Kuwait responds to unrest in the ME

[malaise]

Kuwait is launching a preemptive strike on the wave of civil revolt sweeping the Arab World. The country will give each citizen US$3, 500 for each month over the next 14 months.

[Better Believe It]

1. Amazing. Here they will continue cutting wages and social programs.

Think that might cause some "unrest" not to far down the road?

[CJvR]

7. Probably

But by then the situation elsewhere should have calmed down making the opposition's job harder. In a revolution it is important to break the momentum or it will roll right over you. I wonder if this will trigger the Iranian protests again.

Once the situation calms down the Emir can see how things are abroad and reform Q8 just enough not to be lynched.

[EFerrari]

2. Yesterday, they were threatening to deport any foreigner

that demonstrated outside the Egyptian embassy.

[AnOhioan]

3. They have the cash to do it...but really?? Talk about buying off the ppl

[leeroysphitz]

4. That's one way to pacify an angry mob...

[malaise]

6. Some folks buy the government

Others by the citizens. :evilgrin:

[davepc]

5. Inflation will solve all the problems!

Good going Kuwati government.

How about some real reforms instead?

[CJvR]

8. In the long run...

...buing the people is cheaper.

[davepc]

9. Not really. Devaluing currency by handing it out like candy is not a way to promote stability.

[CJvR]

10. Yeah but...

...genuine reform would mean the oil income wouldn't go into his pocket anymore. Inflation is cheaper.

[davepc]

13. Since one of the big problems is the spike in food prices, promoting inflation wont help

In fact, it'll make it worse...faster.

[CJvR]

15. Not in Q8

Rising food prices is not a problem on the same scale in the rich gulf nations that doesn't have a huge dirtpoor young generation.

[Hannah Bell]

11. that's the ticket. short-term bribes. i wonder if the immigrant workers who actually do everything

there will get the same bribe?

[suffragette]

14. That would be a no

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hJ5YaJomrAvW9R4grf5sXiNBKxRA?docId=CNG.3a4459421ecb447810df126b36e389f3.341

Kuwait MPs pass $5 bln aid package for citizens

(AFP) – 2 days ago

KUWAIT CITY — The parliament of the wealthy Gulf state of Kuwait on Wednesday unanimously passed legislation to grant cash and free food to Kuwaiti citizens totalling over $5 billion to mark national occasions.

The grants, made last week by Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, stipulate paying 1,000 dinars ($3,580) to each Kuwaiti citizen plus free distribution of essential food items for 14 months.

The cash grant will be paid to 1.155 million Kuwaiti citizens on February 24 while distribution of food will start February 1 and last until March 31 next year.~~

All 53 MPs present approved the law, which does not apply to the 2.4 million foreign residents in the country.

[Fuzz]

12. Seriously? That is a wtf moment.

[Hannah Bell]

16. the wtf = food prices

[suffragette]

17. Looks like Kuwait is aware of the role of bread/basic needs

for its citizens and is ensuring that won't be a factor in the way it was in France and Egypt.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x292839


I wonder, though , about the foreign worker conditions there, especially since it looks like they make up such a large percentage of the population there.