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KUWAIT
Compiled from the August 2004 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes. Official Name: PROFILEGeographyArea: 17,820 sq. km. (6,880 sq. mi.); approximately the size of the State of New Jersey. Cities: Capital—Kuwait City, pop. (2002 est.) 413,170. Other cities — Ahmadi, Jahra, Fahaheel. Terrain: Almost entirely flat desert plain (highest elevation point—306 m). Climate: Summers are intensely hot and dry with average highs ranging from 42º-46ºC (108º-115ºF); winters are short (Dec.-Feb.) and cool, averaging 10º-30ºC (50º-80ºF), with limited rain. PeopleNationality: Noun and adjective—Kuwaiti(s). Population: (2003 est.) 2.42 million, including about 1.5 million non-Kuwaiti citizens. Annual growth rate: 4.8%. Ethnic groups: Kuwaiti 38%, other Arab 22%, non-Arab (primarily Asian) 36%, stateless 5%. Religions: Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30% among Kuwaitis), with small Hindu, Christian and Sikh communities. Languages: Arabic (official), English is widely spoken. Education: Compulsory from ages 6-14; free at all levels for Kuwaitis, including higher education. Adult Literacy (age 15 and over)—83.5% for the overall population (male 85.1%, female 81.7%), 91.2% for Kuwaitis (male 91.4%, female 90.8%). Health: Infant mortality rate −11 deaths/1,000 live births. Life expectancy—75 yrs. male, 77 yrs. female. Work force: (2002 actual) 1.364 million (of which about 19% are Kuwaiti nationals. 62.7% male; 37.3% female). GovernmentType: Constitutional hereditary emirate. Independence: June 19, 1961 (from U.K.). Constitution: Approved and promulgated November 11, 1962. Branches: Executive—Amir (head of state); prime minister (head of government); Council of Ministers (cabinet) is appointed by prime minister and approved by the Amir. Legislative—unicameral elected National Assembly (Majlis al-'Umma) of 50 members who serve 4-year terms. Judicial—High Court of Appeal. Administrative subdivisions: Six governorates (muhafazat) Al 'Asimah, Hawalli, Al Ahmadi, Al Jahra', Mubarak Al-Kebir, and Al Farwaniyah. Political parties: None; formal political parties are banned although de facto political blocs exist. Suffrage: Adult males who have been citizens for 20 years and are not in the security forces (about 14% of all citizens). EconomyGDP: (2003) $42.8 billion. Real GDP growth rate: (2003) 9.9%. Natural resources: Oil, natural gas, fish. Agriculture: (about 0.3% of GDP) With the exception of fish, most food is imported. Cultivated land—1%. Industry: (about 60% of GDP) Types—petroleum extraction and refining, fertilizer, chemicals, desalination, construction materials. Services: (about 39% of GDP) public administration, finance, real estate, trade, hotels and restaurants Trade: (2002) Exports —$15.474 billion: oil (91.3%). Major markets — Japan 25%, South Korea 13%, U.S. 12%, Singapore 10%, Netherlands 4.5%. Imports—$7.424 billion: food, construction materials, vehicles and
parts, clothing. Major suppliers—U.S. 13%, Japan 11%, Germany 9%, U.K. 6%, Saudi Arabia 6%. PEOPLEOver 90% of the population lives within a 500-square kilometer area surrounding Kuwait City and its harbor. Although the majority of people residing in the State of Kuwait are of Arab origin, less than half are originally from the Arabian Peninsula. The discovery of oil in 1938 drew many Arabs from nearby states. Following the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in 1991, the Kuwaiti Government undertook a serious effort to reduce the expatriate population by specifically limiting the entry of workers from nations whose leaders had supported Iraq during the Gulf War. Kuwait later abandoned this policy, and it currently has a sizable foreign labor force (over 60% of the total population). The national census does not distinguish between Sunni and Shi'a adherents, but an estimated 1.6 million residents, including the ruling family and 600,000 Kuwaiti nationals, belong to the Sunni branch of Islam. An estimated 400,000 Muslims are Shi'a including about 300,000 Kuwaitis. Estimates of the Christian population range from 250,000-500,000 residents, including about 200 citizens. There also are communities of Hindus (estimated at 100,000) and Sikhs (estimated at 10,000). Kuwait's 83% literacy rate, one of the Arab world's highest, is the result of extensive government support for the education system. Public school education, including Kuwait University, is free, but access is restricted for foreign residents. The government sponsors the foreign study of qualified students abroad for degrees not offered at Kuwait University. About 3,000 Kuwaitis are currently enrolled in U.S. universities. HISTORYArchaeological finds on Failaka, the largest of Kuwait's nine islands, suggests it was a trading post at the time of the ancient Sumerians. Failaka appears to have continued to serve as a market for approximately 2,000 years, and was known to the ancient Greeks. Despite its long history as a market and sanctuary for traders, Failaka appears to have been abandoned as a permanent settlement in the 1st century A.D. Kuwait's modern history began in the 18th century with the founding of the city of Kuwait by the Uteiba, a subsection of the Anaiza tribe, who are believed to have traveled north from Qatar. Threatened in the 19th century by the Ottoman Turks and various powerful Arabian Peninsula groups, Kuwait sought the same treaty relationship Britain had already signed with the Trucial States (UAE) and Bahrain. In January 1899, the ruler Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah —"the Great"— signed an agreement with the British Government that pledged himself and his successors neither to cede any territory, nor to receive agents or representatives of any foreign power without