave on stage in Montreal yesterday after winning the general elections. — AFP
Canada’s Liberals storm to landslide win
PM to resign as Tory leader after election loss
OTTAWA: Canada’s Liberals won a landslide general elec- incomplete figures from Elections Canada. advantage of an all-time low in Harper’s popularity. But the party stumbled in recent weeks. It lost key support in
tion victory Monday, with young leader Justin Trudeau Turnout was 68 percent, compared to 61 percent in the Indeed, “there was a kind of mini Trudeaumania” surround- Quebec province over its opposition to the popular ban on the
ending a decade of Conservative rule with pledges to raise last election four years ago. ing the campaign, said Claude Denis, a politics professor at niqab. It looked to finish in third place.
taxes on the rich in a struggling economy. Public opinion had swung wildly during the hard- the University of Ottawa. “This election has been about change and tonight Canadians
For many Canadians the vote was a referendum on out- fought campaign, which at 11 weeks was one of the have turned the page on 10 long years (of Harper rule),” Mulcair
going premier Stephen Harper’s management style, criti- longest in Canada’s history. The Liberals came from behind Marijuana and face veils said in his concession speech. At times, the battle descended
cized as autocratic, and on who was better placed to put a late in the campaign, with Trudeau promising “not just a The long campaign gave voters unprecedented expo- into personal attacks, with Tory ads suggesting that Trudeau was
sputtering economy back on track. Besides raising taxes change in government, but a better government.” “Tonight sure to party leaders and their ideas in five debates and “just not ready” to be prime minister. But arguably, the long con-
on the richest Canadians, Trudeau, the youthful and good- Canada is becoming the country it was before,” Trudeau almost daily stump speeches. Besides campaigning on a test gave him time to sharpen his campaign skills, and give
looking son of the late and beloved ex-premier Pierre said in his victory address. pledge to raise taxes on the richest and lower rates for mid- Canadians a chance to get to know him better. His colorful past
Trudeau, has said he will lower them for the middle class. “Canadians from across this great country sent a clear dle-income Canadians, Trudeau said he would spend bil- includes work as a snowboard instructor, a bartender and a
Canada’s economy contracted in the first half of this message tonight-it’s time for a change in this country, a lions on infrastructure to give the struggling economy a bouncer. By the end of the campaign, Trudeau had even lost his
year. The country is the world’s fifth largest oil producer real change,” he said. Trudeau was elected Liberal leader boost. He also pledged to legalize marijuana. voice. On voting day, a cold snap hit parts of the country and
and has suffered dearly from a big drop in prices for crude. only two years ago, after two past leaders failed to unseat Along the way was debate on how Canada should han- attention on the Toronto Blue Jays’ first baseball playoff run in 22
Trudeau has also pledged to take in thousands of Harper in 2008 and 2011 and subsequently resigned. He dle a record influx of people fleeing the war in Syria, a years risked resulting in a low voter turnout. But Canadians
refugees from Syria and battle climate change. appears to have made good on his hope to recreate the court ruling quashing a ban on the niqab veil worn by turned out in force after record low turnout in the past two elec-
The 43-year-old-who ran a combative campaign and “Trudeaumania” that swept his charismatic father to into some Muslim women, and economic recession. The left- tions. Harper said in a concession speech, as his party
offered up what he called a “new vision” for the nation- office in 1968. Harper, who took power in 2006, had been leaning New Democratic Party, led by Thomas Mulcair, had announced his plans to step down as Tory leader, that “the out-
would be able to form a majority government with 184 of seeking a fourth term in office. But Trudeau tapped into a hoped to build on its second-place finish in the last ballot come is not the one we hoped for.” But, he added, “We gave
the 338 seats in the House of Commons, according to still strong desire for change in administration, and took in 2011, and govern for the first time. everything we had to give and we have no regrets.” — AFP
Cambodian on trial for infecting 200 with HIV
PHNOM PENH: An unlicensed medical practi- ments and to give injections. her family have been infected with HIV - her
tioner who infected more than 200 villagers in Yem Chhrin, 53, was one such practitioner. “I daughter, her mother, a 3-year-old grand-
northwestern Cambodia with HIV by reusing was shocked when I learned I was infected. ... I daughter and a 57-year-old sibling.
unclean needles went on trial yesterday, facing am sure the HIV virus I had was from Yem Em Sovann, the lawyer, said his client has
three charges including murder, his lawyer Chhrin’s treatment,” Leurn Lum, one of the 120 acknowledged reusing syringes for treatment
said. villagers who filed the police complaint, said by of patients. But he “has repeatedly said before
Yem Chhrin faces up to life in prison if found telephone. “I am a good husband, as I have the police and court officials during pre-trial
guilty of murder, intentionally spreading HIV - never had sex with other women in my life.” detention that he had no intention to transmit
the virus that causes AIDS - and practicing Leurn Lum, 51, said he had never sought the deadly virus to any of his patients,” Em
medicine without a license, his lawyer, Em treatment from anyone other than Yem Chhrin. Sovann said.
Sovann, said by telephone from Battambang He found out he had HIV in late 2014, and his He said he will try to get two of the charges
town, where a provincial court is holding the wife had also tested positive. He said he wants - murder and intentionally spreading HIV -
five-day trial. to see Yem Chhrin punished. dropped by the court. Yem Chhrin’s wife,
Yem Chhrin was arrested last December and Nhoum Chenda, said her husband never
taken into protective custody, fearing revenge Good reputation believed that the villagers were infected
lynching by residents of Roka village, where at Some villagers said Yem Chhrin had a good because of his actions.
least 206 of the 800 people tested were found reputation for his years of dedicated service to “The HIV virus transmitted to those villagers
to be infected with HIV, or human immunodefi- the village by providing treatment even must be from ... something else that we don’t
ciency virus. Local newspapers have put the though he lacked formal training or certifica- know about right now,” she said by phone. She
number at 300. tion. “Whether it was day or night, whether the added that since her husband’s arrest, she also
The infected range in age from 3 to 82, and patient had money to pay for the treatment or had to flee to another province, fearing that
include Buddhist monks. At least 10 victims are not, Yem Chhrin treated them regardless. I angry villagers would kill her.
reported to have died. Cambodia, one of the think he was a good neighbor,” said Chay Cambodia had a high HIV prevalence rate of
poorest countries in the world, has inadequate Savorn, a 60-year-old woman who received 2.0 percent in 1998, but an aggressive cam-
health care facilities, especially in rural areas, treatment from him and was later found to be paign to promote safe sex brought the figure BATTAMBANG: Yem Chhrin, 55, is escorted by Cambodian police officials at a court in
where villagers often have no recourse but to HIV positive. down to an estimated 0.7 percent last year, Battambang province yesterday. An unlicensed Cambodian doctor who allegedly
rely on unlicensed medical practitioners who She said she decided not to join the police according to the UN agency that spearheads infected more than 200 people with HIV, including some who later died, went on trial
for murder yesterday. — AFP
have trained themselves to treat minor ail- complaint even though four other people in the worldwide fight against AIDS. — AP
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015
I N T E R N AT ION A L
Police arrest Kurdish lawyer on charges of terrorist propaganda
DIYARBAKIR: Police arrested a senior association, made his assertion on CNN EU, has been fighting an insurgency since Turkish media during the evening. was due to be questioned in a court-
Kurdish lawyer in southeast Turkey Turk TV last week, at a time when fighting 1984, demanding greater Kurdish auton- “If a bar chairman ... is subject to a house in Istanbul’s Bakirkoy district, the
before dawn yesterday on a charge of is raging between PKK militants and gov- omy in the mainly Kurdish southeast. The criminal investigation and arrest because state-run Anadolu new agency said.
terrorist propaganda after he said the ernment security forces, and tensions are conflict has killed about 40,000 people. of what he said, it illustrates clearly what The agency said the charge was “mak-
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was not a mounting before Nov. 1 elections. The state launched a peace process state democracy and freedom of expres- ing propaganda for a terrorist organisa-
terrorist group. “Even if some of the PKK’s acts have a with the group’s jailed leader in 2012 but sion has reached in this country,” he told tion”.
Supporters, including lawyers and terrorist character, the PKK is an armed a ceasefire collapsed in July and hun- reporters in his office. The Union of Turkish Bar Associations
local politicians, gathered at Tahir Elci’s political movement,” he said during a dis- dreds have died in the subsequent con- Elci said he had been waiting all day in said it could not agree with a declara-
office in the region’s largest city cussion programme. “It is a political flict. Accompanied by his supporters, Elci his office, within the Diyarbakir court tion that the PKK is not a terrorist group
Diyarbakir, chanting “pressure will not movement with political demands and waited in his office on Monday night for house, for an invitation to go and make a but said the warrant was “unlawful”, say-
intimidate us”, before he was flown to with very strong support in society.” the police to arrive and execute the arrest statement in court. Police from Turkey’s ing such a step should only be taken if a
Istanbul. The PKK, deemed a terrorist organisa- warrant issued by an Istanbul court - a anti-terror force took him away at around suspect refuses to go and make a state-
Elci, head of Diyarbakir province’s bar tion by Turkey, the United States and the decision which had been leaked by 2:20 am (2320 GMT), said witnesses. He ment. — Reuters
Tens of thousands flee
new Syria offensives
BEIRUT: Tens of thousands have fled new ravaged by war and divided between govern-
regime offensives in Syria, the UN warned yes- ment forces in the west and rebels in the east
terday, as Russian air strikes were reported to since shortly after fighting there began in mid-
have so far killed 370 people, many of them 2012.
