Former UK prime minister Sir John Major congratulates Kuwait on National Day

Major remembers the invasion of Kuwait on 30th anniversary of freedom from occupation

Former British prime minister Sir John Major released a video message to congratulate the people of Kuwait, who are celebrating their National Day.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to congratulate every Kuwaiti on the 60th anniversary of their independence and also the 30th anniversary of Kuwait’s liberation from the invasion,” Mr Major said.

“I remember the invasion with great clarity. I was chancellor of the exchequer when the invasion occurred and prime minister just a few weeks later.

“It was in that capacity, soon after the invasion but before the liberation began, that I flew to the Gulf to meet the emir, the crown prince and the prime minister, who were understandably deeply upset by the attack and its brutality upon the people."

He remembers assuring the emir that “the United Kingdom was determined with her allies to expel the Iraqis [under dictator Saddam Hussein] from Kuwait and return your country to freedom".

“This was achieved within a few weeks of military action,” he said. "The damage left by the invading force was immense.

“After the liberation I returned to Kuwait immediately and was appalled to see the wanton vandalism of war.

“Buildings had been looted and destroyed. The oilfields had been set on fire.

“The sky was black with dust and filth rising up from the fires on the ground and the waters of the Gulf were polluted with oil.

“All of this was a truly awful sight.

“Together with the tragic loss of life was the burden that Kuwait had to bear. Yet your whole country did so with dignity and with fortitude.

“In the years that followed, your friends across the world looked on with admiration as Kuwait emerged from this period of darkness to become an energised and vibrant force within the Gulf.”

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