the British Government's consent, in exchange for protection and an annual subsidy. When Mubarak died in 1915, the population Mubarak was succeeded as ruler by his sons Jabir (1915-17) and Salim (1917-21). Kuwait's subsequent rulers have descended from these two brothers. Sheikh Ahmed al-Jabir Al Sabah ruled Kuwait from 1921 until his death in 1950, a period in which oil was discovered and in which the government attempted to establish the first internationally recognized boundaries; the 1922 Treaty of Uqair set Kuwait's border with Saudi Arabia and also established the Kuwait-Saudi Arabia Neutral Zone, an area of about 5,180 sq. km. (2,000 sq. mi.) adjoining Kuwait's southern border. Kuwait achieved independence from the British under Sheikh Ahmed's successor, Sheikh Abdullah al-Salim Al Sabah. By early 1961, the British had already withdrawn their special court system, which handled the cases of foreigners resident in Kuwait, and the Kuwaiti Government began to exercise legal jurisdiction under new laws drawn up by an Egyptian jurist. On June 19, 1961, Kuwait became fully independent following an exchange of notes with the United Kingdom. Kuwait enjoyed an unprecedented period of prosperity under Amir Sabah al-Salim Al Sabah, who died in 1977 after ruling for 12 years. Under his rule, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement dividing the Neutral Zone (now called the Divided Zone) and demarcating a new international boundary. Both countries share equally the Divided Zone's petroleum, onshore and offshore. The country was transformed into a highly developed welfare state with a free market economy. In August 1990, Iraq attacked and invaded Kuwait. Kuwait's northern border with Iraq dates from an agreement reached with Turkey in 1913. Iraq accepted this claim in 1932 upon its independence from Turkey. However, following Kuwait's independence in 1961, Iraq claimed Kuwait, arguing that Kuwait had been part of the Ottoman Empire subject to Iraqi suzerainty. In 1963, Iraq reaffirmed its acceptance of Kuwaiti sovereignty and the boundary it agreed to in 1913 and 1932, in the "Agreed Minutes between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Iraq Regarding the Restoration of Friendly Relations, Recognition, and Related Matters." Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a UN-mandated coalition led by the United States began a ground assault in February 1991 that liberated Kuwait. During the 7-month occupation by Iraq, the Amir, the Government of Kuwait, and many Kuwaitis took refuge in Saudi Arabia and other nations. The Amir and the government successfully managed Kuwaiti affairs from Saudi Arabia, London, and elsewhere during the period, relying on substantial Kuwaiti investments available outside Kuwait for funding and warrelated expenses. Following liberation, the UN, under Security Council Resolution 687, demarcated the Iraq-Kuwait boundary on the basis of the 1932 and the 1963 agreements between the two states. In November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait, which had been further spelled out in UN Security Council Resolutions 773 and 883. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONSKuwait is a constitutional, hereditary emirate ruled by princes (Amirs) who have been drawn from the Al Sabah family for over 200 years. The 1962 constitution provides for an elected National Assembly and details the powers of the branches of government and the rights of citizens. Under the Constitution, the National Assembly has a limited role in approving the Amir's choice of the Crown Prince, who succeeds the Amir upon his death. If the National Assembly rejects his nominee, the Amir then submits three names of qualified candidates from among the direct descendants of Mubarak the Great, from which the Assembly must choose the new Crown Prince. Successions have been orderly since independence. For almost 40 years, the Amir has appointed the Crown Prince as Kuwait's Prime Minister. However, in an unprecedented development, the Amir formally separated the two positions and appointed a new Prime Minister in July 2003. Kuwait's first National Assembly was elected in 1963, with follow-on elections held in 1967, 1971, and 1975. From 1976 to 1981, the National Assembly was suspended. Following elections in 1981 and 1985, the National Assembly was again dissolved. Fulfilling a promise made during the period of Iraqi occupation, the Amir held new elections for the National Assembly in 1992. On May 4, 1999, the Amir once again dissolved the National Assembly. This time, however, it was done through entirely constitutional means, and new elections were held on July 3, 1999. The most recent general election, held in July 2003, was considered free and fair, although there were some credible reports of vote buying by the government and the opposition. The government bans formal political parties, but de facto political blocs exist and are typically organized along ideological lines. Although the Amir maintains the final word on most government policies, the National Assembly plays a real role in decision-making, with powers to initiate legislation, question Cabinet ministers, and express lack of confidence in individual ministers. For example, in May 1999, the Amir issued several landmark decrees dealing with women's suffrage, economic liberalization, and nationality. The National Assembly later rejected all of these decrees as a matter of principle and then reintroduced most of them as parliamentary legislation. Principal Government OfficialsLast Updated: 10/13/04 Amir: Sabah, JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Kuwait maintains an embassy in the United States at 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. [1] (202)-966-0702). ECONOMYKuwait has a small, relatively open economy dominated by the oil industry and government sector. Its proved crude oil reserves of about 98 billion barrels—10% of world reserves—account for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income. During the 1970s, Kuwait benefited from the dramatic rise in oil prices, which Kuwait actively promoted through its membership in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The economy suffered from the triple shock of a 1982 securities market crash, the mid-1980s drop in oil prices, and the 1990 Iraqi invasion and occupation. The Kuwaiti Government-in-exile depended upon its $100 billion in overseas investments during the Iraqi occupation in order to help pay for the reconstruction. Thus, by 1993, this balance was cut to less than half of its pre-invasion level. The wealth of Kuwait is based primarily on oil and capital reserves, and the Iraqi occupation severely damaged both. Kuwait has enjoyed a limited economic boom following Operation Iraqi Freedom as many companies working in Iraq have established offices in Kuwait and procured goods through Kuwaiti companies. The banking and construction sector, in particular, have grown in the last year. The sustained high oil price has also provided the Kuwaiti government with a substantial windfall in 2003 and 2004. In the closing hours of the Gulf War in February 1991, the Iraqi occupation forces set ablaze or damaged 749 of Kuwait's oil wells. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damage. Oil production was 1.5 million b/d by the end of 1992, and pre-war capacity was restored in 1993. Kuwait's current production capacity is estimated to be 2.5 million b/d. Kuwait plans to increase its capacity to 3.5 million b/d by 2008. OilIn 1934, the ruler of Kuwait granted an oil concession to the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), jointly owned by the British Petroleum Company and Gulf Oil Corporation. In 1976, the Kuwaiti Government nationalized KOC. The following year, Kuwait took over onshore production in the Divided Zone between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. KOC produces jointly there with Texaco, Inc., which, by its 1984 purchase of Getty Oil Company, acquired the Saudi Arabian onshore concession in the Divided Zone. Offshore, the Divided Zone, the Arabian Oil Company (AOC)—80% owned by Japanese interests and 10% each by the Kuwaiti and Saudi Governments—produced on behalf of both countries from 1961 until 2000, when its concession in the Saudi zone expired. AOC gave up its drilling rights in the Kuwaiti sector 3 years later. The Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Kuwait Petroleum Company—KPC) has assumed AOC's offshore operations. The KPC, an integrated international oil company, is the parent company of the government's operations in the petroleum sector, and includes Kuwait Oil Company, which produced oil and gas; Kuwait National Petroleum Co., refining and domestic sales; Petrochemical Industries Co., producing ammonia and urea; Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Co., with several concessions in developing countries; Kuwait Oil Tanker Co.; and Santa Fe International Corp. The latter, purchased outright in 1982, gives KPC a worldwide presence in the petroleum industry. KPC also has purchased from Gulf Oil Co. refineries and associated service stations in the Benelux nations and Scandinavia, as well as storage facilities and a network of service stations in Italy. In 1987, KPC bought a 19% share in British Petroleum, which was later reduced to Kuwait has about 96.5 billion barrels of recoverable oil; only Saudi Arabia and Iraq have larger proven reserves. Estimated capacity before the occupation was about 2.4 million barrels per day (b/d). During the Iraqi occupation, Kuwait's oil-producing capacity was reduced to practically nothing. However, tremendous recovery and improvements have been made. Oil production was 1.5 million b/d by the end of 1992, and pre-war capacity was restored in 1993. Kuwait's production capacity is estimated to be 2.5 million b/d. Kuwait plans to increase its capacity to 3.5 million b/d by 2008. Social BenefitsThe government has sponsored many social welfare, public works, and development plans financed with oil and investment revenues. Among the benefits for Kuwaiti citizens are retirement income, marriage bonuses, housing loans, virtually guaranteed employment, free medical services, and education at all levels. Foreign nationals residing in Kuwait obtain some, but not all, of the welfare services. The right to own stock in publicly traded companies, real estate, and banks or a majority interest in a business is limited to Kuwaiti citizens, and citizens of GCC states under limited circumstances. Industry and DevelopmentIndustry in Kuwait consists of several large export-oriented petrochemical units, oil refineries, and a range of small manufacturers. It also includes large water desalinization, ammonia, desulfurization, fertilizer, brick, block, and cement plants. During the invasion, the Iraqis looted nearly all movable equipment of value, especially high-technology items and small machinery. Much of this has been replaced with newer equipment. The Kuwaiti government has promoted the Trade and Investment Framework (TIFA) agreement with the U.S. as a means to attract additional foreign investment into Kuwaiti industries and enhance the country's diversification from a purely oil-based economy. AgricultureAgriculture is limited by the lack of water and arable land. The government has experimented in growing food through hydroponics and carefully managed farms. However, most of the soil which was suitable for farming in south central Kuwait was destroyed when Iraqi troops set fire to oil wells in the area and created vast "oil lakes." Fish and shrimp are plentiful in territorial waters, and large-scale commercial fishing has been undertaken locally and in the Indian Ocean. ShippingThe Kuwait Oil Tankers Co. has 35 crude oil and refined product carriers and is the largest tanker company in an OPEC country. Kuwait also is a member of the United Arab Shipping Company. Trade, Finance, and AidThe Kuwaiti dinar is a strong currency pegged to a basket of currencies in which the U.S. dollar has the most weight. Kuwait ordinarily runs a balance-of-payments surplus. Government revenues are dependent on oil revenues. Although government expenditures increased by about 8%, Kuwait's fiscal surplus in 2003 was some 18% of GDP. The fiscal surplus in 2004 will likely exceed that figure by 2-3%. The government's two reserve funds—the Fund for Future Generations and the General Reserve Fund—which totaled nearly $100 billion prior to the invasion in 1990, were the primary source of capital for the Kuwaiti Government during the war. While these funds were depleted to $40-$50 billion after the war, they currently are estimated around $50-$60 billion. The bulk of this reserve is invested in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, and Southeast Asia. In order of importance, foreign assets are believed to be invested in stocks and bonds, fixed yield instruments (mostly short term), and real estate. Kuwait follows a generally conservative investment policy. Kuwait has been a major source of foreign economic assistance to other states through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, an autonomous state institution created in 1961 on the pattern of Western and international development agencies. In 1974, the fund's lending mandate was expanded to include all-not just Arab-developing countries. Over the years aid Kuwait has provided aid to Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, as well as the Palestine Liberation Organization. During the Iran-Iraq war, Kuwait also gave significant aid to the Iraqis. The Kuwait fund issued loans and technical assistance grants totaling over $419 million during its fiscal year ending March 31, 2003. Kuwaiti provided unparalleled assistance during Operation Iraqi Freedom by establishing and operating the Humanitarian Operations Center for Iraq. FOREIGN RELATIONSFollowing independence in June 1961, Kuwait faced its first major foreign policy problem arising from Iraqi claims to Kuwait's territory. The Iraqis threatened invasion but were dissuaded by the U.K.'s ready response to the Amir's request for assistance. Kuwait presented its case before the United Nations and preserved its sovereignty. U.K. forces were later withdrawn and replaced by troops from Arab League nations, which were withdrawn in 1963 at Kuwait's request. On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait. Through U.S. efforts, a multinational coalition was assembled, and, under UN auspices, initiated military action against Iraq to liberate Kuwait. Arab states, especially the other five members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, After liberation, Kuwait concentrated its foreign policy efforts on development of ties to states which had participated in the multinational coalition. Notably, these states were given the lead role in Kuwait's reconstruction. Kuwait's relations with those nations that supported Iraq, among them Jordan, Sudan, Yemen, and Cuba, were slow to recover. Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Chairman Yasir Arafat's support for Saddam Hussein during the war also affected Kuwait's attitudes toward the PLO though Kuwait supports the Arab-Israeli peace process. The Government of Kuwait has abandoned its previous policy of limiting the entry of workers from nations whose leaders had supported Iraq during the Gulf War. In August 2001, the Interior Minister announced that there were no longer any special restrictions or permits required for Palestinian workers wishing to return to the country. At the end of 2002, there were approximately 30,000 to 40,000 Palestinians, 30,000 to 40,000 Jordanians, and 5,000 Yemenis resident in Kuwait. Since liberation from Iraq, Kuwait has made efforts to secure allies throughout the world, particularly UN Security Council members. In addition to the United States, defense arrangements have been concluded with the United Kingdom, Russia, and France. Ties to other key Arab members of the Gulf War coalition—Egypt and Syria—also have been sustained. During the 2002-03 build up to and execution of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Kuwait was a vital coalition partner, reserving a full 60% of its total land mass for use by coalition forces and donating upward of $350 million in assistance in kind (primarily fuel) to the effort. In the aftermath of OIF, Kuwait has been consistently involved in reconstruction efforts in Iraq, pledging __BODY__.5 billion at the October 2003 international donors' conference in Madrid. Kuwait is a member of the UN and some of its specialized and related agencies, including the World Bank (IBRD), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Trade Organization (WTO), General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); African Development Bank (AFDB), Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), Arab League, Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Group of 77 (G-77), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), INMARSAT, International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation, International Fund for Agricultural Development, International Labor Organization (ILO), International Maritime Organization, Interpol, INTELSAT, IOC, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (LORCS), Non-Aligned Movement, Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). DEFENSEBefore