A breakdown of the United States’ allies and opponents in the attack on Iraq.
Opponents
France
The most prominent opponent of the war against Iraq, Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin has said France is most concerned about stopping Iraq’s program of weapons of mass destruction, but not overthrowing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
France’s opposition has largely been against the UN Security Council resolutions introduced by the British-United States alliance. They argue that the wording of the resolutions would allow the United States to use force against Iraq if Baghdad tries to thwart inspectors seeking evidence of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.
A diplomatic spat occurred at a European Union summit in October when French President Jacques Chirac asked British Prime Minister Tony Blair how he could look his toddler son in the eye if he was the leader responsible for starting a war with Iraq.
As one of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, it holds absolute veto power. Notably in agreement with the French position are China and Russia.
Germany
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and his ministers backed the international call for Baghdad to let U.N. weapons inspectors return, but the government is an outspoken opponent to a direct attack on Iraq.
Government leaders say they not willing to give a single Euro to the war effort against Iraq, but that even if they desire to contribute financially, the country’s weak economy could not withstand the sacrifice.
Schroeder first announced Germany would not take part in military action against Iraq during the 2002 election campaign. Schroeder’s stance, coupled with alleged comments by a government minister comparing U.S. President George W. Bush to Hitler, “poisoned” U.S.-German relations, White House officials said. While both sides have made efforts to smooth relations between the two powers, relations remain strained.
Germany provided finance, but not troops, in the Gulf War campaign.
Russia
Along with Germany, France and China, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov has stressed Russia’s opposition to any unilateral action by the United States against Iraq. Russian officials have demanded, however, that Iraq adhere to U.N. resolutions and allow international weapons inspectors back into the country.
“Our common goal is to ensure that Iraq should not have weapons of mass destruction,” Ivanov said. “It must be attained on the basis of the U.N. Security Council’s resolution No. 1441. All other goals go beyond the limits of our interests.”
Russia and Iraq have key financial ties. Baghdad owes Moscow $7 billion from the Soviet era.
Russia is another of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, giving the country absolute veto power.
China
China opposes a U.S.-led strike against Ira without U.N. approval. China holds one of the five permanent seats on the U.N. Security Council.
Indonesia
Indonesia does not publicly support U.S. attacks on Iraq.
With 196 million Muslims, Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim nation. Analysts speculate that a strike on Iraq would further inflame the country’s radical Islamic groups as well as cause plenty of unease among the moderate Muslim majority in a country already under pressure to do more in the U.S.-led war on terrorism.
India
The Indian government is adamant that the use of force to change the leadership of any nation is unacceptable.
“We are very clear that there should be no armed action against any country, more particularly with the avowed purpose of changing a regime,” External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said.
Jordan
Jordan’s King Abdullah is against military action in Iraq, insisting the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians must first be addressed.
He says that any military confrontation with Iraq would be a “catastrophe” for the region, and that diplomacy is the best means of resolving problems with Saddam Hussein. In 1991, Jordan’s King Hussein called for a peaceful diplomatic solution and publicly opposed the war.
Jordan imports 100 percent of its supply of oil from Iraq.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, a prominent member of the Gulf War coalition against Iraq, still explicitly opposes toppling Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and any unilateral military action by the United States against Iraq.
Saudi officials have expressed a desire to stay out of the pending conflict. The Saudi government has made it clear it would prefer not to be asked for permission to use its bases, and the United States has indicated it has other options, including air bases in Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman , that would suffice.
Fifteen of the 19 Sept.11 hijackers were Saudi citizens, a fact that has strained U.S.-Saudi relations.
Oman
While Oman has always been a key ally of the West, officials have said they are opposed to an attack on Iraq or any other Muslim state without United Nations approval.
Iran
Iran has repeatedly voiced its opposition to a U.S. invasion of neighboring Iraq. Iran officials have said they will steer clear of the conflict, but have also admitted they are prepared for a potential U.S. strike.
Bush labeled Iran part of an “axis of evil,” along with Iraq and North Korea, in his State of the Union address this year.
Supporters
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been U.S. President George W. Bush’s most openly supportive European ally, insisting that Saddam Hussein’s development of weapons of mass destruction cannot be left unchecked.
Blair has revealed a dossier of evidence against the Iraqi president, warning that Baghdad’s weapons program is “active, detailed and growing.” The report concludes that Baghdad could deploy weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes.
Britain worked with the U.S. on the new U.N. proposal on Iraq weapons inspections that was passed unanimously by the Security Council. The U.K. parliament declared its support in November for U.N. resolution 1441 demanding Iraq give up its weapons of mass destruction.
Britain is another of the five permanent members of the Security Council.
Spain
Another strong ally of the United States and President George W. Bush, Spain backs the United States fully and has committed troops and aid to the proposed war in Iraq.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar of Spain strongly backed Bush’s “axis of evil” speech, saying it was a key significant moment in modern political history.
Spain holds a temporary seat on the U.N. Security Council.
Italy
Along with Spain and Britain, Italian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Silvio Berlusconi has offered the United States total support in its efforts.
“Our way of life, our destiny, both as Europeans and Italians, is tied to that of the United States,” Berlusconi said during a parliamentary debate on Iraq.
Italy must support U.S. diplomatic and military efforts to ensure that Iraq is disarmed, Berlusconi continued.
Australia
Among nations in the Asia-Pacific region, Australia is the most supportive of the U.S. stance on Iraq.
Australian troops were engaged in the war on terror in Afghanistan in the attempt to rid the country of al Qaeda after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. The country maintains a naval presence in the Gulf enforcing U.N-imposed sanctions against Iraq, as part of a multi-national operation.
Australia has agreed to commit troops to the allied U.S.-British effort.
Turkey
Although not an outspoken public supporter of the war on Iraq, Pentagon officials say the country has given private assurances it will allow U.S. operations from its territory.
Turkish cooperation is key for launching an attack because of its geographical proximity to Iraq.
Sources said Turkey has assured the United States it will have access to air bases and port facilities, and in return the United States promised to provide military and economic aid in addition to supporting Turkey’s controversial bid to join the European Union.. In 1991, King Hussein called for a peaceful diplomatic solution and publicly opposed the war.
Israel
Israel is in support of an overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, but is wary of the consequences. Both U.S. and Israeli officials admit that if the U.S. launches an attack, Israel is likely to be the first Iraqi target.
During the 1991 conflict, Israel was hit by 39 Iraqi Scud missiles, most of them landing in and around Tel Aviv. The United States has committed itself to the security of Israel since the nation’s creation in 1948. According to the United States State Department, the United States provides approximately $2 billion per year in security assistance to Israel.
Kuwait
Kuwait openly opposes Saddam Hussein’s oppressive Iraqi government and supports the United States effort to overthrow Hussein.
Hussein apologized for invading Kuwait in 1990, an apology Kuwaiti officials bluntly rejected. Kuwaiti officials say that instead of an apology to them, Saddam should apologize to the Iraqi citizens he is oppressing.
March 20, 2003