KUWAIT CITY, Dec 18: We have to ensure the right application of the constitution in this stage of political volatility in the country, says leading Kuwaiti lawyer, Labeed Abdal, who was talking to the Arab Times Sunday.
‘There is a need for new blood in the Parliament, and as HH the Amir rightly pointed out, the voters have to be more judicious in their choice of candidates. We need highly educated MPs with the caliber to push the line for necessary changes.’ The lawyer further noted that the success of the new Parliament will depend on how much the Parliament and the executive are able to conform to each other’s views, and act in the best interest of the nation.
‘We have to focus on development plans for a promising future for the nation.’To a question on the protests that preceded the dissolution of the Parliament, Labeed Abdal said that it would have been better if those MPs who stoked the protests had instead chosen to use the Parliament and the offices optimally to constructive ends.
The lawyer added that issuing new legislations is the right procedure for reforms. When quizzed about the youth movements that took part in the protests, which were apolitical in their affiliations to MPs, he said the movements were inspired by the Arab Spring, and reflects the deep yearning among the youth for change.
‘The young generation needs better opportunities, employment and transparency in the public affairs. They want to free the nation of corruption and the misuse of public funds.’Labeed Abdal expects to see a change of 20 to 30 percent in the Parliament. ‘There are former MPs who continue to wield a great deal of influence on the voters and who enjoy strong vote banks. So, these MPs will surely make a comeback. ‘However, the MPs, whether they are old faces or new ones, must change their priorities, and appreciate the fact that the people all across the world are fed up of being excluded from the actual decision making process. ‘The Parliament and the government must appreciate the changes taking place in the world and act in accordance with the real aspirations of the people.
If the people are asking for a structural change, leading to greater empowerment of their representatives in the Parliament, then legislations must be passed to make deeper systemic changes.’
By: Valiya S. Sajjad
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/177445/reftab/36/t/A-need-today-for-new-blood/Default.aspx
Monday 19 December 2011
New polarity ‘challenges’
Need to avoid military conflicts
IN AN article titled ‘How China can defeat America,’ written by Yan Xuetong and published in the International Herald Tribune on Nov 21, 2011, the author gave a summarized view of the power shifts currently taking place in the world and how they are expected to affect the polarity of the world.
Countries should not underestimate the importance of morality in international relations, said the author, adding politicians should not be concerned only with economic and military might as morality can play a key role in shaping international competition between political powers.
The author also stressed on China’s need to make more friends, create a desirable model at home to inspire people abroad and establish a more harmonious society free of gaps between the rich and the poor to ensure social justice. China no doubt has a vital role to play now during the greatest economical depression recorded in history.
It can support and guide in matters related to economic aid and play distinguished roles at different levels.In this current race for global supremacy, the USA, which has a long list of friends and military allies, had started strongly after the World War II and remains the world’s pre-eminent hegemonic power, as the author rightly mentioned.
However, for the sake of global peace and security, both USA and China need to consider more cooperation in all fields, including economy, education, technology and policy.
The two major members in the Security Council should always remember the global responsibility of security and peace-keeping and should avoid all sorts of military challenges or conflicts -directly or indirectly - to save Earth from man-made catastrophes in the 21st century.
Email: Labeed.abdal@gmail.com
By: Labeed Abdal
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/177385/reftab/36/Default.aspx
IN AN article titled ‘How China can defeat America,’ written by Yan Xuetong and published in the International Herald Tribune on Nov 21, 2011, the author gave a summarized view of the power shifts currently taking place in the world and how they are expected to affect the polarity of the world.
Countries should not underestimate the importance of morality in international relations, said the author, adding politicians should not be concerned only with economic and military might as morality can play a key role in shaping international competition between political powers.
The author also stressed on China’s need to make more friends, create a desirable model at home to inspire people abroad and establish a more harmonious society free of gaps between the rich and the poor to ensure social justice. China no doubt has a vital role to play now during the greatest economical depression recorded in history.
It can support and guide in matters related to economic aid and play distinguished roles at different levels.In this current race for global supremacy, the USA, which has a long list of friends and military allies, had started strongly after the World War II and remains the world’s pre-eminent hegemonic power, as the author rightly mentioned.
However, for the sake of global peace and security, both USA and China need to consider more cooperation in all fields, including economy, education, technology and policy.
The two major members in the Security Council should always remember the global responsibility of security and peace-keeping and should avoid all sorts of military challenges or conflicts -directly or indirectly - to save Earth from man-made catastrophes in the 21st century.
Email: Labeed.abdal@gmail.com
By: Labeed Abdal
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/177385/reftab/36/Default.aspx
Sunday 18 December 2011
New polarity ‘challenges’
Need to avoid military conflicts
IN AN article titled ‘How China can defeat America,’ written by Yan Xuetong and published in the International Herald Tribune on Nov 21, 2011, the author gave a summarized view of the power shifts currently taking place in the world and how they are expected to affect the polarity of the world.
Countries should not underestimate the importance of morality in international relations, said the author, adding politicians should not be concerned only with economic and military might as morality can play a key role in shaping international competition between political powers.The author also stressed on China’s need to make more friends, create a desirable model at home to inspire people abroad and establish a more harmonious society free of gaps between the rich and the poor to ensure social justice. China no doubt has a vital role to play now during the greatest economical depression recorded in history.
