Powell Remarks With Kuwaiti Minister

Remarks with Kuwaiti Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shaykh Mohammad Al-Sabah

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release

April 16, 2001

Remarks by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell With Kuwaiti Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shaykh Mohammad Al-Sabah

April 16, 2001 Washington, D.C.

SECRETARY POWELL: Well, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great pleasure to welcome an old friend of mine who has served with great distinction here in the United States before on behalf of his government, and that is Shaykh Mohammad Al-Sabah.

The United States and Kuwait enjoy excellent relations based upon broad cooperation in political, economic and security matters, and a common commitment to security and prosperity in the Gulf region. The Minister's visit will give me the opportunity to reaffirm that commitment, as if it needed reaffirmation, but I always look forward to the opportunity to do so: the commitment of the United States to the security of Kuwait and to the assurance that we will always be there to guard against aggression in that region of the world directed against Kuwait.

I also want to express at this time our support once again for the families and loved ones of the more than 600 Kuwaitis who remain missing and unaccounted for as a result of Iraq's terrible invasion and occupation of Kuwait some ten years ago.

I thank Dr. Al-Sabah for his visit to the State Department, and I would ask if he may wish to say a word or two.

FOREIGN MINISTER AL-SABAH: It gives me great pleasure and privilege to be here again. I am truly honored. I come with the greetings and love and respect of the Kuwaiti people and the Kuwaiti leadership to this great country of yours. I really feel like I'm back home, coming back to the State Department.

I look forward to have constructive dialogue with our friends here in Washington, and I look forward for a very continuous, strong relationship between Kuwait and the United States.

SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER AL-SABAH: Thank you.

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