October 13, 2002	Sunday	Sha'aban 6, 1423

RIYADH, Oct 12: A US occupation of Iraq would trigger regional turmoil and undermine the global campaign against terrorism, Saudi newspapers warned on Saturday.

A “(US) occupation of Iraq could cause chaos and result in the collapse of the war on terror, especially when another force is still occupying the Palestinian territories,” said Al-Watan in a reference to Israel.

“A US occupation of Iraq would unify those opposed to US policy in the region. It may even draw Arab and Muslim moderates to their side,” it said in an editorial.

“US occupation of Iraq would not put an end to violence. It would rather increase it by creating a larger opposition ... so long as the United States does not force Israel to withdraw.

“The US plan will ultimately undermine the war on terror ... because it (the United States) will be seen as yet another occupation force in the region,” Al-Watan added.

Al-Riyadh newspaper also warned that a US-led offensive against Iraq could lead to the country’s partition and eventually destabilize other states.

“The break-up of Iraq could lead to the break-up of other countries in the region, perhaps (including) Iran and Turkey,” the Saudi daily said.

The semi-official paper charged that Washington’s main goal in occupying Iraq would not be to get rid of weapons of mass destruction but to “control oil as a strategic commodity.”—AFP