KUWAIT CITY, 4 March 2003 — Kuwait’s merchants of war are cashing in on the prospect of an Iraqi invasion, offering a mix of deadly, user-friendly and more fashionable items in case trouble spills over south of the border.
Kuwaitis have been widely praised for remaining calm amid the gathering war clouds, but from switch blades or desert boots, merchants said war was still profitable.
A local supermarket is offering protective suits against nuclear, biological or chemical (NBC) weapons, in case the capital is attacked by Saddam’s Hussein’s alleged weapons of mass destruction. With a “why worry” sales pitch, the “same suits used by UN weapons inspectors in Iraq” sit neatly between the fruit and vegetable section, the toy department and pastries at the Sultan Center supermarket for an affordable $14.
Supermarket manager Malcolm Mirand said the suits were on trial and had attracted strong interest, particularly because their low price made them affordable for Kuwait’s generally low-paid expatriates consisting mainly of Filipinos, Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Egyptians.
“But we don’t have any gas masks to offer,” Mirand said, acknowledging the suits were useless without masks. “They are difficult to get.”
The Kuwaiti government has been criticized for importing thousands of faulty gas masks, likened by one Czech expert to old car tire rubber. But according to local reports, another 200,000 masks are now on their way from South Korea.
At one of three Al-Saleh shops, Smith and Wesson, Berettas and Colt handguns can be ordered. Also on offer are batons, nunchakus — martial arts weapons billed as “a defensive instrument and controlling device” — laser-guided mounts for 12mm-16mm semi-automatic rifles and night-vision goggles, handcuffs, precision-cut holsters and an array of knives.
The showroom’s manager, who declined to be named, said business was “very good” and had improved dramatically since US forces began massing in the emirate about two months ago.
He said foreign contractors and media staffers, as well as local police and ambulance personnel, were stocking up on supplies which also included flak jackets, kevlar helmets and camping gear.
But a customer quipped: “I’m not sure why anyone would want to get this type of gear although all sorts of weirdoes are shopping here for this stuff.”
By far the biggest demand is for high-cut desert boots, particularly with summer approaching and sandstorms threatening the emirate.
Surya Pika, manager of Burgan Boots, said his tiny shop on the outskirts of Kuwait was now selling 20 to 35 pairs of lace and zip-up military boots a day. Jungle green and police black are out; matching desert sand-colored boots are in. “We sell the Kuwaiti-made boots and business is very good. We’ve sold up to 500 boots a month for the last three months,” he said.
More expensive English-made military boots are on sale next door at Bhasin. Its manager Vijendra Dewan said business was mixed and that “sane” people were stocking up on essential items such as food and water.
Local agents for essentials such as toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, and sanitary towels say business is also booming thanks to the presence of US and British troops, nearing 140,000, as well as catering for the thousands of Gulf troops here to defend Kuwait.
“The war will start within another two weeks,” Dewan said. “Some people are panicky and they are shopping according to what they see are their needs. You have to understand that it was very nasty here during the last Gulf War.”
