-Caveat Lector- Six Gulf nations sign defense pact, first for region By ADNAN MALIK The Associated Press 12/31/00 5:22 AM MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) -- Six Persian Gulf nations signed the region's first defense pact, pledging to come to each other's aid in case of attack, a Bahraini official said. The agreement among the Gulf Cooperation Council nations also envisions an early warning system and an expanded rapid deployment force, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. A communique outlining the pact was expected to be issued later Sunday at the close of the two-day council summit. The council states -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates -- have been discussing an accord that would label outside aggression against one member country as aggression against all. They have also discussed an early warning system whose purpose would be to guard against missiles fired from Iraq or Iran. Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait sparked the Gulf War, and the United Arab Emirates is locked in a territorial dispute with Iran. The cost of the early warning system has been estimated at $70 million, while a project to link the armies of the six countries in one communication network would cost about $80 million. Council members GCC members also have considered increasing the number of soldiers in a rapid deployment force formed in 1986 from 5,000 to 22,000. The Gulf Cooperation Council was formed in 1981 as a loose political, economic and military alliance. All six countries in the group rely largely on protection from the United States and other Western allies. Copyright 2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
