Iraq concerned about nearby Kuwait port

Iraq concerned about nearby Kuwait port    Iraq is asking Kuwait to suspend work on a seaport on Bubiyan Island, because of concern it may affect Iraq shipping, according to a report from Voice of America.
   A report on the radio service’s Web site said the two countries exchanged statements on Wednesday about the issue.
   “Iraqi spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh released a statement Wednesday saying his government has asked Kuwait to stop construction of the Mubarak Port on Bubiyan Island until it could assure Iraq that Iraqi navigation and shipping lanes would not be affected,” VOA reported.
   “Kuwait’s al-Siyasa newspaper quoted a government spokesman Wednesday as saying Kuwait intends to press on with building the port,” the Web site said.
   VOA said Iraq has “expressed concern that the Kuwaiti megaport project could hamper business at Iraq’s planned Grand Faw port,” a $4 billion facility that Iraq is planning on its Faw peninsula.”
   Both ports would share the Khor Abdullah waterway.