This was the first time a senior U.S. representative provided figures on
the American military presence in the Middle East. Hagel said he was not
providing classified figures.
In 2003, the United States withdrew the air operations center of Central
Command from Saudi Arabia. But Central Command left an estimated 100
officers to continue training Saudi forces.
The U.S. military presence in Saudi Arabia has increased significantly
over the past 18 months amid projects to modernize the Saudi Arabian
National Guard and army. In 2006, Riyad requested about $10 billion worth of
platforms and upgrades from the United States and has been negotiating
another deal worth between $5 and $10 billion.
Hagel said the U.S. military has deployed 40 U.S. military personnel for
training exercises in Egypt. The United States has been organizing the
biannual Bright Star exercise, scheduled for the fall of 2007.
In the Sinai Peninsula, the U.S. military maintains a significant
presence in the Multinational Force and Observers, deployed since 1982. The
United States has supplied more than 700 troops.
Jordan contains 50 U.S. military trainers, Hagel said. The senator said
the United States has sought to maintain current military levels in the
Middle East.
"Of course we have interests in the Middle East," Hagel said. "But I
also never believed that those who say, 'Well, we're going to have a
significant military force presence in the Middle East for years to come.' I
don't believe that will be the case."
Hagel said the U.S. military maintains a presence in Bahrain, Kuwait,
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The senator said the Gulf Cooperation
Council
states would continue to host a small U.S. presence.
"But the so-called continental Middle East, the large countries of the
Middle East, I don't believe the Muslim populations will ever allow their
leaders to encamp large contingents of American or Western military forces
on their land," Hagel said.
"And I have some ambassadors here and generals here who served many
years in the Middle East, and they may have a whole different view of this,"
Hagel added. "But I, for example, spoke in some detail with three rather
significant Middle East ambassadors to the United States last week, and I
asked them about this. And that's what they told me. That will not
happen."
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