Posted on 07/26/2002 2:49:51 PM PDT by flamefront
ABU DHABI ? The United States has completed a new base in Kuwait as part of plans for an expanded military presence in the sheikdom.
The base will be located in southern Kuwait and comprises the second to be deployed by the U.S. Central Command in the nation. The command now uses Camp Doha, which is said to contain up to 10,000 troops as well as fighter-jets and tanks.
Additional U.S. troops are expected to arrive at the new base by September as Washington begins to withdraw soldiers from Afghanistan.
Kuwaiti Defense Minister Jabber Mubarak Al Sabah said the new base is virtually completed, Middle East Newsline reported. He said the base lacks only an electricity link.
The base will be used for U.S. combat operations, Mubarak said. He said the new facility belongs to the Kuwaiti military but the United States will be allowed to use the base.
The United States is helping Kuwait bolster its military presence along its southern border.
Kuwaiti sources said the sheikdom has cooperated with U.S. preparations for a war against Iraq. The sources said the sheikdom has resigned itself to
the prospect that it will be the main launching pad for any ground attack against Iraq.
On Wednesday, the Kuwaiti Cabinet formally began discussions to prepare for any U.S.-led attack on Iraq. The Kuwait Al Rai Al Aam daily reported on Thursday that the discussions focused on emergency regulations that would be imposed.
The meeting was said to have included representatives of the Foreign Ministry and security agencies. Kuwait is said to be concerned about an Iraqi-led sabotage campaign against the sheikdom in case the United States strikes the Saddam regime. Kuwaiti sources said the most likely Iraqi target would be the huge oil fields in southern Kuwait.
I'm betting that we make some noise at the UN first. A half-hearted attempt to make our case for invasion before that august body of losers, just so we can say we did.
God bless my son and every other parents sons and daughters that will be a participant.
The United States has completed a new base...Lousy editing, but good news.The base will be located in...
Kuwaiti Defense Minister... said the new base is virtually completed...
There is little need to worry about loose lips, in the case of the military build up going on in the friendly arab countries. I was at one of these bases last July before it opened.
The arab talk shows were talking about our team. i couldn't understand much of what they were saying but, the words Americans and Chillers came through loud and clear. They were also telling the public that we were there to help them.
It is a treeless desert, you can't hide anything, and its all over their TV stations. What secret ?????
It's a decent read, but one thing that caught my eye and I'll share that here, were comments and quotes from Senator Biden:
"It is absolutely clear to me they have not made the case yet, and they know that. They haven't made it to the American people, they haven't made it to our allies, and they haven't made it to the region,"said Sen. Joseph Biden, a Delaware Democrat.Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, opens hearings on Iraq policy next week.
...snip...
Biden said that going after Hussein without congressional assent and public support "could be a career-ending move" for Bush. The president understands the risk, he said.
"I have specifically inquired about the prospect of an October surprise, and have been told there will not be an October surprise," Biden said.
Yeah ok Joe. Like they'd tell you anything that you could run out and blather to the press.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.