Obama Shouldn’t Be in a Hurry to Leave Iraq

The pedigree (literally “string,” because long form names in Arabic reflect lineage) of his name leaves no room for doubt about his direct relationship with the royal family. The Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Mohamed Sabah al-Salem Al-Sabah, was received this week in Madrid by Don Juan Carlos and met with his colleague Moratinos (Miguel Ángel Moratinos Cuyaubé, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs) in order to “coordinate agendas.” Spain will take its turn as the president of the European Union two weeks after Kuwait takes its own turn within the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (SACMI).

Moratinos: The war in Afghanistan has become the primary focus of foreign policy for the Obama administration. Do you share this priority?

Al Sabah: Afghanistan represents a much more difficult problem than Iraq, a country rich in culture and natural resources. It is logical that Afghanistan requires more international attention. But, I don’t wish to say that it will be more important.

Moratinos: What can happen in Iraq?

Al Sabah: I think that the Iraqis have taken many steps to move away from the tyrannic system of Saddam Hussein, even though in Kuwait we are suspicious that some elements of the regime are still alive in Iraqi society. We have very vivid memories of the regime.

Moratinos: Obama wants to withdraw two-thirds of his troops by next August and the rest of his forces completely by 2011. Do you agree with this strategy?

Al Sabah: We have expressed to the North Americans our worries and we’ve begged them not to hurry out of Iraq. We think that that country needs someone to hold them by the hand and bring them to political stability.

Moratinos: In what margin of time are you thinking?

Al Sabah: There will be elections in Iraq next January. They will be a good indicator. I would like to be asked this question again after the elections in order to give you a more adequate response.

Moratinos: Washington is working hard on three fronts: Iraq, to withdraw as soon as possible, Afghanistan and Pakistan. What will happen with the situation in Palestine?

Al Sabah: The tragedy of the situation is that the only viable plans for peace are the Arabic and European plans. The absentminded one in this scenario is Israel, who is incapable of putting anything on the table. The only thing they have to add is more settlement and more repression.

Moratinos: But do you think that Obama has the will power to change the situation?

Al Sabah: He is the president of the United States and therefore he has the necessary power. As far as his will goes, we can only count on his speeches in Cairo and to the United Nations, and in them he mentioned the parameters that we all want: the resolution between two states (Israel and Palestine), borders, Jerusalem, and refugees.

Moratinos: Obama appears to be focusing on more immediate issues. Meaning, among other things, closing Guantanamo. Would Kuwait welcome a number of its detainees?

Al Sabah: Our government spent much time and effort in showing that the detainment of presumed Islamists is illegal. Of the 12 Kuwaitis detained, we’ve been able to secure the release of nine, free of charge, and we trust that we can free the other three as well. Furthermore, we have created a rehabilitation center – similar to Saudi Arabia – through which former detainees of Guantanamo pass through. Now they are exemplary members of our society.