KUWAIT CITY, 16 July 2003 — Kuwait’s revamped government is to present its working program to the newly-elected Parliament on Saturday with hopes that it will provide an impetus to much-needed reforms in the country.
There was a cautious welcome to the new Cabinet yesterday, which showed six new faces and changes at the key Ministries of the Interior and Oil in the reshuffle.
Al-Seyassa newspaper said the Cabinet was “capable of facing challenges (and) sidestepping the balancing game.”
Al-Rai Al-Aam quoted ministers as saying their priorities were fighting corruption, economic reform and cooperation with the 50-seat National Assembly, which was voted in during July 5 elections.
Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah said he valued the trust invested in him by the country’s political leadership and vowed he would “track down corruption in the military institution.”
New Energy Minister Sheikh Ahmad Fahd Al-Sabah said for his part that “there are many things we can give to Kuwait. We must work on development and activating the economy.”
Kuwaiti analysts have said the new Parliament will put the executive power to the test in pushing through crucial economic reform and a controversial women’s rights bill.
The Parliament, resulting from an electoral defeat for the liberals but a win for Islamist, pro-government and independent candidates, could challenge the government on unfavorable economic bills, they said.