civilians. The situation is largely reversed in the sur-
The mass exodus was focused south of rounding countryside and the frontlines have
Syria’s second city Aleppo, one of five areas been static for months. But last Friday, govern-
where regime troops have launched renewed ment forces began a new offensive south of the
attacks since Russia began its air war on city, attacking areas near the strategic Aleppo-
September 30. “Around 35,000 people are Damascus highway.
reported to have been displaced from... the The Observatory said yesterday that regime
southwestern outskirts of Aleppo city, following forces had seized five villages in the area since
government offensives over the last few days,” the offensive began. But Syria’s Al-Watan daily,
said Vanessa Huguenin, spokeswoman for the which is close to the regime, said the army had
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian taken 16 villages and an area totalling some 100
Affairs (OCHA). She said many of the displaced square kilometres (40 square miles).
were living with host families and in informal It said the operation would “cut militant rein-
settlements in the west of the province. “People forcement routes between south Aleppo
urgently need food and basic household and province and east Idlib province and take the
shelter items,” she said. international highway from Aleppo to Hama.”
“Aid agencies are growing more and more The highway that runs from Aleppo to
concerned for families living outdoors as the Damascus via Hama and Homs provinces
weather is getting colder, especially overnight.” appears to be the main target of several of the
Syria’s conflict has left more than 250,000 dead government offensives launched in recent
and forced millions from their homes since weeks.
March 2011, sparking a mass migration of In Hama, much of the fighting has centred
RAMALLAH: Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli security forces in the West Bank town of Al-Bireh, on the northern outskirts of Ramallah, refugees that has left Europe struggling to cope. on an area close to the road, and in Homs, the
yesterday. UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned of a “dangerous escalation” and urged Israelis and Palestinians to move quickly to calm nearly three Russia has carried out more than 500 air government has been fighting to take villages
weeks of unrest during a visit to Jerusalem. — AFP raids in support of President Bashar al-Assad’s along the highway just north of the provincial
UN chief urges calm amid forces and a monitoring group yesterday gave capital.
the first estimate for the total number of dead in There has also been heavy fighting for the
the strikes. Sahl al-Ghab region between Hama, Idlib and
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Latakia provinces, with government troops
Palestinian-Israeli violence
Human Rights said at least 370 people had seeking to prevent rebels who control Idlib
been killed, including more than 120 civilians. province from being able to attack Latakia.
Among them were 45 rebels and civilians killed Russia insists its air campaign is intended to
on Monday in a series of Russian strikes in the target the Islamic State group and others it
Palestinian shot dead after stabbing military officer north of government stronghold Latakia describes as “terrorists”. But rebels and their
province, it said. backers accuse Moscow of seeking to prop up
Dozens were also wounded in Monday’s Assad, a longtime ally, and accuse Russia of
JERUSALEM:UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called according to a Palestinian security official who spoke on labeled by Israel as attackers, and the rest in clashes with raids, some of the deadliest yet in the Russian striking moderate and Islamist opposition
for calm during a surprise visit to Jerusalem yesterday condition of anonymity because he was not authorized Israeli troops. An Eritrean migrant died after being shot campaign, and a rebel commander from a mod- forces rather than just jihadists.
ahead of meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, in to talk to the media. by a security guard and beaten by a mob that mistaken- erate opposition group was among the dead, it The Observatory said yesterday that some
a high-profile gambit to bring an end to a monthlong Ban arrived from Europe yesterday afternoon and is ly believed he was a Palestinian attacker. said. 243 opposition forces had been killed in Russian
wave of violence. set to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas The initial outbreak of violence was fueled by rumors The Observatory also said tens of thousands air strikes since September 30, including 52
The visit comes amid unrest that erupted a month in the West Bank and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin that Israel was plotting to take over Jerusalem’s most were fleeing the new offensives, estimating that from IS. At least 127 civilians have been killed in
ago over tensions surrounding a Jerusalem holy site Netanyahu. He called for calm during a press conference sensitive holy site, a hilltop compound revered by Jews up to 100,000 had been forced from their the strikes, including 36 children and 34
sacred to Jews and Muslims. It soon spread to Arab with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and said “no society as the Temple Mount and home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, homes in Hama, Aleppo and Latakia provinces. women, it said.
