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SUBSCRIPTION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2014 SHAABAN 13, 1435 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Firemen Jihadists seize Jolie, Hague UEFA gives rescue trapped Iraq’s second launch fight Blatter the people from city, Nineveh against cold shoulder burning5 bldg province7 wartime39 rape in20 Brazil Opposition declares war Max 50º Min 31º on ‘forces of corruption’ High Tide 09:43 & 23:29 Barrak slams rampant graft, brandishes burial shroud Low Tide 03:46 & 17:05 40 PAGES NO: 16193 150 FILS By Staff Reporter and Agencies KUWAIT: In one of his strongest speeches ever, promi- nent opposition leader Musallam Al-Barrak declared war against forces of corruption “who are out to destroy” Kuwait, alleging they have already stolen tens of billions of dollars during the past seven years. “Today, the real battle begins after this rally and we will only end it when we achieve victory against corruption,” Barrak told thousands of cheering supporters who braved extremely hot weather to attend the rally. It was the opposition’s first public rally in over a year. The crowd was estimated at more than 10,000 people. Barrak showed copies of documents he claimed were the bank accounts and transfers of former senior offi- cials who he alleged stole a total of more than $50 bil- lion. Some of the money was deposited in accounts in Europe, while around $15 billion was deposited in an account in an Israeli bank, he said. The former outspo- ken lawmaker said corruption was rife in every aspect of Kuwait and warned that the forces of corruption were systematically destroying the country. He said the “forces of corruption” were offering bribes in tens of millions of dollars to a large number of people in their attempt to cement control over the country. Barrak strongly criticized the ruling family and called on its youth to speak out in a bid to salvage what remains of Kuwait. “We want a country where people are the makers of their own fate, not one where sheikhs are the masters of the people. We want to hold every- one accountable, even if they’re from the ruling family,” Barrak thundered. “The people demand to cleanse the judiciary!” chanted the crowd in response. “We are experiencing a phase in which Kuwait is being deliberately destroyed,” said Barrak, adding that he is not afraid of anything and showed the people a piece of white cloth which he said was his burial shroud if he gets assassinated. Barrak also called for reforming the judiciary and for introducing wide democratic reforms, including an elected government in order to safeguard the country. Former Islamist MP Jamaan Al-Harbash told the rally, KUWAIT: Opposition supporters gather in Irada Square opposite the National Assembly yesterday. held outside the National Assembly, that what is hap- (Inset) Opposition leader Musallam Al-Barrak holds what he called his burial shroud as he addresses the pening in Kuwait “is not only corruption”. crowds. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat (More pics on Page 2) Continued on Page 15 Govt ends diesel subsidies Kuwait expects OPEC to maintain output KUWAIT: The government has decided in costs have skyrocketed. Finance Minister principle to end subsidies on diesel fuel Anas Al-Saleh told parliament the aver- Five camels but will deal with any negative impacts age annual growth in public spending on consumers before implementing the was 20.4 percent during the past decade decision, the Cabinet said. Last month, against a 16.2 percent for revenues. The infected with the government warned that spending ministry has urged major cuts in subsi- outpaced revenues and this could lead to dies, saying it was impossible for the a budget deficit in 2017/2018 after years state to sustain growth in wages and MERS found of surpluses. “The council of ministers has continue them. Between 2005 and 2013 KUWAIT: Five camels in Kuwait have been found decided in principle to stop subsidies on subsidies rose more than fourfold, from infected with the MERS coronavirus, Public diesel,” a statement said late yesterday. $4.1 billion to $18 billion, an annual Authority for the Agricultural Affairs and Fish But the Cabinet is waiting for a study growth rate of 23 percent, the ministry Resources (PAAAFR) Director General Jassem Al- by the higher planning council on ways said. Bader said yesterday. The camels found infected to deal with possible negative effects on Oil income rose from $45.9 billion in have been identified and quarantined, and were consumers. Oil Minister Ali Al-Omair told 2005 to $106 billion last year. The minister KUWAIT: Oil Minister Ali Al-Omair (center) raises his hand during a vote at the among 83 specimens tested, said the official in a parliament three weeks ago that ending has said that, if oil prices remain at National Assembly yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat statement. The authority has taken adequate pre- subsidies on diesel would save