KUWAIT: The possibility of an attack on Iraq is having one unforeseen effect. The price of land in Kuwait near the border is soaring and the rush is on to snap it up.
Property prices in northern Kuwait have more than doubled since President George Bush's "axis of evil" speech in January fostered serious talk of regime change in Iraq.
The threat of war does not seem to be discouraging eager investors, who see in the largely government-owned land on the border not a potential battle zone but luxury villas, chalets and theme parks, and the potential to make their fortunes.
"Once Saddam is removed from power and the border with Iraq is open, there's going to be a gold rush," said Marwan al-Omar, one of the prospective investors, speaking in Souq al-Manarch, the crowded Kuwaiti market where real-estate agents ply their trade.
"Everyone wants to invest in land, and I'm looking to stake my claim," he said.
The mixture of private and government-owned land which stretches northwards from Kuwait city to Iraq is seen as the ideal location for holidaying Kuwaitis, with the Iraqi city of Basra only an hour's drive away.
Before the outbreak of the 10-year Iran-Iraq war in 1980, which effectively closed Kuwait's border with Iraq, thousands of Kuwaitis used to make weekend trips there to enjoy Iraqi culture and the country's liberal alcohol licensing rules.
"After a war, Kuwaitis are certainly going to need a holiday," said Mr al-Omar, who is planning to build a sea world theme park once hostilities have ceased.
"With Saddam gone, the good times are going to come again for Kuwait and Iraq," he said.
There is also a scheme to build a new city 40 miles from the border to capitalise on the new cross-border trade which is expected to be generated by a US-administered Iraq.
In addition, the six-lane highway to Basra has recently been resurfaced.
One hard-pressed farmer, who owns land in northern Kuwait, said: "I've been approached by lots of investors recently, but I'm not prepared to sell. At least not yet."
Kuwaitis are not unused to the incongruous location of investment projects.
Entertainment City, a vast theme park of dodgems and roller coaster rides, is situated within a few hundred yards of Camp Doha, the US military base where 10,000 US troops are readying for war.
But for those Kuwaitis outside the investment markets, the current state of tension and the very real possibility of war has created more dread than euphoria.
The local media is filled with reports about potential chemical and biological attacks by Iraq, and a recent tightening of security has closed down much of the country to ordinary civilians.
One real estate agent said despairingly as the souq \ began closing for evening prayers: "All these investment schemes for Kuwait could collapse any day if a war breaks out.
"But people have to look to the future, and we pray to god it will be one without Saddam Hussein."