Gulf States Support

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GULF STATES SUPPORT

While officially against the war, most Gulf states are providing various

levels of assistance to US troops in the region.

By IWPR Staff

Washington last week ordered 60,000 more troops to the Gulf, bringing the

total allied fighting force in and around the Gulf to more than 300,000.

Despite anti-war sentiments, authorities are providing basing rights and

other support for the US forces, as follows:

BAHRAIN.

Headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. Although local media highlight

the close relationship between Bahrain and its "strategic allies" in the

West, government spokesmen deny that Bahraini territory will be used in

any military action against Iraq.

Bahrain initially supported a call by the United Arab Emirates for Saddam

Hussein's removal from power, but later backed the summit's "total

rejection of any attack on Iraq".

KUWAIT.

Headquarters of V Corps, the US Army force commanded by Lt. Gen. Scott

Wallace that will invade Iraq from the southern front. Kuwait also hosts

the 101st Airborne Division. The 101st, with backup from nearly 300

helicopters and 3,800 trucks, is key to a rapid war that will see the

near-simultaneous use of massive air bombardment and rapid ground attacks.

In all, some 160,000 US troops are currently on Kuwaiti soil.

Germany has almost 100 troops specialized in nuclear, chemical and

biological warfare deployed in Kuwait, backed by specialized armoured

vehicles that serve as laboratories on wheels. The troops were increased

from 60 to 90 at the end of February. Germany says the troops are part of

the international war on terrorism - not related to a possible war in

Iraq.

QATAR.

Hosts the United States' Central Command operations and the HQ of the

invasion commander, Gen. Tommy Franks. An air base bear the capital, Doha,

will serve as a launching pad for air strikes.

SAUDI ARABIA.

Saudi Arabia was the launch pad for war on Iraq in 1991 and since then the

US has had base facilities and troops stationed at Prince Sultan air base

at al-Kharj, south of the capital, Riyadh. Fearing retaliation from

Islamic fundamentalists linked to Osama bin Laden, Saudi Arabia's public

position is that it opposes war against Iraq and Saudi soil will not be

used as a springboard for attacks on Iraq.

But US officials have said Saudi Arabia is ready to allow US forces to

make greater use of Saudi facilities than it can acknowledge publicly. The

officials have said the kingdom will permit refuelling, surveillance and

battlefield radar aircraft to use Saudi airfields.

The Washington Post reported that the US and Saudi Arabia have a "tacit

agreement" that will allow the US to conduct bombing missions from Saudi

soil as long as no public announcement is made. Foreign Minister Prince

Saud al-Faisal denied the report.

There are no details of the exact number of US forces in Saudi Arabia.

However, the Washington-based Saudi Information Agency has said several

hundred US soldiers have arrived at Arar airport, only 15 kilometers from

the Iraqi border, together with Galaxy aircraft carrying heavy equipment

"apparently to be used in an eventual war against Iraq".

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.

UAE President Zayed ibn Sultan an Nahayan generated a proposal, floated at

the recent Arab summit in Egypt, for Saddam Hussein to leave power

voluntarily. The UAE does not host US troops.