Word: kuwait
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...Emir's debt-forgiveness decree was a stroke of political genius, a recent statement by Prime Minister Saad was stupefyingly foolish. "Saddam is still thinking and planning further operations aimed at destroying Kuwait," said Saad on June 19. "They may take the form of sabotage to destroy Kuwait from within...
Saad's cry was meant to persuade George Bush to leave ground forces in Kuwait indefinitely. "We'll stay beyond the publicly announced withdrawal date of Sept. 1," says a State Department official, "and we may soon sign a protection agreement, but a long-term commitment of ground forces is not in the cards." The U.S. is not completely against the idea, explains a Western diplomat in Kuwait, "but Washington won't go along unless an Arab force is present as cover. Getting labeled as Kuwait's sole guarantor would only confirm the fears of those who think...
...Prime Minister's analysis, repeated as a mantra by his subordinates, has also had a damaging effect on Kuwait's economy. With the exception of automobile dealers, who are thriving as Kuwaitis rush to replace more than a quarter-million stolen or trashed cars, most Kuwaiti businesses were moribund even before the Prime Minister spoke. Uncertain about the size of the postliberation population until the de facto deportation policy runs its course, businessmen are leery of replacing lost inventory. The government's inexplicable failure to set a reasonable compensation policy for goods lost during the occupation has aided stagnation...
With little physical devastation beyond the oil fires that darken the skies, Kuwait appears tranquil. Most shops are closed, but the supermarkets are well stocked, and bargains -- 10 watermelons for $1 -- can be had from the Iranian merchants whose skiffs cross the gulf each morning. Giant minesweeping machines patrol the beaches, but few people pop up their umbrellas or venture into the water...
...familiar with Kuwait is surprised that the government does not understand its mistake. By all accounts, the new Cabinet is less competent than the old, and the Prime Minister, who is notorious for hoarding power while being loath to make decisions, won't sack or even investigate the conduct of the military leaders who let the country down so completely, so ^ quickly, last summer...