Berichten uit Koeweit en Bahrein over mogelijke oorlogsvoorbereidingen
Zoals altijd kunnen onderstaande persberichten deel uitmaken van psychologische oorlogsvoering en geen enkele verdere betekenis hebben. Het is immers zeer onwaarschijnlijk dat de betrokken regeringen (Koeweit en Bahrein) vermoedens van een aanval in de publiciteit zouden brengen. Daarom hebben deze berichten eerder de lading van een waarschuwing aan Iran.
Opmerkelijk is dat beide berichten op woensdag werden verspreid: vooral dat uit Bahrein is opmerkelijk, omdat het hoofdkwartier van de Amerikaanse Vijfde Vloot daar gesitueerd is. De aankomst van het Nimitz smaldeel (persbericht US Navy hieronder) betekent wel dat er tijdelijk (Eisenhower CSG vertrekt) drie vliegdekschipvloten aanwezig zijn, de officiële aanwezigheid van twee 'Carrier Strike Groups' is inmiddels normaal geworden. Onduidelijk is de locatie van de maanden geleden aangekondigde komst van amfibische smaldelen, of een aantal extra bommenwerpers die via Roemenië aanvlogen en misschien allang weer zijn vertrokken. Er wordt ook her en der gespeculeerd over de vliegtuigen op de Amerikaanse basis in Manas (Kyrgistan). (U.S. Plans to Attack Iran from US base in Kyrgyztan Denied - Nuclear Weapons in Central Asia Eurasia Daily Monitor, 08-05-2007)
Karel Koster
Naar bovenUSS Nimitz Strike Group Arrives in 5th Fleet
Story Number: NNS070508-15
Release Date: 5/8/2007 5:23:00 PM
From Nimitz Strike Group Public Affairs
USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations May 8 to conduct maritime security operations (MSO) in regional waters, and provide air support to ground forces operating in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Nimitz CSG relieves the Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG. Their arrival continues the current two-carrier presence in the Middle East, demonstrating the United States’ resolve to enhance security and support long-term stability in the region.
Commanded by Rear Adm. Terry Blake, Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 11, Nimitz CSG includes the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, and embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23; guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59); guided-missile destroyers USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Chafee (DDG 90), and USS Pinckney (DDG 91); Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 “Scorpions,” HSL-37 “Easy Riders,” and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 11, Detachment 15.
“I’m extremely proud of the Sailors and Marines of the Nimitz Strike Group,” said Blake. “They have worked hard to ensure we arrive in theatre ready to support ongoing coalition operations. We are looking forward to working closely with our regional partners to demonstrate our commitment to enhanced security operations in this diverse theatre,” he said.
The squadrons of CVW-11 include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 “Tophatters,” VFA-41 “Black Aces,” VFA-81 “Sunliners,” Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 “Wallbangers,” Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 135 “Black Ravens,” Carrier Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 “Providers,” and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6 “Indians.”
MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists the use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other materials.
U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, is responsible for an area encompassing approximately 2.5 million square miles of water including the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Original link: USS Nimitz Strike Group Arrives in 5th Fleet
Naar bovenKuwait reviews readiness for likely US-Iran war
(AFP)
9 May 2007
KUWAIT CITY - The Kuwaiti government on Wednesday briefed MPs on contingency plans to face a possible breakout of hostilities between the United States and Iran over the latter’s nuclear programme, a senior minister and lawmakers said.
A government emergency team explained to parliament’s foreign relations committee the possibility of Kuwait coming under attack or being targeted by terrorists if Washington strikes Iran, committee chairman Mohammed al-Sager told reporters.
The meeting was held at the request of parliament and attended by several ministers including Defence and Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Sabah, who heads the emergency team.
“We have briefed MPs with all the preparations we have taken for any future emergency or catastrophe,” Sheikh Jaber said in a statement.
Sager said the discussion also tackled issues like a possible influx of refugees into Kuwait and nuclear fall-out from neighbouring Iran.
Two weeks ago, the cabinet formed the team, which includes representatives of the defence, interior, oil and health ministries as well as the fire and civil defence departments.
Washington has said it would prefer to address its concerns about Teheran’s nuclear programme diplomatically but has refused to rule out the option of military action.
It has beefed-up its military presence in the Gulf and has a second aircraft carrier stationed there for the first time since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Kuwait served as the launch pad for that invasion and remains the main staging point for US-led troops in Iraq.
Around 15,000 US troops are stationed at several bases in the emirate. The largest is at Arifjan, near the border with Saudi Arabia.
Original link: Kuwait reviews readiness for likely US-Iran war
Bahrain preparing for a U.S.-Iran war
WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
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