18/03/2012 13:17
BAGHDAD, March 18 (AKnews) - A photo published by the Iraqi foreign ministry on its website within a news story about the Prime Minister's visit to Kuwait has raised political and popular debate because of the absence of the Iraqi flag.
Maliki in KuwaitState of Law Coalition MP Ali al-Shallah said the flag was found behind Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki but it was folded and this prevented its appearance.
"The visit was successful, and some are trying to stir up trouble," he said.
"Everyone should be aware that there is a protocol that requires the presence of the guest flag behind him, and if the flag wasn't found then the Iraqi delegation would have protested."
This is not the first time that controversy has been raised about a photo of the PM. There were reactions to a previous photo during his visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran when he removed his tie while meeting the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ali Khamenei.
MP from Iraqiya List Talal al-Zobaei said: "This action is an attempt to provoke the Iraqis and show lack of respect and such a behavior is unacceptable. Iraq today wants to solve the problems instead of complicating them.
Maliki in Kuwait"The Prime Minister must take action against this violation because this is an insult for the guests and the state."
Maliki arrived last Wednesday in Kuwait. The official visit lasted for two days, during which time he met with Kuwaiti officials to discuss several outstanding issues between the two sides.
Iraq and Kuwait agreed to settle the issue of compensation of Kuwait Airways by paying $500m. The agreement was based on two parts: the first is that Iraq pays part of the amount as cash compensation while the second stated on allocating a part of the amount to establish common airlines with Kuwait.
Political analyst Fawzi al-Obeidi said: "The Iraqi government must not accept this violation because Kuwait is trying to insult Iraq once through the port of Mubarak and again through holding the money of Iraqi Airways in Jordan, and the detention of Iraqi Airways in London, and today by hiding the Iraqi flag during the visit of the prime minister.
"The continued silence by the government on these abuses may allow Kuwait to surpass Iraq. The Iraqi government has a sincere intention to resolve all our disputes with Kuwait, but the latter does not want to end the crisis."
There are several issues lingering between Kuwait and Iraq that frequently spark tensions between the two neighbors: shared oil fields, land and water border demarcations, and the controversial Kuwaiti Mubarak Port which Iraqis believe will take business away from their ports and affect fishermen working in the Gulf.
Iraq also criticizes Kuwait for its support of the UN's Chapter 7 sanctions, which were imposed on Iraq after the Second Gulf War in 1991. Without Kuwait’s approval, it is unlikely that the UN Security Council will lift the Chapter 7 sanctions. A decision on Chapter 7 is expected to be made by the UN Security Council in June.
Kuwait demands reparations for the Iraqi invasion, disclosure of the fate of Kuwaiti MIAs and the return of the remains of Kuwaiti POWs.
AKnews reported earlier that the Iraqi government wishes to settle its issues with Kuwait through the implementation of investment projects for Kuwaiti companies in Iraq.
The Kuwaiti Embassy in Iraq reopened on February 12 and is hoped to promote commercial and investment relations between the two countries.
By Yazn al-Shummari
RN/DM/AKnews
(Not to say I support violence, but just saying)
