ABSTRACT
For Kuwait, the beginning of 1991 was marked by images of destruction brought about by the Iraqi occupation and the subsequent Gulf War. Kuwait was beset by a major political problem. Before the Iraqi invasion, there had been opposition to the Al Sabah government. Kuwait preferred to rely on Western forces for a new defense arrangement and concluded security agreements with the US, Britain and France in the fall. Kuwaiti leaders, who were in exile in Ta’if, Saudi Arabia, were not willing to compromise over Kuwait’s absolute liberation. Kuwaiti leaders were aware that solutions to sociopolitical issues, hinging upon the careful cooperation between Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis and between society and the rulers, could only develop over a longer term. Kuwaiti leaders were committed, in principle, to the restoration of parliamentary activity and reiterated this commitment after Kuwait’s liberation. Kuwait sought to reestablish good relations with Iran, as an additional step toward regional stability. I.
