Kuwait on Tuesday played down reports of a thaw in relations with the Palestinian Authority (PA) against the backdrop of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
"Contrary to press reports, no contacts have been made between Kuwait and the PA in regard to the normalization of ties," a foreign ministry official said.
"The issue of ties between Kuwait and PA is something, and providing the necessary support to the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate rights is something different," he said, quoted by the official news agency KUNA.
Palestinian international cooperation minister Nabil Shaath earlier told Al-Rai Al-Aam newspaper that he could visit Kuwait "within days" to pave the way for a trip by PA leader Yasser Arafat.
Shaath said he was awaiting a response from Kuwait's foreign ministry to fix the date of his visit, and that he had received specific instructions from Arafat to normalize Kuwaiti-Palestinian ties.
"My role will be limited to paving the way. I don't rule out a visit by Arafat to Kuwait, but not now. Only after paving the way," Shaath stressed.
The Palestinian minister said he had tried on Sunday to contact Kuwait's acting premier and foreign minister, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad, "but it was difficult to arrange for an immediate visit."
Shaath, however, insisted his visit would "take place within days."
Relations have remained frozen since the emirate accused Arafat of backing the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
But Sheikh Sabah embraced Arafat at the emergency Arab summit in Cairo on October 21 and called him a "brother" while visiting injured Palestinians in Kuwaiti hospitals.
Kuwait on Sunday pledged 150 million dollars toward two funds set up at the Arab summit in aid of the Palestinians, and Shaath said Arafat has thanked the emirate for the donation.
The emirate has treated five Palestinian civilians injured in clashes with Israeli forces in Kuwaiti hospitals and has also rushed emergency medical aid to the occupied territories.
Kuwaitis have held several rallies in support of the new Intifada, or uprising, despite lingering bitterness toward the Palestinian leadership – KUWAIT CITY (AFP)
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