“ The U.S, Starts Countdown of Attack”

▽ Preparation for starting war by the U.S and the U.K = The British newspaper Daily Telegraph reported on 13th that Britain would send advance forces to Kuwait after 24th, when meeting of Parliament regarding attack on Iraq gets over.

The newspaper delivered that the 30,000 troops of British army would be sent, however, it didn’t mention the completion time of sending the army.

The newspaper prospected that attack on Iraq would be difficult to begin this year as it will take more than three months for British tanks to enter Kuwait.

It is reported that the U.S is carrying out training programs, preparing against war on Iraq such as sending F16 fighters, which were there in Turkey Incirlik Air force base, towards territorial sky of Iraq which is a restricted flying zone.

As well as it has instructed its special forces of Navy to be ready for action.

The U.S. is going to send representatives to Moscow in one or two weeks in order to explain about attack on Iraq to Russia.

Russian Vice-minister, Georgi Mamedof stated on 12th that the U.S is going to send representatives to several nations including Russia to muster international support regarding attack on Iraq, but its exact time for sending representatives is not decided yet.

▽ Concern of Europe = European nations consider President Bush’s mentioning of matter regarding Iraq in U.N. as positive, however, they are concerned that war would start finally.

Chief of EU, Romano Prodi said, “We should fight against terrorism, however, military action without decision of U.N. Security Council can’t be a solution.”

Sweden Prime Minister, Yeran Person said, “We admit the right of self-defense of the U.S, but, it doesn’t mean that the U.S has a blank check so that it can behave on its own, ignoring international law.”

French press and politics considered U.N speech of President Bush as ‘countdown of attack on Iraq’ and cleared its stance to reject attack on Iraq repeatedly.

▽ Resistance of Iraq = Iraq public satellite channel protested against speech of President Bush, saying, “Invasion of Iraq will light up uncontrollable fire and the U.S will pay a high price.”

The Iraqi U.N. Ambassador, Mohammad Al Duri pointed out that President Bush couldn’t present evidence regarding development of WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) by Iraq and said, “If we are attacked, we will conduct the right of self-defense.”

Qatar minister of foreign affairs, Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir Al-Thani, objected the U.S one-sided attack, saying that in case of war on Iraq, stability of the whole Middle East would be destroyed.

He said, “ We haven’t received any request for using our base by the U.S. and if the U.S requests, we will discuss carefully”, regarding prospect of U.S using the base in Qatar, while attacking Iraq.

Ki-Heung Han eligius@donga.com