Kuwaiti diplomat lectures on Kuwait-US relations at GWU

Deputy Chief of Mission at Kuwait Embassy in Washington D.C. Counselor Jasem Al-Budeiwi presented a lecture here Thursday at George Washington University (GWU) on Kuwaiti-American relations on various levels and domains.During the lecture, of which graduate students at GWU's Political Science Department took part in, Al-Budeiwi shed light on the history of the Kuwait-US relations, which go back to 1912, when the American Hospital was first built in Kuwait.He also shed light on the year 1990 when the US led an international coalition according to UNSC resolutions to liberate Kuwait from the Iraqi forces.Al-Budeiwi also discussed the distinctive bilateral relations between the two countries at present time, which is further boosted by constant consultations, the respect of viewpoints and preserving the interests of the two countries.The Kuwaiti diplomat affirmed that Kuwait and the US share strong and solid bilateral relations, where the two countries share the same desire in stabilizing regional and international security and peace.He noted that the Kuwaiti and US sides are in constant contact and consultation over regional and international issues that are of mutual interest, in addition to issues related to helping countries stricken by civil wars, occupation or natural disasters.He also indicated that the fact that the US has conferred 'major non-NATO ally' status on Kuwait in 2004 is considered a positive step that reflects the nature of the strong bilateral relations.Al-Budeiwi also stressed the importance of the issue of Kuwaiti detainees in Guantanamo to the Kuwaiti political leadership, namely His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.The Kuwaiti diplomat also noted that there is an agreement and full conformity towards most of the regional and international issues that the two sides discuss, stressing the importance that all world countries cooperate over international issues.Al-Budeiwi also shed light on the trade exchange between Kuwait and the US, indicating that American exports to Kuwait increased 42.3 percent in 2010, reaching USD 2.78 billion whereas Kuwaiti exports to the US also increased by 42.3 percent in 2010, reaching USD 5.4 billion.In a statement to KUNA, Al-Budeiwi pointed out to efforts of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Washington of holding lectures and seminars at universities, saying that the Embassy regularly receive American university and high school students to talk about various issues and matters.