CNN LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE August 7, 2002
Plans for a Strike Against Iraq
 Al Udeid Airbase, Qatar Picture of the Week |
DOBBS: CNN has learned that Pentagon planning for a possible attack against Iraq is based on either limited access or no access at all to bases in Saudi Arabia. But the U.S. military does expect to be allowed to fly over Saudi Arabia. Senior Pentagon correspondent Jaime McIntyre reports from the Pentagon.
MCINTYRE: Well, Lou, today, the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud, said in a statement to the Associated Press that his government doesn't want the U.S. to use, quote, "any Saudi grounds for an attack against Iraq." That is consistent with Saudi Arabia's policy that any regime change in Iraq should be the result of internal action in Iraq, not outside military force.
While in the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Saudi Arabia was a key ally hosting over half a million U.S. troops. The Pentagon is insisting this time around, it won't be a problem to go without Saudi's help.
DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: It is true with all the countries in the coalition that have been helping us with the global war on terror and who helped in other activities. I think it is generally best for them to say first what they would like to say about how they're assisting and that's fine.
MCINTYRE: Now, Pentagon sources say that the war planning includes plans for either limited access or perhaps even no access to Saudi bases. At this base, seen in the satellite picture in Qatar, the U.S. is setting up an alternate command center in case they need to use a command center outside of Saudi Arabia. However, the U.S. would rather use the one in Saudi Arabia, and they're still expecting to get the nod from Saudi Arabian officials to use that command center at the Prince Sultan Air Base, where they have much more bandwidth.
In addition, the U.S. would absolutely have to have overflight rights, the ability to fly over Saudi Arabia, even if it didn't base planes there. And the U.S. is also expecting that it would be able to get some logistical support from Saudi Arabia, perhaps even basing for spy planes or refueling planes. But the Pentagon insists a couple of things. One is still no decision for President Bush to attack Iraq. There has been no request of Saudi Arabia made at this point. And the U.S. is confident if and when the time comes, it will get the help it needs from Saudi Arabia, even though it was not likely to be the same contribution from last time around, including last time, Lou, a lot of money from Saudi Arabia to help fund the effort.
DOBBS: Jamie, presumably, this president, this Congress would not approve an attack against Iraq unless they were a clear and present danger to the United States' national security. What would be the reason that the Saudis would reject the use of those bases?
MCINTYRE: Well, the Saudi royal family is very concerned about its own future. And the closer it seems to be to the United States, the more concerned they are about an uprising from their own population. The Saudi government has always tried to -- the ruling royal family always tried to walk a delicate line assisting the United States. The Saudi message to the United States has always been, "we'll help you if you need us, we'll be there, but don't ask us unless you really need it because it causes us problems in our own country." And the U.S. understands that.
© 2002 Cable News Network LP, LLLP.
