Kuwaiti new camp for UN forces: We will not oppose a unanimity to attack Iraq
Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 7/23/2002

Kuwait's Minister Of Defense Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Monday announced that his country will not take apposition position "to a likely international unanimity " on attacking Iraq to topple the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

The Kuwaiti minister noted that the American forces in Kuwait have completed a series of preparations in order to be deployed in new positions to the southern and northern part of the country near the Iraqi borders.

News reports quoted well-informed sources in the Arab Gulf area saying that the US is working to reinforce its positions in this oil-rich region including Qatar and Kuwait and that these moves have no "direct" links to its plan to topple the Iraqi President.

Jaber said that a new camp has become almost ready to receive the American forces in southern Kuwait, while western military sources said the camp will be ready within weeks, noting that four new military positions including tents and houses were established to the north of Kuwait near the Iraqi borders.

Sheikh Jaber said that the Americans are currently using "Doha camp," which they rent from the ministry of public works and construction, and that the new camp is owned by the Kuwaiti army, and will be put under the service of the American forces.

Replying to a question on Kuwait's position concerning the likely military attack against Iraq, the Kuwaiti minister said that his country will support the attack "if Iraq threatens us", stressing that that the Kuwaitis will not oppose the international unanimous position if there will be an international umbrella to cover the military attack.

Meantime, western officials said that certain members of the American administration believe that toppling Saddam Hussein "will help make a breakthrough in the Israeli- Palestinian conflict," noting that toppling Saddam Hussein will make the Arabs more "supportive for the American inclination in the region." On the other hand, Belgium's Minister of Foreign Affairs Louis Michel has called on Iraq to start "an effective dialogue" with the UN. This was expressed following Michael's meeting with Iraqi counterpart Naji sabri in Brussels on Monday.

Previous Stories:
  Iraqi movement on return of Kuwaiti property   (7/22/2002)
  Five Iraqis killed in an American attack   (7/20/2002)
  Baghdad: Vienna's talks achieved progress   (7/19/2002)
  Hussein: the US, allies will not be able to topple Iraq's regime   (7/18/2002)
  Al-Jarullahto al-Anbaa: Iraq still constitutes a threat for Kuwait   (7/15/2002)
  Iraq's FM in Belgium to discuss the return of UN weapons inspectors   (7/13/2002)
  Iraq appreciates Belgian stand on sanctions   (5/11/2002)

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