U.S. Actions Aid Reform in Kuwait

The inaccurate charges against me and my efforts to promote democratic reform in Kuwait (Letters to the Editor, July 2) warrant a reply.

Some continue to deliberately confuse liberated Kuwait with Iraqi-occupied and terrorized Kuwait, where thousands were murdered and tortured and a whole country was destroyed. It’s their way of justifying opposition to Desert Storm. While recent trials in Kuwait are troubling, the situation there is improving due to American pressure (including mine) and is better than Paris following liberation from the Nazis.

In March, just after Kuwait’s liberation, I led a special mission from the National Republican Institute for International Affairs to work with responsible opposition figures promoting democratic reform. The opposition invited us, not the government, which originally tried to discourage us. I pressed hard for an election date and reforms with everyone, including the Crown Prince. If anything, I’ve been associated with those demonstrating for free and fair elections and the full restoration of the 1962 Kuwaiti constitution and parliament. Our assistance to democratic movements there continues to increase.

I will continue to promote Kuwaiti contracts for U.S. businesses. We bore many of Desert Storm’s costs; we deserve the economic benefits of reconstruction. Further, increased American involvement in Kuwait enhances our ability to promote greater democratic reforms, as we are witnessesing today in Eastern Europe.

ROBERT J. LAGOMARSINO, Member of Congress, 19th District of California