Kuwait marks Iraqi occupation anniversary

With the first few threads of light at dawn 21 years ago, August 2, hordes of Iraqi troops broke into Kuwaiti territory and savagely ravaged its sovereignty as well as its physical structures in an attempt to obliterate the "State of Kuwait" from the world map and expand the map of Iraq with annexation of what was later claimed to be Iraq's "19th governorate". The memory still holds pangs of pain and the Kuwaiti people still suffer emotional and psychological scars of a bloodthirsty betrayal from a neighbor with which they shared blood, family ties, and much more. The united international community response to the brutal killing, incarceration, torture, devastation, and theft restored Kuwaiti right and sovereignty after seven months. The condemnations came within the first few hours of the invasion and the UN Security Council issued resolution 660 demanding immediate and un-conditional Iraqi pullout, and other resolutions under the seventh chapter of the UN Charter which allow for use of force to enforce these and related resolutions. His Highness the Amir, back then the foreign minister, had for years fostered friendly and strong relations with world leaders ever since assuming the post in 1963. The great majority of fellow UN member states were accordingly supportive of Kuwaiti right throughout the ordeal. The formation of an international coalition of forces from over 30 countries, first of a kind feat, was a direct result of the state's foreign policy and strong relations with the rest of the world. To date, Kuwaitis recall with much fondness the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the late father Amir Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who were both epitomes of generosity of spirit, principled stances, honorable dignity, and charity to all mankind. Their actions during the occupation further endeared them to their countrymen and guaranteed eventual liberation. The efforts of the two great leaders were channeled to international gatherings, conferences, and bilateral meetings to shed light on the gruesome state of affairs at home and stress the need to end the occupation to curb the bloodshed. The entire Kuwaiti nation stood firmly behind them. One glimpse of that was at the national conference held in Jeddah in October 1990; The State of Kuwait shined as a democratic, civilized, constitutional nation where the people are fully represented and would want none but their legitimate leadership. Many years later, the Kuwaiti policy is much the same. Building bridges, holding a hand to those in need, sharing in all moral and productive initiatives across the world, and stressing human development and the honor of a strong and cherished national identity is still opted as the all-inclusive path towards prosperity, security, and stability, under Sheikh Sabah's leadership.