News In Brief

Kuwaiti minister says missiles for defense only

The Kuwaiti foreign minister told reporters Monday it was the duty of the UN to protect the international waters of the Persian Gulf, Monitor contributor T. Elaine Carey writes.

Sheikh Sabah Ahmad Jabir Sabah also said the US Congress should understand that his nation needs US missiles for self-defense, not for attacking Israel. The US-manned AWACS radar planes patrolling Saudi Arabia share data with Kuwait and other Arab Gulf nations, he added.

He said Kuwait would be able to defend itself from an Iranian attack, although Kuwaiti analysts disagree. King Hussein of Jordan had volunteered to send troops to Kuwait, but Sheikh Sabah said he declined the offer.