Kuwaiti officials said Syria, with weapons and doctrine from China,
Russia and North Korea, was helping develop the sheikdom's military. They
said the cooperation with Damascus was approved by the highest levels in
Kuwait's military and government.
    "Such visits by the Mubarak Al Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College
delegation to several Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab countries come upon
the orders of the first deputy premier and defense minister and the general
commander of the armed forces, with the aim of developing the military
sector," Brig. Gen. Khalid Al Omar, the Kuwaiti military attache in
Damascus, told Kuna.
    Al Omar said the visit by the Kuwaiti military to Syria was intended to
enhance cooperation in what he termed "military sciences." The general said
the two militaries were also exchanging experiences and analysis.
    Kuwait has been the closest ally of the United States among the six GCC
states. The sheikdom hosts about 15,000 U.S. troops as well as logistics
facilities for the American military presence in neighboring Iraq.