neighborhoods of east Jerusalem and then to the West should live in fear.” Islam’s third-holiest shrine and a key national symbol for Another 25 fighters from the pro-govern-
Bank, Gaza and Israel. A spate of Palestinian attacks, the Palestinians. Regime targets key highway ment National Defence Forces militia were
most of which have involved stabbings, has caused pan- Dangerous escalation Aleppo, once Syria’s economic hub, has been killed in clashes in Jabal Al-Akrad and Sahl al-
ic across Israel and raised fears that the region is on the “My visit reflects the sense of global alarm at the Hamas official arrested a key focus of the fighting. The city has been Ghab on Monday, the monitor said. — AFP
cusp of a new round of bloodshed. dangerous escalation in violence between Israelis and Israel has adamantly denied the allegations, saying it
The violence continued in the West Bank yesterday. Palestinians,” he said. “I am here to encourage and sup- has no plans to change the status quo at the site, where
A Palestinian attacker rammed his car into a group of port all efforts to lower tensions and prevent the situa- Jews are allowed to visit but not pray. Israel has accused
Israelis waiting at a bus stop at a junction on the out- tion from spinning out of control.” Palestinian leaders of incitement to violence over the
skirts of Jerusalem in the West Bank, the Israeli military Ban added, “It’s not too late to avoid a broader crisis.” site. But Jewish visits to the site have doubled since
said. He then attempted to stab bystanders. A civilian Prior to the visit, Ban issued a video message late 2010 and senior members of Netanyahu’s government
and a soldier were injured in the attack before the Monday calling for calm on both sides.He said he under- have called for Jewish prayer rights, fueling Palestinian
attacker was shot and killed, it said. stood the Palestinians’ frustrations, but that violence concerns about the site.
Earlier, a 24-year-old Palestinian was shot dead by would only harm their legitimate aspirations. Israel has struggled to contain the attacks.
Israeli forces after he stabbed an Israeli military officer “I know your hopes for peace have been dashed Authorities have blocked roads and placed checkpoints
and lightly wounded him, the Israeli military and countless times. You are angry at the continued occupa- at the entrances of Palestinian neighborhoods in east
Palestinian health officials said. The military said it hap- tion and expansion of settlements,” he said. “I am not Jerusalem. Other security measures include ID checks
pened during a “violent riot” of Palestinian demonstra- asking you to be passive, but you must put down the and requiring some Palestinian residents to lift their
tors. weapons of despair.” shirts and roll up pant legs as they exit their neighbor-
In a separate incident in the West Bank, an Israeli Addressing Israelis, he said he understood their fears hoods to prove they are not carrying knives. Soldiers
man was killed after being run over during a clash with due to the security deterioration, but said there was no have been deployed in Jerusalem and cities across
Palestinians. The man exited his car after Palestinian military solution. “When children are afraid to go to Israel.
demonstrators threw stones at it and he began to hit school, when anyone on the street is a potential victim, Yesterday, the Israeli military arrested top Hamas
passing Palestinian cars with a large stick, according to security is rightly your immediate priority,” he said. “But official Hassan Yousef in the West Bank, saying he had
an Associated Press photographer who witnessed the walls, checkpoints, harsh responses by the security been “actively instigating and inciting terrorism” by
incident. The man hit a passing truck with the stick, and forces and house demolitions cannot sustain the peace encouraging attacks against Israelis.
the truck ran the man over. The Israeli military confirmed and safety that you need and must have.” “Hamas’ leaders cannot expect to propagate vio-
his death. Over the past month, 10 Israelis have been killed in lence and terror from the comfort of their living rooms
The truck driver turned himself in, saying he hit the Palestinian attacks, most of them stabbings. In that time, and pulpits of their mosques,” said Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a
MAALOULA: In this photo taken on Sunday, children talk as they sit in the village of
Israeli by accident while trying to swerve out of the way, 43 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire, including 21 military spokesman. — AP
Maaloula, north of Damascus, Syria. Syrian government forces retook the ancient
Christian town of Maaloula in early 2014 after it was overrun by Syrian rebels and al-
Top US military officer Qaeda-linked militants. — AP
Saudi activists sentenced to
arrives for talks in Iraq
decade-long prison terms
IRBIL: The top US military officer land- tainers to make urgent phone calls to signaling the high priority he and the Iraqi officials have broad concerns RIYADH: A terrorism tribunal in Saudi director at Amnesty. A Saudi judiciary
ed in Iraq yesterday to get an update officials on the ground, to fix the confu- Pentagon leadership place on finding about any effort to provide equipment Arabia, which was elected to the UN spokesman was not immediately avail-
on the battle against Islamic State mili- sion. After about a half-hour, the air- the right formula to use local forces or weapons directly to the Kurds. Human Rights Council in 2013, has sen- able for comment. The Interior Ministry
tants, saying he sees no prospect right craft got permission to land in Irbil. backed by coalition airstrikes to defeat tenced two political activists to decade- has previously said ACPRA’s involvement
now for Russia to expand its airstrike It was unclear what triggered the the Islamic State extremists and retake IS threat long prison terms for establishing a rights in a string of protests against what it
campaign into the war-torn country. mix-up, but officials said the plane’s territory the militants control in Iraq Dunford’s stop in Iraq comes after organisation, Amnesty International said called extrajudicial imprisonment of sus-
Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, chair- flight had been pre-approved by Iraqi and Syria. He was scheduled to meet three days of meetings with senior mili- on Monday. pected militants had led to attacks in the
man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was leaders. with the head of Iraq’s Kurdish regional tary and government leaders in Israel Abdulkareem al-Khoder, one of 11 kingdom.
