Commercial Bank of Kuwait to distribute 15% dividends

Thursday,24 March 2011


By : Jameel W. Karaki

KUWAIT: Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK), Ali Al-Awadhi announced 40,500 million Kuwaiti dinars as net profit for the financial year 2010 at the general assembly held yesterday (Wednesday) at the bank's headquarters.


Al- Awadhi went on to say that the bank has used KD 51 million provisions mainly to cover bad debts which decreased from 17 percent for the fiscal year of 2009 to 15 percent during 2010. This indicates an improvement according to Al-Awadhi.

The general assembly witnessed the distribution of 15 percent cash dividends to share holders.

Al-Awadhi stated that the bank's profit before provisions touched KD 93.6 million, and after provisions against loan and investment portfolios, the net profit amounted to KD 40.5 million with earnings per share (EPS) of 31.8 Kuwaiti fils. In addition, total assets stood at KD 3.6 billion and total shareholder funds were KD 465.9 million at the end of 2010.

He emphasized that the bank also has a strong capital base with a capital adequacy ratio of 19.96 percent which exceeds the minimum 12 percent requirement of the Central Bank of Kuwait.

The general assembly also witnessed the election of two new board members, namely Salam Al- Ali and Majed Awad while Ali Al-Mousa and Rasha Al-Awadhi were additional members.

Al Awadi announced during the press conference held on the side of the general assembly that the bank had facilitated financing the Al Zour power station project the costs of which amounted to KD 1.2 billion. According to him, the project is to last for 10 years where the first three years covers is for developing and establishing the power station and the other seven years are for maintenance.

Al-Awadhi told the press that two local banks had participated with the Commercial Bank of Kuwait in financing this project which were Burgan Bank and Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait with 25 percent of financing facilities for each leaving 10 percent for each of Mashreq Bank and Arab Banking Corporation (ABC) Bahrain while the lion's share went to CBK with 30 percent, placing the bank in a leading position.

Al Awadhi explained that the need for partners in financing such a huge project are in line with regulations set by the Central Bank of Kuwait which restricts only one bank in financing such a project alone. Furthermore, he revealed his hopes for notching reputable profits from this project. Regarding Boubyan Bank shares owned by The Investment Dar (TID), Al-Awadhi said that the bank will appeal before the court to solve the conflict between both parties.

MP Dumaither's membership decision postponed until next Monday




Tuesday,22 March 2011


By : Jameel W. Karaki

KUWAIT: The Chairman of the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee MP Hussein Al-Huraiti announced that the committee had postponed its decision regarding stripping MP Khalaf Dumaither of his membership until the next meeting due on Monday.


The lawmaker pointed out that the committee discussed during its meeting on Monday the assignment given to it by the National Assembly to look at the legal opinions related to this issue.

Speaking to reporters, Al-Huraiti pointed out that the committee had listened to the standpoint of MP Dumaither, and that discussions were held on the opinions expressed by legal counsels as to whether or not the MP should be stripped of his citizenship.

The MP expressed hope that a unanimous decision would be reached concerning the matter, noting that the issue needs more time, particularly since it is the first time in Kuwait's history that such a matter is discussed by the committee.

KUWAIT: The Chairman of the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee MP Hussein Al-Huraiti announced that the committee had postponed its decision regarding stripping MP Khalaf Dumaither of his membership until the next meeting due on Monday.


The lawmaker pointed out that the committee discussed during its meeting on Monday the assignment given to it by the National Assembly to look at the legal opinions related to this issue.

Speaking to reporters, Al-Huraiti pointed out that the committee had listened to the standpoint of MP Dumaither, and that discussions were held on the opinions expressed by legal counsels as to whether or not the MP should be stripped of his citizenship.

The MP expressed hope that a unanimous decision would be reached concerning the matter, noting that the issue needs more time, particularly since it is the first time in Kuwait's history that such a matter is discussed by the committee.

KUWAIT: The Chairman of the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee MP Hussein Al-Huraiti announced that the committee had postponed its decision regarding stripping MP Khalaf Dumaither of his membership until the next meeting due on Monday.


The lawmaker pointed out that the committee discussed during its meeting on Monday the assignment given to it by the National Assembly to look at the legal opinions related to this issue.

Speaking to reporters, Al-Huraiti pointed out that the committee had listened to the standpoint of MP Dumaither, and that discussions were held on the opinions expressed by legal counsels as to whether or not the MP should be stripped of his citizenship.

The MP expressed hope that a unanimous decision would be reached concerning the matter, noting that the issue needs more time, particularly since it is the first time in Kuwait's history that such a matter is discussed by the committee.

Al-Huraiti further stated that the committee will give a clear and candid opinion regarding the verdict issued by the Court of Cassation in connection with Dumaither's membership.


A court ruling released on Feb. 6, 2011 condemned Member of Parliament (MP) Khalaf Dumaither as guilty in regards to forging official documents. The past month witnessed several requests urging the withdrawal of his membership in Parliament. The case was then referred to the legislative committee for a final decision regarding his parliamentarian post.

"If the court ruling violates the terms which govern the conditions of Parliamentarian membership, according to the electoral law, then it will be a violation of the Constitution," MP Khaled Al-Tahous said on Sunday.

The MP told Al Watan Daily that he believes the Constitution should be respected, "otherwise transparency will not exist and constitutional violations will occur."

Al-Tahoos furthermore explained that a court order against MP Khalaf Dumaither was referred to the legislative committee in order to take a decision related to execution of this sentence, describing this case as "historical" and hoped that this issue will be clarified soon.

"We do not wish to lose a colleague, however if there is any constitutional violation then we are all, including our colleague, will be committed to the Constitutional articles."

On her part MP Dr. Salwa Al-Jassar said that this issue has passed through legal and constitutional foundations, explaining that according to the National Assembly regulations, the request of one of the MPs to discuss this issue was referred to the legislative committee. The committee will then take a decision in the related matter within 15 days. She hoped that all legal frameworks are considered when taking this decision.

She added, "I pay so much respect to MP Khalaf Dumaither who added value to the assembly through his work in the last 30 years and I wish he keeps his membership. However, as lawmakers we should respect the judiciary system."




http://alwatandaily.kuwait.tt/resources/pdf/1037/2.pdf

'Enabling human potential' is ACK's key philosophy: Al-Sharhan

Tuesday,22 March 2011


By : Jameel W.Karaki

KUWAIT: In response to the group of student protesters enrolled in the Engineering and Business Management Bachelor degree programs at The Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) last Wednesday that were calling on the college to reform and change its curriculum policies. Abdullah Abdulmohsen Al-Sharhan, ACK's Chairman said that his door is always open for those students we are willing to discuss their concerns and problems, asserting that the key philosophy of ACK is 'enabling human potential within a culture of care".


Al-Sharhan told Al Watan Daily on Monday that ACK was established to open the door for students of both of high and low GPAs to enroll in their program. As a result ACK was established as a vocational school to offer its students a high class vocational training including workshops, group projects, knowledge, with practical skills and knowledge and allow them to make a strong contribution to this wonderful country as well as extra classes.

Al-Sharhan said, "Until now we have had 2000 graduates, where the majority of them are working at the private sector and for multi national companies. Later on, based on the request of parents and students, we established the Bachelor degree Program and we chose University of Tasmania as a partner which is considered one of the top schools."

Al-Sharhan, refuted the claims of some students who said that ACK doesn't have enough qualified instructors insisting that ACK instructors passed several admission tests that are in accordance with global standards, and the Private University Council (PUC) awarded them their license. He also said that ACK is obliged to follow the PUC's auditing standards and was committed to high level academic standards.

Al-Sharhan also clarified that the challenges facing the diploma student are easier than ones facing a Bachelor degree program student. "The Bachelor of Business program at the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) is delivered under the auspices of the University of Tasmania in Australia, endorsed by the Private Universities Council of Kuwait and is recognized in many countries around the world as a result we should operate according to our partners standards when it comes to the curriculum, recruiting instructors and correcting exams," He added.

Some angry students and a parent gathered inside the campus of ACK claiming that they are failing their classes as a result of a planned agenda by the management to force them to pay more money, causing the students to be delayed from graduating on time. Protestors demanded an easier course passing policy as they claim that students are failing their courses, an average of 3 courses per semester, because of unfair passing criteria.

