KUWAIT INTERESTED IN RUSSIAN ARMS?

Russian media sources reported on February 10 that Kuwait is considering the purchase of Russian military hardware and may be especially interested in S-300 air defense missiles. Kuwait was said to be looking at Russian T-80 tanks and antitank weapons as well (Nezavisimaya gazeta, Itar-Tass, February 10). Russian sources also quoted a Kuwaiti newspaper on February 12 as saying that Kuwait may be interested in purchasing as much as US$100 million worth of Russian hardware (Itar-Tass, February 12). The reports follow a visit to Russia by Kuwaiti First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah earlier this month (see the Monitor, February 10).

A Russian newspaper observed on February 10 that the Kuwaiti interest in Russian arms clearly has political undertones. It is aimed, the newspaper suggested, at enticing Moscow away from its close support of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The newspaper also said that Russian government authorities may soon be facing a difficult decision: to seek small but sure revenues from Kuwait in exchange for arms, or to maintain its friendly relations with Baghdad. The Iraqi leader has promised Russia extremely lucrative contracts in several different areas but, as the newspaper suggests, he is a less-than-reliable partner (Nezavisimaya gazeta, February 10).

ALEKSASHENKO SAYS AT LEAST US$37 BILLION PASSED THROUGH FIMACO.