How Other Nations Stand on Invading Iraq.
Via [Blog Left: Critical Interventions]
This is adapted from a Newsweek article — the article itself, much larger, outlines the dilemma of Secretary of State Colin Powell vis a vis Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld– see the whole article
Unlike the Gulf War, another full-scale U.S. attack on Iraq appears to lack the support of most Western allies and, more importantly, Iraq’s neighbors and key Arab states.
Here’s how the key nations have lined up so far on the issue of an Iraqi “regime changeâ€Â:
With the U.S.
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Israel: A firm supporter of the U.S. policy to oust Saddam Hussein, the government has urged President Bush not to delay military action. Meantime, the Israeli public is being prepared for retaliatory Iraqi missile attacks in the event of an American attack.
Britain: Prime Minister Tony Blair has emerged as Washington’s strongest U.S. ally in Europe. Despite skepticism among the British public and within his own Labor Party about his pro-U.S. advocacy, Blair has warned that Saddam Hussein faces military action if he continues to defy U.N. demands for the return of weapons inspectors.
Arab opposition
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Egypt: President Hosni Mubarak says there is not enough evidence to justify military action.
Jordan: King Abdullah has campaigned against a military strike and said Jordan will not allow U.S. troops to operate from its territory.
Saudi Arabia: A key ally during the Gulf War, the kingdom has rejected any role in a new campaign.
Syria: Damascus, while no friend of Saddam Hussein, is opposed to U.S. action.
May support the U.S.
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Australia: The government has promised to give “serious consideration†to a request for military help from the United States.
Bahrain: Headquarters of the Navy’s 5th fleet, the tiny Persian Gulf island is already home to more than 4,000 U.S. troops. The government, while officially opposed to military action against Iraq, is expected to allow the U.S. to operate from its bases in the country.
Kuwait: No friend of Saddam Hussein, Kuwait has expressed reservations about a U.S. attack but would likely help in the event of military action. There already are thousands U.S. Army soldiers are based in Camp Doha near Kuwait City.
Qatar: Although officially opposed to an attack, the government has permitted the United States to rapidly upgrade its al Udeid air base over the past year. Commander of U.S. Central Command Tommy Franks has said the base is being developed for “times of crisis.”
Turkey: NATO member and Iraq neighbor, the government is worried about the fallout from a “regime change†in Baghdad, especially when it comes to the separatist aspirations of restless Kurds in northern Iraq and Turkey.
Other opposition
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Canada: Unlikely to join a U.S.-led invasion unless proof emerges that Saddam Hussein plans to attack the Western world.
China: Opposes military action, demands the return of U.N. weapons inspectors to Iraq.
Germany: The government, in the midst of an election battle, has been loudest among the European allies in criticizing U.S. plans.
India: Opposes armed action against any country, “more particularly with the avowed purpose of changing a regime.â€Â
Iran: Tehran is strongly opposed to U.S. plans.
Pakistan: Claims that invading Iraq will unlease a “holy war” in rest of Middle East
Russia: Moscow staunchly opposes U.S. action and has recently improved its own relations with the Iraqi government.
United Nations: Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged the United States to resist attacking Iraq.