Diplomat :Ban's Kuwait visit opportunity to settle issues with Iraq

"The visit of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to Kuwait, slated for December 5-6, is a great chance to work on settling some issues with Iraq and its timing is very opportune," Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN Mansour Al-Otaibi told KUNA, Monday. The ambassador added that the timing is very wise, "as it enables the discussions and efforts to benefit from current and recent enthusiasm and development in cooperation between Kuwait and Iraq. "We shall push for Iraq meeting what remains of its obligations as stated by UN Security Council resolutions. These are mainly dossiers on border demarcation, removal of incursions onto Kuwaiti territory, compensations for farmers, as well as the key dossiers on Kuwaiti POWs and Missing and restoration of Kuwaiti property." The diplomat noted what he called "encouraging gestures" on the Iraqi side recently, which he took to mean that things "are going in the right direction" and he expected many key issues would be settled once and for all in a matter of weeks. "On our part, we (Kuwaitis) have a sincere desire to open a new page and to sign agreements with Iraq in many fields ... It is time we took steps to take our relations further." Going back to the visit by the UN chief, the ambassador noted it would provide opportunity to discuss other issues as well, including the very strong cooperation between Kuwait and the international body. "Kuwait had never wavered from stressing its commitment to the secretary general's priorities for his second tenure, most importantly regarding pre-emptive diplomacy, peaceful settlement of disputes, countering climate change, and making progress in terms of sustainable development." There would also be continuation of discussions started during the September meeting between Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and His Highness the Prime Minister on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The visit expresses esteem of Kuwait's role within UN bodies, its financial support of UN funds and initiatives, and its hosting of regional offices and headquarters for several UN organizations. "The naming of Kuwaiti charity personality Abdullah Al-Mutawwa recently as the UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs in Kuwait was proof of estimation of Kuwait's relief and humanitarian work. It was also a vote of trust in the legality of all such work and conformity to international humanitarian work criteria," the ambassador pointed out. Kuwait's most recent humanitarian gestures includes a donation of USD 20 million for aid and relief for Syrian refugees, both within and outside of Syrian territory. The donation was made through Kuwait Red Crescent Society and the International Islamic Charitable Organization. There was also a donation of USD 10 million to a number of UN agencies exerting effort in this field. Secretary Ban had last visited Kuwait in March 2012, and in January 2009 before that, when he took part in the Arab Economic, Social, and Development Summit hosted by the country. Ban had back then inaugurated "UN House."