The students questioned the administration's position, who stood and watched the students express their demands. As a result Dr. Raghad Al-Kazimi, Dean of Student Affairs at ACK held the microphone and said "I don't refuse to speak to you. Feel free to discuss your matters and concerns at my office where my door is open to any student who has a problem" last week.


On her part Al-Khazmi also spoke to Al Watan Daily, responding to the claims of some students of being treated unfairly by the university causing them to fail them some Bachelor degree level courses saying "the demands of this group can't be generalized over other students".

Al-Khazmi disclosed that 195 students registered for the first semester of the Bachelor program, where students took part in 821 exams yet only 25% failed that semester.

She pointed out that students who passed this semester were hard workers, attended classes, extra sessions and followed up with their instructors which is what is expected of any university student.

Al-Khazmi explained that the Diploma program focuses on vocational training which would qualify students for a job opportunity after graduation while the Bachelor program relies on self study, reading several books and independent studies. ACK was also keen to provide its students with tools of success such as extra sessions and workshops She added.

It is worthy to mention that Al-Khazmi announced that ACK will open a summer class for defaulter students to cover what they missed
http://alwatandaily.kuwait.tt/resources/pdf/1037/20.pdf

Dear Diplomat, we are all equal مو هيش عيني؟

Jameel W. Karaki


It is not shocking to me but also unacceptable as a human and a reporter to accept humilation or insolence myself or against anyone of my collegues. On Sunday, March 6 at the building of the United Nations , I was covering a human trafficking session at IOM ( Internationl Organization for Migration) with my collegua Bochara Al Zain, one of the senior diplomatic reporters in Kuwait who works for Al Anbaa Newspaper. After we finished the event many ambassadors approcahced us and shaked our hands and had chatted for a couple of minutes.

After that, while we were moving out of the hall through the glassy corridor, Bochra saw a newly assigned ambassador of an Arabic nehgboring  Country ,he looked at her and greeted her where she followed him to ask a couple of questions related to a topic she is working on.

We all know that it’s the right of any person to state that he or she has no comment likewise ambassadors who supposed to know how to deal with the press but the story this time was different. He didn’t stop while Bochra was walking behind him, didn’t state anything, kept marching in the corridor and left her.



Accordingly, at that moment, Bochra was no longer intrested in the questions she wanted his excelleny to answer, but her wounded dignity as human and a proffessional journalist who is painstakingly striving to work with code of ethics and professionalism. As a result, she went and spoke with his assistant about that unnacceptable behavior aiming that he would deliver the message to his excelleny but it seems that the assistant



On the contrary, The ambassador of the country who is blamed for the whole desisiatrs around the world including instanlity at the country of his excelleny ,divisions among arabs, and global warming was extermely polite and professionl. Once I greeted her she stopped, both of me and Bochra asked her for her comment and she was generous enough to give a statement to the press.



First,I herby that I don’t have any animosity or any personal issue against his excellency but journalists are one heart embedded in one body. Second, diplomats are not plastic dolls who just attend events for the sake of at¬tending them but serve as major contributors in intercultural communications and in promot¬ing peace among the nations. Third, people have the right to know, journalists investigate ,report events, issues, and trends to a broad audience.



Moreover, there is a group of journalists in Kuwait who still work according to a code of ethics and it’s the right of people to know. Therefore, I am writing this piece to deliver the message to his excellency because it seems to me that his assistant forgat to do so.



In a word, Allah Almighty created all people equal in His eyes. All religions call for equality among men while diplomacy calls for patience in re­specting the situation of others. Religions never encourage men to show rudeness and offend others - especially when a journalist asks a question that is considered to be a global con­cern even for an innocent child studying in the kindergarten.

السفير الأرميني لـ «الراي»: العلاقة مع الكويت بلغت مستويات عالية

كتب محبوب العبدالله , الراي الكويتية

كشف سفير جمهورية أرمينيا لدى الكويت فادي تشارتشو غليان انه وجه «دعوة من القيادة في بلاده إلى سمو امير البلاد الشيخ صباح الاحمد وسمو رئيس مجلس الوزراء الشيخ ناصر المحمد لزيارة جمهورية ارمينيا»، مشيرا إلى ان الشعب الارميني يتطلع إلى «هاتين الزيارتين اللتين ستشكلان حدثا تاريخيا بالنسبة له»، ومؤكدا «انهما ستساهمان في توطيد وتوثيق العلاقات الثنائية القائمة بين البلدين». موجها التهاني والتبريكات لسمو امير البلاد وسمو ولي العهد وسمو رئيس مجلس الوزراء ورئيس مجلس الامة والشعب الكويتي بمناسبة الاعياد الوطنية.

وفي حديث لـ «الراي»، اشار السفير تشارتشو غليان إلى انه «اجتمع قبل ايام مع الامين العام للمجلس الوطني للثقافة والفنون والاداب المهندس علي اليوحة، حيث تم خلال اللقاء التباحث في اطار التنسيق لاقامة الاسبوع الثقافي الارمني في الكويت خلال الفترة ما بين 23 و28 الجاري»، لافتا إلى انه «سوف تترأس الوفد الثقافي الارميني وزيرة الثقافة هاسميك بوغو صيات، والتي ستوقع خلال زيارتها البرنامج التنفيذي للاتفاق الثقافي بين الكويت وارمينيا»، مضيفا ان «برنامج الاسبوع الثقافي سيتضمن معرضا للفن التشكيلي، وعرضا فنيا للفولكلور الشعبي الارميني، وعرضا موسيقيا يقدمه طلبة المدرسة الارمينية الدولية بمناسبة مرور 50 سنة على تأسيس اول مدرسة ارمينية في الكويت وكان ذلك عام 1961».

وقال «ونحن ننظر إلى هذه المدرسة بكل فخر بعد ازدياد عدد الطلاب الدارسين فيها من خلال مناهج التعليم العالي المعتمد في الكويت، إلى جانب التسهيلات الكثيرة التي تقدمها السلطات الكويتية لافراد الجالية الارمينية الموجودين والذين يشعرون بالامان والاطمئنان والراحة وكأنهم في بيتهم الثاني من خلاله محبة وتقدير الحكومة والشعب الكويتي».

واشار ان «عدد افراد الجالية الارمينية في الكويت يبلغ حوالي ستة الاف فرد يعملون في مختلف المجالات من ابرزها الاعمال الحرة، والادارات الحكومية، وقطاعات البنوك والشركات»، موجها الشكر للحكومة والشعب الكويتي على استضافة ابناء الشعب الارميني في الكويت.

• سألناه: كيف تقوّم مسار العلاقات الثنائية بين ارمينيا والكويت منذ انطلاق عمل السفارة في البلاد؟

- نؤكد على ان الحكومة والشعب في ارمينيا متمسكون بتأييدهم ودعمهم لدولة الكويت وقضاياها، وان العلاقات الثنائية بين البلدين الصديقين وبعد عام من افتتاح سفارة ارمينيا لدى الكويت قد بلغت مستويات عالية، من خلال الزيارات الرسمية المتبادلة والخاصة في النواحي الاقتصادية والتجارية والثقافية والتعليم.

وقد تم خلال هذه الفترة التوقيع على عدة اتفاقيات بين البلدين، وكانت اخر زيارة رسمية لوفد ارميني إلى الكويت هي زيارة النائب الاول لرئيس مجلس الوزراء ووزيرة الادارة المحلية في ارمينيا، وقد تم خلالها التوقيع على اتفاقية التعاون الفني والاقتصادي مع الكويت، وهذه الاتفاقية ستؤدي إلى تشكيل اللجنة المشتركة الاقتصادية بين البلدين.

ونعد منذ الآن لعقد الاجتماع الأول لهذه اللجنة خلال هذا العام، والذي سيتحقق بنتيجته تنفيذ كثير من مجالات التعاون الاقتصادي والتجاري بين البلدين.

وهناك زيارة في شهر ابريل المقبل سيقوم بها وفد من رجال الأعمال الأرمينيين إلى الكويت، وسيعقدون اجتماعات ثنائية مع رجال الأعمال الكويتيين، حيث سيقوم الوفد الأرميني بعرض المنتوجات الأرمينية في الكويت، وسيقدم مقترحاته في اطار التبادل التجاري والتعاون الاقتصادي.

ونتشاور باستمرار مع الصندوق الكويتي للتنمية، ومع غرفة التجارة والصناعة في الكويت، وهيئة الاستثمار الكويتية، كما نتوقع أن تعقب زيارة وفد رجال الأعمال الأرمينيين إلى الكويت زيارة لرجال أعمال كويتيين إلى أرمينيا، لأن الجانبين لديهما اهتمام وتصميم لتطوير العلاقات الاقتصادية والتجارية.

