Reasons of War.
Hello Audience,
As promised, I am filling in the gaps about the story I wrote on the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait. I wanted to clarify to those of you who are more politically inclined, the reasons, based on my understanding of the topic, of why Iraq invaded Kuwait.
First of All there were claims made by Iraq that Kuwait was stealing oil from an oil well which we shared with Iraq called Rumailah. Second, Iraq accused Kuwait of selling oil for more than the regulated price set by OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.) Third, the most famous claim which was that Kuwait based on historical documents, was part of Iraq and should reunite with its mother country whether it likes it or not. Now these were the reasons that Iraq claimed, but Kuwait had a different explanation, which I have also heard support for from many people who are in politics, both here in America and in Kuwait.
Just before Iraq had invaded Kuwait, it had been in a long war with Iran. During that time, Kuwait and Iraq were still allies and were more on Iraq’s side than on Iran’s. The Kuwaiti government provided Iraq with lots and lots of money during its war. The funding for the war was of course a loan from Kuwait to Iraq and was supposed to be paid back in due time. When the time came and the Kuwaiti government demanded that the loan be paid, is just around the time when Iraq started spreading around those claims of oil theft and extortion. Coincidence? Perhaps, but I really don’t think so. Then again I am a Kuwaiti citizen and very loyal to my country so my opinion on the matter could very well be biased.
Here are some different views on the matter from various Web sites that I have found on line. I hope that you will use them to help you understand this politically complicated but important piece of history.
1- Kuwait Ministry of Information Web site.
2- Saddam Hussein & the invasion of Kuwait.
3- Gulf War.