UPDATE 2-Kuwaitis go to the polls, economy tops agenda

Reuters: [2008-05-17 16:36:00]

(Adds turnout, fresh quotes)

By Ulf Laessing and Rania El Gamal

KUWAIT, May 17 (Reuters) - Kuwaitis voted in a parliamentary election on Saturday that they hoped would bring in fresh faces able to bury political feuds and push through economic reforms.

Some 275 candidates are running for the 50-seat National Assembly, among them 27 women hoping for their first success after failing to win a single seat in 2006.

Women won the right to vote and stand for office in 2005 but face an uphill struggle attracting voters in a Gulf Arab country where many still believe a woman's place is in the home.

"I'm against women in parliament. I think everybody should stay in his place," said Samira al-Azm, a voter in her fifties.

Nearly 362,000 Kuwaitis, over half of them women, are eligible to vote, but polling got off to a slow start on a hot, dusty weekend. By noon an average 25.6 percent of voters had cast their ballots, state new agency KUNA said.

Kuwait's ruler, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, dissolved parliament in March to end a standoff with the cabinet that had delayed economic reforms aimed at preparing Kuwait for the era when its vast oil reserves run out.

The last assembly focused on questioning ministers over their conduct, forcing several to resign. The OPEC producer has yet to appoint an oil minister since the last quit in November.

Amid the political squabbles, reforms such as a bill to attract foreign investment were left on the back burner.

"I expect many of the old assembly not to make it. Their performance was not good enough. They were pursuing their own interests, not solving Kuwait's problems," said Hanaa, 33.

REFORM HOPES

Kuwait's bourse, the second-largest in the Arab world, rose after parliament was dissolved on hopes the new chamber would be more business-friendly but has since shed some of its gains.

"Investors now want to see some action," said Mustafa Behbehani, a director at Gulf Consulting Co in Kuwait.

The two-month campaign has been marred by protests, arrests and confusion after a new law redrew electoral districts to ensure a more balanced representation in a parliament that has tended to be dominated by Islamist blocs and tribal alliances.

Candidates have also been detained on vote-buying allegations and, under the new rules that have cut the number of constituencies from 25 to five, no one can predict who will win.

Analysts said the main Islamist and tribal blocs would do well in the enlarged districts where independents may struggle.

"They will enter the parliament. They are a big part of the society," said Amani Bouresli, a finance professor at Kuwait University. "But we expect a big change, almost 40-50 percent change, because of the five constituencies. There will a change in the faces but not in the formation of the assembly."

Kuwait, which sits on 10 percent of the world's oil, wants to wean its economy off energy exports and emulate the success of neighbours like Dubai and Bahrain which have transformed themselves into financial centres and tourist destinations.

Oil makes up over 90 percent of Kuwaiti government revenues and 55 percent of the gross domestic product in 2006, according to official data. That compares to 3 percent of GDP in Dubai.

Part of the problem is that ordinary Kuwaitis oppose reforms that would cut their benefits. They pay no taxes and are content with state jobs and handouts and free health and schools.

Many Kuwaitis are also fed up with a state which, despite its oil wealth, allows roads, hospitals and schools to crumble.

Reforms will be even harder to push through with global food prices rising and inflation at a record 9.5 percent in January. (for more Kuwait elections see factbox on reform [L17396506], factbox on political system [nL17415668] and facts on Kuwait [nL13895566]) (Editing by Lin Noueihed and Philippa Fletcher) ((+965 246 03 50, ulf.laessing.reuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: KUWAIT ELECTIONS/

UPDATE 2-Kuwaitis go to the polls, economy tops agenda

Reuters: [2008-05-17 16:36:00]

(Adds turnout, fresh quotes)

By Ulf Laessing and Rania El Gamal

KUWAIT, May 17 (Reuters) - Kuwaitis voted in a parliamentary election on Saturday that they hoped would bring in fresh faces able to bury political feuds and push through economic reforms.

Some 275 candidates are running for the 50-seat National Assembly, among them 27 women hoping for their first success after failing to win a single seat in 2006.

Women won the right to vote and stand for office in 2005 but face an uphill struggle attracting voters in a Gulf Arab country where many still believe a woman's place is in the home.

"I'm against women in parliament. I think everybody should stay in his place," said Samira al-Azm, a voter in her fifties.

Nearly 362,000 Kuwaitis, over half of them women, are eligible to vote, but polling got off to a slow start on a hot, dusty weekend. By noon an average 25.6 percent of voters had cast their ballots, state new agency KUNA said.

Kuwait's ruler, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, dissolved parliament in March to end a standoff with the cabinet that had delayed economic reforms aimed at preparing Kuwait for the era when its vast oil reserves run out.

The last assembly focused on questioning ministers over their conduct, forcing several to resign. The OPEC producer has yet to appoint an oil minister since the last quit in November.

Amid the political squabbles, reforms such as a bill to attract foreign investment were left on the back burner.

"I expect many of the old assembly not to make it. Their performance was not good enough. They were pursuing their own interests, not solving Kuwait's problems," said Hanaa, 33.