making his first trip to the warzone This also is Dunford’s first overseas government, President Massoud and Jordan, two key US allies in the founding members of the Saudi Civil and Al-Khoder, a former professor of
since taking the top post on Oct. 1. He trip since he took the chairman’s job, Barzani and other government leaders. region. In both countries, Dunford Political Rights Association (ACPRA), was Islamic jurisprudence, was previously
told reporters traveling with him that heard officials’ concerns about the sentenced to 10 years in prison under a sentenced to eight years in prison in 2013
earlier reports that Prime Minister Islamic State threat and the roiling year-old counter-terrorism law, London- by a criminal court for offences including
Haider al-Abadi wanted Russia to con- instability in the region. Dunford is also based Amnesty said. On Wednesday, “disobeying the ruler” and “taking part in
duct airstrikes in Iraq are no longer in likely to talk to Iraqis about the volatile another ACPRA member, Abdulrahman founding an unlicensed organization”.
play. He said US officials spoke with situation in Beiji. Late last week Iraqi al-Hamid, was given nine years in prison His conviction comes amid a flurry of
Iraqi leaders and were told no Russian troops backed by Shiite militia fighters followed by a nine-year travel ban, it said. activity by the Saudi Specialized Criminal
strikes have been requested. drove IS militants out of the Beiji oil His brother Issa al-Hamid was due to be Court (SCC), a tribunal established in
Dunford said he wants to talk with refinery, which has been contested for sentenced the same week, but the court 2008 to try terrorism cases, but often
his commanders to get updates on bat- months. session was postponed to November. used for political offences.
tles in Beiji and Ramadi. “Being in the Islamic State militants still hold the The sentences dealt a further blow to civil The SCC recently reopened its case
job about two weeks, one of the things town of Beiji, which is about 155 miles rights activism in Saudi Arabia that has against ACPRA’s youngest member,
I want to do is go over here, get eyes (250 kilometers) north of Baghdad and been targeted by a sweeping security Omar al-Sa’id, who likewise was sen-
on, on the ground,” Dunford said as his is strategically located on the road to crackdown since the Arab Spring upris- tenced in 2013 to four years imprison-
C-17 headed into Irbil. Dunford’s flight Mosul, the country’s second largest city. ings of 2011. ment and 200 lashes. Last Tuesday, the
into Iraq was suddenly delayed when Mosul and Ramadi, the capitol of All 11 of ACPRA’s founding members court sentenced another activist,
Iraqis on the ground in Baghdad Iraq’s western province of Anbar, are are either jailed or awaiting trial. “The Abdulaziz Abdulatif Alsonaidi, to eight
refused to allow his C-17 aircraft to land both under IS control, and efforts to outrageous convictions of ACPRA mem- years in prison and a travel ban, accord-
in Irbil. Just before 9:30 a.m., local time, retake them have been problem- bers for their human rights activism, ing to the Canada-based Monitor of
IRBIL: In this photo provided by the Pentagon, US Ambassador to
as Dunford’s plane was nearing plagued. Earlier this month, however, coming on top of Saudi Arabia’s already Human Rights in Saudi Arabia.
Iraq, Stuart E. Jones and US Army Lt. Gen. Sean McFarland, left, greet
Baghdad en route to Irbil, the crew was US officials said Iraqi ground forces appalling human rights record, makes a Alsonaidi was charged with signing an
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. upon his arrival at
directed to fly instead to Baghdad. have advanced to the outer suburbs of further mockery of its obligations as a ACPRA petition and writing tweets criti-
Irbil, Iraq, yesterday. Dunford landed in Iraq yesterday to get an
The change set off a flurry of activity Ramadi and that conditions may be member of the UN Human Rights cal of the king, the group said in a
update on the battle against Islamic State militants, saying he sees no
on the plane, as military staff quickly right to launch an assault to take back Council,” said James Lynch, Middle East statement. — Reuters
prospect right now for Russia to expand its airstrike campaign into
yanked phones and cords out of con- the city. — AP
the war-torn country. — AP

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015
I N T E R N AT ION A L
Indonesia’s Widodo marks disappointing first year in power
JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo cised for backsliding in the fight against cor- projects, and Widodo’s attempts to attract new national police chief-a move observers said was based on flawed evidence.
took office last year on hopes that an outsider ruption in one of the world’s most graft-rid- investors were undercut by protectionist poli- believe was aimed at keeping the powerful The execution by firing squad in April of
and “man of the people” would swiftly usher in den nations, and his image abroad has been cies unilaterally announced by ministers, such head of his party and political patron, two Australians, a Brazilian and four Nigerians
a new era of cleaner, more effective gover- tarnished by the execution of foreign drug as the abrupt cancellation of thousands of Megawati Sukarnoputri, on side. for drugs offences sparked international out-
nance. Twelve months on, critics say those convicts. import licences. A year on, economic growth rage, and ally Australia took the unprecedent-
hopes have come to nought. Widodo, known “It has been a rocky first year for Joko is languishing at a six-year low and the rupiah ‘Determined dolphin’ ed step of withdrawing its ambassador from
by his nickname “Jokowi”, swept to power on a Widodo,” said Professor Jeffrey Winters, an has fallen heavily. The nomination triggered a row between Jakarta in protest.
