An Iraqi newspaper on Friday derided Kuwait's defense minister for claiming that only stronger defense and economic ties with Washington would safeguard the emirate against a repeat of Iraq's August 2, 1990 invasion.
Sheikh Salem al-Sabah "wants to seduce the United States. But we do not understand why Washington needs this seduction," said Ath-Thawra, mouthpiece of the ruling Baath party.
"US military forces are (already) housed in Kuwait and US businesses are flexing their hegemony over the Arab oil riches in this American protectorate," the paper said.
"Sheikh Salem's words prove that, despite the unimaginable sums spent on Kuwait's military institution, it remains weak and incapable of resistance for more than two or three days.
"Sheikh Salem knows that Washington has transformed Kuwait into an arms depot to protect American and Zionist interests in the Arab world," it said.
Sheikh Salem said Tuesday that Kuwait had to link its military and business interests with US interests, like Taiwan and Israel, a move he claimed would "make Americans committed to defend Kuwait".
This would also allow the oil-rich state to be in a position to resist Iraq on its own for several days rather than the first few hours of the invasion a decade ago, he said.
"We don't have the numbers to face Iraq. If we hold the Iraqis for two or three days, it's excellent. We have to equip our military to help it stand for four or five days," before outside help arrives, Sheikh Salem said - BAGHDAD (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
