The Times Reports US Will to Relocate Bahrain Fleet, Washington Denies
The British Times newspaper reported a US Navy plan to move its Fifth Fleet away from Bahrain, into Qatar or the Emirates, amid fears over violence and instability in the Gulf Kingdom.
According to the daily, Washington and Gulf sources confirmed a consensus around the attempt to relocate the fleet after the anti-regime protests which erupted in Bahrain.
A Times source clarified, "There was talk on Capitol Hill about moving the fleet within days of the protests breaking out, and that increased in March and April as people realized that what was happening in Bahrain ran counter to our interests".
The US naval Fifth Fleet is a major component of the US military power in the Gulf, so it's now considering a relocation of the fleet, either to Qatar or the United Arab Emirates. The UAE could be the most likely destination, the Times added.
The US Navy expressed however fear from the relocation, out of concerns that the operation might be costly, for the fleet comprises 40 vessel and some 30,000 individuals.
Chris le Meire from the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London stated, "The decision may well rest with the Department of State rather than Defense", in reference to that political pressure would force the naval move.
On the Bahraini level, the London-based Times added that if the relocation took place, the Bahraini regime would be subject to an enormous damage of reputation. The ruling al-Khalifa family has had great ties with Washington, where since the 1970s the Fifth Fleet had been stationed there.
On another hand, the US Navy denied the report which stated it was willing to relocate the Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet.
In this context, Commander Derrick-Frost, US Navy Fifth Fleet public affairs officer claimed, "The speculations in the London Times article about Fifth Fleet leaving Bahrain is false".
The Gulf Daily News further quoted Frost as saying, "The US Navy has a long-standing relationship pf more than 60 years with Bahrain and they are a vital member of our Combined Maritime Forces, supporting regional maritime security and stability".
He also added, "The US Fifth Fleet continues to support ongoing operations in the region and is committed to working with our regional partners to maintain security and stability in this area of operations".
Furthermore, the Huffington Post reported a US State Department official affirming, "We are aware of these reports, which do not reflect the views of either the departments of State of Defense".
Washington officials reclaimed that the Fifth Fleet, which is a key component of the US military power in the Gulf, has very little desire to move.
Source: News Agencies
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