Scars remain on Failaka Isle: Col Marriot
He walked among the ruins of homes, whose walls tell painful tales of loss. He visited the old Bank of Kuwait and the Middle East building, whose walls were pierced by bullets from inside and outside. He saw the destroyed fire station, the burned cooperative society, and the teachers' residences, which, in turn, tell another story of pain. He added, 'Every corner of the island speaks of an unfulfilled dream.' He stated that 'Kuwait remained steadfast, with its leadership, government and people standing united in the face of aggression.'
He confirmed that the United Kingdom supported Kuwait at the time by contributing more than 52,000 troops, along with tanks, ships, and aircraft, in defense of its sovereignty and freedom. He concluded his remarks with a moving message: 'To the martyrs of Kuwait, your sacrifice will remain an inextinguishable beacon. To Kuwait, your dignity is engraved in the memory of generations ... unforgettable and untouchable.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
37 minutes ago
- Kuwait Times
Dutch envoy ends tenure, hails Kuwait energy partnership
KUWAIT: As he prepares to conclude his five-year tenure, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Kuwait Laurens Westhoff shared his reflections on the evolving Dutch-Kuwaiti relationship, emphasizing strong political cooperation, energy partnerships and enduring hospitality. 'I arrived five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the first things I realized was how effectively the Kuwaiti government managed the crisis,' he said. 'But for me as a diplomat, it came with challenges. I rely on face-to-face contact. And for the first year and a half, that wasn't possible.' Despite the early difficulties, the ambassador described his time in Kuwait as 'fantastic and fruitful,' highlighting decades of strong bilateral ties that were marked in 2024 with the celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. He explained: 'We've worked to enhance every aspect of our relationship, including political dialogue both here and in the Netherlands,' adding that one of the key achievements during his tenure was initiating a new area of collaboration focused on energy transition. 'We partnered with Kuwait University, KFAS, and KISR and connected them with Dutch experts to explore how a country so reliant on oil can diversify into solar and hydrogen energy. It was a meaningful step toward sustainable cooperation,' he said. The ambassador praised the Kuwaiti people's openness and warmth, describing it as one of the most memorable aspects of his experience. 'Everywhere you go, you are met with open arms,' he said. 'That genuine hospitality is something truly special and honestly, it spoils you. It's a unique trait that shows Kuwaitis' openness to dialogue and cooperation with others.' He noted the similarities between Kuwait and the Netherlands as smaller countries surrounded by powerful neighbors, which strengthens their shared emphasis on diplomacy and mutual understanding. 'We both know the value of dialogue and cooperation in maintaining regional and international relations. That common ground builds strong ties between us.' Ambassador Westhoff highlighted that the Netherlands is the largest European investor in Kuwait, with direct investments totaling approximately KD 488 million. 'Dutch companies are active in oil-related industries, logistics, IT, agribusiness, and infrastructure including Kuwait's airport project. We also hope to see more Dutch involvement in Kuwait's domestic investment plans.' In 2024, bilateral trade between the two nations reached €2.4 billion, with Dutch exports to Kuwait at €845 million, primarily in agricultural products, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and livestock. Imports, mainly crude oil, amounted to €1.6 billion. He noted that the Netherlands see interest from Kuwaiti families in sectors such as health and education, though student numbers remain modest due to language and system differences. On defense cooperation, the ambassador noted that the Kuwaiti Navy trains occasionally in the Netherlands, and there have been senior-level visits, including the Undersecretary of Defense visiting two years ago. In terms of cultural and people-to-people exchange, approximately 14,000 Kuwaiti visitors travel to the Netherlands annually, a number that remains stable. 'We know Kuwaitis enjoy our weather and appreciate what the Netherlands offers, from museums to heritage sites. It's a convenient and enriching travel destination,' he said. The ambassador emphasized the importance of continuing to capitalize on Kuwait's new economic vision. 'There's a lot of potential with Kuwait's current investment push. My successor will find fertile ground to strengthen Dutch-Kuwaiti business ties.' He also spoke warmly of Kuwaiti traditions, particularly the concept of the diwaniya. 'The diwaniya is a beautiful tradition. The open-door hospitality inspired me and my wife to consider introducing a version of it in our town in the Netherlands,' he said. The ambassador announced that his successor will arrive in early September. 'He's a career diplomat with experience in the region. He has Indian roots. Born in Suriname and raised in the Netherlands, he brings a diverse and international perspective. I'm confident he'll continue strengthening our bilateral ties.'