وجمهورية أرمينيا عازمة على تطوير علاقاتها الاقتصادية مع الكويت.

وفيما يخص العلاقات السياسية بين أرمينيا والكويت، فإن وجهات النظر بين البلدين متطابقة حول العديد من القضايا السياسية الاقليمية والدولية، ولا توجد خلافات بين البلدين حول القضايا السياسية ذات الاهتمام المشترك، ونحن نركز حاليا على أهمية تطوير العلاقات الثنائية في المجالات الاقتصادية والتجارية.

• هل ستقدم أرمينيا حوافز وفرصاً استثمارية لرجال الأعمال الكويتيين وهيئة الاستثمار الكويتية؟

- بالطبع تتوافر في أرمينيا فرص استثمارية كثيرة وتشمل قطاعات عدة، وسيقوم وفد رجال الأعمال الأرميني الذي سيزور الكويت في الشهر المقبل، بعرض فرص الاستثمار المتوافرة في أرمينيا أمام الجانب الكويتي، ومن بينها مشروعات متعددة في مجال الزراعة، ومشاريع البنية التحتية، وكذلك في مجال السياحة، وسيعرض الوفد ملفات كثيرة في مجالات الاستثمار، ونحن نتطلع، ولدينا أمل كبير لفتح مجالات التعاون مع الجهات المختصة في الكويت في الميادين الاستثمارية، وسيعقد الوفد الأرميني مؤتمرا صحافيا يشرح فيه أهداف زيارته إلى الكويت، كما ان لدينا خطوات قريبة جداً للتعاون في مجال التعليم العالي والبحوث، خاصة بعد زيارة رئيس جامعة يرفان الحكومية إلى الكويت والذي وقع مع جامعة الكويت مذكرة تفاهم للتعاون بين الجامعتين، والتي تنص على تبادل الطلبة بين البلدين، والقيام بزيارات متبادلة بين العمداء في الجامعتين، وهذا يهمنا جداً لأن جمهورية أرمينيا تعطي أهمية خاصة لدراسة اللغة العربية والتاريخ والثقافة والآداب، وفي هذا الاطار يهمنا تبادل زيارات الطلبة الذين يدرسون هذه التخصصات إلى دولة الكويت بخاصة وإلى بقية الاقطار العربية بشكل عام، وسنقدم للطلاب والبعثات التعليمية التي ستزور أرمينيا ما يتوافر لدينا في مجال علم الاستشراق.

وأكد السفير الأرميني إلى ان «هناك اتفاقيات أخرى بين بلاده والكويت في مجالات الرياضة، والتعليم العالي، وتبادل البرامج التعليمية، وكذلك في مجال الصحة والخدمات الصحية».

وتوقع «زيارة وزير الصحة الأرميني إلى الكويت والذي سيوجه دعوة لنظيره الكويتي لزيارة أرمينيا، في سبيل وضع برنامج ثنائي للتعاون الصحي بين البلدين».



Markaz announces KD 8.17 million net profit for 2010

Friday,18 March 2011


By : Jameel W. Karaki

KUWAIT: Kuwait Financial Centre 'Markaz' held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) to discuss the financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2010. The AGM took place on Thursday, March 17,, 2011 at The Government Mall. Markaz reported KD 8.17 million net profit for 2010 compared to KD 2.540 million in 2009 and earnings per share (EPS) of 18 Kuwaiti fils for the year 2010 compared to six fils per share in 2009.


Diraar Yusuf Alghanim, Chairman and Managing Director of Kuwait Financial Centre 'Markaz' said, "The outstanding results we achieved this year reflect our effort and activities during the previous year where we managed to override all hinders and crisis," describing the establishment of the Capital Market Authority (CMA) as a historical step in Kuwaiti history.

Alghanim announced that Markaz will distribute a ten percent cash dividend, equivalent to ten fils per share and a five percent bonus share distribution which is equivalent to five shares for every 100 shares to registered shareholders. Moreover, board members agreed to increase the capital of the company from KD 50,600,000 to KD 53,130,000.

On his part, Manaf Al- Hajeri, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Markaz clarified that the Center's strategy aims to expand and strengthen its current financial position and strengthen funds noting that Markaz's investments are concentrated in Kuwait, Saudia Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khiamah, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and India - investments that were not largely impacted by the political instability and unrest.

When asked about his financial projections for the current year, he asserted that the company will face many changes due to the events in the region, however in the worst case scenario, the company will achieve what was achieved this year.

Al- Hajeri stated that Markaz established financial alliances to participate in the Economic Development Plan in projects such as Deir Al-Zour Plant to produce electricity, offering consultancy services for Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects and Failaka Island.

He clarified that Markaz and Kuwait Resorts Company could earn 30 million US dollars from the exit from Losail Qatar and that the Center is going to accomplish some exits deals in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Al-Hajeri announced that the Markaz will issue bonds before the end of the year.

فَتّش عن.. «موافي» الأستاذ حسام فتحي

كتب الأستاذ الرائع  حسام فتحي في جريدة الوطن الكويتية

يبدو ان سلسلة ألغاز ثورة التحرير سيُكشف النقاب عن أسرارها تباعا، وسيتساقط أبطال فضائحها كأحجار الدومينو.. فبعد بدء التحقيق مع النائبين السابقين خطاب والجابري في موقعة «الجمال والبغال» الشهيرة، عقب تأكيد تقرير لجنة تقصي الحقائق أنهما كانا – ضمن آخرين – وراء تحريض البلطجية على خوض المعركة، تم أمس استدعاء أسماء أكبر للتحقيق في نفس الموقعة، ثم تطوع النائب السابق عن الهرم أحمد سميح – حزب وطني كمان – في تصريحات للزميلة «المصري اليوم» بأنه تلقى اتصالا من د.شريف والي – أمين الحزب الوطني بالجيزة - يطلب منه حشد الحشود من أهالي الهرم ونزلة السمان – بأي طريقة – وارسالهم الى ميدان مصطفى محمود في مظاهرات تأييد للرئيس «المُتَخلي». وان هذه التعليمات نهائية وصادرة من صفوت الشريف الأمين العام السابق للحزب الوطني شخصيا.

وايد د.شريف والي كلام د.أحمد سميح وأضاف عليه ان الاتصال حدث مرتين واحدة يوم 27 يناير والثانية يوم 1 فبراير عشية موقعة «الجمل»، واعترف د.والي ان المسيرات التي دعا اليها كانت سلمية، وبالطبع نفى ان يكون له علاقة بتطور المظاهرة السلمية الى موقعة عسكرية!!

اللافت في الأمر في اعتقادي هو وجود اسم صفوت الشريف كمنسق ومصدر لهذه التعليمات بالتظاهر، ويبقى السؤال: هل أيضا شارك صفوت الشريف في تحويل المظاهرات السلمية إلى معارك دموية؟

ويجرنا هذا السؤال الى سؤال آخر أين هو «موافي» رجل المرحلة.. والمراحل السابقة.. وكل العصور؟ منذ منتصف الستينيات والسيد «موافي» ملء السمع والبصر، شارك كضابط مخابرات في أزهى عصور «الجهاز» أيام صلاح نصر وشمس بدران وحسن عليش.. وأسماء كان مجرد ذكرها في أوائل الستينيات كفيل ببث الرعب في قلوب المصريين.

واستمر الرجل في عمله «المميز» و«المبتكر» و«الخلاق» حتى بعد ان تم التحقيق معه في محكمة الثورة بتاريخ 1968/2/29 بمعرفة المستشار عبدالسلام حامد أحمد، رئيس النيابة وقتها.

ورغم اعترافه في تحقيقات رسمية بأن عمله في جهاز المخابرات العامة كان عمليات «الكنترول»، أو السيطرة على بعض المسؤولين المصريين والعرب والأجانب، والطلاب العرب الدارسين في مصر والمتوقع أن يكون لهم شأن في بلادهم بعد عودتهم، وذلك عن طريق استغلال بعض «الفنانات» والسيدات سيئات السمعة وتصويرهن – بنفسه شخصيا – مع «الأهداف» المطلوبة في أوضاع مخلة بالآداب لاستخدام هذه الشرائط كوسائل سيطرة، رغم ذلك استمر «موافي» في خدمة الدولة والنظام.. أي نظام وكل نظام بدءا بجمال عبدالناصر ومرورا بأنور السادات وانتهاء بحسني مبارك.

