Palestinian Condemns 1990 Iraqi Invasion

The Times-Picayune / AP ^ | 8/12/03 | DIANA ELIAS

[Valin]

KUWAIT CITY (AP) — The Palestinian prime minister condemned the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, a reversal that could help patch relations 13 years after they soured because of Palestinian backing for Saddam Hussein.

Mahmoud Abbas, on a tour of the Gulf region, had postponed a visit to Kuwait because, Kuwaiti officials said, he was hesitant about denouncing the Iraqi invasion — as Kuwait had demanded.

But Abbas told the Kuwait News Agency on Monday that the Palestinian leadership's pro-Saddam position 13 years ago was "incorrect" and he understood why Kuwaitis were "angry and reproachful."

"Speaking for the Palestinian Authority, we condemn the Iraqi occupation of the state of Kuwait and the aggression against it, and we condemn the regime of Saddam Hussein and what it committed in Kuwait and Iraq," Abbas told KUNA. He spoke in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, during a tour of the Gulf region.

Kuwait was once the main financial backer of the Palestine Liberation Organization but canceled its aid after the Palestinians refused to withdraw support for Saddam after the invasion, which led to the Gulf War.

About 450,000 Palestinians lived in Kuwait before the invasion. Most were expelled or pressured to leave after the U.S.-led 1991 Gulf War liberated Kuwait. Scores of Palestinians were convicted after the war of collaborating with Iraqi occupiers.

Kuwait's information minister, Mohammed Abul-Hassan, told Al-Rai Al-Amm daily in remarks published Tuesday he appreciated Abbas' condemnation. But he said it would have to be translated into "a joint statement that expresses the will of the two leaderships."

[Caipirabob]

Hell, at this rate they may get around to recognizing that Israel is a soveriegn state, what? Say by the end of the millenium?

[KarlInOhio]

Iraq used to provide the Palestinians with a lot of money. It doesn't now, so there is no reason to support the 1990 invasion, especially if that support keeps the Kuwaitis from giving them money.

[research99]

RE: "About 450,000 Palestinians lived in Kuwait before the invasion. Most were expelled or pressured to leave after the U.S.-led 1991 Gulf War liberated Kuwait."

This wasn't the first time. Not only would other Arab nations not accept them as refugees in '48 and '67, but Jordan expelled the PLO in 1970. For good cause actually, as these habitual troublemakers started the 20-year Civil War in previously peaceful Lebanon in 1975.

[novacation]

With Saddam out and the US controlling Iraq, as best we can, it is not good policy to support the defeated.
This means nothing. And who cares what their opinion is.

[beaversmom]

Looks like we'v all been wrong--The Palestinians are nice guys afterall.

http://www.geocities.com/rachav/Lynched.html

The U.S. should not be doing business or supporting in any way these animals.

[beaversmom]

P.S. The above link is extremely graphic!