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| Kuwait
History |
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The area that became Kuwait was
controlled by the major regional powers in the
Gulf, chiefly various dynasties based in Mesopotamia and Persia.
The most significant of these were the Safavids, a Persian dynasty
which moved into the region around 1,500 and established a commercial
empire along the eastern seaboard of the Arabian peninsula.
Later on in the 16 th century, the north eastern corner of the Arabian
peninsula developed into part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire.
It remained so until the latter part of the 19 th century when the
Al-Sabah family, which now rules the country, took control of local
administration and steered Kuwait into a semi-autonomous position.
However, fearing that the Turks would try to reassert their control,
the Kuwaitis made a union with the British allowing for British
control of Kuwaiti foreign affairs in exchange for military
protection. This danger passed with the subside of the
Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I, although Kuwait remained
a British protectorate until 1961, when the country was granted
full independence.
Sheikh Abdullah alleged the position of head of state, adopting
the title of Emir. The large revenues from oil production
allowed autonomous Kuwait to build up its economic infrastructure
and institute educational and social welfare programmes.
Surrounded by 3 major Middle Eastern powers, the main threat to
the country came from the renewal of Iraqi territorial
claims over Kuwait which date back to Kuwaiti independence. Kuwait
had been seriously threatened by Iraq in 1961, however Iraq was
deterred by British military intervention.
In 1990, no such assistance was available. Kuwait had given firm
backing to the Iraqis during the Iran - Iraq war, lending some US
$40 to $60 billion to Baghdad. Disputes over repayment and the exploitation
of oilfields which straddle the (still disputed)
border region between the 2 countries eventually led to the Iraqi
invasion on 1 August, 1990.
The country which Sheikh Jaber and his associates,
who fled into exile in Saudi Arabia, left behind was rapidly incorporated
into Iraq as its ‘ 19 th province ’ and then methodically
looted. 9 months later the Kuwaitis recovered their country by virtue
of a United States led, UN-backed multinational military force which
drove the Iraqis out.
After a period of joy, the Kuwaitis were confronted with the aftermath
of the war and the need to address a number of
difficult questions. Adequate funds were available to finance the
huge task of reconstruction. The future security of Kuwait was dealt
with by the signing of defence and security pacts with the United
States of America, the United Kingdom and Kuwait’s Gulf allies.
Since then, Iraq’s persistently aggressive attitude towards
Kuwait, reflected both diplomatically and through occasional border
incursions, has served only to reinforce Kuwaiti caution towards
its northern neighbour. However, it was 1 of the 1st countries to
join Operation Iraqi Freedom following the United
States led war against Iraq, and provided aid and support during
Iraq's (ongoing) process of reconstruction.
On the domestic front, the Al-Sabah family faced an uncomfortable
problem after the 1991 liberation, the future of the government
and their role in it. While in exile, the Emir had made a commitment
to restore the 1962 constitution, which provides for the elections
of a National Assembly (Majlis)
and largely limits the power of the ruling family.
The Assembly had been suspended in 1976 by the Emir on the grounds
that it was ‘not acting in the best interests of the state’,
it was recalled in 1981 and suspended again in 1986. When the Emir
returned to Kuwait in March 1991, he immediately declared a 3 month
period of martial law. However, in the face of
concerted domestic and international pressure, he decided that elections
to the Assembly would be held in October 1992.
The 3 elections held since then have seen majorities secured by
opponents of the Emir, then supporters and at the most recent
poll in July 1999, by the opposition.
The outcome has little effect on policy making, as the Majlis is
still confined to a strictly consultative role, but it has proved
to be a lively forum and a imperative channel for popular sentiment.
In 1999, it was closed down by the Emir for a 3rd time but reopened
shortly afterwards. Since then, it has clashed several times with
the Emir and the Cabinet (which
is still dominated by the al-Sabah family) over abuse of state funds
and poor management of the all important oil industry. Underlying
these disputes is the growing impression that the ageing and increasingly
infirm al-Sabah clan is no longer capable of running Kuwait. However,
they continue to dominate Kuwaiti policies. |
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