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New base ready in Kuwait for additional U.S. forces

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, July 25, 2002

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.

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