Exiled Rulers Summon 450 to Talks on Kuwait’s Future

Kuwait’s exiled rulers have invited 450 prominent citizens of their occupied land to discuss a new type of Kuwait for the time when Iraq eventually retreats, the emirate’s Crown Prince Saad al Abdullah al Sabah said Saturday.

In the meantime, he said, Kuwait refuses to consider any negotiated compromise that does not involve Iraq’s unconditional withdrawal from all Kuwaiti territory seized Aug. 2.

Saad, who is also prime minister, said Kuwaiti notables will meet in Jidda on Oct. 13 for three days to discuss the situation and make plans.

“We have this question in our minds, how to rebuild a new Kuwait,” he said in an interview. “It will not be easy. We’ll have to work very hard.”

Although he was reluctant to elaborate, Saad made it clear that the meeting would consider issues ranging from defense arrangements to the basic rights of Kuwaiti citizens and foreign residents.

“After the invasion, we learned many things as Kuwaitis,” he said. “We’ll have a new policy for security in the future, closer cooperation with our brothers in the gulf and with our friends.”

Asked about Kuwait’s dependence on foreign workers, with few rights or little attachment to the wealthy state, he said, “We will talk about all of these things.”

Invitations have been sent to exiled Kuwaitis, including present or past members of the elected legislature, senior diplomats, businessmen, judges, civil servants, journalists, students and others.

Kuwait’s displaced rulers are ensconced at the Al Hada Sheraton, perched dramatically on a mountaintop at Taif, the Saudi royal family’s summer retreat east of Jidda.

Princes, Cabinet ministers and officials while away their days in the seven-story hotel, contemplating lush gardens, sipping coffee and fruit juice and gathering at meal times for sumptuous spreads.