Summary

                                                “Summary“

     The few public statements issued after July 24, 1994 stressed time and time again that the U.S.A. have no defense treaties or security commitments with Kuwait.1.  Events leading up to the use of United States forces before the actual fighting began to cause me to wonder how truthful the above statement is.  The United States ends up spending $61 - $71 billion dollars, and 550,000 troops to the effort.2.  The United States Congress in addition votes to authorize the use of American forces to push Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.

     Kuwait’s, head of security, Brigadier Fahd Ahmed Al-Fahd states subsequent to the Iraqi invasion, ‘We agreed with the American side that it was important to take advantage of the deteriorating economic situation in Iraq in order to put pressure on that country”.2.  U.S. Secretary of State, James Baker, in a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz, tries to hand a letter to Mr. Aziz from President Bush.  Mr. Aziz states he could not accept the letter, saying, “The language in the letter was not compatible with language between heads of state”.3.  Mr. Baker also goes in front of NATO and warns them that Iraq may attempt a partial pullout from Kuwait as a way to weaken the coalition.  Mr. Baker states strongly that, “ NATO endorses the American pullout by January 15, 1991, and is acceptable to the coalition”.3.

     United States actions prior to the Iraqi invasion and prior to the coalition attack to push Iraq out of Kuwait is consistent with a policy of how deep United States involvement contrary to U.S. statements  and U.S. actions show a deep commitment and/or involvement in Middle East affairs.  It is possible to conclude that the United States managed this crisis, and in the end benefited most by all that happened.

     Kuwait is encouraged to pressure Iraq by keeping oil prices low.  They do this by producing more oil than the OPEC quota calls for.  Kuwait starting in 1987 finds itself on the receiving end of American military technology and advisors.  Saudi Arabia feels vulnerable as a result of Iraqi actions.  Iraq threatens other Arab states who are perceived to be American allies.  United States Ambassador to Iraq is perceived by Iraq as giving a green light to Iraqi moves against Kuwait.  Iraq invades and occupies Kuwait and the United States then forms an international coalition to punish Iraq.

     United States Forces as a result of the above, is now in the Middle East in a big way.  Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Arab Emirates are forced to accept the fact that without a U.S. guarantee, their long term existence could be in question.  Iraq, Syria and/or Iran could be in a position to affect United States and its allies energy supplies, thus able to make a serious threat against the economies of the West.  This interference with world oil supplies has now been made more difficult with the active involvement of the United States.

     Prior to the Iraq aggression, it was almost impossible for the United States to put military forces in the Middle East.  This fact was mostly due to the United States support for Israel.  Most Arabs were strongly anti-American because of this Israeli support.  Arab governments had to be careful in how they were involved with the United States or they would find themselves being protested against.  Now, with Iraq’s aggression and Arab concern over Iran (Persia), it is almost impossible for the Middle East to see when U. S. forces will leave the area.

  

                                                            Works Cited:

1. http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article -213.shtml. Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait.
2.  
3. http://www.experts.about.com/e/g/gu/gulf-war.htm. Gulf War Experts.

4. http://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/18/world/standoff-in-the-gulf-a-partial-pullout-by-Iraq-is-feared-as-deadline-ploy.html. Confrontation in the Gulf as U.S. officials see it.