wave of popular support for his hands-on Indonesia expert from Northwestern While global market turmoil has played a the notoriously corrupt police and the popular Despite all his problems, some analysts
approach and his image as a corruption-free, University in the United States. “The major role, Widodo has also faced criticism for anti-graft agency, which accused the nominee nevertheless see signs he is finding his feet-he
fresh face in a country long dominated by oli- Indonesian people are tired of business as not doing enough to fix the economy-his of bribery. Widodo withdrew the candidate, was praised for an August cabinet reshuffle
garchs from the era of dictator Suharto. The usual and they voted for Jokowi to bring main focus. In a recent BBC interview, he but only after dithering, by which point the that replaced key economic ministers, and a
former Jakarta governor, who would cam- change-but there hasn’t been much change.” defended his record, saying that reforming anti-corruption body had been severely weak- recent series of stimulus measures. “He’s still
paign in the slums wearing casual clothes, was the economy was a “long process”, adding: “It ened by attacks from the police. His popularity very weak, but he is progressing,” said Achmad
elected after a bruising battle against a con- Languishing economy takes time to manage a country as big as has been sliding ever since. A survey by poll- Sukarsono, an Indonesia analyst from risk con-
troversial ex-general with a chequered human The president took office on October 20, Indonesia.” ster Indo Barometer this month showed public sultancy Eurasia Group. Northwestern
rights record, becoming the country’s first 2014 and got off to a good start by cutting For many Indonesians, an even bigger dis- satisfaction with Widodo at 46 percent in University’s Winters said the president can still
leader from outside the political and military fuel price subsidies that ate up a huge chunk appointment has been what they see as September, down from 57 percent in March. keep support by playing to his down-to-earth
elite. of the government’s budget, freeing up bil- Widodo’s failure to step up the fight against For allies overseas who had welcomed a image.
But running the world’s fourth most-popu- lions of dollars to invest in boosting the slow- graft, in a country where facing demands for fresh face in the presidency, there was disbe- “The Indonesian people will cut him slack
lous country has proved even more difficult. ing economy. kickbacks is just part of everyday life for many. lief at Widodo’s drive to put foreign drug con- if he can maintain the image that he is a deter-
Widodo’s plans to kick-start the economy But red tape and a lack of organisation In particular, the president faced criticism over victs to death in the name of fighting a mined dolphin swimming in a pool of menac-
have made little progress, he has been criti- hampered efforts to launch vital infrastructure his nomination of a controversial figure as the national narcotics “emergency” that experts ing sharks,” he said. — AFP
Ouattara seeks re-election in
test of country’s stability
ABIDJAN: Five years after winning office in a Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI) set up by the coun-
vote marred by violence, Ivory Coast President try’s founding father Felix Houphouet-Boigny.
Alassane Ouattara looks set to win a new man- Ouattara needs “a strong vote”, said his biog-
date Sunday in an election seen as critical to rapher Cisse Ibrahim Bacongo. “That is how he
sealing the peace. will win unquestionable legitimacy.” But his
Ouattara’s election campaign has focused on camp is worried. “Our enemy is abstention,” said
his efforts to revive the economy of the world’s Alphonse Soro, a parliamentarian who heads
top cocoa producer, ravaged by months of post- the RDR youth movement. “The problem is how
election violence in 2010-2011 in which some to convince people to come out and vote.”
3,000 people died. But voter apathy and opposi-
tion criticism of the country’s electoral commis- Gbagbo’s ghost
sion threaten to undermine the credibility of the As criticism of the election commission
October 25 vote. mounts, former foreign affairs minister Amara
Photos circulating on social media this week Essy suspended his candidacy “to avoid becom-
show staff soundly sleeping in offices where ing an accomplice in an electoral masquerade”.
Ivory Coast’s 6.3 million voters can pick up their “If we don’t take care we’ll head into a post-
election ID cards, highlighting a lack of public election crisis that will be one post-election crisis
interest in the ballot. too many,” he warned.
