KUWAIT: First
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad
Al-Sabah stressed that young GCC leaders look up to His Highness the Amir
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as a father figure who helps them make
difficult decisions and mediates amongst them. Speaking on an interview with
the Chinese TV made during his recent visit to China, Sheikh Nasser expressed
optimism that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) crisis would end positively.
"We hope to hear good news soon," he stressed.

Sheikh Nasser
also highlighted the ongoing efforts in Kuwait to diversify national economy
resources and achieve more openness for investors. "There are more
accelerated steps now towards diversifying sources national income," he
underlined, describing the continuation of relying on oil as the sole source of
income as 'dangerous'. "Kuwait is a beautiful and rich country, but we are
not happy with bureaucracy and the state of relaxation in our economy," he
added, noting that many laws and legislations had been changed and that there
is more government-parliament understanding now.

Further, Sheikh
Nasser noted that the results of parliamentary elections in Kuwait were often
influenced by tribal affiliations. "However, this is destined to stop one
day as the recent elections resulted in electing a somehow diversified
parliament, and voters are now more able to differentiate amongst various
candidates and choose the best," he pointed out. - Al-Qabas