Kuwait's Critical Moments

• 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991: 'Operation Desert Storm' forces Iraq to comply with UN resolutions and reinstates the Kuwaiti government of the al-Sabah family. 
• 13 Oct 1990: The exiled government of Amir and Crown Prince promises to consolidate the Constitution by reactivating political and communication rights.
• 28 Aug 1990: Kuwait is declared the 19th province of Iraq. 
• 2 Aug 1990: Iraq invades Kuwait; on the same day, the UN Security Council passes Resolution 660 condemning the invasion.
• July 1990: Iraq, under President Saddam Hussein, stresses that its border disputes with Kuwait were never solved and Kuwait undermines Iraqi exports by not meeting OPEC quotas. 
• 31 Aug 1986: The Amir by decree dissolves the municipal councils.
• 3 July 1986: The Amir Jabir al-Ahmad by decree suspends constitutional rights (political and press activity), dissolves the National Assembly, has Crown Prince Saad al-Abdullah form a new government, and announces government by decree.
• 11 July 1985: After bomb attacks on cafes in Kuwait City, an anti-subversion bill threatens death penalty for all bombing terrorists.
• 26 Jan 1982: Legislation is passed permitting abortion in cases of danger to the life of the woman or severe brain damage of the fetus.
• 19 Jan 1982: Female Suffrage is refused following recommendation of a government committee.
• 23 Feb 1981: During parliamentary elections, pro-government candidates win an overwhelming majority and convene in a new National Assembly.
• 8 Feb 1978: A new government under the Heir apparent and Prime Minister is formed after Shaikh Jabir al-Ahmad becomes the new Amir.
• 1976: During recess, the National Assembly is dissolved and constitutional provisions about re-election and the freedom of the press are suspended.
• 23 Jan 1971: Nationalist Party under Ahmedal Khatib wins 10 seats in parliamentary elections.
• 4 Dec 1965: Shaikh Sabah al-Salem succeeds his brother as Amir.
• 14 May 1962: Kuwait becomes the 111th member of the UN. 
• 23 Jan 1962: First elections to the National Assembly.
• 11 Nov 1962: Promulgation of the 1962 Constitution.
• 1961: Kuwait announces its complete independence, is threatened by Iraq, but helped by Great Britain by sending troups.
• 1922: Kuwait-Saudi Arabia relations are established with the Treaty of Uqair.
• 1914: Kuwait becomes an independent state under British protection.

http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ku__indx.html

Kuwait Oil History

On February 22nd, 1938, oil was discovered in the Burgan field of Kuwait. The Kuwait desert had long stood witness to several strange black patches of a rough bituminous substance; but it was not until the matter was investigated in 1935 did it become apparent that the wealth of Kuwait had remained underground for years, and was yet to be discovered. In 1921, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah became the Ruler of Kuwait. A brave and resourceful leader, a man of vision as well as a valiant warrior, Sheikh Ahmad was to steer his people through difficult times. As the 1920s was drawing to a close, the cultured pearl industry became a serious, and ultimately overwhelming competitor to Kuwait's main industry, pearl diving. In spite of this, and a subsequent worldwide decline in trade as the thirties began, he kept his faith in the future. This was largely because of several strange black patches of a rough bituminous substance that had long been observed in different parts of the desert. The Ruler and his people were well aware of the activities of the oil prospectors in neighbouring Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Iraq - to say nothing of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's successes in southern Iran. Their expectations raised by the Bahrain oil discoveries of 1932, the people of Kuwait were hopeful that these surface deposits were indications of underground reservoirs of a commodity, which could stimulate and revitalize their country’s economy. Signing of the Oil Concession Agreement On December 23rd, 1934, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah signed a document that was to increase his country's wealth and international importance: the first Kuwait Oil Concession Agreement was awarded to Kuwait Oil Company Limited. Kuwait Oil Company, Ltd. was formed by the Gulf Oil Corporation (presently Chevron Oil) and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (presently British Petroleum). Discovery of Oil While drilling continued in Bahrain, attention turned to Burgan and to the recommendations about this area in the technical report of Cox and Rhoades. Geological surveys were carried out and the company drilled in this area through 1937 and early 1938. It was here, on 22nd February 1938 that oil was discovered. Moreover, this oil was under such pressure and in such quantity that it blasted through the wellhead valve with such force that it could not be controlled. It was a gush that was "difficult to hold". Lack of sufficient drilling mud to block the hole meant that other means had to be immediately found to block the well. Donald Campbell, then Chief Accountant, finally located a 60 feet long wooden pole in the town bazaar and that served as a temporary stopper. That was how, at 11 a.m., on a rainy Thursday morning Kuwait witnessed the birth of “Burgan No. 1”. Even today, this first well continues to produce. The Silver Wheel: The First Oil Shipment On 30th June 1946, His Highness the late Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah turned a silver wheel to start Kuwait's first crude oil export aboard the tanker "British Fusilier". This enabled the State of Kuwait to join the ranks of the world's major oil producers. At 7 o'clock in the morning of the 30th of June, 1946 a grand celebration was occasioned by exporting the first Kuwait’s oil shipment. The celebration, held under the auspices of the late Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber A-Sabah (then the Amir of Kuwait), was attended by the country's senior officials, the Political Resident in the Gulf area, the Political Agent in Kuwait and a distinguished audience of guests. Mr. Southwell, Director of Kuwait Oil Company Ltd., London, started the event by receiving Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber A-Sabah and his companions and escorting them to the ceremony site, where the silver wheel had been placed to herald the occasion. Sheikh Ahmad turned the wheel to start the first Kuwait’s crude oil shipment flowing smoothly through an offshore pipeline to the British tanker Fusilier. 10,567 tons of crude oil was loaded in 11 hours and 13 minutes, an average of 950 tons per hour! 30th June 1996, marked the 50th anniversary of the export of Kuwait’s first oil shipment. Nationalisation of the Oil Industry ِ A new era of historic importance began on 6th December 1975 with the Nationalisation of Kuwait's oil industry. In line with all the other Arab oil-producing states, Kuwait began negotiations in the early 1970s to restore control over its own natural oil resources. By mutual agreements with the Company's two original partners, the State's shareholding in Kuwait Oil Company was progressively increased until full control was achieved. On March 5th, 1975, an agreement was signed by the State of Kuwait and the two oil companies (British Petroleum and Gulf) giving Kuwait complete control of its oil resources. http://www.kpc.com.kw/AboutKPC/KuwaitOilHistory/default.aspx

The Meaning of Politics in Kuwait

Kuwait faced different kinds of difficulties and challenges until reaching where it is nowadays. Rulers and governments were passed through the history of Kuwait, effective and ineffective, positive and negative, that at last formed the political life in Kuwait. 

Kuwait politics passed through different levels that formed the overall Kuwait policy. In earlier times, (when Kuwait was under the reign of the British), people lived a simple life, without rules and regulations, until the country approved its constitution. It is a great policy along with effective rules and regulations that govern the relationship among the rulers and the population of Kuwait. it was created in June 1961 by Emir Abdullah Al Salem AlSabah. 

Not just a matter of subject, but country

The Constitution of Kuwait is considered to be the renaissance in the political life of Kuwait. People seemed to be more aware of the fact that their life will be changed through rules and regulations that coincided with the Independence of Kuwait from the British. From that moment till now, Kuwait never ever changed its policy towards its politics; democracy is a priority respect the Emir is a duty.

 The democracy of Kuwait has been a great sample for the whole world. Before talking about the democracy of Kuwait, let's look at this news proving what I've been said before. The basic principle of the democracy of Kuwait is that each person should respect each other, even if there are differences in the principles and views of each other. The democracy as it has a positive aspects, unfortunately it had been negatively affect the political life in Kuwait. its negative aspect was clear on the wrong understanding by some people when they go over other people and didn't respect them because of the democracy, surely it had been affected Kuwait practically. We're now passing through a critical level of our future life in Kuwait, which is the election, it's more than just an event happens and all people discussing it widely, it is a matter of the future of a country.