آه.. نسيت أوضح لكم ان «موافي» هو الاسم الحركي للسيد محمد صفوت الشريف أثناء عمله في جهاز المخابرات «الذي نكن له ولرجاله الشرفاء كل الاحترام كجهاز لا غنى عنه لأي دولة».

أستأذنكم.. أشعر برغبة شديدة ومفاجئة في.. التقيؤ



نواب يطالبون بطرد السفير الليبي لدى الكويت جريدة الأن

جريدة الأن:

الكويت: دعا مجموعة من النواب في مجلس الأمة اليوم إلى طرد السفير الليبي في الكويت وتحديد موعد لرفع علم الثورة على مبنى السفارة الليبية ، فيما أكد النائب وليد الطبطبائي على ضرورة التدخل الأجنبي والاستعانة بالقوات الأجنبية والغربية لإنقاذ الشعب الليبي من مجزرة .

وأشاد النواب في المؤتمر الإعلامي الذي نظمته اللجنة الشعبية الكويتية لنصرة الشعب الليبي في مجلس الأمة اليوم بقرار جامعة الدولة العربية في شأن تأييد فرض حظر جوي على ليبيا .

وحددت اللجنة الشعبية ثلاثة مسارات لتحركها الأول يمكن في جمع التبرعات من خلال المؤسسات الخيرية لمساندة الثورة الليبية والمسار الثاني يهدف إلى توضيح معاناة الشعب الليبي وإبراز الموقف الكويتي الداعم للثورة فيما يركز المسار الثالث على الدور الشعبي عبر مؤسسات المجتمع المدني لتفعيل المشاركة الشعبية وتسليط الضوء على تجاوزات حقوق الإنسان .

وتحدث أحمد الأنصاري ممثلا عن الشعب الليبي عن حزنه الشديد وشعوره بالخجل لعدم تواجده حالياً في بلده ليبيا للوقوف بوجه نظام الطاغية معمر القذافي .

وأشار الأنصاري بالموقف الكويتي والدور الشعبي لمؤازرة الثورة الليبية ، لافتاً إلى أن الكويتيين المعتصمين أمام السفارة الليبية كانوا أكثر من الليبيين وهذا مصدر اعتزاز .

وتحدث عن مجزرة سجن أبو سليم التي كانت سبباً في اندلاع هذه الثورة المباركة عندما طالب السجناء بتحسين أسلوب المعاملة معهم لكن أزلام النظام دخلوا عليهم ليلاً وقتلوا 1270 سجيناً اعزلا دون رحمة .

ورأى النائب الدكتور علي العمير أن الطاغية معمر القذافي ارتكب أبشع الجرائم ليكون هن السفاح الأشر وسفاك الدماء وقاتل شعبه .

من جانبه قال النائب شعيب المويزري أن ما حصل في ليبيا هو جريمة بشعة مارسها النظام الفاشي بكل قسوة ، وأشاد المويزري بموقف الحكومة الكويتي التي كانت سباقة في دعم الشعب الليبي .

بدوره قال النائب حسين الحريتي أن الشعوب تتعرض عادة إلى عدوان خارجي أو كوارث طبيعية لكن في ليبيا اليوم شعبها يريد المساندة للوقوف ضد حاكمه المجرم ، كما أشد بموقف الكويت ودورها المشرف .

من جانبه شن النائب محمد المطير هجوماً شديداً على القذافي واصفاً إياه بـ ' الفاجر الدعي ' و ' الكابوس الجاثم على صدر الشعب الليبي الأبي أحفاد عمر المختار ، مطالباً بمساندتهم بكل الوسائل المتاحة حتى ينصرهم الله على عدوهم .

وقال أنه سيكون على رأس أولويات عمل تلك اللجنة هو إيجاد القنوات لدعم نضال الشعب الليبي على جميع المستويات السياسية والإعلامية والمادية والمعنوية .

ومن جانبه رأى النائب خالد الطاحوس أن هذا التحرك الشعبي الكويتي ليس غريباً على أبناء الكويت الأحرار المساندين والداعمين للشعوب العربية والإسلامية .

ودعا الطاحوس إلى تحديد موعد بالتنسيق مع اللجنة الشعبية الكويتية لمناصرة الشعب الليبي من أجل الذهاب إلى السفارة الليبية في الكويت وإنزال العلم الليبي الذي يمثل القذافي لنرفع مكانه علم الثورة .

بدوره ناشد النائب مبارك الخرينج سمو رئيس مجلس الوزراء باتخاذ قرار حكومي يقضي بطرد السفير الليبي من الكويت خلال 48 ساعة في حال لم يقدم استقالته .

وقال الخرينج أن النظام الليبي وقف ضد الكويت في مناسبات كثيرة منها دوره المعارض للقرار الذي أدى إلى تحرير الكويت ، وأشار إلى أن عائشة القذافي ابنة المجرم هي رئيس فريق الدفاع عن الطاغية صدام حسين .

ومن جانبه رأى النائب وليد الطبطبائي أن الجامعة العربية انتصرت للمرة الأولى للشعوب العربية من خلال قرارها بتأييد فرض الحظر الجوي على ليبيا .

ولفت إلى أن الكويت لجأت إلى القوات الأجنبية لمساعدتها في التحرير من الغزو العراقي الغاشم ولولا هذه القوات لما تحررت الكويت .

وأكد النائب مسلم البراك على أن الموقف الكويتي ممثلاً بوزير الخارجية وموقف وزراء خارجية دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي وموقف جامعة الدول العربية تجاه النظام الليبي الذي فقد شرعيته ما هو إلا انتصار للثورة الليبية ، واصفاً الجامعة العربية بالجسد المريض الذي استجاب لقبلة الحياة وطالب البراك بالاعتراف الصريح للمجلس الوطني الانتقالي الممثل لإرادة الشعب الليبي .

وبين البراك في تصريح صحافي أنه ما حاصل من نتائج لاجتماع مجلس وزراء الخارجية العرب في الجامعة العربية هو أمر يجعلنا نقول بان الجامعة العربية هذا الجسد المريض قد استجاب لقبلة الحياة من خلال هذا الموقف الرائع بالانتصار للثورة الليبية ، متمنياً أن يكون هناك اعتراف صريح في المجلس الوطني الانتقالي الممثلي لإرادة الشعب الليبي بدلاً من أ يقال بأن البيان الصادر من الجامعة العربية يعني اعتراف بهذا المجلس .

وأشار البراك أن ما تمر به ليبيا وثورتها الحرة لا تحتمل أن تكون هناك مواقف غير واضحة فالنظام الليبي فقد شرعيته عندما أقدم هذا ' المعتوه ' على ضرب شعبه بالدبابات والقنابل العنقودية والقصف بالطائرات ، موضحاً أن بيان الجامعة العربية أعطى الشرعية الكاملة لمجلس الأمن في اتخاذ قرار الحظر الجوي في الأجواء الليبية لأننا نعلم بأنه إذا ' صيد ' سلاح الطيران فإن الثورة الليبية بإذن الله ستعلن انتصارها في القريب العاجل .

وقدر البراك الموقف الكويتي والذي عبر عنه وزير الخارجية الشيخ محمد الصباح عندما اعتبر بأن دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي أيضاً تعتقد بأن النظام الليبي فقد شرعيته .

وأشار البراك أن ما قاله ' المعتوه الصغير ' سيف الشيطان سيحاسب عليه لأن الله بعيد عن أمثال هؤلاء الطغاة الذين يعرضون شعبهم للإبادة الجماعية ولكن وعد الله هو نصر المظلومين والمضطهدين والمستضعفين ، موجهاً تحية للشعب الليبي البطل الثائر ولجامعة الدول العربية على هذا الموقف المتميز ولوزراء خارجية دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي على بيانهم الإنساني المتوافق مع حق الشعوب في الحياة .

ومن جهة أخرى دعا النائب صالح عاشور حكومات الدول الإسلامية وخاصة الخليجية منها دراسة المتغيرات السياسية العالمية والتوجه العالمي بدعم تحرك الشعوب بالمطالبة بحقوقها الدستورية والإنسانية والحريات والمطالبة بالمساواة والعدالة وعدم التميز بين الناس وهذا ما جعل الناس والشعوب تختار المواجهة السلمية من خلال المسيرات والمظاهرات لتعبير عن حقوقها ومطالبتها الشعبية .

