KUWAIT CITY, July 2: MP Abdulkareem Al-Kandari called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to declare the charge d’affaires at the American Embassy in Kuwait persona non grata for supporting homosexuality. He pointed out this is the second time that the American Embassy in Kuwait publicly expressed support for homosexuality -- a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. He said the American charge d’affaires must be declared persona non grata for ignoring Kuwait’s objection to all forms of promoting homosexuality.

National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim had a meeting with Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament (Milli Majlis) Sahiba Gafarova on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Non-Aligned Movement Network Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. The two parties discussed bilateral issues, especially those concerning the legislature; and ways to strengthen parliamentary cooperation.

MP Ahmed Al-Hamad and Charge d’Affaires at Kuwait Embassy in Azerbaijan Faisal Jazzaa Al-Mutairi were also present at the meeting. In a relevant development, Al- Ghanim disclosed that Kuwait National Assembly will host conferences of the Non-Aligned Movement in the coming years. He affirmed Kuwait is capable of hosting international parliamentary events; but the participation of the Israeli Parliament prevents it from doing so, because the latter is not welcome in Kuwait.

Meanwhile, MP Osama Al-Shaheen submitted a proposal to include Kuwaiti housewives to the beneficiaries of the KD3,000 incentive for retirees. He argued the Public Institution for Social Security Law No. 61/1976 states that the institution has the authority to grant exceptional rewards to deserving categories. MP Abdulkareem Al-Kandari said the Environment Public Authority (EPA) has no right to suspend the launching of South Qairawan Housing Project, especially since the concerned ministers and Council of Ministers have approved the proposed area for the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) to implement the project. He stressed the need for Kuwait Municipality to remove obstacles to the project.

Moreover, Al-Ghanim sent cables to President of the National Assembly in Burundi Gelase Ndabirabe and Senate President Emmanuel Sinzohagera to greet them on their National Day. He also sent cables to Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Rwanda Mukabalisa Donatille and Senate President Augustin Iyamuremye to greet them on their National Day. By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff