Kuwait Times

Published Date: November 18, 2009

UNITED NATIONS: UN Special Representative for Iraq Ad Melkert has described Kuwait's cooperation with him and the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) as "constructive," and called its concerns "legitimate," adding that Iraq's delay in receiving a UN technical team to maintain the border demarcation with Kuwait is due to the fact that it has other priorities.

I find Kuwait's position constructive. As for Iraq, they are in the process of considering priorities, and I hope that that [position] will become smoother after the elections," scheduled to be held next January, he said.

Speaking at a press conference held yesterday, Melkert said that UNAMI is engaged in addressing the outstanding issues of restrictions put in place by a number of Security Council resolutions over the past 20 years, "with a particular focus on the reconfirmation of the border between both countries [Iraq and Kuwait] and the normalization of relations.

We played a facilitating role there and we hope that in the period ahead we can make progress. There is clearly a desire from different sides to do so, " he added.

In answer to questions on the Iraqi relationship with Kuwait, Melkert said, "There are some issues that are probably relevant in trying to bridge differences of opinion or gaps that may still be out there. Their importance is the border issue, there is the issue of missing persons, the reparations issue, the property issue, and access at sea to erecting harbors in relation to the maritime borders.

From our perspective, all those elements are legitimate to bring forward as part of a possible political agreement between the two countries and also as a basis for reporting back to the Security Council on the implications of such an agreement for the resolutions that are still applicable at this point in time," he stressed.

How exactly that would work out and which of those elements could be addressed and how should really be a matter of conversation between the two sides and we stand ready to facilitate such conversation," he vowed.

He said that the Security Council had been "very helpful in assisting the two sides to try to reach agreement, and I hope that after the elections when there is less chance that these issues can flare up as part of a domestic debate, it will be possible to address them in all quietness and with the diplomacy that will be needed, and quite soon - if the will is there, it should not take too long a period of time.

Meanwhile, FAO should work on measures to rid the world from hunger, Head of the Kuwaiti delegation to the FAO's food security conference and Kuwaiti Ambassador to Italy Sheikh Jaber Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah said yesterday.

The Kuwaiti official thanked FAO's Director General Jacques Diouf for his efforts to help over a billion people suffering from hunger, affirming that the 60 heads of states and representatives of world organizations attending the conference could do the job in helping the world to fight hunger and famine.

It was important to execute resolutions which came out of the 1996 and 2002 conferences, stated the official. He stressed that it was time for the world to address the food security problem with courage and determination bring the dream of a world without hunger in 2025 into reality.

During his speech, Sheikh Jaber touched on Kuwait's efforts in bolstering food security programs around the world, affirming that Kuwait came out with several initiatives namely the USD two billion small projects fund and the USD 100 billion fund for descent living.

Since its inception in 1961, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) had played an important role in lessening the suffering of millions contributing to agricultural and development funds worldwide, stated the official.

Hopefully the third FAO food security conference would addressed the problems facing the world and work on solid solutions for the betterment of millions around the globe, concluded the official. --- KUNA