the Gulf War, Kuwait maintained a small military force consisting of army, navy, and air force units. The majority of equipment for the military was supplied by the United Kingdom. Aside from the few units that were able to escape to Saudi Arabia, including a majority of the air force, all of this equipment was either destroyed or taken by the Iraqis. Much of the property returned by Iraq after the Gulf War was damaged beyond repair. Iraq retained a substantial amount of captured Kuwaiti military equipment in violation of UN resolutions. Since liberation, Kuwait, with the help of the United States and other allies, has made significant efforts to increase the size and modernity of its armed forces. These efforts are succeeding. The government also continues to improve defense arrangements with other Arab states, as well as UN Security Council members. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, in 2003, Kuwaiti military elements successfully operated missile defense systems. A separately organized National Guard maintains internal security. The police constitute a single national force under the purview of civilian authorities of the Ministry of Interior. U.S.-KUWAITI RELATIONSThe United States opened a consulate in Kuwait in October 1951, which was elevated to embassy status at the time of Kuwait's independence 10 years later. The United States supports Kuwait's sovereignty, security, and independence, as well as its multilateral diplomatic efforts to build greater cooperation among the GCC countries. Strategic cooperation between the United States and Kuwait increased in 1987 with the implementation of a maritime protection regime that ensured the freedom of navigation through the Gulf for 11 Kuwaiti tankers that were reflagged with U.S. markings. The U.S.-Kuwaiti strategic partnership intensified dramatically again after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The United States spearheaded UN Security Council demands that Iraq withdraw from Kuwait and its authorization of the use of force, if necessary, to remove Iraqi forces from the occupied country. The Untied States also played a dominant role in the development of the multinational military operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm that liberated Kuwait. The U.S.-Kuwaiti relationship Since Kuwait's liberation, the United States has provided military and defense technical assistance to Kuwait from both foreign military sales (FMS) and commercial sources. All transactions have been made by direct cash sale. The U.S. Office of Military Cooperation in Kuwait is attached to the American embassy and manages the FMS program. U.S. military sales to Kuwait total $6.8 billion since 1992. Principal U.S. military systems currently purchased by the Kuwait Defense Forces are Patriot Missile systems, F-18 Hornet fighters, the M1A2 main battle tank, and the Apache helicopter. Kuwaiti attitudes toward American products have been favorable since the Gulf War. In 1993, Kuwait publicly announced abandonment of the secondary and tertiary aspects of the Arab boycott of Israel (those aspects affecting U.S. firms). The United States is currently Kuwait's largest supplier of goods and services, and Kuwait is the fifth-largest market in the Middle East. U.S. exports to Kuwait totaled $902 million in 2002. Provided their prices are reasonable, U.S. firms have a competitive advantage in many areas requiring advanced technology, such as oil field equipment and services, electric power generation and distribution equipment, telecommunications gear, consumer goods, and military equipment. Kuwait also is an important partner in the ongoing U.S.-led campaign against international terrorism, providing assistance in the military, diplomatic, and intelligence arenas and also supporting efforts to block financing of terrorist groups. Principal U.S. Embassy OfficialsKUWAIT (E) Address: Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street, Bayan, Plot 14; APO/FPO: PSC 1280, Box #, APO AE 09880; Phone: 965-539-5307/5308; Fax: 965-538-0282; Workweek: Sat-Wed./0800-1600; Website: http://Kuwait.usembassy.gov
TRAVELConsular Information SheetFebruary 10, 2005 Country Description: Kuwait is a small, oil rich constitutional monarchy with 10% of proven world oil reserves. Foreign workers constitute approximately 80% of the labor force. Kuwaiti citizens constitute only 37% of the country's population of 2.4 million, and enjoy the benefits of a generous social welfare system that guarantees employment, housing, education and medical care. Facilities for travelers are widely available. Entry/Exit Requirements: Passports and visas are required for U.S. citizens traveling to Kuwait. U.S. citizens can now obtain visitor visas at the port of entry in Kuwait. Travelers who overstay their visas may face serious fines when leaving Kuwait. Travelers who leave Kuwait without completing Kuwaiti exit procedures may face serious fines if they return to and attempt to depart from Kuwait. This includes travelers proceeding via Kuwait to and from Iraq. For further information on entry and exit requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Kuwait at 2940 Tilden St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 966-0702, or the Kuwaiti Consulate in New York City, telephone (212) 973-4318. See our Foreign Entry Requirements brochure for more information on Kuwait and other countries. Visit the Embassy of Kuwait web site for the most current visa information. Safety and Security: Americans in Kuwait should exercise a high level of security awareness. The Department of State remains concerned about the possibility of further terrorist actions against U.S. citizens and interests abroad, specifically in the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf and Arabian Peninsula. Since January 2005, Kuwaiti security forces have engaged terrorists in several confrontations in the Kuwait City metropolitan area, resulting in the deaths of terrorists, security personnel, and one civilian bystander. Such incidents may continue to occur in the near term as Kuwait security forces locate terrorists belonging to this group and attempt to detain them. The Embassy reminds travelers that terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security throughout Kuwait may lead terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas, oilrelated facilities and personnel, and public areas where people congregate, including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and shopping areas. U.S. citizens are advised to immediately report any unusual or suspicious activity in Kuwait to the Kuwaiti police or to the U.S. Embassy. For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and other Public Announcements can be found. Travelers are also referred to the Embassy's Warden Notices which are available on the Embassy website at http://kuwait.usembassy.gov. Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-07-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State's pamphlets A Safe Trip Abroad, and Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa. Crime: The crime rate in Kuwait is low. Violent crimes against expatriates are rare, but do occur. The U.S. Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to take the same security precautions in Kuwait that one would practice in the United States. Physical and verbal harassment of women are continuing problems. Information for Victims of Crime: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. See our information on Victims of Crime at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1748.html. Medical Facilities and Health Information: The health care system continues to develop, with many government and private medical facilities available in Kuwait. Medical care at government-run clinics and hospitals is provided at low cost to residents of Kuwait. Private physicians and hospitals charge fees for services, and some do not accept local health insurance. Many hospital and clinic services do not compare to U.S. standards, and staffs often have no U.S. experience or training. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith. Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Kuwait is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Driving in Kuwait is hazardous. Although Kuwait has an extensive and modern system of well-lit roads, excessive speeding on both primary and secondary roads, coupled with lax enforcement of traffic regulations and a high density of vehicles (one vehicle for every 2.8 residents), leads to frequent and often fatal accidents. In 2003 there were 45,376 reported vehicular accidents and 372 traffic-accident-related deaths—an increase over the previous year. The average age of death was between 21 and 30 years. Over 950,000 cars are registered in Kuwait. The government-owned Kuwait Public Transportation Company operates bus service throughout the Kuwait City metropolitan area on 50 different routes and is widely used by the low-income expatriate labor force. Two types of taxi service are available: (1) orange taxis work a fixed route and pick up passengers anywhere along that route and may be shared, and (2) call-taxis are available at major hotels and pick up passengers at other locations upon telephonic request. Unaccompanied women should not use taxis after dark. Visitors can use international driving permits issued by their respective countries within the time limit of their visas; however, the visitor must have liability insurance. It is illegal to drive in Kuwait without a license and car registration documents. If you are stopped and cannot produce them, you may be taken to a police station and held until they are presented on your behalf. If you are in an accident, Kuwaiti law mandates that you must remain at the scene until the police arrive. The use of seatbelts in the front seats is mandatory in Kuwait. Driving is on the right side of the road. Speed limits are posted. Making a right turn on a red light is not permitted unless there is a special lane to do so with a yield sign. Parking is not allowed where the curb is painted black and yellow. Digital cameras for registering traffic violations, including speeding, are in use on Kuwaiti roads. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense, which may result in fines, imprisonment, and/or deportation. Repeat traffic violations or violations of a serious nature may also result in the deportation of an expatriate offender. When a driver flashes his/her high beams in Kuwait, it is meant as a request to move your car into a slower lane to allow the driver with the flashing beams to proceed ahead. Kuwait has one of the highest rates of cellular telephone ownership per capita in the world. Using a cellular telephone while driving remains legal. Local emergency service organizations may be contacted by dialing 777. Ambulance crews do not respond as quickly as in the United States and are often not trained paramedics. Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Kuwait as being in compliance with ICAO international aviation safety standards for oversight of Kuwait's air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA's internet web site at www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm. Special Circumstances: The work-week in Kuwait is Saturday through Wednesday for most businesses and government offices; it is Sunday through Thursday for commercial banks. Kuwaiti customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Kuwait of items such as firearms, religious material, pornography, and alcohol. Alcohol, pork products, and pornography are illegal in Kuwait. Kuwaiti customs authorities screen the baggage of all travelers entering Kuwait. