Sir, - I write to mark a terrifying fact. Over 600 families have now suffered for over 2,500 days desperate for news of those loved ones who were illegally taken by Saddam Hussein's troops during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
As most of us contemplate summer vacations, 600 families cannot even lay the memories of their loved ones to rest. Rather, they live with a daily diminishing light of hope that their fathers, mothers, brothers and sons may one day return to their arms.
Despite the best efforts of the United Nations, the ICRC and various humanitarian organisations, the Iraqi regime continues to ignore the simple request of these families for news of the fate of their loved ones.
Please let us not forget them.
It is imperative that the international community maintains pressure on the Iraqis to release these innocents, or at least those who still live, in accordance with the UN resolutions.
It is said that time heals everything, but without knowledge there can be no period of grieving and the suffering for these families will never end unless Saddam Hussein relents. - Yours, etc.,Khaled Al-Duwaisan,
Ambassador of Kuwait, Knightsbridge, London.