Speaker Defends Recourse To Judiciary

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 27

Speaker of Parliament Jassem Al-Kharafi held a press conference on Monday to clarify his stance on the Cabinet's appeal to the Constitutional Court and reports on the intention of the 2009 Assembly to resign en-masse.

"I do not accept resignations (announced) in gatherings as they are not addressed to me. They are addressed to those who are listening to (the MPs) speeches. If there was seriousness in this issue, then the only way is through the currently existing 2009 National Assembly. There is no other way than through the Assembly and Jassem Al-Kharafi," he said.

Al-Kharafi added that only the resignations of MPs Shuaib Al-Muwaizri, Mohammed Al-Mutair and Mohammed Al-Huwaila were handed to the Assembly's secretariat and any other rumored resignations were not officially submitted. "I have not been able to take the necessary procedures on the resignations due to lack of quorum in the previous sessions. Al-Mutair and Al-Huwaila also requested not to receive any of the parliament's benefits and to transfer their allowances to charities," he said.

Al-Kharafi expressed his readiness to invite a special session in the event of mass resignations by the 2009 Assembly lawmakers. "However, I would like to stress that, despite the talks of resignation; (the MPs) have not yet hesitated to receive their parliament provisions such as salaries, secretaries and other benefits," he said.

The speaker assured that he will follow constitutional procedures and invite for a special session to formally decide on the resignation of lawmakers and allow the Cabinet to take its oath. He added that he will inform the Interior Minister of the vacant seats, if the session meets the quorum and the resignations are approved, so that he can take his own procedures on the matter.

"Right now regular sessions will not be held as I've informed HH the Amir of the lack of quorum and the current situation. The decision is now in his hands and we have no choice but to wait. However, this does not prevent a review of the budget if the quorum is filled. The Constitution states that the parliament cannot be adjourned until the annual budget is approved or HH the Amir takes procedures he sees are in Kuwait's interest," Al-Kharafi explained.

Al-Kharafi stressed that the only method to solve the current political crisis is by respecting the Constitution. "It is the right of those who wish to gather in Al-Erada Square to express their opinions. But we also have to respect constitutional procedures and the intelligence of those who listen to us. If incorrect actions were taken then we have to point them out, so the government has the right to appeal to the Constitutional Court," he explained. 

The speaker added that any decrees of urgency that may be undertaken will be presented to the upcoming Assembly, as like what occurred in 1981.

The National Assembly secretariat held a meeting on Monday to discuss pending issues on the political scene and met with family members of Kuwaiti captive in Lebanon, Essam Al-Houri. Al-Kharafi further expressed his appreciation to the Kuwaiti and Lebanese authorities for their efforts in securing the release and safety of Al-Houri, hoping there will be positive news on his situation soon.

© Arab Times 2012