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Kuwait in Washington or Kuwait's Consulate in New York for specific information regarding customs requirements. Please see our information on customs regulations. Proselytizing is prohibited for all religions except Islam. Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis, including Americans, charged with criminal offenses, placed under investigation, or involved in unresolved financial disputes with local business partners, are subject to travel bans. These bans, which are rigidly enforced, prevent the individual from leaving Kuwait for any reason until the matter is resolved. In purely financial disputes, it may be possible to depart the country if a local sponsor pledges funds equal to the amount in dispute. Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Kuwaiti laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Kuwait are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in illicit sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Children's Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children's Issues website at http://travel.state.gov/family/family_1732.html. Registration/Embassy Location: Americans living or traveling in Kuwait are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Kuwait. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Plot 14, Block 14, Bayan, Kuwait. The mailing address is P.O. Box 77, Safat 13001, Kuwait. The primary telephone numbers are 965-539-5307 or 539-5308. The fax number is 965-539-2484. The after-hours number is 965-538-2097. Additional information may also be obtained through the Embassy's Internet web site at http://kuwait.usembassy.gov. Public AnnouncementJanuary 28, 2005 This public announcement is being issued to update travelers on security concerns in Kuwait following recent violent incidents and to alert Americans that terrorists may target housing areas of Westerners. This public announcement supersedes the public announcement for Kuwait issued December 23, 2004, and expires on July 25, 2005. In two separate incidents on January 10 and 15, 2005, Kuwaiti security officials and militants engaged in fatal shootouts. The Department of State wishes to advise American citizens that the possibility exists of further violent clashes between security officials and militants as police continue attempts to locate and arrest individuals connected to the earlier shootings. The Department reminds all U.S. citizens in Kuwait to exercise caution, maintain a low profile, and avoid areas where westerners are known to congregate. Heightened security awareness should be exercised in all residential complexes, as terrorists have specifically targeted a variety of Western housing facilities in the past. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S. facilities may lead terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas and apartment complexes, oil-related facilities and personnel, and public areas where people congregate including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and shopping areas. U.S. citizens are advised to immediately report any unusual or suspicious activity in Kuwait to the Kuwaiti police or to the U.S. Embassy. U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for further terrorist actions against U.S. citizens abroad, including in the Persian Gulf region. U.S. citizens planning to travel to Kuwait should consult the Department's travel information and register their trip at the Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens who travel to, or remain in, Kuwait should also register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait and enroll in the warden system (emergency alert network) to obtain updated information on travel and security in Kuwait. Warden messages can be found on the U.S. Embassy Kuwait website: http://kuwait.usembassy.gov. Travelers should consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Kuwait, Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, and 317-472-2328 from overseas. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays.) International Parental Child AbductionJanuary 2005 The information below has been edited from the report of the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services. For more information, please read the International Parental Child Abduction section of this book and review current reports online at travel.state.gov Disclaimer: The information in this circular relating to the legal requirements of a specific foreign country is provided for general information only. Questions involving interpretation of specific foreign laws should be addressed to foreign legal counsel. General Information: Kuwait is not a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, nor are there any international or bilateral treaties in force between Kuwait and the United States dealing with international parental child abduction. American citizens who travel to Kuwait are subject to the jurisdiction of Kuwait courts, as well as to the country's laws and regulations. American citizens planning a trip to Kuwait with dual national children should bear this in mind. Custody Disputes: Cases involving divorce and the custody of minor children are adjudicated in religious courts. If the marriage partners are Muslim, disputes will be resolved before an Islamic Shari'a court which will apply principles of the Islamic sect (Shia or Sunni or mixed) of the parties involved. A Shari'a court would also hear a dispute between a Muslim husband and non-Muslim wife. Marriage between a Muslim woman and non-Muslim man is prohibited in Kuwait. In the case of