Arab Perspective: A vote of confidence in Kuwait and Palestine

In an article titled "Kuwaiti Openness" UAE newspaper Al Bayan says: "At the end of the journey, wisdom and prudence succeeded and concordance came through".

The editorial continues, "What started off as an open complication in Kuwait's 'ruling' crisis because of the passing of Shaikh Jaber Al Sabah ended up being a passing cloud in the sky."

The fact that Shaikh Sa'ad was voted out did not come as a surprise but rather a realisation of "one of the possibilities" says Al Bayan. It was also not a matter of wishful thinking but came after reaching with confidence the conclusion that Kuwait is capable of dealing with its political complication.

The paper argues that Kuwait has always had a strong sense of responsibility as well as practice when it comes to leadership matters. It is equipped to deal with any situation however complicated or unfamiliar.

Dr Mohammad Naji Amaiyra of Al Rai (Jordan) says it is very comforting to see that Kuwait has successfully and peacefully dealt with their "ruling crisis". And even though the crisis lasted for three days or so, it was resolved eventually and as a result, "white smoke came out after long meetings involving 200 members of the ruling family".

According to Dr Amaiyra, the media has played a role of "instigating" and has raised tension between the two branches of the ruling family but in the end, wisdom persevered and the Ruling family came to a united decision.

"For more than 30 years, the new Emir, Shaikh Sabah, held the position of foreign minister ? He was also once the president of the Arab foreign ministry," says Dr Amaiyra. All this reinforces the belief that he is capable of ruling Kuwait.

Palestinian election

On Wednesday, Palestinians voted for their first parliamentary election held in a decade.

Abdul Bari Atwan of Al Quds Al Arabi (London) writes, "One third of Palestinians headed to the ballot boxes to elect their members of parliament ? We emphasise one third to highlight the fact that there are roughly six million Palestinians who live outside of their country as refugees."

According to Atwan, these refugees are no longer represented at the official level, after the Palestinian National Authority swallowed the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and froze its fundamental basis, through Oslo.

And despite the fact that this election lacks legitimacy seeing as it is being held under Israeli occupation (and because agreements such as Oslo have already expired) it might still be a changing point in Palestine's political life.

According to Atwan, this election will end the dictatorship of one-party rule. It will also allow for new (younger) blood to enter the Palestinian parliament.

Once the results are announced, Atwan says the new government should not own the right to freely negotiate, which in the past resulted in making grave concessions and giving up basic Palestinian rights such as the right to return and the status of Occupied East Jerusalem.

Atwan concludes, "This election is a test for the Palestinian people who live under an occupation to show a national democratic model that serves their interests and represents their values."

Zuheir Majid of Al Watan (Oman) says what is interesting in these elections is seeing the strength of the Palestinian people.

He writes, "Palestinian elections are basically an honest discussion between all factions ? there is a deep understanding of the meaning of change: to be a revolutionary does not mean one cannot learn the basis of democracy."

Majid posits: "Former president Yassir Arafat was very advanced when it came to understanding the parliamentary game and getting the Palestinians to listen to various factions of differing ideologies."

Egyptian newspaper Al Ahram writes, "Palestinian election deserves attention not least due to its timing and its impact on Israeli-Palestinian relations as well as internal Palestinian affairs."

The editorial emphasises that this election is the second of its kind since the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority in 1993.

The election comes at a crucial time with the departure of Ariel Sharon from Israel's political scene and Israel's changing political map.

The editorial says the current situation in Palestine requires everyone involved to cooperate with one another. This would prove to the world that the Palestinian people are capable of practising democracy and that they are an essential part to the peace talks.

It would also show that Israel's continuous claims that a Palestinian peace partner is missing are just "an excuse to push serious talk further away ? This election is one more step towards establishing an independent Palestinian state."