Just days before the vote, the national elec- Three days later he was followed by another
toral commission (CEI) decided to extend distri- eminent contender for the top job, ex-parlia-
bution of the cards until Wednesday, October ment speaker Mamadou Koulibaly. Other Ivorian
21. The move came after two presidential candi- political VIPs, former premier Charles Konan
dates pulled out of the race, denouncing it as “a Banny, MPs Konan Kouadio and Kacou
masquerade”. Gnangbo, as well as businessman Simeon
Ouattara’s 2010 election was the last but Konan Kouadio, have suggested they too could
deadliest chapter in a conflict that had divided boycott the vote.
the country into a rebel-held north and a loyalist Only four of the eight contenders still in the
GEVGELIJA: People sit on the ground as they wait with other migrants and refugees to enter a registration camp after crossing south for almost a decade. race have so far signed “a code of good conduct
the Greece-Macedonia border near Gevgelija yesterday. A surge of 10,000 migrants crossed from Macedonia into Serbia Then president Laurent Gbagbo refused to for a peaceful election” drafted by the electoral
overnight on October 18 to 19 and headed for the Croatian border, where 3,000 had gathered by October 19 morning, said concede defeat to the former deputy head of commission, Some in the opposition want the
the IMF, triggering the bloodshed. He is now in a commission dissolved on the grounds it favours
Mirjana Ivanovic Milenkovski with the UN refugee agency in Serbia. — AFP
EU, Turkey remain divided, Dutch jail, awaiting his November war crimes tri- Ouattara.
al by the International Criminal Court in The Ouattara’s main challenger is seen as being
Hague. Pascal Affi N’Guessan, a former prime minister
under Gbagbo and leader of the Ivorian Popular
despite migrant challenge Ouattara needs ‘strong vote’ Front.
It was hoped this week’s vote would turn the Founded by the ex-president the party is
page on the past and help Ivory Coast become now split between those backing N’Guessan’s
the stable West African powerhouse it once was. run for president and die-hard Gbagbo loyalists,
Ouattara, a tall 73-year-old economist mar- who are boycotting the vote. Some 34,000
Erdogan accuses EU of being ‘not sincere’
ried to a Frenchwoman, is hoping for a clear first- troops, including 6,000 UN peacekeepers, will be
round victory. “In the next five years we will deployed during the election. To ward off fears
strengthen our institutions to consolidate peace of electoral fraud, polling stations will send vote
BRUSSELS: Never waste a crisis, the political adage eralized visa requirements. All of that would give seem to find a way to make the relationship work,
and harmony,” he pledged on the campaign tail. counts electronically to the electoral commis-
goes. The European Union and Turkey may be doing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a boost ahead of the especially with an increasingly assertive Erdogan.
He heads a coalition including his own Rally sion in Abidjan and voters will be identified bio-
so right now, failing to build a closer partnership while Nov. 1 elections.
of Republicans (RDR) party and the Democratic metrically. — AFP
facing a common challenge in the Syrian refugee cri- Key diplomatic broker
sis. Harsh words Three decades ago, when Turkey first made its EU
Instead of bringing the two sides together, the The outcome so far: angry words, hurt feelings and membership request, the situation was starkly differ-
past few weeks have mainly highlighted why the rela- accusations of political extortion. On Monday, on the ent. Turkey was economically weak, and the main
tionship has been troubled for decades. Even if the EU heels of a visit from Chancellor Angela Merkel of thing it was known for bringing to the EU was “gastar-
persuades Turkey to keep refugees from spilling into Germany - where World War II references still touch a beiter” - guest workers doing the menial jobs that
Europe - in exchange for money and political sweet- nerve - Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said fueled industry in Germany and other western
eners - the deep-seated causes of the antagonism will “no one should expect Turkey to turn into a concentra- European nations.
remain. tion camp where all of the refugees are kept.” The membership request was mostly met with
In recent days, Cyprus has thrown water on rekin- The harsh words are an indication the size of the derision then. Things started to change as Turkey,
dled hopes for speeding up Turkey’s EU membership challenges ahead. “This is going to be very, very diffi- under Erdogan, became one of the world’s hottest
bid, and France and Holland stressed the need for cult to bridge in practice,” said Ian Lesser of the emerging economies and a key diplomatic broker
stringent conditions before visa-free travel for Turks German Marshall Fund think tank. “Yes, there is a lack with the Middle East. But even today, the thought of a
becomes a reality. An angered Turkish President Recep of trust. But there is also a gap on policies.” mainly-Muslim nation of 78 million joining a mostly
Tayyip Erdogan responded by accusing the EU of And tensions had already been driving both sides Christian club of over 500 million is met with great
being “not sincere” about bringing Turkey into the asunder over the past months and even years, with resistance in Europe - especially due to the hostility
European fold. Meanwhile, the two sides are bickering the EU ever more critical of Erdogan, increasingly spawned by Islamic extremism.