لذلك على الحكام إجراء تغيرات حقيقية وملموسة للاستجابة لمطالب الشعوب وأن تكون هذه التغيرات تشمل المزيد من الحريات والمشاركة السياسية في القضايا التي تهتم بلدانهم وحياتهم السياسية والاجتماعية والاقتصادية ولا بد من الحكومات وخصوصاً الخليجية التنازل من بعض الحقوق السياسية إلى الشعب من خلال المزيد من الديمقراطية والمشاركة الشعبية في الحكم .

وعليها استشراف ودراسة المستقبل بدراسات جادة والأخذ بها حتى نكون بمنأى من هذه الاضطرابات والمطالبات الشعبية .

ودعا عاشور الحكومات دراسة التجارب والأحداث التي حصلت في مصر وتونس والتي تحدث حالياً في اليمن والبحرين وليبيا والاستفادة منها .

وأكد عاشور إنه لا بد من الاستفادة من التجربة التركية بالحكم سواء من حيث المشاركة بالحكم أو تداول السلطة وكذلك دور مؤسسة المجتمع المدني بالتفاعل مع القضايا السياسية والاجتماعية وأخذ المواقف السياسية على ضوء المبادئ الحقيقية بعيداً عن المجاملات السياسية وذلك من اجل مصلحة البلد والأجيال القادمة من شباب الجيل الحاظر والقادم .

وأكد عاشور في نهاية تصريحه إن دول مجلس التعاون ليس بعيدة عن الأحداث الإقليمية وتأثيراتها عليها وهناك بوادر بعض الأزمات والتحركات الشعبية في البعض منها



Franchising: Right reasons for buying franchises

Exclusive to Al Watan Daily



Monday,14 March 2011

By : Dr. John P. Hayes



KUWAIT: People (and companies) buy franchises for many different reasons, and unfortunately, often for the wrong reasons. For example, it's not a good idea to buy a franchise to replace a job, but many people do so. Others buy a franchise because their friends or competitors did so, and they don't want to be left out. Others buy franchises because they want to be entrepreneurial but without actually taking the risks of an entrepreneur. All of these are 'emotional' rather than 'logical' reasons, and they often lead to failed businesses.


For every wrong reason for buying a franchise, there's a logical, right reason. Here are three reasons:



Do it for the money!

1. Buy a franchise to build a profitable business. Plan to invest money to eventually earn more money. While the 'hottest' brand in America or Europe may appeal (emotionally) to you, step back and (logically) do some analysis. Be sure the brand makes sense for Kuwait. Is there a market for the brand? Are there any barriers, i.e. government regulations, importing restrictions, product costs, etc. to developing the business? Once developed, will the business attract potential buyers who will pay generously to acquire products or services from you?

2. Buy a franchise because you are compatible with franchising. People like franchising because it appears to be entrepreneurial, again, emotional. However, real entrepreneurs - people who freely make all of their own decisions about how to build, promote, and operate a business - are not attracted to franchising because it comes with too many restrictions.



Understand the restrictions

As a franchisee, you will not have the authority to make all the decisions about your business. The franchisor makes many decisions for you, such as where and when you can build a new location, and from whom you may purchase materials and supplies. Even the content of your Web site will be controlled by the franchisor.

As an entrepreneur, you have the right to make any decision you want. As a franchisee, you are restricted to following the franchisor's directions. To that, many people say, "Hooray!" They're satisfied being quasi-entrepreneurial, and that makes them compatible with franchising. The question is, are you?



Build a bigger business, faster

Third reason is to buy a franchise in order to accelerate your business plan. When you don't have to figure out every nuance of a business, including what to sell, how to sell it, and how to capture and keep a customer base, you can build a business faster. Since the franchisor has already figured out most of the nuances, you can concentrate on creating and implementing a development plan. A good franchisor will help you create that plan.

And that's yet another reason for buying a franchise: Gaining the trust and support of a (often) larger company that wants you to succeed. How do you find that company? We will discuss that business matter in a future edition of this column.



Dr. John P. Hayes, a professor at Gulf University for Science & Technology (GUST) in Kuwait, is a 30-year franchise veteran who coaches franchisors and franchisees. He's worked with more than 100 franchise concepts. Got a question for him? Send it to: questions@hayesworldwide.com.

Egypt is a large country with a significant consumer base, says Khurana

Monday,14 March 2011


By : Jameel W. Karaki

KUWAIT: The political instability in Egypt brought many questions to the surface, and one of which is whether it is feasible to keep running a business in the Egyptian market or not. Dr. Anil Khurana, Director in the Operational Strategy and Private Equity practice at PRTM, believes that companies can deal with this situation through crisis management strategies. In an exclusive interview with Al Watan Daily, Khurana shed light on this issue, asserting that Egypt is a large country with a significant consumer base - so companies will be hard-pressed to exit this market permanently.




How should companies deal with the crisis in Egypt?

Khurana: This depends on the company's organizational resiliency, which is its level of preparedness to "bounce back" from disruptive events. If the company has, ex-ante put in place a crisis management structure and plan, then, it is a matter of customizing the plan to the risks created by specific external events and then executing the plan. In the absence of a pre-determined crisis management structure in a company, the situation becomes more difficult to manage. However, even in this situation, companies can create and deploy a crisis management plan that concentrates on prioritizing the businesses' critical functions, assessing risk (to production, revenue, cash), responding to finance and banking related issues, managing client expectations, focusing on business recovery, and launching a strategic communications plan.



How can companies prepare?

Khurana: Companies can prepare by having structured risk management and crisis management strategies. Crisis management, which is inherently reactive, is deployed as an event occurs for its duration. It is designed to interpret how external events are impacting the company, inventory goods, stem losses, track human resources and communicate with stakeholders, in a structured and orderly manner.

In contrast, risk management, inherently proactive, is a holistic approach to risk identification, assessment and necessary action. Companies that adopt risk management strategies routinely scan their operating environment to identify and quantify legal, economic, socio-political, information technology related and operational risk. This awareness drives structural changes to guarantee operations and delivery to customers. As part of their long-term risk mitigation strategy, they might source from a slew of suppliers, spread their operations across various geographies, and create redundancies in personnel by eliminating single points of failure. Ideally, an effective risk management strategy allows the company to foresee or recognize external events as they begin to occur, slashing response time. The crisis management strategy minimizes the cost of the event to the company.



What is a crisis management plan, and how do you develop one?

Khurana: A crisis management plan is one that allows a company to operate, to the extent that it can, without endangering the safety of its human and physical assets, during or immediately after a crisis. The plans are usually deployed in the short to medium-run, but can be extended if a crisis has a "long tail". Creating a crisis management plan involves three general steps, such as assessing the external situation and identifying priorities, staffing the crisis management team and identifying options and executing the plan.



What crisis management strategies should companies implement in order to cope, and to smoothly get through a crisis like this?

Khurana: There is no one answer to this. The crisis management strategy is based on the type of risk that a particular event creates, calibrated to the business model and operating strategy. With that said, the core aspect of any crisis management strategy is to ascertain status (inventory human and physical assets), create short-term priorities for the business, direct all available resources to achieve these priorities by facilitating partial operations, and communicate with clients and stakeholders.



Why is it important to keep your business running? If you are in the midst of a crisis, aren't your customers also struggling themselves?

Khurana: The crisis might be a long one, your customers might not be the end-users of your goods and services; they might be intermediate consumers who are bound by agreements with their clients and may not be located in the same geographical location or affected by the crisis. International customers might not be able to empathize with your situation and they might be legally bound to meet contractual SLAs (Service Level Agreements), regulatory requirements, providing an opportunity to showcase organizational resiliency and create brand value.





http://alwatandaily.kuwait.tt/resources/pdf/1029/11.pdf

لا للحريرية نعم للحرية

أطل علينا فريق 14 اذار بزعيمه الأسف على فقدانه السلطة بسلسلة من اللأت مثل لا للسلاح والخيانة والظلم الى ما ذلك إعلانات ترويجية توازي إعلانات الحفاضات والمياه المعدنية. كل هذا الصراخ والعويل في الظاهر هو من أجل لبنان وفي الباطن هو من أجل السلطة والقيام بمزيد من عمليات السرقة المنظمة والعبث بمستقبل البلاد. فهذا الفريق أن خسارة الشيخ الحريري والذي لا أدري كيف  أصبح شيخا تعد إنقلابا ومساسا بأمن البلاد. فالإنقلاب الحقيقي بدأ منذ 1992 عنما أسقطت حكومة الرئيس كرامي بالشارع تالها الحرب الضروس على حكومة الرئيس سليم الحص والرئيس أميل لحود والذي كان خالفه الوحيد مع الشهيد الحريري هو أن الشهيد كان يريد أن يحصل على المزيد من أموال الخزينة (بحسب الحقيقة ليسكس, الوزير الياس المر) .

