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Blanchard

Kuwait captures Iraqi spy suspects

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Thursday, September 27, 2001

ABU DHABI Ñ Kuwait has announced capture of suspected Iraqi agents who were alleged to have targeted U.S. installations in the sheikdom.

Kuwaiti sources said two Iraqi agents have been captured in the sheikdom on Sunday. The sources said the agents were ordered to recruit people in Kuwait to foment unrest in case of a U.S. attack on Iraq.

It was the first arrest of suspected Iraqi spies. Kuwaiti sources had reported an increase in Iraqi espionage activity in the sheikdom in June amid a rise in tension between the two countries.

The Kuwaiti Al Rai Al Aam daily said the Iraqi agents were ordered to target U.S. troops and military installations. The newspaper raised the prospect that additional arrests would be announced.

"We will disclose more details at a more appropriate time," the newspaper quoted Kuwaiti sources as saying.

Kuwait Ñ which hosts British and U.S. troops Ñ has offered to help Washington in efforts to form a U.S.-led coalition against terrorism in wake of the Sept. 11 suicide attacks on New York and Washington. Gulf diplomatic sources as well as U.S. officials have raised the prospect that Iraq could be a target in any U.S. retaliation.

For its part, Baghdad has accused Kuwait of attacking Iraqi nationals. Baghdad radio said Kuwaiti coast guard boats entered Iraqi waters and attacked fisherman.

In a separate development, Britain continued to bolster its forces in the Persian Gulf. On Tuesday, four British warships passed through the Suez Canal on their way to the Swift Sword-2 exercise with Oman. =

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