Setting the record straight
In the report regarding the MV Safeer’s crew experience in Kuwait in 1990, Captain Zain Abidin Juvale has misrepresented several facts (‘Ship captain recalls terror of August 1990’, Gulf News, August 14).
We, the ship owners of the MV Safeer, would like to set the record straight.
Captain Juvale told Gulf News in his interview that when our ship MV Safeer docked in Kuwait on July 31, 1990, that the port was deserted. This is inaccurate as Shuwaikh Port was fully functional.
On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, all crew members onboard were detained, but nobody was imprisoned, contrary to what Juvale said.
Also, he did not inform Gulf News that the then Second Secretary from the Indian Embassy at Kuwait, Suresh Mal Mathur had boarded the ship on August 11, 1990 to check on the welfare and safety of the crew and ship. This was recorded in the ship’s log. So, the Indian authorities were well aware of the ship, again, negating what Juvale said: “No one knew of a ship and its crew being trapped at the port.”
In fact, Mathur visited the ship again on August 21, 1990, to take the captain to meet with former Indian External Affairs Minister I. K. Gujral.
Also, Juvale said that the Indian Navy expressly forbade him from evacuating other Indians, which is untrue as he had no contact with the naval authorities.
In fact, 387 life jackets were delivered on board with the help of the Indian Navy and the Indian community in Kuwait.
Captain V. R. Kekobad, joint owner of the MV Safeer, was continually in discussions with various ministries in New Delhi, India, and it was he who liaised with Indian naval officials to have the life jackets delivered to the ship. This, too, was logged and the entry has been signed by the ships’ chief officer Nazir Mulla and Captain Juvale.
Juvale claims that he got permission for MV Safeer to leave Kuwait with Indian expatriates from the Iraqi President Saddam Hussain. This is untrue.
He also accused the Indian government and bureaucrats in New Delhi of prohibiting him from evacuating Indian expatriates on the MV Safeer. However, as per the ship’s log book and official documents, the release of MV Safeer was achieved due to the intervention by the government of India.
We first met the Iraqi Consular representative in Mumbai with the request of allowing access for an official from the Indian embassy in Kuwait to visit the MV Safeer. Our prime concern was the safety and welfare of the crew as well as the vessel and its cargo. We also requested the Iraqi authorities to help with the eventual release of the vessel. We were informed in this meeting to get the government of India to contact the Iraqi embassy in New Delhi in order to secure the release of the crew and the vessel.
We took up this matter immediately with the Indian Shipping Ministry as well as the Ministry of External Affairs, in order to get the government of India to intervene and commence dialogue with the Iraqi authorities.
It was due to these efforts and our proposal to the Indian Shipping Ministry as well as the country’s Ministry of External Affairs to evacuate expatriate Indians stranded in Kuwait that the eventual release of the vessel was granted.
Following the release, the crew of MV Safeer was commended for its exemplary behaviour during this period of crisis, along with the teamwork and exceptional efforts in making this humanitarian mission of reuniting 722 Indians with their families a success.
We have in our possession the ship’s original log book, along with all the official correspondence, including the interaction with the Indian government to furnish whatever proof is necessary.
From Mr Hanif Modak and Captain V. R. Kekobad
India
A role model for girls
Malala Yousufzai was the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize last year. She is a role model for countless girls and women across the world, the ideal person to open the international conference, ‘Building the Resilience of Women and Girls in the Arab Region (‘Malala Yousufzai will be key speaker at Sharjah conference’, Gulf News, October 12). It is a prestigious reward for a young woman. The organisers of the conference deserve a bouquet for choosing the right person for the right place.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Mala, India
Memory will live on
Thailand’s King Bhumibol might have passed, but his memory will live on for a very long time (‘He was the soul of our nation’, Gulf News, October 15). We can say this from not only the Thai nationals, but also from those of us who used to live in Thailand in the past and by those non-Thai who still reside there.
From Ms Maxene Dodds
UAE
Facebook comment
My sympathies
It was a sad day, indeed. I sympathise with the Thai people and the royal family. May His Majesty King Bhumibol rest in peace.
From Ms Fawzia Halim Rahman
London, UK
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A tough choice for Americans
What Russian President Vladimir Putin is saying is actually true (‘Putin ally tells Americans: vote Trump or face nuclear war’, Gulf News, October 14). Hillary Clinton is a war monger and her history is proof of that. Sadly, Donald Trump being the only alternative is like having to choose between whether you want to die by falling off a cliff or by drowning. My only thought would be that Trump might be a better option because he will be only taking the US down with him instead of Clinton taking the US and the half of the world along with it.
From Ms Dana Sanders
UAE
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More war?
This woman was part of the destruction of Libya when she was Secretary of State. If she wins this Presidential election, we will see more wars on a huge scale. I think we need to say ‘yes’ to Trump.
From Mr Yaseen Sahipa
UAE
Facebook comment
Coping under pressure
There certainly is a huge risk that Clinton will push war on mankind at every opportunity. She has been publicly humiliated by her husband. Any psychologist would say that the damage done to her psyche will make her a huge risk to have control of weapons of mass destruction.
From Mr Kevin Henson
Angouleme, France
Facebook comment
Controversial pasts
It’s up to Americans to vote. Putin has his own motives, but the people of the US should judge the past of candidates for presidential election before making a decision.
From Mr Ahmal Farooq
UAE
Facebook comment
Tough policies
Putin is scared of Clinton because he knows she will send boots on the ground in Syria. Putin knows that if Clinton wins she will not be a dove like US President Barack Obama has been. She will push tougher policies.
From Mr Ashfaq Al Deen Ahmad
UAE
Facebook comment
School Home Work
It is the right time to erase homework in UAE schools. Carrying heavy bags with lots of notebooks, textbooks and other material is really a burden for students. Class work and friendly curricula can help the students towards their bright future. Homework can be kept only for one or two subjects per night, but not more.
From Mr M. A. Mannan
Abu Dhabi
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