It can support and guide in matters related to economic aid and play distinguished roles at different levels.In this current race for global supremacy, the USA, which has a long list of friends and military allies, had started strongly after the World War II and remains the world’s pre-eminent hegemonic power, as the author rightly mentioned.
However, for the sake of global peace and security, both USA and China need to consider more cooperation in all fields, including economy, education, technology and policy.
The two major members in the Security Council should always remember the global responsibility of security and peace-keeping and should avoid all sorts of military challenges or conflicts -directly or indirectly - to save Earth from man-made catastrophes in the 21st century.
Email: Labeed.abdal@gmail.com
By: Labeed Abdal
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/177385/reftab/36/Default.aspx
IN AN article titled ‘How China can defeat America,’ written by Yan Xuetong and published in the International Herald Tribune on Nov 21, 2011, the author gave a summarized view of the power shifts currently taking place in the world and how they are expected to affect the polarity of the world.
Countries should not underestimate the importance of morality in international relations, said the author, adding politicians should not be concerned only with economic and military might as morality can play a key role in shaping international competition between political powers.The author also stressed on China’s need to make more friends, create a desirable model at home to inspire people abroad and establish a more harmonious society free of gaps between the rich and the poor to ensure social justice. China no doubt has a vital role to play now during the greatest economical depression recorded in history.
It can support and guide in matters related to economic aid and play distinguished roles at different levels.In this current race for global supremacy, the USA, which has a long list of friends and military allies, had started strongly after the World War II and remains the world’s pre-eminent hegemonic power, as the author rightly mentioned.
However, for the sake of global peace and security, both USA and China need to consider more cooperation in all fields, including economy, education, technology and policy.
The two major members in the Security Council should always remember the global responsibility of security and peace-keeping and should avoid all sorts of military challenges or conflicts -directly or indirectly - to save Earth from man-made catastrophes in the 21st century.
Email: Labeed.abdal@gmail.com
By: Labeed Abdal
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/177385/reftab/36/Default.aspx
Tuesday 6 December 2011
Syria, Middle East and region’s future http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/176926/reftab/36/Default.aspx
Domino effect’ seen
THE international community will no longer tolerate the killing of innocent people in Syria.
This was evident when the United Nations (UN) and the Arab League condemned the crimes committed by the Syrian regime against humanity.
The protests that started more than nine months ago have painful indications, which reflect the people’s need for change.
The slogans raised in most Arab springs have a number of similarities, because the people want more freedom, equality, better opportunities and jobs, in addition to ending hunger and protecting their dignity.
The remaining regimes must learn from the experiences of their counterparts in other countries. We have seen the ‘domino effect’ in the region as regimes continue to fall one after the other like domino pieces.
These regimes and those on the verge of collapse have something in common — they have been or continue to be a burden to their peoples. They have accumulated wealth worth billions of dinars by squandering public funds. As if this is not enough, they are now targeting sovereignty, struggling to give the term a new meaning to allow the use of force under the pretext of protecting humanity.
Potential:
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) area has become a potential venue for the implementation of the rebuilding projects for many important nations with shaky economies and previous long experience in the region. This happened due to the absence of genuine reforms in this part of the world, changes in the Arab world map and the international financial crisis.Due to the global power shifts and refusal to adopt the power sharing concept, many countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Syria, must use their bare hands to rebuild these nations and improve relations with their peoples, who are the driving force behind their existence and their future.
Furthermore, they must work on establishing stronger ties with trusted countries in the world based on the principles of hope and responsibility after going through a very critical, historic and complicated rebirth process.
Email: Labeed.abdal@gmail.com
By: Labeed Abdal
http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/176926/reftab/36/Default.aspx
THE international community will no longer tolerate the killing of innocent people in Syria.
This was evident when the United Nations (UN) and the Arab League condemned the crimes committed by the Syrian regime against humanity.
The protests that started more than nine months ago have painful indications, which reflect the people’s need for change.
The slogans raised in most Arab springs have a number of similarities, because the people want more freedom, equality, better opportunities and jobs, in addition to ending hunger and protecting their dignity.
The remaining regimes must learn from the experiences of their counterparts in other countries. We have seen the ‘domino effect’ in the region as regimes continue to fall one after the other like domino pieces.
These regimes and those on the verge of collapse have something in common — they have been or continue to be a burden to their peoples. They have accumulated wealth worth billions of dinars by squandering public funds. As if this is not enough, they are now targeting sovereignty, struggling to give the term a new meaning to allow the use of force under the pretext of protecting humanity.
Potential:
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) area has become a potential venue for the implementation of the rebuilding projects for many important nations with shaky economies and previous long experience in the region. This happened due to the absence of genuine reforms in this part of the world, changes in the Arab world map and the international financial crisis.Due to the global power shifts and refusal to adopt the power sharing concept, many countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Syria, must use their bare hands to rebuild these nations and improve relations with their peoples, who are the driving force behind their existence and their future.
Furthermore, they must work on establishing stronger ties with trusted countries in the world based on the principles of hope and responsibility after going through a very critical, historic and complicated rebirth process.
Email: Labeed.abdal@gmail.com
By: Labeed Abdal
http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/176926/reftab/36/Default.aspx
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