REFORM HOPES

Kuwait's bourse, the second-largest in the Arab world, rose after parliament was dissolved on hopes the new chamber would be more business-friendly but has since shed some of its gains.

"Investors now want to see some action," said Mustafa Behbehani, a director at Gulf Consulting Co in Kuwait.

The two-month campaign has been marred by protests, arrests and confusion after a new law redrew electoral districts to ensure a more balanced representation in a parliament that has tended to be dominated by Islamist blocs and tribal alliances.

Candidates have also been detained on vote-buying allegations and, under the new rules that have cut the number of constituencies from 25 to five, no one can predict who will win.

Analysts said the main Islamist and tribal blocs would do well in the enlarged districts where independents may struggle.

"They will enter the parliament. They are a big part of the society," said Amani Bouresli, a finance professor at Kuwait University. "But we expect a big change, almost 40-50 percent change, because of the five constituencies. There will a change in the faces but not in the formation of the assembly."

Kuwait, which sits on 10 percent of the world's oil, wants to wean its economy off energy exports and emulate the success of neighbours like Dubai and Bahrain which have transformed themselves into financial centres and tourist destinations.

Oil makes up over 90 percent of Kuwaiti government revenues and 55 percent of the gross domestic product in 2006, according to official data. That compares to 3 percent of GDP in Dubai.

Part of the problem is that ordinary Kuwaitis oppose reforms that would cut their benefits. They pay no taxes and are content with state jobs and handouts and free health and schools.

Many Kuwaitis are also fed up with a state which, despite its oil wealth, allows roads, hospitals and schools to crumble.

Reforms will be even harder to push through with global food prices rising and inflation at a record 9.5 percent in January. (for more Kuwait elections see factbox on reform [L17396506], factbox on political system [nL17415668] and facts on Kuwait [nL13895566]) (Editing by Lin Noueihed and Philippa Fletcher) ((+965 246 03 50, ulf.laessing.reuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: KUWAIT ELECTIONS/

UPDATE 2-Kuwaitis go to the polls, economy tops agenda

Reuters: [2008-05-17 16:36:00]

(Adds turnout, fresh quotes)

By Ulf Laessing and Rania El Gamal

KUWAIT, May 17 (Reuters) - Kuwaitis voted in a parliamentary election on Saturday that they hoped would bring in fresh faces able to bury political feuds and push through economic reforms.

Some 275 candidates are running for the 50-seat National Assembly, among them 27 women hoping for their first success after failing to win a single seat in 2006.

Women won the right to vote and stand for office in 2005 but face an uphill struggle attracting voters in a Gulf Arab country where many still believe a woman's place is in the home.

"I'm against women in parliament. I think everybody should stay in his place," said Samira al-Azm, a voter in her fifties.

Nearly 362,000 Kuwaitis, over half of them women, are eligible to vote, but polling got off to a slow start on a hot, dusty weekend. By noon an average 25.6 percent of voters had cast their ballots, state new agency KUNA said.

Kuwait's ruler, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, dissolved parliament in March to end a standoff with the cabinet that had delayed economic reforms aimed at preparing Kuwait for the era when its vast oil reserves run out.

The last assembly focused on questioning ministers over their conduct, forcing several to resign. The OPEC producer has yet to appoint an oil minister since the last quit in November.

Amid the political squabbles, reforms such as a bill to attract foreign investment were left on the back burner.

"I expect many of the old assembly not to make it. Their performance was not good enough. They were pursuing their own interests, not solving Kuwait's problems," said Hanaa, 33.

REFORM HOPES

Kuwait's bourse, the second-largest in the Arab world, rose after parliament was dissolved on hopes the new chamber would be more business-friendly but has since shed some of its gains.

"Investors now want to see some action," said Mustafa Behbehani, a director at Gulf Consulting Co in Kuwait.

The two-month campaign has been marred by protests, arrests and confusion after a new law redrew electoral districts to ensure a more balanced representation in a parliament that has tended to be dominated by Islamist blocs and tribal alliances.

Candidates have also been detained on vote-buying allegations and, under the new rules that have cut the number of constituencies from 25 to five, no one can predict who will win.

Analysts said the main Islamist and tribal blocs would do well in the enlarged districts where independents may struggle.

"They will enter the parliament. They are a big part of the society," said Amani Bouresli, a finance professor at Kuwait University. "But we expect a big change, almost 40-50 percent change, because of the five constituencies. There will a change in the faces but not in the formation of the assembly."

Kuwait, which sits on 10 percent of the world's oil, wants to wean its economy off energy exports and emulate the success of neighbours like Dubai and Bahrain which have transformed themselves into financial centres and tourist destinations.

Oil makes up over 90 percent of Kuwaiti government revenues and 55 percent of the gross domestic product in 2006, according to official data. That compares to 3 percent of GDP in Dubai.

Part of the problem is that ordinary Kuwaitis oppose reforms that would cut their benefits. They pay no taxes and are content with state jobs and handouts and free health and schools.

