CYPRUS: BRITAIN'S LARGEST NAVAL TASK FORCE SINCE 1982 FALKLANDS WAR ARRIVES OFF CYPRUS FOR MILITARY EXERCISES
Record ID:
862561
CYPRUS: BRITAIN'S LARGEST NAVAL TASK FORCE SINCE 1982 FALKLANDS WAR ARRIVES OFF CYPRUS FOR MILITARY EXERCISES
- Title: CYPRUS: BRITAIN'S LARGEST NAVAL TASK FORCE SINCE 1982 FALKLANDS WAR ARRIVES OFF CYPRUS FOR MILITARY EXERCISES
- Date: 27th January 2003
- Summary: (EU) AT SEA, AKROTOTIRI BAY, LIMASSOL, CYPRUS (JANUARY 27, 2003) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF AKROTIRI BAY SLV OF BRITISH NAVAL VESSELS ANCHORED OFF BAY VARIOUS OF HELICOPTER FLYING OVER BRITISH NAVAL VESSELS (3 SHOTS) VARIOUS OF BRITISH NAVAL VESSELS (2 SHOTS) LV: HELICOPTER HOVERING OVER BRITISH NAVAL VESSEL VARIOUS OF MORE BRITISH NAVAL VESSELS SAILING AROUND BAY (7 SHOTS) MV: WINDSURFER PASSING AT DISTANCE FROM BRITISH NAVAL VESSELS WIDE OF NAVAL VESSELS
- Embargoed: 11th February 2003 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: AT SEA, AKROTOTIRI BAY, OFF THE COAST OF LIMASSOL, CYPRUS
- City:
- Country: Cyprus
- Topics: Defence / Military
- Reuters ID: LVAABMZFT4PS9XUWDMV56TZ5NPV1
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Britain's largest naval task force since the 1982 Falklands War has arrived off Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea for military exercises in preparation for a possible U.S.-led strike on Iraq.
In unusually stormy seas, the assembly of the warships off the south of Cyprus came just hours before U.N. weapons inspectors on Monday (January 27) were due to issue a report to the Security Council on how Iraq has cooperated so far in the hunt for alleged weapons of mass destruction.
The fleet of 15 ships approached the island after several hours' delay but was unable to anchor close to the coast because of tornado winds and had to remain in international waters.
The fleet, led by the aircraft carrier Ark Royal, will conduct integration exercises with Royal Marines already on the east Mediterranean island and pick up supplies before departing, possibly by the end of the week.
It is expected the ships will head towards the Gulf region, where U.S. forces are already amassing. There are about 5,000 personnel aboard the vessels -- including chemical warfare specialists.
Britain retains two military bases on Cyprus, which was a colony until independence in 1960.
RAF Akrotiri, a base on the southern coast close to the port town of Limassol, is the largest air facility outside Britain and was a key supply post during the Gulf War in 1991.
Akrotiri has undergone some improvements to infrastructure in recent months but base authorities have been keen to play down speculation it is in any way associated with possible looming action against Iraq.
The United States, which is massing troops in the region ahead of a possible invasion of Iraq, has said the release of the inspectors' report will be an "important date" in deciding whether to go to war.
Weapons inspectors returned to Iraq on November 27 after a four-year absence. Baghdad denies having any weapons of mass destruction. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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