Participation of Iraqi forces in drill praised

Naval forces from 13 countries, including the six GCC states and Iraq, are due to conclude week-long military exercises today in the Arabian Gulf.

More than 20 battleships from the Gulf states, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, the United States, France and Australia are taking part in the manoeuvres, called Arabian Gauntlet 2005, which first began in 1998 through an American initiative. The Iraqi navy is taking part for the first time in the exercise.

GCC officers on board The USS Duluth expressed delight over the participation of the Iraqi officers. Officers from both sides were seen holding talks on the current situation in Iraq, exchanging views, and observing on-going operations jointly.

"We are happy to see the Iraqi officers here," a Gulf officer said on condition of anonymity.

"We all know that the Iraqi people were not to blame for what happened, since they never had a say in the course of events. They are our brothers and sisters and the social and cultural bonds between us could not be severed no matter what."

Captain Thamir Naser, Chief of Staff for Operations at Umm Al Qaser Base in the Iraqi Navy, who is onboard The USS Duluth, described the participation as an opportunity for the Iraqi navy to work with other GCC countries to exchange expertise and develop their skills.

The writer is a Bahraini journalist based in Manama