KUWAIT: PREPARATIONS MADE FOR POSSIBLE ATTACK FROM IRAQ UPDATE

Описание: (12 Feb 1998) Arabic/Eng/Nat

With the chance of a peaceful settlement of the Iraqi crisis diminishing, its neighbour Kuwait is on standby for a second Gulf War.

The government has stepped up its security and hospitals are reviewing emergency services.

And public service announcements are readying Kuwait's citizens to react to sirens sounding the alarm.

On the surface, life in Kuwait City appears normal.

But its public institutions are making the preparations for a possible attack from neighbouring Iraq.

The Blood Bank of Kuwait City is trying to increase its stocks fivefold.

Many Kuwait citizens are ready to respond to emergency calls for blood donations in case of emergency.

It has been estimated over a thousand donors would be needed every half hour if an attack happens.

Meanwhile, First Aid courses for the people of Kuwait will be starting from next week.

The crash course lasts 3 days will train 180 volunteers a week.

But there is still hope the preparations won't be needed.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"We are not worried because we cannot accept anything to happen to us. We think the situation is very normal and we are not afraid. God willing, we hope nothing happens."
SUPER CAPTION: Adeel Shaae - Kuwait Blood Donor

The biggest concern is that Iraq might unleash its biological weapons.

Kuwait's Ministry of Health is on a state of alert.

Mass inoculations would be difficult in practical terms and very expensive.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"If you are talking about prophylactics for biological warfare, we have not yet implemented a plan to make sort of a mass vaccination for the people of Kuwait against this. First it is not available in big quantities for the whole nation, secondly, it is not very
important, but it is very costly."
SUPER CAPTION: Mahammad A. Al-Sharhan - Director of Department of Emergency Medical Services

Public television announcements warn people how to recognise the emergency sirens in the even of an attack.

Others though aren't trusting just to government protection.

This Kuwaiti shop has already sold 3,000 gas masks and has ordered thousands more from suppliers in Switzerland and the U-S.

The top of the range, which costs 200 U-S Dollars is the NBC mask - to combat nuclear, biological and chemical threats.

But the government is trying to quell the fears of the population.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We have discussed intensively with our allies security measures. And every possibility to protect Kuwait from any eventuality - whether (a) far reaching eventuality which is missiles, or any other risks that might be involved in any military operation. The safest place to be now is in Kuwait - so don't worry!"
SUPER CAPTION: Sewd al-Sabah - Information Minister

Nevertheless, all the general hospitals in Kuwait have been alerted, and medical supplies are being boosted every day in case of a state of emergency.

Nearly 100 ambulances have been stationed at 21 stations in the city - and can respond 24 hours a day to anywhere help might be needed.

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