KUWAIT: The
Palestinian Embassy honored Kuwaiti fencing champion Abdul Aziz Al-Shatti
yesterday at the Kuwait Fencing Federation in Daiya. Shatti, who recently withdrew
from the World Fencing Championships in Switzerland, refused to play against an
Israeli player.

Ambassador of
Palestine to Kuwait Rami Tahboub appreciated such actions by His Highness the
Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Kuwait's government and people
towards the Palestinian people and its cause, thanking Shatti for this noble
Arab national action. "What Al-Shatti did is a very big step by a Kuwaiti
citizen and champion who chose not to win and withdrew from this championship. He
chose not to sell his principles by playing against the Israeli player. Shatti
proved the good position of Kuwait towards the Palestinian cause and we are
thankful for his courage," Tahboub said.

Shatti thanked
Tahboub for this gesture, asserting that his refusal to fight the Israeli
player stems from his Arab convictions. Secretary of the Kuwait Fencing
Federation Thuini Al-Hajeri stressed that Palestine and its cause is the first
priority of Kuwait led by His Highness the Amir, and will remain so until the
Palestinian people have full rights and independence.

At the end of the
ceremony, Tahboub presented a commemorative gift to Shatti. He was also given a
medal by members of the Palestinian community in Kuwait in recognition of his
heroic position. The event was attended by the media, President of the Kuwait
Fencing Federation Abdullah Al-Mutairi, Secretary Hajeri, members of the
federation and a number of members of the Palestinian community in Kuwait.

By Faten Omar