Many Kuwaitis are also fed up with a state which, despite its oil wealth, allows roads, hospitals and schools to crumble.

Reforms will be even harder to push through with global food prices rising and inflation at a record 9.5 percent in January. (for more Kuwait elections see factbox on reform [L17396506], factbox on political system [nL17415668] and facts on Kuwait [nL13895566]) (Editing by Lin Noueihed and Philippa Fletcher) ((+965 246 03 50, ulf.laessing.reuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: KUWAIT ELECTIONS/

China fights animal disease spread in quake areas

Reuters: [2008-05-17 15:52:00]

(Repeats to fix headline)

BEIJING, May 17 (Reuters) - An earthquake that killed at least 29,000 people in China also badly hurt livestock and crops in Sichuan province, and disinfection teams are spreading out to prevent more damage, officials said on Saturday.

The earthquake killed about 792,000 of Sichuan's estimated 60 million pigs, Li Jinxiang, head of the veterinary department at the Ministry of Agriculture, told reporters.

However, the number of breeding sows nationwide is up on last year, which could help stave off inflation, he told Reuters.

Rescue work is still going on for thousands buried in rubble after the May 12 quake, but with bodies in mass graves and water supplies disrupted, efforts now also include disinfection campaigns to prevent disease spreading among animals and people.

Poultry made up most of the 12.5 million birds and livestock killed by Monday's quake.

The quake has damaged infrastructure just ahead of the hot, humid summer, the peak season for diseases such as swine flu or blue ear pig disease, which decimated the hog population in 2007.

"Preventing disease is one of our largest responsibilities," Li said at a news conference in Beijing.

Li told Reuters the breeding sow population was now about 20 percent more nationwide than it was this time last year, when disease and poor profits discouraged breeding, helping to feed inflation which is now running at a nearly 12-year high.

The quake badly damaged fish farms and about 15 percent of vegetable production in the afflicted areas near the epicentre, the officials said. As many as 50,000 greenhouses were damaged.

Sichuan accounts for nearly 15 percent of China's rapeseed production, nearly 7 percent of summer grains and 5 percent of vegetables.

Although a national surplus of fertiliser should be able to make up for fertiliser plants damaged in industrial towns such as Shifang, damage to irrigation infrastructure would be harder to overcome, the officials said. Sichuan is releasing water from reservoirs to reduce pressure on weakened dams.

"Some rice paddies may have to be turned into dry fields this summer," said Wei Chaoan, vice minister of agriculture.

"Maybe, as this develops, many other problems will appear, including some we don't know about yet." (Reporting by Lucy Hornby; editing by Philippa Fletcher) ((lucy.hornby@thomsonreuters.com; +86 10 6627-1269; Reuters Messaging: lucy.hornby.reuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: QUAKE AGRICULTURE

Food supplies threatened by China quake

Reuters: [2008-05-17 15:34:00]

BEIJING, May 17 (Reuters) - An earthquake that killed at least 29,000 people in China also badly hurt livestock and crops in Sichuan province, and disinfection teams are spreading out to prevent more damage, officials said on Saturday.

The earthquake killed about 792,000 of Sichuan's estimated 60 million pigs, Li Jinxiang, head of the veterinary department at the Ministry of Agriculture, told reporters.

However, the number of breeding sows nationwide is up on last year, which could help stave off inflation, he told Reuters.

Rescue work is still going on for thousands buried in rubble after the May 12 quake, but with bodies in mass graves and water supplies disrupted, efforts now also include disinfection campaigns to prevent disease spreading among animals and people.

Poultry made up most of the 12.5 million birds and livestock killed by Monday's quake.

The quake has damaged infrastructure just ahead of the hot, humid summer, the peak season for diseases such as swine flu or blue ear pig disease, which decimated the hog population in 2007.

"Preventing disease is one of our largest responsibilities," Li said at a news conference in Beijing.

Li told Reuters the breeding sow population was now about 20 percent more nationwide than it was this time last year, when disease and poor profits discouraged breeding, helping to feed inflation which is now running at a nearly 12-year high.

The quake badly damaged fish farms and about 15 percent of vegetable production in the afflicted areas near the epicentre, the officials said. As many as 50,000 greenhouses were damaged.

Sichuan accounts for nearly 15 percent of China's rapeseed production, nearly 7 percent of summer grains and 5 percent of vegetables.

Although a national surplus of fertiliser should be able to make up for fertiliser plants damaged in industrial towns such as Shifang, damage to irrigation infrastructure would be harder to overcome, the officials said. Sichuan is releasing water from reservoirs to reduce pressure on weakened dams.

"Some rice paddies may have to be turned into dry fields this summer," said Wei Chaoan, vice minister of agriculture.

"Maybe, as this develops, many other problems will appear, including some we don't know about yet." (Reporting by Lucy Hornby; editing by Philippa Fletcher) ((lucy.hornby@thomsonreuters.com; +86 10 6627-1269; Reuters Messaging: lucy.hornby.reuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: QUAKE AGRICULTURE