Feed: Kuwaiti officials take steps to insure military loyalty - AggScore: 12.9

Kuwaiti officials take steps to insure military loyalty

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caption id alignalignleft width210 captionKuwait is seeking to avoid the overthrow of it39s monarchy by keeping its military loyal to the Amir. Photo DoD img srchttpcdn2b.examiner.comsitesdefaultfilesstyleslargehash13e4egyptian20riot0.jpg alt width210 height141 captionWith civil unrest occurring in several Arab and Muslim nations including Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, Libyaand others the government of Kuwait led byits Amir is attempting to strengthen its control over its military and security forces.Kuwaits First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of DefenseSheikh Jaber AlMubarak AlAhmad AlSabah recently announced and implementedseveral key initiatives for the Kuwaiti military.He has issued pardons to military service members who have been absent from duty up to 180 days, has spearheaded salary increases for allmilitary personnel.In addition, heraised the age of nonKuwaiti military personnel to the age of 65.According to Kuwaiti government officials, theseinitiative are in advance of the upcoming celebrations in Kuwaitthis month such asthe 20th anniversary of Kuwaitsliberation from Iraq by the United States and its allies.Februaryis also the month to celebratethe 5th anniversary of His RoyalHighness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad AlJaber AlSabahsrise to power as Kuwaits monarch.The Minister of Defensesaid the pardons and salary increases are part of an ambitiously positiveagenda for 2011.Kuwaits military is vital to our safety, strength and security, the Defense Minister said in a press statement. When we have opportunities to encourage our service members, we must do what we can. It is my hope that all absent service members take advantage of this opportunity for amnesty by returning to duty.Both the Amir and the Prime Minister avoided using the term deserter to describe AWOL away without leave members of the Kuwaiti armed services.KuwaitsHigher Council of Defense approved the salary increases with the urging of Sheikh Jaber. The council originally proposed an 80 percent increase, but Sheikh Jaber advocated a 100 percent raise.The approved increase varies according to rank, ranging between 72 percent and 115 percent and will include all military personnel in the Army, Interior Ministry, National Guard and Fire Department.While the Kuwaiti government is advocating kindness andgenerosity towards its servicemembers, severalexpertsin Middle East geopolitics and military affairs believe the monarchy is seeking to maintain control, loyalty and allegiance of its army, intelligence serviceand law enforcementofficers shouldcivil unrest occur.