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Out of Iraq but not the Gulf, Baker group advises
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SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, December 8, 2006
WASHINGTON — The United States must maintain a significant military
presence in the Gulf, no matter what it does in Iraq the Iraq Study Group report said.
The report said the United States must continue its military
presence in the Gulf in wake of any withdrawal from Iraq. The bipartisan
panel cited U.S. deployment in such Gulf Cooperation Council states as
Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, Middle East Newsline reported.
"Even after the United States has moved all combat brigades out of
Iraq, we would maintain a
considerable military presence in the region, with our still significant
force in Iraq and with our powerful air, ground, and naval deployments in
Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, as well as an increased presence in
Afghanistan," the report said.
The report said GCC states, particularly Saudi Arabia, have been passive
during the insurgency war in Iraq. ISG reported that Riyad has not provided
political support to Sunnis in Iraq.
"Funding for the Sunni insurgency comes from private individuals within
Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, even as those governments help facilitate
U.S. military operations in Iraq by providing basing and overflight rights
and by cooperating on intelligence issues," the report said.
The report said GCC states have become increasingly concerned over
Iranian influence in Iraq. ISG said Gulf Arab states envision the prospect
of an uprising by their large Shi'ite communities.
"If the instability in Iraq spreads to the other Gulf states, a drop in
oil production and exports could lead to a sharp increase in the price of
oil and thus could harm the global economy," the report said.
Copyright © 2006 East West
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