Cohen concludes visit to Kuwait, says US is free to strike Iraq

US Defense Minister William Cohen on Wednesday concluded his Gulf tour following his two-day visit to Kuwait during which he held talks with high-ranking Kuwaiti officials dealing with the latest developments in the region and military cooperation between Kuwait and the USA.

Cohen reiterated in a pre-departure statement his country's commitment and persistence over what he called "containing the Iraqi regime" and ensuring the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council's member states.

Cohen added that his country and Kuwait have agreed to develop bilateral military cooperation. He explained that an agreement was reached to establish a system for monitoring armaments.

Cohen continued that the US and British war planes have the total freedom to launch their operations in the Iraqi airspace in the northern and southern parts of Iraq.

Earlier in the day the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah, met with Cohen. Present at the meeting were the Kuwaiti Crown Prince and Premier Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah al-Sabah, Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad and Defense Minister Sheikh Salem al-Sabah.

Talks dealt with bilateral relations in the area of military cooperation between the two countries and the latest developments in the region.

After the Gulf War in 1991, Kuwait signed a 10-year defense agreement with the United States.