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 Bill Hemmer: Kuwaitis thankful for U.S. presence
By Bill Hemmer
Editor's note: In our Behind the Scenes series, CNN correspondents share their experiences in covering news around the world. KUWAIT CITY (CNN) -- Kuwaitis will tell you that they truly feel safe from attack by Iraq because of the U.S. military presence. The force is anywhere from 25,000 to 35,000 strong and growing by the day, and that level of presence has given the Kuwaiti people a great sense of security. I have found an overwhelming response toward the United States and the military presence here. Every person I have run into over the past seven or eight days has had nothing but praise and thanks for the Americans. There have been three attacks against Americans in the past four months, which have raised the level of alertness, but [they] are considered isolated incidents that signal a rise in anti-American sentiment. The Kuwaiti government is taking the situation very seriously. Starting Saturday, they are going to begin phasing in a new level of security across the country. Since the country is mostly desert, most of the buildup will be in the cities. They are going to bring out the army, the national guard and the police to show a strong security presence to make sure that not only the people living and working here feel safe but also to prevent any future terrorist activities. The State Department has issued a travel warning urging Americans to leave the country, and that's getting a mixed reaction from the Americans we have talked to. Some say they will leave sometime next week, but others say they will just continue to be vigilant, heed the warnings, watch the news and make sure they're aware of the changing situation -- but at this point they are not going to leave. I would say that as an American, after being here for several days, I feel quite safe as well. I have not noticed any anti-Western sentiment at all. If it's here, it hasn't crossed our desk. In fact, it is remarkable how much Western influence has made its way into this society. We were in a shopping mall last night, one of a handful here in Kuwait, and we could have been anywhere in the U.S. once we were inside -- Cinnabon, Starbucks, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Athlete's Foot -- you name it, it was in there. With the mild temperatures here, it feels like we could be in Southern California or Florida -- especially with all of the cars on the road. It's a very Western society, but that's not to say that the traditional society has been wiped out. It's very visible as well, but it's striking as an American to see how Western this country has become and continues to grow. It's quite striking to note how critical Kuwaitis feel the relationship with America should be. There are strong business contacts, and of course, what happened 12 years ago with the liberation of this country -- Kuwaitis have not forgotten about that.
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