Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=04/22/03

TYPE=SPECIAL REPORT

TITLE=US MILITARY - IRAQ

NUMBER=9-31

BYLINE=WILLIAM CHIEN

DATELINE=KUWAIT CITY

INTRO: A growing number of voices in the Middle East are asking the U.S. to withdraw from Iraq, sooner rather than later. On the other hand, the U.S. maintains it's there to liberate Iraq. In Kuwait City, VOA's William Chien asked two military specialists to help us understand why the perceptions differ so greatly.

TEXT: Professor Lin Changsheng is a military specialist at the Claremont Institute in the United States. On sabbatical in Kuwait, Mr. Lin says he believes the Islamic and Western civilizations are engaged in a long-term ideological struggle. The divide is one reason countries in the Persian Gulf cannot publicly support a long-term American military presence in Iraq. Kuwait is perhaps the sole exception because the United States came to its rescue in the early 1990s. Mr. Lin adds that Iraq's geography are militarily and economically significant.

/// ACT LIN ///

The physical position of Iraq is rather good. From the north you can attack the Mediterranean Sea, from the west you can threaten the Suez Canal, from the east you control Iran. But can the U.S. actually maintain a military base in Iraq?

///ACT END///

Whether the U.S. would be able to maintain a military presence in Iraq could depend on the success of the reconstruction effort. If Iraq's new government and the people are satisfied, they might wind up tolerating a U.S. military base on their soil.

Professor Lin does not believe the stance of the Kuwaiti government is etched in stone. It, too, could change. When Saddam Hussein was hanging over them, Kuwait was happy to have an U.S. military base on its soil. But if relations with the new Iraq become strong, Kuwait's attitude could change.

Does anyone doubt that the U.S. wants a military base in Iraq? Rouhy Beaobki, a professor in the Department of International Politics at Lebanon International University, feels that the U.S. may think the price tag of a base in Iraq might be too high. Mr. Beaobki points out that current U.S. rhetoric clearly says they intend to build a new government and then pull out their troops. If they don't, the war in Iraq will have lost its meaning. He adds that before U.S. troops leave Iraq they have the important task of rebuilding Iraq's military.

/// ACT BEAOBKI ///

I think the Americans might repeat the German experience. They will rebuild the country.

/// ACT END///

Referring to America's role in post-Second World War Germany, Professor Beaobki believes that the modernized method of rebuilding Iraq requires importing massive amounts of wealth into Iraq at the same time exerting influence on the government and the military."

Mr. Beaobki is not one who fears the U.S. might overstay its welcome. On the contrary, he is afraid that after the U.S. pulls out, all the problems that epitomize the Middle East will resurface. (Signed)

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