“There Are Not Many Countries That Can Help America”

The Financial Times reported on the 15th that unlike the Gulf War in 1991, there wouldn’t be many countries to send troops or economical support to help America in case of war against Iraq.

Out of the 60~70 billion-dollar (about 72~84 trillion won) war expenses during the Gulf War, the American portions was only 12~14 billion dollars (around 14~17 trillion won), which was just 20% of the total. The rest was paid by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Japan, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Korea (in ranks of amount they paid).

However, the situation has changed, now. This allied countries already sent their troops in Afghanistan or the Balkan Peninsular, and they are difficult to pay the war expenses due to an economical slump. This paper predicted, therefore, America must pay a good portion of the war expenses of the Iraqi War, which was calculated to be 50~100 billion dollars (around 60~120 trillion won).

Japan was the major source of the fund during the Gulf War, but they cannot do the ‘check-book diplomacy’ any more due to an economical slump. She even has a restriction not to put step on any kind of war because of its constitution, but the political burden that the dispatching of troops might bring is also big.

Although Saudi Arabia was the biggest support to America during the Gulf War (16.8 billion dollars, around 20 trillion won), but they do not have the ‘ammunition’ now. And there is a big critical public opinion about the Government`s state to tolerate the station of the US Forces.

Germany out of the European countries already declared that they could start the war regardless of the UN Resolution. And Germany and France are getting pressure from other member countries of the EU to keep the EU Growth Stability Agreement (keeping the financial red-inks of the Government under 3% of the GDP), so they do not have any financial reserves.

The only country that has a similar situation to the Gulf War is the UK. The UK is watching for a chance to attack Iraq by saying the Resolution of the UN Security Council is giving the use of forces the lawfulness.

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