around $1 around $100 a barrel, Kuwait will post an cautionary measures and has summoned the herd billion a year out of total subsidies of estimated budget deficit of 2.3 billion in owners to isolate the infected animals in order to around $18 billion. Diesel is currently sold the 2017/2018 fiscal year. Last month, the Constitutional court prevent the infection from being transmitted else- at around $0.20 a litre. International Monetary Fund warned where. The step is one of several recommen- Kuwait to contain a rapid rise in public As a result of the findings, PAAAFR held an dations by a government committee wages and subsidies to safeguard the reform law approved formed last October to review subsidies economy against oil price shocks. urgent meeting with the Ministry of Health in order on all services and commodities after Continued on Page 15 to agree on steps aimed at monitoring these partic- Assembly lifts Fadl’s immunity ular herds, in addition to coordinating on measures for other camel herds in the country. Bader assured By B Izzak tarian” statement. Azmi explained that he did that PAAAFR will carry out all procedures necessary not mean any insult as he was only stating a under the guidelines on the matter set forth by the KUWAIT: The National Assembly yesterday fact. Chaos followed after that forcing acting World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the passed a landmark reform law to allow citizens speaker Mubarak Al-Khrainej to adjourn the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the to directly file cases in the constitutional court session. World Health Organisation (WHO). The authority despite reservations from the government and The other confrontation took place will also be coordinating on the matter with its the judiciary. In the first round of voting, thirty- between Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, who regional GCC partners. — KUNA one MPs voted in favor of the law, one voted came down to the floor to speak on the issue, against and all seven ministers present and State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh abstained. The second and final vote on the Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah. Ghanem law is scheduled to take place after two weeks. called for approving the law because this has But before passing the law, two major con- been the dream of Kuwaitis for over 40 years, frontations took place with one of them, a sec- because it will allow citizens the right to seek tarian clash, forcing the chair to adjourn the the help of the country’s top court directly. session. Islamist MP Hamdan Al-Azmi cast But Sheikh Mohammad insisted that the doubts on the motives for approving this law government has reservations, as well as the at this time when the government had reject- supreme judicial council, saying this could lead ed the same bill many times in the past. Azmi to chaos and urged MPs to listen to the objec- then explained that the main aim is to allow tions of the judiciary. As a compromise, Sheikh Shiite MPs to go to the constitutional court to Mohammad suggested referring the issue to challenge the Gulf security pact after approval the constitutional court for a ruling. Ghanem in the Assembly. said that the government as well as the judicial This caused outrage from a number of council can submit their amendments to the KUWAIT: A camel is seen at a farm in Kabd. — Shiite MPs, especially Adnan Abdulsamad and law before the second round of voting. Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Khalil Abul, who strongly protested at the “sec- Continued on Page 15 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2014 LOCAL KUWAIT: Members of the opposition and their supporters gather outside the National Assembly yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat GCC plays a ‘key role’ in resolving Mideast crises US-Islamic World Forum kicks off DOHA: US Assistant Secretary of State for Near nificance of setting the priorities of the US-GCC for an increase in joint investment and trade Eastern Affairs Anne Patterson on Monday cooperation is geared towards maintaining stabili- exchanges between the US and the GCC countries, acknowledged the importance of strategic cooper- ty, and to enhance the partnership. opening the labor markets in order to achieve the ation between US and the Gulf Cooperation She voiced hope that the Gulf states will con- development targets in the developing Arab coun- Council (GCC) states. “The problems of the Middle vene a conference on defense cooperation in order tries. She emphasized on the need to open more East region cannot be resolved without the to address the security risks, boost their prepared- vocational training institutes and enhance the aca- involvement of the GCC states,” she said in an ness and coordinate their military cooperation and demic exchanges in order to promote the people- address to the opening session of the US-Islamic policies.

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