ABU DHABI Ñ 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.