إن إغتيال رفيق الحريري هو بمثابة مخطط دولي محبك هدفه زعزعة الإستقرار في المنطقة والقيام بنزع سلاح المقاومة وما تاله من سلسلة إغتيالات هو أيضا إستكمال لهذا المخطط.

الأن يقولون لا للسلاح؟ ولكن ألم يثبت هذا السلاح جدواه في محاربة إسرائيل؟ يقولون أن هذا السلاح وجه للداخل؟ ولكن ألم تقم بعض الأطراف الداخلية بتدريب بعض عناصرها وتسليحهم بغرض القضاء على السلاح والقيام بجلب جماعة من الخارج من أجل هذا الهدف؟ ألم يكن قرار وزير الإتصالات السابق انذاك مروان حمادة بالقضاء على شبكة المقاومة السلكية في الخامس من ايار وكل ماسبق هو 7 ايار؟ألم يقم رجال الدين الموظفيين عند الحريري بحمل من الشحن الطائفي؟من أمثال الجوزو؟ هل كنا نسمع أيام الشهيد رفيق الحريري بسني أو شيعي؟

يقولون أنه لا يجوز للمقاومة أن تكون حكرا على أحد , فلماذا لا ينضم هؤلاء إلى السرايا اللبنانية؟ لماذا لا يصمتون فحسب؟ يقولون أن قرار السلم والحرب يجب أن يكون في يد الدولة؟ ولكن أي دولة؟ كم من العملاء كشفت الأجهزة الأمنية؟ في أجهزة الأمن والقطاعات الحساسة؟ كم من مرة قام العديد من السياسين بكتابة التقارير بعد أنتهائهم من اجتماعات لبنانية محضة والقيام بأرسالها إلى السفارات؟

\إن السرية هي أهم ما يميز عمل المقاومة واسلوب حرب العصابات فنحن لسنا جيشا كلاسيكا و إلا لدمرتنا اسرائيل جيشا ومقاومة.

يتحدثون بما لا يفقهون؟ عن ولاية الفقيه؟ ولكن ألايوجد ما يماثلها في المذاهب الأسلامية والاديان السماوية؟

يتحدثون عن حرية وسيادة واستقلال ولكنهم يقبلون بأن يتم صدورالقرار الظني من غير تحقيق القضاء اللبناني مع شهود زور كان أحدهم جالسا مع الشيخ سعد.

انا كمواطن اريد أن أعرف حقيقة الدين وحقيقة سوليدير وحقيقة النظام الطائفي وحقيقة أن ابن السياسي هو منزل من عند الله يحق له وللأجيال اللاحقة من ذريته أن يقرروا مصير الناس. الحقيقة أن المواطن اللبناني لم يحصل سوى على الديون أثناء فترة حكم الشهيد الذي رزقه الله بالشهادة ربما ببركة دعمه للمقاومة . أما الحقيقة الكبرى أنني كالبناني لست راضا ولا مرتاح من كل هذه العربدة السياسية المدعومة من قبل النظام الطائفي.

5 سنوات من تسليط الاتهامات على سوريا  وفي النهاية داس على جثث من سقطوا وذهب الى سوريا ( لا أدري لماذا لم يزر حوران) ولم يعتذر من الشعب اللبناني. من أجل السلطة هو على استعداد للدفع المزيد من الاموال لثلة من الصحفيين (يلي بيعملووا البحر طيحني)

لا كهرباء لا ماء تسقط الطائفية التي جلبت الينا ثلة من الأشقياء الأغبياء الأذكياء ولا حياة ولادواء

وعدنا بمستقبل فإذا به بتلفزيون

يريد أن يعرف الحقيقة  ويتغاضى عن اسرائيل فهو جبل على  التغاضى ايضا عن أموال الشعب اللبناني.

الحقيقية الكبرى أننا في ظل حكم الشهيد وبحكمك لم نعش بنعيم.

لا للحريرية نعم للحرية

Al Sayer takes part in NBK Walkathon Kicks off on March 12th, 2011

KUWAIT:(NUnder the patronage of H.E the Minister of Health of Health, Dr. Hilal Al Sayer, National Bank of Kuwait’s (NBK) 17th Annual Walkathon, scheduled to kick off on Saturday 12th March, is heading for yet another record year with thousands of competitors enrolled up to date.

The participants, joined by several public figures and NBK senior officials headed by H.E the Minister of Health of Health, Dr. Hilal Al Sayer, NBK Group CEO Ibrahim Dabdoub, NBK Deputy Group CEO Isam Al Sager, will take to the smooth course of the race along the scenic coastline areas on the Gulf street, monitored and assisted by tens of NBK volunteers and amidst the cheers of fans, relatives and friends.

NBK Executive Manager- Public Relations & Advertising Manal Al Mattar said: "NBK’s Walkathon is growing year on year, and we are extremely thrilled to take our involvement with this exciting event to a new level as more and more participants had already been registered until now. The number of participants for this year is expected to by far exceed the 12,000 record numbers witnessed last year".





Registration is open until Friday, 11th March at NBK Registration Tent next to the Scientific Centre from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm in addition to NBK Branch at The Avenues (evening shift only). NBK will be awarding top 10 winners in each category and will conduct a draw for a grand prize - a brand new KIA Cerato Koup 2011- for all participants.





The Walkathon for the male participants will start from the Scientific Center located in Ras Salmiya, while the walk for female participants will begin from the Marina Crescent and the walkathon for kids and Zeina friends club members will be conducted at the Green Island

H.E. The Minister of Health, Dr. Hilal Al Sayer with NBK Executive Manager- Public Relations & Advertising Manal Al Mattar & NBK PR Officer Talal Al Turki during the Walkathon registration

Arab Summit's postponement not confirmed, says Al Jarallah

Sunday,06 March 2011


By : Jameel W. Karaki

KUWAIT: The Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry Khaled Al-Jarallah said that there haven't been any confirmed reports on whether or not the Arab Summit which is due to be held in May will be postponed.


"I can't give a confirmed comment as I don't have an official confirmation," said Al-Jarallah in a statament to the reporters during a recepection on the occasion of the Bulgarian National Day.

As to the Libyan protests, Al-Jarallah noted that the international community moved quickly to provide assistance to the stranded people on the Libyran borders, adding that Kuwaiti embassy's staff was evacuated.

On the occasion of the Bulgarian celebration, Al-Jarallah described the relationship beween the two countrires as historic and distinct.

He pointed out that there is keenness to develop the ties of friendship between the two countries, praising the position of Bulgaria during the Iraqi invasion to Kuwait.

On his part the the Bulgarian Ambassador to Kuwait Ilko Shivachev asserted on the friendly relations as he recalled the visit of Bulgarian Prime Minister to Kuwait last March.

Shivachev added, "we are waiting for the upcoming visit of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad to Bulgaria soon" where during the visit a number of important memorandums in the areas of economy, agricultural, tourism and healthcare will be signed.

Regarding the military cooperation between the two countries, Shivachev said that there is a particular cooperation in the military medical field. He further said that Bulgaria is waiting for Kuwait's approval to invest in a military medical facility in Bulgaria to qualify officers in this area from both countries.

http://alwatandaily.kuwait.tt/resources/pdf/1021/2.pdf

تحذير من عمليات الإحتيال فيما يتعلق بالفيزا إلى أمريكا

لقد قمت بإلحاق صورة عن  ما يمكن أن تتعرضوا له من إحتيال في الإسفل

سفارة الولايات المتحدة تحذر من التحايل في برنامج اليانصيب للهجرة

الكويت:  تُذكر سفارة الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية الراغبين في السفر توخي الحذر من التعامل مع الكيانات الخاصة عند تقدمهم للحصول على تأشيرات الدخول إلى الولايات المتحدة، حيث تشير التقارير إلى تزايد أعداد رسائل البريد الإلكتروني والمواقع الإلكترونية والإعلانات المطبوعة التي تهدف إلى خداع الناس والتحايل عليهم.

