Part 2: Kuwait's Origins and Military Readiness: (Iraqi Point of View):

                        “Iraqi Point of View of the Causes of the Iraq/Kuwait War” :

                        Part 2: Kuwait’s Origins and Military Readiness:

     Kuwait has always seemed to rely upon a western power not only for its creation, but also for its continued existence.  British Imperialism was responsible for concluding a protectorate agreement with the Al-Sabah family, Kuwait’s ruling dynasty in 1899.  Britain according to Wikipedia, assumed the responsibility for Kuwait’s foreign affairs.  Kuwait stays loosely connected to the Ottoman Empire until 1913, when Britain in the Anglo-Ottoman Convention splits Kuwait from the Ottoman Empire and recognizes it as a separate Sheikdom under British protection.  Gulf war expects this situation continues until 1961 when the British relinquish control of Kuwait’s foreign relations.  One week later, according to www.acig.org., Iraq declares that Kuwait is part of Iraq.  Kuwait according to agreement with Britain asks for help.  England immediately sends combat planes followed by an aircraft carrier and combat troops.  This action by England stops any attempt by Iraq to follow through on its threat.

     Iraq has no choice but to accept the reality of  kuwait’s existence for the moment while it awaits an opportunity in the future to retake Kuwait.  A country that exists only because Britain wanted to keep Iraq weakened so that British influence in the Middle East would not be challenged.  Kuwait after 1961 incident commits to the creation of armed forces.  This is done primarily with British help until the late 1970’s.  Kuwait is initially armed by a variety of weak nations selling weapons, British planes and army weapon, French planes and Indian tanks, etc. The weapons purchased often require a level of training and expertise that Kuwait does not have.  Initially many of the purchased weapons have to be maintained by foreign experts.

     Kuwait by 1970 has an army of only 4,500 men organized into a brigade group with 50 tanks and a battery of Howitzers.  They also have an air force of 900 men, this according to www.acig.org. March, 1973, border skirmishes break out with Iraqi forces.  Baghdad tried to force Kuwait into conceding area opposite new Iraqi naval base at Omm Ol-Quar.  This new threat makes it evident to Kuwait need for a modernized air force.  Kuwait continues to purchase weapons from a variety of supplies until 1987.  “Kuwait becomes increasingly associated with the U.S.A.  for its defense needs, ordering 32 F/A-18C single seat and 8 F/A-18D’s, two seaters.  The U.S. also begins to provide support systems for the weapons systems.

     Kuwait’s Air Force was to be best equipped of all armed forces; this was decided upon for several reasons.  The Al-Sabah family always relied upon help from outside powers if threatened and army was kept small and relatively poorly trained as a precaution against a military coup.  As of 1989, the army still primarily using British Equipment, the first of newly ordered military vehicles was due to arrive in the Autumn of 1990.  The Kuwaiti Army was a logistical nightmare according to www.acig.org., requiring a sizable foreign liason teams to be stationed in Kuwait and a considerable number of foreign instructors, a small team of U. S. Liason Office, Kuwait (U.S.L.O.C.) was in place focusing on logistical support.

     Iraq, if they were going to take Kuwait by force had to be aware that given time, Kuwait would become more formidable.  A window of opportunity would soon close when Kuwait could be conquered with minimal force.  A decision to invade must have been made based upon this information no matter what concessions many have been offered at the last minute.  The decision to take Kuwait by force had probably already been made.

                                                            Works Cited:

1. http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article213.shtml.