over how much money Turkey should get for helping viewed as a repressive autocrat. Even as relations “Unfortunately,” said Lesser, “for political reasons
to keep migrants out of Europe. soured, Erdogan has been able to bolster Turkey’s we can understand, (Islam) has become part of the
The EU sees Turkey as a sieve letting through too national pride, economic clout and strategic impor- debate.” Since Turkey was accepted as a candidate for
many Syrian refugees, while Ankara says Europe is not tance. The country no longer has much reason to be membership a decade ago, accession talks have
doing its part in helping Turkey deal with the crisis - subservient to a troubled economic power like the EU. moved at snail’s pace, overshadowed by the 1974
and has always shown disdain for Turkey’s attempts to A glance at a map of the region drives home Turkish invasion of Cyprus after a Greek junta-backed
ABIDJAN: A supporter of the Democracy and Peace party (RHDP) headed by
get closer to wealthy bloc. Turkey’s vital strategic importance as a bridge to Asia, coup aiming to unite the island with Greece. The
the incumbent Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, wearing the Ivory Coast
The solution under review: more financial aid for and the volatile Middle East - making it a key EU part- Greek part of Cyprus is an EU member now. As recent-
Turkey to keep migrants within its borders; accelera- ner by force of geography alone. The conundrum is ly as Monday, Cyprus insisted that Turkey should not colours, passes by the popular Koumassi district in Abidjan on October 17,
tion of EU membership talks; and concessions on lib- that Europe knows that it needs Turkey, but can’t harbor too many hopes for membership. — AP to rally supporters for the upcoming 2015 presidential elections. — AFP
US student arrested in 3 journalists attacked at
attack on Muslim woman
German anti-Islam rally
BLOOMINGTON: A 19-year-old Indiana
University student accused in a racially motivat-
ed attack on a Muslim woman says he had been BERLIN: The German Federation of Journalists union Prosecutors said they were still waiting for police Haase, said a criminal complaint alleging incitement
drinking alcohol and had not taken his anti-anx- called on authorities yesterday to prosecute those reports on the attacks, which also included clashes had been received about remarks made by PEGIDA
iety medication prior to the incident. responsible for attacks on reporters at an anti-Islam between PEGIDA protesters and counter-demonstra- speaker and author Akif Pirincci suggesting that
Court records show Triceten D. Bickford rally in the eastern city of Dresden. tors. A spokesman for the Dresden prosecutors, Lorenz refugees should be put in concentration camps. — AP
faces multiple felony charges including intimi- At least three journalists were assaulted by people
dation, strangulation and battery in the taking part in the rally organized by the group calling
Saturday evening attack in a cafe in itself Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of
Bloomington, Indiana. He was released on $500 the West, or PEGIDA.
bond and returned to class Monday. Participants at Monday’s rally, which marked the
A city police report says officers responded group’s first anniversary, chanted slogans denouncing
to reports of an assault at a cafe around 7:30 immigrants, the government and journalists, including
p.m. Saturday. The report says a 47-year-old “Lying press, smash their faces!” Hendrik Zoerner, a
woman was sitting at a table with her 9-year- spokesman for the German Federation of Journalists,
old daughter when a man shouted epithets and said the union had observed a growing willingness
racially charged threats at the woman, includ- Triceten D. Bickford among PEGIDA protesters to attack journalists over
ing “white power” and “kill them all.” the past year, and a reluctance of bystanders to step
Federal authorities could also bring hate
According to the report, the man then in. “Sadly, the authorities aren’t doing enough either,”
crime charges against Bickford. Wendy
grabbed the woman by the neck and forced her Zoerner said. “We’ve repeatedly noted that police
Osborne, a spokeswoman for the FBI in
head toward the table, restricting her breathing aren’t acting against those who attack journalists.” He
Indianapolis, told TV station WXIN that the
while trying to take off her headscarf. The cited similar violent incidents at two previous PEGIDA
agency is considering whether to open a civil
report says her husband and passers-by were rallies in the past month.
rights case. Bickford told WTHR-TV in
able to pull the man off and restrained him on German broadcaster Deutsche Welle said one of its
Indianapolis he has no memory of the incident
the sidewalk until police arrived. reporters, Jaafar Abdul Karim, was hit in the neck by
and that a combination of drinking alcohol and
The man spit in the faces of the husband protesters as he and two colleagues were trying to
not taking anti-anxiety medication caused him
and passers-by, threatened to kill them and conduct interviews. The Berlin-based news agency
to snap. He said he is not a hateful person.
arriving officers, tried to kick out the windows Ruptly said one of its cameramen was attacked by
“I am so sorry to that woman,” Bickford told
of a patrol car and bit an officer on the calf after neo-Nazis, who also broke his camera. Dresden police DRESDEN: Supporters of the PEGIDA movement, “Patriotische Europaeer gegen die
the TV station. “I have no idea who she is, but
arriving at the Monroe County Jail, according to spokesman Thomas Geithner said a photographer Islamisierung des Abendlandes,” which translates to “Patriotic Europeans Against the
words can’t explain how much that ... I’ve never
the report. also reported being attacked by four PEGIDA protest- Islamisation of the Occident” gather at a protest rally yesterday in Dresden, eastern
hurt someone like that before.” — AP
ers and having his camera stolen.
Germany. — AFP