ومن إحدى الحيل المستخدمة على نطاق واسع، وعلى وجه الخصوص، في برنامج اليانصيب للهجرة إرسال بعض الشركات بريداً إلكترونياً يطلب من مستلميه إرسال الرسوم المالية عبر ويسترن يونيون باسم شخص وهمي في السفارة الأمريكية في لندن. يرجى العلم أنه لا يجب بأي حال من الأحوال إرسال أي أموال إلى أي عنوان للمشاركة في برنامج اليانصيب للهجرة. كما أن المركز القنصلي الذي يتخذ من كنتاكي مقراً له لا يقوم بإرسال رسائل للمشاركين لإعلامهم باختيارهم وفوزهم في اليانصيب. كما أن المتقدمين لليانصيب لعام 2012 لن يتسلموا أي بريد إلكتروني يوضح حالة الطلب الخاص بهم، لكنهم سوف يتلقون تنبيهاً يوجههم للدخول على الموقع الرسمي للتأكد من وضعهم الحالي. فالطريقة الوحيدة للحصول على آخر المعلومات الخاصة بطلبك هو الدخول على الموقع الإلكتروني لبرنامج يانصيب www.dvlottery.state.gov..

هناك العديد من المواقع الخاصة التي تقوم بتقديم الخدمات القانوينة التي تساعد الأفراد في التقدم للتأشيرات غير أن بعض الشركات والكيانات غير الشرعية تدعي تقديم "خدمات التأشيرات" كغطاء لعملياتها الاحتيالية أو بهدف سرقة الهويات. وقد تحاول بعض هذه المواقع فرض رسوم لتقديم النماذج والمعلومات الخاصة بإجراءات الهجرة والتي يمكن للجمهور الحصول عليها مجاناً وبدون أي رسوم من موقع وزارة الخارجية الأمريكية (www.state.gov)، ومن موقع إرشادات السفر travel.state.gov ، أو من خلال موقع السفارة الأمريكية في الكويت.

وينبغي على الأفراد الراغبين في التقدم للحصول على تأشيرة دخول للولايات المتحدة توخي الحذر قبل إرسال أي معلومات شخصية مثل أرقام البطاقة الائتمانية أو حساب البنك عبر البريد الإلكتروني. إن الطريقة الرسمية الوحيدة للتسجيل في برنامج التأشيرات المتنوعة هو الدخول مباشرة على الموقع الرسمي لوزارة الخارجية الأمريكية خلال فترة التسجيل المحددة.

يمنح برنامج يانصيب حوالي 55000 تأشيرة سنويا بالنسبة للأفراد الراغبين في الهجرة إلى الولايات المتحدة. ويتم إخطار المتقدمين الذين تم اختيارهم في سحب عشوائي من قبل وزارة الخارجية الأمريكية وتزويدهم بالتعليمات حول الخطوة التالية التي يتحتم عليهم اتخاذها. ولا تقوم وزراة الخارجية الأمريكية بتخويل أي منظمة أو شركة لإعلام المتقدمين لبرنامج اليانصيب وإخطارهم بالفوز أو إعلامهم بالخطوات التالية الخاصة بحصولهم على تأشيرات الهجرة.

لقد قام بالفعل المركز القنصلي في كنتاكي بإعلام الفائزين في برنامج يانصيب لعام 2011 من خلال خطابات وليس من خلال البريد الإلكتروني، كما يمكن للمشاركين في برنامج يانصيب 2011 مراجعة حالتهم من خلال الموقع http://www.dvlottery.state.gov وذلك حتى 30 يونيو 2011. ولن يطلب من المتقدمين إرسال الأموال إلى المركز القنصلي في كنتاكي أو إلى أي سفارة أو قنصلية أمريكية.

أما بخصوص المتقدمين لبرنامج اليانصيب للهجرة للعام 2012، فلن يحصلوا على خطابات إخطار من المركز القنصلي في كنتاكي. لذا يجب عليهم أن يقوموا بمراجعة الموقع لمعرفة حالة الطلب الخاص بهم على الموقع http://www.dvlottery.state.gov في الفترة ما بين 1 مايو 2011 حتى 30 يونيو 2012.

للإبلاغ عن حالات الاحتيال الخاصة بالتأشيرة، يرجى الاتصال بالسفارة عبر البريد الإلكتروني ConsularKuwait@state.gov.. كما يرجى العلم بأن استخدام شعارات الولايات المتحدة مثل الأعلام والنسور، والمعالم، أو الأختام الرسمية لا تشير بالضرورة إلى أن هذا الموقع تابع للحكومة الأمريكية. فالمواقع التابعة للحكومة تأخذ إمتداد “gov” وتشمل معلومات مجانية وحديثة.

يمكن إرسال الشكاوى حول رسائل البريد الإلكتروني غير المرغوب فيها والتي تستخدم للخداع إلى وزارة العدل الأمريكية على www.usdoj.gov/spam.htm. .

مثال على عملية النصب استلمته شخصيا
the Diveristy Visa FREE ?


No. There is a big confusion. Only the participation in the Diversity Visa Lottery was free but the winners must pay the visa processing fees.

The fee is used to process your visa related documents and verify your identity.



Fees:







Type of Residence Card Status Amount (per person)

United States Permanent Resident Card Granted! - Waiting for payment of processing fee $800

Processing fees Included



Total $800

U.S. Embassy Cautions Against Diversity Visa Scams

The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait reminds individuals to use caution when working with private entities to apply for visas to the United States, as reports of fraudulent e-mails, websites, and print advertisements offering visa services are on the rise.





In particular, one widespread Diversity Visa (DV) scam e-mail instructs recipients to send money via Western Union to a fictitious person at the U.S. Embassy in London. If you have received this e-mail, you have been targeted by con artists. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should money be sent to any address for participation in the DV Lottery. The Department of State's Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) does not send e-mail notification to DV entrants informing them of their winning entries. DV-2012 applicants will never receive correspondence containing information on an applicant's status, but will only receive notification directing them to check their status on the official website. The only official way to receive status updates is through the DV program website at www.dvlottery.state.gov.



Many private websites offer legitimate services to assist individuals in applying for visas, but some illegitimate entities claim to provide "visa services" as a cover for scams or identity theft. Some of these websites may attempt to charge a fee for providing forms and information about immigration procedures that are available to the public at no charge on the Department of State (www.state.gov) and travel.state.gov websites, or through the U.S. Embassy Kuwait’s website.



Persons who wish to apply for U.S. visas should use caution before deciding to send via e-mail personal information such as credit card and bank account numbers. The only official way to register for the DV program is directly through the official U.S. Department of State website during the specified, limited-time registration period.



The DV program offers up to 55,000 visa slots annually for people who wish to apply for immigration to the United States. Applicants selected in the random drawing are notified by the U.S. Department of State and are provided with instructions on how to proceed to the next step in the process. No other organization or private company is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to notify DV program applicants of their winning entries or the next steps in the process of applying for their immigrant visas.



Successful DV-2011 applicants already have been notified by KCC by letter, not by e-mail. DV-2011 entrants also

can check the status of their entries at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov until June 30, 2011. Entrants will not be asked to send money to the KCC or any U.S. embassy or consulate.



Entrants who completed the online DV-2012 entries will not receive notification letters from KCC. Rather, they

must check the status of their entries themselves through the Entrant Status Check available at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov between May 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012.



To report incidents of visa fraud, please contact the Embassy via e-mail at ConsularKuwait@state.gov. Images of U.S. emblems such as flags, eagles, monuments, or official seals do not necessarily indicate a U.S. Government website. A domain name of ".gov" ensures that a website is a legitimate U.S. Government site where the information is free and up-to-date.



Complaints about unwanted e-mails that may be scams can be sent to the U.S. Department of Justice at www.usdoj.gov/spam.htm

'Oil prices no longer financial issue, but a political one'

Thursday,03 March 2011


By : Jameel W. Karaki

KUWAIT: Current political unrest and uprisings in the Middle East have shown to drive oil prices to magnificently higher levels over the past weeks. In this regard, speculations of some economists in recent reports have been buzzing about oil prices possibly even reaching a record high of 220 US dollars a barrel.


