ABU DHABI Ñ Kuwait has disclosed a plan to maintain oil
production amid a U.S.-led war against Iraq.
Officials said the emergency plan calls for oil production and export in
coordination with Kuwaiti allies, particularly Saudi Arabia. They said the
plan is meant to guarantee exports to Kuwait's client regardless of threats
to the sheikdom's oil facilities and shipping routes in the Persian Gulf.
Officials said they have imposed measures to increase security around
Kuwaiti oil facilities, Middle East Newsline reported. In 1991, Iraq blew up more than 700 Kuwaiti oil
wells.
"I cannot go into the details of this plan, but I can guarantee that
production will continue," Kuwaiti Oil Minister Ahmed Al Fahd Al Sabah said.
"Exports will continue and production of fuel needed locally and for export
will continue. And I believe we can also meet the commitments we made to our
clients abroad."
The plan is also said to address the prospect that speed boats filled
with explosives would try to ram into Kuwaiti oil facilities in the Persian
Gulf. Officials cite Al Qaida's use of such attacks on shipping around Yemen
and
said air and sea patrols have been increased to guard against such a
possibility.
