HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/09/24/nirq224.xml&sSheet=/news/2002/09/24/ixnewstop.html Daily Telegraph September 24, 2002 Military build-up in Gulf continues By David Rennie in Washington -The operations are being backed by special forces and a significant increase in air and naval firepower. -In one example of stealth deployment, defence department and military officials told the New York Times that "handfuls" of Special Operations troops are to be temporarily loaned to the CIA. Giving civilian status to these elite troops, used for operations behind enemy lines, will allow the Pentagon to deny that uniformed personnel are in action in Iraq. -Britain has been asked to allow permission to base B-2 stealth bombers at its Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. A stealthy build-up of American forces in the Gulf is well under way, as commanders use the cover of "training exercises" to send thousands of US Marines and ground forces to the region, it was reported yesterday. The operations are being backed by special forces and a significant increase in air and naval firepower. As President George W Bush continues his campaign to secure congressional and diplomatic backing for Saddam Hussein's overthrow, military commanders are making sure they will be ready for war - while still being able to deny that a final decision has been taken. In recent days, a string of administration and defence officials have leaked details about preparations for war in what appears to be a campaign to build a sense that military action is inevitable. The White House confirmed at the weekend that Mr Bush was recently handed a set of options for action against Iraq. The US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, appeared to confirm leaked reports that the focus of any US attack would be Saddam's military and security machine - not civilians. The steady drumbeat of war seems designed to undercut sceptics. The torrent of leaks, which may well include deliberate disinformation, is also aimed at Iraqi commanders, whom Washington hopes will abandon Saddam. In one example of stealth deployment, defence department and military officials told the New York Times that "handfuls" of Special Operations troops are to be temporarily loaned to the CIA. Giving civilian status to these elite troops, used for operations behind enemy lines, will allow the Pentagon to deny that uniformed personnel are in action in Iraq. Britain has been asked to allow permission to base B-2 stealth bombers at its Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. With Saudi Arabia - the key forward base for US forces in the 1991 Gulf War - proving an uncertain ally now, steps are being taken to complete a command centre in Qatar. __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo! http://sbc.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
