The former defense secretary said the United States could end up
spending up to $2 trillion in Iraq, Middle East Newsline reporte. He said stability in Iraq during a U.S.
withdrawal would determine the attitude of GCC states toward Washington.
"For me, it's not so important when we leave but how we leave," Cohen
said, "whether we leave Iraq in a condition of relative stability, or
whether we leave Iraq prematurely in a state of chaos and allow that chaos
to spread. It will affect our credibility."
Cohen said GCC states, including Saudi Arabia, have sought U.S.
assistance to ensure security in the Gulf region. He warned that Gulf Arab
states were willing to buy weapons from other countries — particularly
Britain, China and Russia — should Congress vote against a proposed $20
billion U.S. arms package to the GCC.
"I think it would be a mistake to reject that," Cohen, regarded as a
leading U.S. arms lobbyist in the Gulf, said. "It's quite clear that others
are willing to move into the region."
