Rumsfeld in Qatar: our interests in the area not limited to oil
Qatar-USA, Politics, 12/13/2002

The US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld has denied that oil is the driving force behind Washington's policy in the Middle East and its fight against terrorism. He called for patience over the Iraqi announcement on weapons. He made his remarks during his inspection yesterday of the American leadership center in Qatar which might be used in case an attack is waged against Iraq.

Rumsfeld said addressing the forces at the headquarters of the American central forces outside the Qatari capital Doha that "there are many in the world who believe that oil is our interest in the Middle East and that a large part of what is taking place in the war against terrorism relates to oil.. I am not one of those." He added that this is a misunderstanding that the interests of the USA in this part of the world starts and is limited to oil. saying "It is not correct." Rumsfeld continued talking to one of the 400 American troops who asked him about the Iraqi document (regarding Iraq's weapon's programs) "I think it is not in the right place to give my view on that. only time discloses this matter."

In his speech to the soldiers gathered at al-Seleyah base near Doha, Rumsfeld talked about fighting terrorism more than he spoke about the issue of Iraq.

Rumsfeld arrived yesterday morning in the base and met with the leader of the American central leadership commander Gen. Tommy Francs who is in charge of leading the Internal Look military exercises.

Rumsfeld had signed with the Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani on Wednesday an agreement that gives an official cover for the American military presence in Qatar.

In an interview held with him from Doha with the CNN, Rumsfeld said "it is clear that the Iraqis have mass destruction weapons. The question is not if they have mass destruction weapons or not, adding: The question is if the Iraqi government had taken a decision that the game is over and it has to abide by UN resolution and disclose what it has and take part in the inspection operation carried out by the UN.

Previous Stories:
  American simulated maneuvers in Qatar   (12/10/2002)
  American- British military maneuvers in Qatar   (12/5/2002)
  American maneuvers in Qatar   (10/31/2002)

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