However, Kamel Al-Harami, an independent oil analyst beleives that speculators are using their reports as tools to manipulate oil prices into rocketing to higher levels and thus creating chaos in oil markets.

Additionly, Economist Ahmad Marafi says that its hard to predict or forcast oil prices since determing the price is no longer a financial issue but a poltical one.

Al- Harami said that "Libya, Algeria and Oman are experiencing political turmoil and what's happening is that oil prices will be taken according to the last four weeks as determinent to the price level," adding that another factor that plays into effect is that speculators are trading in oil. Expecting oil prices to remain between $57 to $90 per barrel excluding speculations, Al-Harami noted that "there people behind this nonsense". However, he stated that if we take all the factors into account, including regional political events and speculations, oil could reach $100 to $120 a barrel.

Al-Harami clarified that it is impossible to reach $220 per barrel unless similar unrest hits Saudi Arabia, otherwise, everything should remain relatively normal since the seasonal demand for oil is going to be less than two or three milion barrels a day.

"It really should be at the $90 a barrel level as 1.5 million barrels a day can easily be replaced by Saudi Arabia and yet there is no need to replace it since the demand on oil would be twice as low," he said.

Economist Ahmad Marafi stated that there are several factors that can drive oil prices higher such as shortage or disruption in oil production and logistics (transportation).

"The uprisings in the Middle East and the political unrest in countries such as Libya creates some fear of facing shortage in oil production. However, it is expected for a short period that Kuwait and Saudi Arabia can increase their oil production to compensate the shortfall of oil supply," he noted.

Marafi explained that forcasting oil prices for the long-run is somehow "vague" since it is no longer related to financial factors but political ones. He pointed out that there is some fear of stumbling oil transport because of unrest in the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, the strait that connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Similary, a country with a strategic geographical location like Yemen might face the same risk, due to unrest and pirate activity at sea.

Economic harmony or political hara-kiri?

Governments should ensure that their citizens are afforded better living conditions and ably guided through economical, social and constitutional guidelines.

Wednesday,02 March 2011


By : Jameel W. Karaki

The Arab world, which has blissfully enjoyed a relative period of peace and calm in the recent past, suddenly seems to have been jolted out of its senses; going by the furious spate of demonstrations, upheavals and uprisings that are being organized in various countries across the region. In fact, it looks like the events simply "erupted" in the form of a wakeup call - bringing to the fore; the various shortcomings of governments in those countries coupled with a host of atrocities heaped upon citizens by their rulers.


In this day and age of Internet technology and freedom of expression worldwide, we cannot expect peoples around the world to succumb to oppression, suppression, deplorable living conditions and degradation of their basic human rights. A number of dictatorial regimes across the Arab world have collapsed, others are treading the same path; while in the underlying process, citizens in those unfortunate countries are becoming more and more aware of their demands, their rights and their privileges that their leaders are expected to provide them by law.

It goes without saying that even the most corrupt and dictatorial regimes will eventually be compelled to bow down to the righteous demands of their disgruntled citizens. More often than not, it is only when desperate and disgruntled citizens voice their grievances in one loud cacophony of voices on the streets, that their voices are eventually heard.

Horrifying scenes were witnessed when agitated demonstrators gave vent to their feelings and sentiments. Supporters as well as those opposed to the ruling regimes were seen protesting and voicing their demands for positive changes. Unfortunately, demonstrations of such magnitude do take their toll in terms of lives and property. Hundreds of innocent people lost their lives, personal and private properties ravaged, healthy economies disrupted - ultimately bringing a much-awaited end to the horrendous rule of dictatorial regimes.

The absolute need of the hour is to envisage a feasible vision combined with a concrete plan to work thoroughly on the recommendations and revaluations undertaken on the strength of a national consensus to draw out a reformative plan for the future. Governments should ensure that their citizens are afforded better living conditions ably supported by effective economical, social, political and constitutional guidelines. If such a consensus cannot be reached, we will only find ourselves repeating history over and over again, much to the other dictators, lurking in the shadows, will step in and repeat those atrocities.

It is also sickening indeed to hear or read stories of those so-called intellectuals or journalists who discourage overthrowing such oppressive regimes based on some moldy theories which suggest that usurping corrupt leaders will only result in reducing a country to ashes - as if the people aren't already burning in the fires of hell that are ignited by those leaders.

In my humble, modest and simple opinion, all those who aspire to bring about positive change, progressive revolutions, or even a combination of social-minded generation of peoples and media alike (God Bless America for its innovative tools) should draw out effective plans to be applied on short and long-term bases to conceptualize and realize their achievements.

I also believe that we are in a dire need of something very similar to the Marshal Plan which was a large scale economic program that was implemented in the United States between 1947 and 1951. The Plan was created to help in rebuilding and creating a stronger and broad-based economic foundation for countries across Europe.

On one hand, we need to rely on ourselves solely when it comes being equipped with an overall knowledge with regards to key production values while following effective strategies of wealth management to ensure a better future for future generations. On the other hand, if we fail to achieve economic harmony or reforms, we will certainly be reduced to being fragmented states within the next 20 years or so.

Furthermore, we should focus on national unity and economic progression and not depend on similar backgrounds of caste, creed, religion or even our shared histories because those attributes have never led us anywhere while reducing us to being backward and ignorant peoples of nations. This time around, all Arab leaders as well as their peoples should get together to discuss, draw out and implement plans that will promise a glorious future for the entire region.

Finally, any assistance in the form of overwhelming support coming from the US, the European Union, or even from creatures from outer space will surely be welcomed wholeheartedly since "we" are our "own" enemies -- not the Americans, not the Europeans; not even the terrorist State of Israel.

Oil speculators are main culprits behind rising oil prices. Can we stop them?

Exclusive to Al Watan Daily




Tuesday,01 March 2011

By : Kamel Al-Harami


KUWAIT: Seriously can we stop some major international financial houses from driving oil prices up? Can we stop them from using their speculation tools in pushing oil prices higher and creating chaos in oil markets? Can we prevent them from making profits by forecasting a high oil price only to be called the first firm to forecast the figure once the price of oil registers at 220 US dollars a barrel? Can we simply stop financial institutions like Nomura by calling its bluff that oil prices will hit the magic figure of $220 a barrel?


Firstly, who has given Nomura the right to state that oil prices will reach $220 a barrel based on its own new speculative exaggerated assumptions and methods? Secondly, why don't oil consuming governments question the basis for such unrealized assumptions? Is it not time for consumers' provocative agencies to question oil speculators for presenting the wrong figures to the markets and the consumers? Or to question their motivations and timing for raising and pushing oil prices to more than $119 a barrel in less than 48 hours? Or to question their financial gains as direct results for their price-guessing?

Oil consuming countries along with consumer agencies must make stand against trading speculators who are leading the world into another financial crisis at a time when it is slowly recovering from the impact of oil priced at $147 a barrel. We are aware of political crisis in some major oil producing countries such as Libya, which shut down most of its production capacity, still, however it did not mean that other oil producing countries cannot replace the lost capacity. Particularly at a time when demand for oil was going to be reduced by more than two million barrels a day, that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has enough spare capacity to face any immediate shortage over three million barrels, and that the seasonality in the oil markets and in particular the end of high demand period by the end of the month. Such essential markets were not taken into Nomura's calculations but they focused on the worst case scenario in serving their own selfish objective, while ignoring all other positive elements of adequate supply in oil consuming and producing countries. Why didn't oil companies try to sue them?

The other method that Nomura used for its speculations is by using the Algerian political situations to justify its main objective of reaching the $220 a barrel benchmark, and through that it had sparked the movement of oil prices to jump beyond $110 a barrel in less than 48 hours.

Nobody can prevent speculators from speaking their minds but we are talking about reputable financial institutions that should be more objective in their speculations rather than driving the global financial markets to panic and chaos. Knowing the current fragile economic situations and their impact on future growth, the role of reputable financial institutions should not include taking advantage of situations to their benefits and temporary gains. They must be more even-handed in their assessments and not let selfish gains be the key determined factor.

For this reason new legislation must be produced to put an end to false financial speculation and we must work together to hold those financial houses accountable. Nomura must give clear answers to their intentions as to why they are attempting to push oil prices to the $220 level, and how much money it gained from spreading such rumors around the financial markets. Isn't time to act and face the speculators?



The author of this article can be reached at naftikuwaiti@yahoo.com



Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions presented in the column are the company's own and do not necessarily represent those of Al Watan Daily and its staff.