Choices are on our hand, lets help Kuwait

The parliament has a substantial power on decisions, as the constitution mentioned, that could affect the entire country either positively or negatively. Therefore, due to the power of the parliament, and because the parliament is formed by citizens, Voting is a national duty. Kuwaitis have the choice either to help Kuwait and return it back to what it was before, or keep it as it is behind countries that was take Kuwait as an example for their development and improvement plans.

We need to put main things on our minds when we are voting:-

• We are voting not because one of our relative is a candidate, we are voting because it is a national duty.
• We should choose the candidates that we feel he could help the country improving, not because of his tribe, damily, or sex.
• We should vote for Kuwait.

and here is a link to a survey that could help in understanding how Kuwaitis are involved into the political life of Kuwait.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/68TMNT3
please participate.
or you can send me an email for you opinios and suggetions related to our topic.

Kuwait Constitution

Words are not enough to describe the moment of establishing The Constitution of Kuwait. No one can deny that that moment had changed Kuwait to be a better country. By the establishment of the Constitution, Kuwait was ready to begin establishing the modern Kuwait. The Constitution of Kuwait has its own rules and regulations that govern the relationship between rulers and citizens, between rulers and the law, between citizens and the law. 

The Changing Moments in the History of Kuwait

The Constitution of Kuwait has been established to continue and prove the values and norms people were sharing at that time, to make plans for the bright future of Kuwait that will make Kuwait has an influential position among countries all over the world, to let people of Kuwait know their duties and obligations, to ensure the political rights of citizens and the rights of expressing their feelings. Furthermore, The Constitution of Kuwait significantly focused on the principle of justice and inequality, no matter what their religion is, what their family or tribe is, what their color or sex are, citizens are all equal in facing the law. In addition, The Constitution of Kuwait has been established to consolidate the foundations of Arab and Islamic nations, and that was one of the priorities of it. After taking a quick look at the basic principles of this GREAT Constitution, we can conclude that The Constitution of Kuwait was established to manage Kuwait. The Constitution of Kuwait has 183 articles that varied in its subjects and concerns by concerning about equality, focusing on justice, planning for the future of Kuwait and so many other critical articles that are substantial for the life of Kuwait as a country. And here are some articles of our GREAT Constitution:-

Article 1  [Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity]
Kuwait is an Arab State, independent and fully sovereign.  Neither its sovereignty nor any part of its territory may be relinquished.  The people of Kuwait are a part of the Arab Nation.

Article 2 [State Regulation]
The religion of the State is Islam, and the Islamic Sharia shall be a main source of legislation.

Article 113  [Assembly Requests]
The National Assembly may express to the Government wishes regarding public matters.  If the Government cannot comply with these wishes, it shall state to the Assembly the reasons therefore.  The Assembly may comment once on the Government's statement.

AND NOW THE HISTORICAL MOMENTS SHIFT INTO REALITY...

"In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful,
We, Abdullah al-Salim al-Sabah,
Amir of the State of Kuwait,
desiring to use the means of democratic rule for our dear Country; and,
having faith in the role of this Country in furthering Arab nationalism and the promotion of world peace and human civilization; and,
striving towards a better future in which the Country enjoys greater prosperity and higher international standing, and in which also the citizens are provided with more political freedom, equality, and social justice, a future which upholds the traditions inherent in the Arab nation by enhancing the dignity of the individual, safeguarding public interest, and applying consultative rule yet maintaining the unity and stability of the Country; and, I
having considered Law Number I of 1962 concerning the system of Government during the period of transition; and,
upon the resolution of the Constituent Assembly;
do hereby approve this Constitution and promulgate it.", said by Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah,
Amir of the State of Kuwait.", said by Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah.

And here is a video of a place considered to be one, nowadays, of the most popular and important place due to the election atmosphere.