Kuwait Times
11 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Prince Harry cleared of ‘bullying' in African charity row
LONDON: The UK charity watchdog Wednesday cleared Prince Harry of accusations of bullying in a row with an African charity he founded, but criticized 'all parties' for letting the bitter internal dispute play out in public. The charity Sentebale was at the centre of an explosive boardroom dispute in March and April when chairperson Sophie Chandauka publicly accused Harry, the youngest son of King Charles III, of 'bullying'. Days earlier, Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho had announced they were resigning from the charity they established in 2006, after the trustees quit when Chandauka refused their demand to step down. Harry, also known as the Duke of Sussex, launched the charity in honour of his mother, Princess Diana, to help young people with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and later Botswana. After a months-long inquiry, the Charity Commission 'found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity,' it said in its conclusions published Wednesday. But it 'criticized all parties to the dispute for allowing it to play out publicly' saying the 'damaging internal dispute' had 'severely impacted the charity's reputation'. It found there was 'a lack of clarity in delegations' which led to 'mismanagement in the administration of the charity' and issued the charity with a plan to 'address governance weaknesses'. Sentebale said in a statement it 'welcomes' the findings. Chandauka, who was appointed to the voluntary post in 2023 and remains the charity's chair, said she 'appreciated' the conclusions, saying that they 'confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2025'. She did not address the fact that claims of systemic bullying had been dismissed. A spokesperson for Prince Harry said the probe 'falls troublingly short in many regards. 'Primarily the fact that the consequences of the current chair's actions will not be borne by her—but by the children who rely on Sentebale's support,' the spokesperson said in a statement. 'The Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana.' Harry said in an April statement that the events had 'been heartbreaking to witness, especially when such blatant lies hurt those who have invested decades in this shared goal'. Speaking to British media after accusing the prince of trying to force her out, Chandauka criticised Harry for his decision to bring a Netflix camera crew to a polo fundraiser last year. She also objected to an unplanned appearance by his wife Meghan at the event. The accusations were a fresh blow for the prince, who kept up only a handful of his private patronages, including with Sentebale, after a dramatic split with the British royal family in 2020. That was when he left Britain to live in North America with his wife and children. Harry chose the name Sentebale as a tribute to Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997 when the prince was just 12. It means 'forget me not' in the Sesotho language and is also used to say goodbye. 'Moving forward I urge all parties not to lose sight of those who rely on the charity's services,' said the commission's chief executive David Holdsworth. In her statement, Chandauka added: 'Despite the recent turbulence, we will always be inspired by the vision of our Founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso.' –AFP
Arab Times
12 hours ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait, Netherlands back dialogue for international stability
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 6: Dutch Ambassador to Kuwait Laurens Westhoff described his five-year diplomatic experience in the country as 'rich and full of opportunities.' Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Westhoff reflected on his tenure, which began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He revealed, 'I arrived in Kuwait at a difficult time -- during the COVID-19 pandemic. Direct communication is vital in diplomacy, and that was initially a challenge. However, I was impressed by the Kuwaiti government's efficiency in managing the health crisis.' Throughout his tenure, Westhoff worked towards strengthening the longstanding ties between the Netherlands and Kuwait. 'Over the past five years, I have sought to strengthen the relationship between our two countries, which dates back more than 60 years. In 2024, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Kuwait,' he added. He pointed out the emergence of new areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the energy transition sector. 'We launched an important initiative on transitioning from oil dependency to alternative energy sources, such as solar and hydrogen. This is in collaboration with Kuwait University, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), along with Dutch experts,' he disclosed. He also expounded on the shared geopolitical realities of the two nations. 'Both the Netherlands and Kuwait are relatively small countries surrounded by larger neighbors — by Britain, Germany, and France; you by Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Iran. This compels us to rely on dialogue, diplomacy and mutual understanding to ensure stability and cooperation,' he stated. He confirmed that trade relations between the two countries have remained robust. He said 'in 2024, Dutch exports to Kuwait reached approximately €845 million, while imports – primarily crude oil – totaled around €1.6 billion through the Port of Rotterdam. This brings the overall volume of bilateral trade to roughly €2.4 billion. The Netherlands also holds a leading position among European countries in terms of direct investments in Kuwait. Dutch investments amount to KD488 million; mostly channeled through companies and investment funds in various sectors like oil, airport infrastructure, information technology, energy, and agriculture.' He praised the growing appreciation among Kuwaitis for the Netherlands as a travel destination. 'Around 14,000 Kuwaiti tourists visit the Netherlands annually. This year, the number reached 7,000 by mid-year alone. Despite our not-so-ideal weather, Kuwaitis seem to enjoy the cold and rain,' he said. He also highlighted the appeal of the Netherlands' compact size, cultural offerings, and ease of travel. 'Although our country is only twice the size of Kuwait, it offers a unique tourism experience— with world-class museums and artworks by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer—all within short distances,' he elaborated. On education, Westhoff acknowledged the room for growth. He stated that the number of Kuwaiti students in the Netherlands is modest compared to countries like Canada, due to language and education system differences. 'Nevertheless, we are working hard to develop this aspect. Every Kuwaiti who studies in the Netherlands becomes a cultural ambassador for our bilateral relations,' he asserted. On defense ties, he revealed that training programs for the Kuwaiti naval forces occasionally take place in the Netherlands. There have also been high-level reciprocal visits, including a visit by Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sabah two years ago. He added that the Dutch Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet with his Kuwaiti counterpart this October. On air travel between the two nations, Westhoff commented on KLM's service suspension. He explained that 'KLM's decision was not related to Kuwait, but rather due to operational challenges at Schiphol Airport. Meanwhile, Kuwait Airways continues to operate three weekly flights to Amsterdam, maintaining strong connectivity.' He also clarified the current visa processing issues. He said the recent changes in visa appointment procedures were introduced by VFS, not the embassy, indicating these adjustments aim to curb the selling of appointments by intermediaries and to ensure transparency. He then revealed that his successor, Veeresh Ramsukh, will assume duties in early September. 'He is a seasoned diplomat of Indian origin, born in Suriname and raised in the Netherlands. Like me, he does not speak Arabic, but that has not been a barrier; as Kuwaitis are proficient in English,' he asserted. In his closing remarks, Westhoff expressed heartfelt appreciation for Kuwait and its people. 'I will miss Kuwait deeply. This experience has enriched my life, and I hope I have contributed to strengthening the ties between our two countries. The Diwaniya is a wonderful idea—welcoming people spontaneously and without formality. My wife and I are even considering starting a similar tradition in our hometown in eastern Holland: opening our home at specific times to friends and neighbors, with coffee and food, just like in Kuwait.'