Christians, the court will be an Ecclesiastical Court composed of clergymen from the appropriate religious community, who will refer to the principles governing family status in the Greek Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church or other Christian denomination. In both theory and practice, Muslim and Christian courts in Kuwait differ very little in how they resolve disputes over the custody of children of divorced or separated parents. The relevant laws all give priority for custodianship to the mother as long as certain restrictive conditions are met. However, once the children reach adolescence, the father can appeal for custody, except in the Sunni sect where the daughter stays with her mother until marriage. If a court finds the mother not fit to have custody, a maternal grandmother living in Kuwait or a paternal grandmother (if the maternal grandmother is not living in Kuwait) will be given custody until the children reach the age at which the father may appeal for custody. In actual practice, the conditions placed on the mother's primary right to custody often enable the father to maintain a great deal of influence over the rearing of the children, even though he may not have legal custody. For example, the mother must seek his approval to depart Kuwait with the children. Frequently, the father is actually able to assume legal custody against the wishes of the mother when she is unable or unwilling to meet the conditions set by law for her to maintain her custodial rights. A mother can lose her primary right to custody of a child in a number of ways. The court can determine that she is incapable of safeguarding the child or of bringing the child up in accordance with the appropriate religious standards. The mother can void her right to custody by re-marrying a party considered "unmarriageable," or by residing in a home with people who might be "strangers" to the child. The mother may not deny visitation rights to the father or the paternal grandfather and may not travel out-side Kuwait with the child without the father's approval and the approval of the court. In general, a Kuwaiti man divorcing his non-Kuwaiti wife may be awarded legal custody of their children if the court determines that any of the above conditions have not been met. Under Shari'ah law, if a mother removes a child from the father thus denying him access, the mother's custody rights can be severed. An attempt to remove children from Kuwait without permission from the father is considered a criminal act in Kuwait. The U.S. Embassy cannot prevent the Kuwaiti government from arresting and either deporting or prosecuting an American citizen who violates Kuwaiti law. A Kuwaiti father can remove his children from Kuwait without approval from the mother. A mother can seek a travel ban to prevent the father from taking the children out of Kuwait. Persons who wish to pursue a child custody claim in a Kuwaiti court should retain an attorney in Kuwait. The U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait maintain a list of attorneys willing to represent American clients. A copy of this list may be obtained by contacting either office. U.S. Embassy Kuwait Specific questions regarding child custody in Kuwait should be addressed to an attorney practicing in Kuwait or to the Embassy of Kuwait at: Embassy of the State of Kuwait Enforcement of Foreign Judgments: Custody orders and judgments of foreign courts are not enforceable in Kuwait if they potentially contradict or violate local laws and practices. For example, an order from a U.S. court granting custody to a parent will not be honored in Kuwait if the parent intends to take the child to live outside Kuwait. Nor will Kuwaiti courts enforce U.S. court decrees ordering a parent in Kuwait to pay child support. However, a court hearing a custody case in Kuwait may take into consideration the law of the country of the father's nationality. An American father with a U.S. court order granting him custody might find that order helpful (though not binding) in a custody proceeding in Kuwait. Visitation Rights: In cases where the father has custody of a child, the mother is guaranteed visitation rights. It has been the experience of the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait that the father and the paternal grandparents of the child are generally very open and accommodating in facilitating the right of the mother to visit and maintain contact with the child. Dual Nationality: Dual nationality is not recognized under Kuwaiti law. Children of Kuwaiti fathers automatically acquire Kuwaiti citizenship at birth, regardless of where the child was born. Women cannot transmit citizenship. Kuwaiti citizens must enter and exit the country on Kuwaiti passports. Travel Restrictions: Exit visas are not required to leave Kuwait. However, a mother may face serious legal difficulties if she attempts to take her children out of Kuwait without the permission of the father. Immigration officials at the airport or border often ask to see permission from the father in writing before allowing children to exit, and have even been known to confirm a written request by contacting the father. If a woman has not placed a travel ban preventing a father from removing children from Kuwait, a father will usually be permitted to exit Kuwait with his children without difficulty. Criminal Remedies: For information on possible criminal remedies, please contact your local law enforcement authorities or the nearest office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Information is also available on the Internet at the web site of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) at http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org. |
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