Wonders of the Future... Gazing at the Gulf

The future of the region is moving toward collective prosperity, security stability, geographic understanding, and quiet tranquility. This is not because I practice astrology, but because it stems from imperatives of necessity recognized by all countries in the region, which acknowledge their right to impose their priorities as a comprehensive conviction. There is no alternative to positive convergence, which includes all Arab Gulf states and Iran, within a framework committed to enduring stability and firm foundations based on a collective conviction regarding the necessities of mutual benefits and lasting interests.

Regardless of differing interpretations regarding the pillars of stability, the priority remains the constant pursuit of reaching a unified stance, the necessity of which is recognized by all. Without it, stability in the Gulf Sea will not be achieved, and all inhabitants of the Earth will suffer. A reconciled, understanding, and aware Gulf, conscious of its role in ensuring comfortable living for all people on Earth, requires the quiet submission of all nations as one of its most prominent conditions. Security will not be available, nor will it be achieved, if any differences in positions and convictions emerge among neighboring states. There is no room for the notion that some may achieve their desires at the expense of others; human consensus does not accept stratification in the global society. All peoples have become aware of the dangers of division, which the history of nations has recorded in the face of world wars and battles, the latest being World War II, which the inhabitants of the Earth agree was the last war between nations.

This world we live in today is the offspring of a horrific experience that harmed all inhabitants of the Earth, both victors and losers. Humanity has registered its rejection of wars through its accession to the United Nations, where members of the global family meet to discuss the path of the global family, identify mechanisms of interconnection among them, and understand the extent of the benefits this family reaps from this global society, which discusses its aspirations, achievements, and setbacks through meetings held within the framework of the global organization that includes everyone.

Has this organization succeeded in securing everyone’s satisfaction and acceptance of its directives and its efforts to achieve its goals of ensuring universal tranquility and acceptance of the burdens of commitments? These are constant questions raised by ambassadors of world countries who represent their nations and attend meetings held by the global family at the United Nations headquarters, which includes all parties.

I spent ten years at the United Nations, representing the State of Kuwait, where I became familiar with its environment, read its documents, and followed them, most importantly its Charter, which is the constitution to which all nations are committed and must accept its implications. I also had the honor of representing Kuwait in the International Security Council, the sole global mechanism dealing with war and peace, which emphasizes its priorities in deepening calm and stability among the peoples of the world, and transcending differences and resolving problems through understanding, negotiations, and peaceful means.

The collective dream was to achieve peaceful understanding among all peoples of the world and to avoid resorting to violence and wars. Achieving this goal embodied the dream of the global organization. Kuwait provided a good example through its conduct within the United Nations and by implementing its commitments to the organization, quietly striving to preserve its image, which reflects its reality that views the organization as a friend and supporter that guarantees its immunity and maintains the beauty and cleanliness of its record.

This Kuwaiti compliance with the path of integrity and purity paints a brilliant picture of Kuwait, its realities, its working methods, and the cleanliness of its steps. These are realities that Kuwait has carried since joining the organization in 1963, without exaggeration, but rather transparency that carries its creed and expresses its belief in the United Nations Charter and its commitment to its principles.

The map of Kuwait’s conduct at the United Nations stems from Kuwait’s history, reflecting its trajectory before and after independence, and testifying to its belief in the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and its commitment to implementing every detail thereof, while recognizing the necessity of empowering the Organization to fulfill its responsibilities and carry out its mandated duties. The United States and economically advanced states bore the financial burdens required for the work of the UN, but the weight of this responsibility weakened as developing countries’ capacity to meet the financial conditions of membership grew. Kuwait was fully aware of the complexities of the financial challenges facing the United Nations.

In 1978, Kuwait succeeded in joining the membership of the UN Security Council, a responsibility that no member state can evade. A member state must express its official position, and it cannot excuse itself from voting on issues under consideration. A member of the Security Council cannot simply be absent; it may abstain, register a reservation, or oppose, but it must record a positive or negative stance. The world identifies a state through its voting behavior. Whether a member votes affirmatively, registers its opposition, or abstains, all such actions are legitimate. What matters is that the state speaks with its own voice to declare its position. There are those who support, oppose, or abstain, but voting is essential to ascertain positions and chart the Security Council’s course according to states’ stances.

In truth, Security Council membership requires states to demonstrate courage in clarifying their positions. There are those who support, those who oppose, and those who abstain—all of which are legitimate. However, there is no room for concealment or absence. Some UN member states do not accept membership in the Security Council because they cannot make independent decisions that might cause them trouble with major powers, possibly for economic or political reasons. In Kuwait, we vote according to conviction and principles, and only occasionally according to interests. Kuwait has preserved its positive reputation at the United Nations and throughout the world.

I spent the years 1977–1978 representing Kuwait in the Security Council and, in accordance with the rule, became President of the Council in February 1978 for a one-month term. The issue before us in the Council was a complaint against the People’s Republic of China, a permanent member, filed by Cambodia, which was led by Prince Sihanouk. Russia supported Cambodia without its prince, whereas China supported Prince Sihanouk, who hosted him as the leader of Cambodia. Because of this, the Security Council and its chamber became a stage for confrontation between China and the Soviet Union. This occurred in February 1978, when I assumed the presidency of the Council, and the Council convened to discuss the Cambodia–China issue.

As a Security Council member, I and my colleague, the Ambassador of Jamaica (which was also a Council member), met with Prince Sihanouk. He was an expert at leveraging open political meetings, where he connected with crowds, speaking and engaging in a familiar manner. This phenomenon became evident in the Security Council chamber, angering the Soviet Union and plunging the meeting room into chaos. Consequently, the meeting chair declared the end of the session. Thus, Prince Sihanouk succeeded in gaining popular support but failed politically.

Abdullah Basharahil