DATE=1/11/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244026
TITLE=KUWAIT / IRAQ (S&L UPDATE)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: TENSION IS RISING AS IRAQ AND ITS GULF NEIGHBORS EXCHANGE
THREATS AND CONDEMNATIONS. RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE
EAST BUREAU, KUWAIT HAS STEPPED UP ITS MILITARY READINESS IN CASE
OF AN IRAQI ATTACK.
TEXT: KUWAIT FEARS IT MAY ONCE AGAIN BE INVADED BY IRAQ.
KUWAIT'S DEFENSE MINISTER DECIDED AT AN EMERGENCY MEETING (LATE
SUNDAY) TO UPGRADE THE COUNTRY'S MILITARY READINESS IN CASE OF AN
IRAQI ATTACK.
A MILITARY SPOKESMAN IN KUWAIT SAID SOME ARMY UNITS HAVE BEEN
PLACED ON MAXIMUM ALERT. THE DEFENSE MINISTRY DID NOT GIVE
FURTHER DETAILS, BUT KUWAIT'S NEWS AGENCY STRESSED THE MILITARY
IS PREPARED TO CALL IN ITS RESERVES.
KUWAIT IS RESPONDING TO STATEMENTS FROM NEIGHBORING IRAQ THAT
SUGGEST THE GOVERNMENT IN BAGHDAD NO LONGER RESPECTS THE
U-N-ESTABLISHED BORDER BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS ESTABLISHED AFTER
THE GULF WAR.
ALSO CAUSING TENSION IN THE GULF IS IRAQ'S REFUSAL (MONDAY) OF A
SAUDI-SPONSORED PLAN TO EASE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON IRAQ. DEPUTY
PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ CALLED THE PROPOSAL INSINCERE AND
REITERATED ACCUSATIONS KUWAIT AND SAUDI ARABIA ARE RESPONSIBLE
FOR LAST MONTH'S WESTERN BOMBARDMENT OF IRAQ.
/// REST OPT FOR LONG ///
SAUDI OFFICIALS SAY THE PROPOSAL, WHICH IS BELIEVED TO HAVE COME
FROM SAUDI ARABIA'S KING FAHD, WILL BE DISCUSSED AT A MEETING OF
ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS SCHEDULED FOR LATER THIS MONTH.
IRAQ INVADED KUWAIT IN AUGUST 1990 AND OCCUPIED IT FOR
SEVEN-MONTHS BEFORE IT WAS LIBERATED IN THE GULF WAR.
TODAY, KUWAIT HAS AN ACTIVE MILITARY OF ONLY 20-THOUSAND TROOPS.
BUT AFTER THE GULF WAR, THE OIL-RICH MONARCHY SIGNED 10-YEAR
DEFENSE AGREEMENTS WITH THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA, FRANCE, AND
BRITAIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/RHE/RAE/JO
11-Jan-99 11:49 AM EST (1649 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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