Embassy Row

LeBaron denounced

Islamic extremists in Kuwait yesterday demanded that the government reject President Bush’s choice of a new ambassador because he is currently on duty in Israel, but the pro-U.S. emirate is expected to ignore the clamor.

Mr. Bush nominated Richard LeBaron, a career diplomat now serving as deputy chief of mission in Tel Aviv, to replace Ambassador Richard Jones. Mr. Jones is now a top assistant to L. Paul Bremer, the U.S. civil administrator in Iraq.

Four anti-American Sunni and Shi’ite groups said Mr. LeBaron’s presence in Kuwait would be an insult to Islam.

“We demand that the Kuwaiti government refuse to grant accreditation to a new U.S. ambassador who is coming from Tel Aviv in appreciation of the feelings of Muslim Kuwaiti and Palestinian peoples,” they said.

The Kuwaiti government is a strong U.S. ally in the war on terrorism and allows Washington to station 25,000 American troops on its territory. The government also permitted the United States to mount the invasion of Iraq from Kuwait. The United States liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in 1991.

The Bush administration last week rewarded Kuwait for its cooperation by naming the country a “major non-NATO ally,” a distinction held by only nine other countries.

Foreign Minister Sheik Muhammad Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah and Defense Minister Sheik Jaber al Mubarek al-Hamad al-Sabah were honored at a Pentagon ceremony.

“Kuwait has been a strong friend of the United States and the American people, a valued and dependable ally, a courageous partner in Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

The foreign minister replied, “We defeated Saddam’s evil and destructive ideology, but the war is not over. You can count on us to continue to stand beside you and to fight for the birth of a new Iraq.”

He also denounced Islamic terrorists “who like to hijack and kidnap our religion and tarnish it and use it for evil intentions.”

Fence-mending

Spain’s new foreign minister today is on a damage-control visit to Washington, where President Bush on Monday rebuked the new socialist government for its intention to pull Spanish troops out of Iraq.

Miguel Angel Moratinos will meet Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice before holding a 5 p.m. press conference at the Spanish Embassy.

Mr. Moratinos yesterday tried to smooth over the rift in relations with the United States by insisting that Spain is still committed to the war on terrorism.

“I think we have to be united in the fight, and the main fight is against terrorism,” he said on a stopover in Ireland.

“I don’t expect any confrontation,” he said of his meetings today. “On the contrary, we expect good and positive dialogue between our friends and allies, which is, of course, extremely important at this challenging time.”

In a phone call to Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Mr. Bush expressed his “regret” over Spain’s “abrupt” decision to withdraw its 1,300 troops.

Message to Maoists

The U.S. ambassador to Nepal delivered a blunt message to Maoist rebels: Give up your eight-year fight and embrace democracy.

“Stop terrorist violence, lay down the arms, come to the negotiating table and go to the people with whatever ideology you have,” Ambassador Michael Malinowsky said in a press briefing this week.

Mr. Malinowsky, whose term is ending soon, said he was pleased the United States “saved more human lives” with its support of the Nepalese government. Washington provided $14 million in military assistance and $38 million in development aid this year.

The ambassador also warned King Gyanendra and Nepal’s political parties that their ongoing political disputes are damaging the country’s democracy.

Call Embassy Row at 202/636-3297, fax 202/832-7278 or e-mail jmorrison @washingtontimes.com.