What does Saddams invasion of Kuwait have anything to do with Nawaz Sharif? Plenty, if you ask me. It seems like yesterday but it was exactly quarter of a century ago that I spent my Christmas/New Year holidays with my former students in Kuwait (I am holding a Kuwaiti tea cup in my hands in the attached photo). I am reminded of that week today because we are facing a similar situation in the Middle East and Pakistan is very much in the play. A friend has asked after reading yesterdays Post if I see anything positive come out of the crisis in Islamabad. One thing is obvious. Pakistani Prime Minister and his globe trotting wife (see their photo abroad) are grounded, saving Pakistani treasury millions of dollars weekly expense. Because of their overseas investments and properties all over the world, international travel for the couple is essential. A recently published study shows that they no longer have any assets inside Pakistan and have laundered all their wealth abroad to avoid paying any taxes in Pakistan. Same is true of their relatives who are on good terms with them and serve in the Cabinet. And that is where the similarity with the Kuwaiti ruling family begins. I was on one of the last flights out of Kuwait airport on First of August 1990 before Iraqi Army entered the city. The entire Kuwaiti ruling family headed by Emir Jaber al Sabah (shown here with Saddam in better times) had already flown out. Saddams invasion meant no personal loss to them because all of Kuwaits assets had already been deposited abroad and the rest flew with the family. Saddam was encouraged to start the war with Iran by Saudis and Kuwaitis who promised to fund it at the behest of Americans and Israelis. But he found himself in debt for over $80 Billion at end of that war. Saudis and Americans triggered a big drop in oil prices just like we are experiencing right now to hurt Iran further. Saddam felt squeezed with the drop in his oil income. U.S. government used its own Ambassador and CIAs primary asset in the region, late King of Jordan, to encourage him to look towards Kuwaiti oil fields to bring them under his control. The rest of the story even our children and grandchildren know is still continuing. I wish and pray that the crisis in Islamabad is resolved amicably and Nawaz Sharif family does not have to take that Kuwaiti flight. I know from personal knowledge that Zardari took that flight to Dubai more than once during his Presidency but managed to come back with the help of Gulf rulers. Sharif family had built their palace in Raiwind (see photos) with assurances that it would remain their permanent abode (costing poor Pakistani taxpayers millions in daily travel and security expenses) but I wonder how amicable the settlement with new Turks in Pakistan will be like. Dr. Muhammad M. Awan 1/6/2015
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 06:32:47 +0000
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