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Kuwait again supports Palestinian suicide attacks

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Thursday, June 7, 2001

ABU DHABI — Kuwait has again expressed support for Palestinian suicide bombings in a move that has annoyed the United States.

It was the second time in a week that the sheikdom has deemed Palestinian suicide attacks as a legitimate means in the battle against Israel.

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sabah Al Ahmed said martyrdom is a legitimate act and again supported the Palestinian suicide bombing on Friday in which 20 Israelis were killed outside a Tel Aviv discotheque. Al Ahmed's statement was the only message of support expressed by a U.S. ally.

Sabah termed the Tel Aviv attack as both "legal and heroic." The acting prime minister and foreign minister said on Tuesday that the sheikdom's support was not in response to Hamas, which claimed responsibility for the attack and receives millions of dollars from the Kuwaiti royal family.

"We were not asked [to say this] and I will not accept such a request from anyone," Sabah said. "I do believe in this and I was not asked to say so or pressured by anybody."

Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said he rejected Kuwait's support for suicide bombings. U.S. officials said Washington would probably raise the issue with the Gulf Arab state.

Thursday, June 7, 2001


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