Government's silence on rights rap criticised

The National Assembly Speaker has criticised what he said was the government's silence on the criticism of Kuwait's human rights record by a visiting US official.

Jassem Al Khorafi told reporters that he was not really astonished by the statements made by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth L.Cheney and the US embassy in Kuwait because they represent their state and have the right to make whatever statements they feel appropriate.

However, the lack of a response from the Kuwaiti Government, specially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been really astounding, Al Khorafi said, stressing that Kuwait has always been keen on protecting human rights.

"Kuwait and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs which represents Kuwaiti foreign policy should put an end to official US statements which have distorted the image of the country," he said. "Isn't it time to take official action to end these statements," he said.

Al Khorafi's comments came as Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Dr Shaikh Mohammad Al Sabah told the state-run news agency KUNA that Kuwait strongly rejects any kind of interference, regardless of the party, in its internal affairs.

Al Khorafi said that Kuwaitis appreciate the American stand to free Kuwait from the Iraqi invasion, "but we do not accept people distorting the image of our country in such a provoking way which we have witnessed lately".

"Therefore, I hope the Kuwaiti Government, and specially the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will take a stand to explain the Kuwaiti point of view regarding this issue," he said.

Responding to the US Embassy's criticism of Kuwait's human rights re-cord, the speaker hoped that the mission will discontinue raising negative points in a way that harms Kuwait and creates an unhealthy atmosphere to nurture bilateral relations.

Al Khorafi wondered if there are parties trying to convey a false impression about human rights situation in Kuwait and the US-Kuwaiti relations to Washington, where the Kuwaiti Prime Minister Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah is going on an official visit this week.

Replying to a question on Liz Cheney's request to assign international observers to supervise the Kuwaiti elections in 2007, Al Khorafi said he was not aware of the statement.

The Speaker, however, ruled out the Kuwaiti government accepting such a request because that would raise questions about the executive branch more than the legislature of Kuwait.

Asked if US criticism could be seen as part of imposing democracy, Al Khorafi said Kuwait accepts constructive criticism but not provocative opinions.