November 2007 Archives

"KUWAIT: The theft of copper wires and other cables from the Ministry of Electricity and Water during the first six months of 2007 has cost the ministry KD 500,000. Because of this, the MEW held a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Interior to take action and stop this phenomenon. The Interior Ministry in turn, informed the owners of scrap yards to make sure to get a photocopy of anyone who is selling wires or cables to them in order to see if the wires were stolen or not. The Ministry of Interior noted that any scrap yard owner who does not follow these rules will be penalized".

[LINK]

"Et tu, Brutus"?

George Orwell ('1984') would have had a field day with the Arabesque double speak emanating from both the Kuwaiti press and official circles.

Here are a few I have decoded for you:

• "The meeting focused on bilateral relations between the two states" = We are KUNA. We never know the details.
• "We must steer the ship safely to shore" = We don't know what the f*** we are doing, but bare with us.
• "We must protect national unity, it is vital to this nation" = We don't want you to interfere in the looting of this country.
• "The relations between the two countries are brotherly. Our discussions were mutually beneficial" = They want us to invest in their infrastructure and offer them low-interest loans.
• "Corruption will not stand. No one is above the law" = We decide who gets a free pass and who doesn't.
• "The press must act responsibly in order to safeguard harmony" = Don't highlight corruption in public or you will be punished.
• "We support Iran's nuclear program for peaceful purposes" = We hope the U.S. bombs the living shit out of your nuclear facilities, turning them into parking lots.
• "We are all soldiers for Kuwait" = We are only interested in personal self-aggrandizement.
• "The government is weak and inefficient" = I am still waiting for my exclusive E-Government contract.
• "The parliament is the impediment to Kuwait's development and progress" = We have 97% of the Kuwaiti labor force working for us, we have billions in revenue, but let's blame it on the parliament.
• "Kuwait lauds relations with ally" = We are KUNA. We can only use three words: 'Laud,' 'Hail' and 'Brotherly.'

Can you add any more to this list?

A 'Kuwait Book Fair' is on the horizon. If you are into cheap Arabic paperbacks, social science books, academic journals by 3rd rate Arab institutions and language how-to-guides, held together by make-shift plywood counters and shelves, you are gonna love it. If you are searching for SKINNY BITCH, Khaled Hosseini's THE KITE RUNNER, John Grisham's PLAYING FOR PIZZA and other New York Times best-sellers, I suggest you look elsewhere. Like Borders and Virgin in Dubai or the new Borders in Muscat.

Last Year's Book Fair In Mishrif

The Kuwait definition of irony is....Kuwait Book Fair Next Week and 230 Books Banned.