Al- Qabas: Gulf states don't mind attack on Iraq, just don't partition it
Gulf-Iraq, Politics, 9/14/2002

The Kuwaiti daily al- Qabas on Friday quoted well informed sources as saying that the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are carrying to the meeting with the US Secretary of State Colin Powell a united position based on their commitment to Iraq's territorial unity and the need that any military measure will not result in dismantling Iraq or dividing it.

According to the same sources, American officials conveyed to Arab and Gulf sides that the partition of Iraq will not take place, and what is wanted is liberating the Iraqi people from its regime because of the danger he constitutes to the Iraqis first and to the region as a whole, secondly.

The sources made links between the American message of assurances not to partition Iraq to change the attitude of certain important countries in the region towards striking Iraq.

In this framework, Arab diplomatic sources did not rule out that Iraq will resort to the policy of "turning the table upside down politically on the USA" by allowing at the last moment the return back of the UN weapons inspectors.

The sources said that no Iraqi behavior can be predicted, noting that making such a step would embarrass the US and its allies in the region, and the issue is not only related to the mass destruction weapons and the implementation of UN resolutions only, rather no one has confidence in the credibility of this regime. And by the ultimate end, the Iraqi regime will not escape this time even it approves every thing the US is asking for.

On its vision for Iraq in the aftermath of an attack which has become more likely evident, these sources said that the US greatly depends on the role of the military establishment in Iraq, and that there are continued meetings between the Iraqi army officers living in exile, besides contacts with other army officers inside Iraq.

The sources also indicated the coordination currently taking place between the American administration and the higher council for the Islamic revolution in Iran.

Previous Stories:
  Gulf states suggest return of UN; diplomacy ends crisis with Iraq   (9/4/2002)
  Iraq has good relations with most Arab Gulf states, minister says   (1/10/2002)
  Iraq threatens Kuwait and Saudi Arabia   (2/20/2001)

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