Kuwait's Emir Alleges Iraq Still Harbors Aggressive Intentions

Kuwait's emir said Saturday the regime in Baghdad still shows "aggressive and evil intentions" against the emirate which Iraq invaded in 1990. 

"The (new) Iraqi threats, coupled by its intensifying propaganda against the state of Kuwait and massing of Iraqis near the border, is not strange," said acting premier and foreign minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, reading a speech from the emir, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah. 

"This only comes to confirm, to those who might have an illusion, that the Iraqi regime hides aggressive and evil intentions against the state of Kuwait and other countries in the region," he said at the reopening of parliament. 

Iraqi forces occupied Kuwait in August 1990 but were driven out seven months later by an international coalition led by the United States. 

Sheikh Sabah renewed Kuwait's calls for Iraq to comply with UN Security Council resolutions. 

"This (threats) makes Kuwait more determined to demand that the Iraqi regime implement all Security Council resolutions relevant to its treacherous invasion and crimes committed against Kuwaitis," he said. 

Sheikh Sabah, however, expressed Kuwait's sympathy with the Iraqi people "who are suffering under its dictatorial regime and its aggressive policies and its challenge to the international legality." 

He later told reporters that "you can easily hear (the threats) on the Iraqi satellite channel and its press." 

The emir reopened parliament Saturday by urging MPs to pass a host of draft bills necessary for economic reforms -- KUWAIT CITY (AFP)  

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