Advani lands in Qatar, finds Iraq is nearby

The US was likely to use the Al Udeid base as one of the main bases to launch air strikes against Iraq, if and when it so decided. The entire base had been cordoned off by layers of concertina wires and about half-a-dozen transport aircraft could be seen stationed inside. The fighter jets were apparently hidden from public view.

In his meeting with Qatar foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani this evening, Advani expressed concern about the developing situation, and said that no unilateral action should be taken against Iraq. Whatever needs to be done should be with UN sanction. Qatar, though agreeing with India, said that things were moving in such a way that it was difficult to control the situation.

The Al Udeid base had earlier been used by the US to launch strikes on Afghanistan and also for refuelling. Ease of access and a runway measuring nearly 15,000 m made the Al Udeid Air Base the region’s busiest aviation gas station. The base had since been expanded, disclosed a US military official, who had come to attend the inauguration of Qatar Chemical Company (Q-Chem) this morning.

‘‘Things are still not very hot. We have time to attend some social functions yet,’’ he joked. The base, he said, had been expanded over the past six months to accommodate up to 10,000 troops and 120 aircraft.

As of now there was more action in Kuwait, he said. There were not many US army commanders in Qatar at present. ‘‘When and if strikes have to be launched, it won’t take much time to get into action. Afghanistan was two-and-a-half hours away from here. And so is Iraq,’’ he said.

The facilities and technologies at the Al Udeid air base were capable of handling anything, he added.

However, he said that nothing was going to happen till ‘‘at least end of the month.’’Advani, meanwhile, found himself as the ‘guest of honour’ at the inauguration of Q-Chem, an invitation that was extended to him at the last minute. As a goodwill gesture, he had even advanced his trip to reach the Qatari Capital in time to attend the function.

Inaugurated by Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Q-Chem is a petrochemical joint venture between Qatar Petroleum (51 per cent) and the American company, Chevron Phillips Chemical(CPC) which holds 49 per cent stake in the project.