World Tribune.com


U.S. ties at risk as succession fight splits oil-rich Kuwait

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, July 2, 2002

ABU DHABI Ñ Kuwait's royal family is divided into rival factions in a struggle to replace the ailing, pro-West. Emir Jabbar Al Ahmed Al Sabah. At issue is whether his successor will maintain close ties with the U.S. or will cultivate Islamic fundamentalist elements in the country's major tribes.

Three potential successors have emerged in the ruling Al Sabah family, which presides over one-tenth of the world's oil reserves.

The emir suffered a stroke in September, Middle East Newsline reported. For six months, Kuwait, with a population of 2.2 million, was run by caretakers. The 73-year-old emir has returned to the sheikdom but is not believed to be governing. That role has been assumed by Foreign Minister Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, who is also 73 and has a heart condition.

Gulf diplomatic sources said Interior Minister Mohammed Al Khaled Al Hamad is regarded as a major contender for power. He is said to have excellent ties with tribal leaders and Islamic fundamentalists.

Information and Oil Minister Ahmed Al Fahd Al Ahmed is another rival. He comes from the Fahd wing of the Al Sabah clan and is the youngest member of the Cabinet.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Sabah Al Salem is regarded as the most intriguing of the rising stars. He is a graduate of Harvard and served as ambassador to Washington for many years. He comes from the Salem wing, regarded as the most powerful in the Al Sabah clan.

Defense Minister Jabber Mubarak Al Hamed Al Sabah is seen as the expert in the Cabinet. The sources said Mubarak is regarded as possessing a genuine understanding of military affairs and has revamped the sheikdom's arms procurement policies.

Prime Minister Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah, 72, is also said to be no longer functioning. The crown prince is said to be suffering from mild dementia and often is unfamiliar with his surroundings and his colleages.

The rivalry is believed to have encouraged opposition to the current government, particularly by Islamic fundamentalists. Finance Minister Yusef Al Ibrahim has been accused of embezzlement and questioned by parliament.

Kuwaiti sources said the government regards the storm in parliament over Al Ibrahim as part of an effort to exploit the paralysis in the ruling family. The finance minister has been responsible for a $60 billion fund and senior ministers are threatening to resign if parliament votes no-confidence against Al Ibrahim.

The United States regards the Middle East as the major source of surplus oil supplies.

U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said two-thirds of world's proven oil reserves are in the Middle East. This does not include North Africa.

Abraham told the House International Relations Committee on Thursday that the region contains 7 million barrels per day in excess crude oil production. He said this is the capacity of the global oil market.

The secretary Middle Eastern oil also has the lowest production costs in the world.

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