Where is Foreign Ministry? ‘Dig out the evidence’
the former iraqi historian and writer, ba’athist hassan al alawi, responded during a television interview to ‘information’ that no kuwaiti politician has ever touched upon, despite its importance, especially as it relates to kuwait’s strong and independent status over the past 100 years, at least.
al-alawi said that in the mid1930s, iraq had applied for membership in the league of nations as the first arab country to achieve its independence. however, the request was rejected because it did not meet the condition — the condition which said that a country wishing to acquire membership must demark its borders will all neighboring countries.
since iraq had demarcated its borders with all neighbors except kuwait, it was necessary for iraq to settle its borders with kuwait, before considering iraq’s application for membership in the league.
the then prime minister of iraq, nurial-said, wrote to then british high commissioner in kuwait when kuwait was a sheikhdom with a protection pact in place with britain, requesting him to demark the border with kuwait so that iraq could complete its independence and join the league of nations.
britain and kuwait agreed to the request. the british high commissioner in iraq, humphrey traveled to kuwait or to the border area with him, accompanied by nuri al-said, in the presence of sheikh ahmad al-jaber al-sabah, the then ruler of kuwait and the british high commissioner in kuwait and both sides signed a border demarcation agreement in the mid of 1932.
iraq then sent a copy of the demarcation agreement to the league of nations following which iraq declared its independence on oct 3, 1932.
al-alawi concluded by saying that everyone should recognize this historical fact, and how kuwait’s agreement on demarcation of its border with iraq (directly or indirectly) had paved the way for iraq to get its independence and recognition of the league of nations.
there is no doubt that there is a mistake here. kuwait’s role may be limited to accepting iraq’s membership in the league of nations, not in its independence, and the difference between the two is significant, but it is a significant role in any case.
therefore the kuwaiti foreign ministry, and the researchers in history, must dig in the british archives, thoroughly and in depth documents and highlight this issue, highlighting the role of nuri al-said, and his contact with the british high commissioner to kuwait or sheikh ahmad al-jaber al-sabah, directly and asked them to draw the border between the two countries and the subsequent agreement with kuwait.
the presence of such documents and correspondence and highlighting them will silence many of the sick hearts and souls who are still suffering from the disease of arrogance and ignorance.
