Kuwait Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Liberation From Iraqi Invasion
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Kuwait is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its liberation from Iraqi invasion. The tiny, oil-rich nation put on a victory show for the allies it depends on to protect its borders. Kuwait has, in the past, resisted gala anniversaries for nearly a decade out of respect for its war missing. Among the dignitaries present today, former President Bush and other representatives of the allied defense. They placed a wreath at the U.S. embassy in honor of some 300 Americans who died in the conflict. Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell was there, although in a new role. This as secretary of state. CNN's Andrea Koppel reports.</s>ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For the former top U.S. military man turned top U.S. diplomat, Colin Powell's return Kuwait provided a picture-perfect setting for the secretary of state to reiterate U.S. support for this tiny Gulf state.</s>COLIN POWELL, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Ten years ago, we stood together. Ours was a noble cause. It still is. And we stand together again in that cause today as coalition members still pledge to guard against aggression.</s>KOPPEL: Ten years ago, as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Powell helped lead U.S. and allied forces to their Gulf War victory, forcing Iraq's president, Saddam Hussein, to withdraw his army from Kuwait. (on camera): But only an hour's drive from today's festivities, just over the border from Kuwait, Saddam Hussein is still in power, seemingly impervious to his Gulf War defeat or 10 years of UN sanctions. (voice-over): In fact, among many in the Arab world, he's more popular than ever, while support for sanctions has hit an all-time low. Colin Powell's mission during this Middle East tour: to convince Iraq's Arab neighbors Saddam Hussein remains as much a threat to their security today as ever, and at the same time rebuild support for some form of sanctions. Still, Powell's job elsewhere in the region won't be easy. Five months of Israeli-Palestinian clashes and recent U.S.-British airstrikes against Iraqi radar sites near Baghdad have made it even more difficult for moderate Arab states to continue to support sanctions.</s>GEOFFREY KEMP, NIXON CENTER: Iraq's economic ties with key players like Jordan and Turkey are improving day by day; with Syria also. So, you know, Colin Powell has very few cards to play if he tries to reenergize the coalition against Saddam.</s>KOPPEL: But that's exactly what Powell says he wants to do, and will have to do if the Bush administration is going to achieve one of its key objectives: ensuring that 10 years after the allies won the war, President Hussein doesn't win the final battle. Andrea Koppel, CNN, Kuwait.