GULF WATCH: Day 33 : A daily briefing paper on developments in the crisis : Diplomatic Front:

French and British planes chartered to fly Westerners out of Baghdad were grounded as Iraq announced new rules, saying “guests” who want to leave can go only on Iraqi airlines or across the desert to Jordan or Turkey. The news prompted plans for a convoy of buses by the British, French and Australians.

As President Bush prepared to travel to Helsinki this weekend to meet with Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev, progress was reported already on one sticking point with the Soviets: A senior official said the Soviets have agreed that their military advisers in Iraq will pull out as their contracts expire.

Also, Treasury Secretary Nicholas F. Brady today launched the first leg of a global search for billions of dollars to support the campaign against Iraq. He leads a delegation that will pass the plate in Paris, London, Seoul, South Korea and Tokyo.

Military Front:

A blaze in a U.S. military vehicle in eastern Saudi Arabia ignited ammunition and fired anti-tank rockets into the air, but it caused no casualties. The fire was set accidentally at a marshaling area for the 82nd Airborne Division. It destroyed a Highly Mobile Multi-Purpose Vehicle, or Humvee, that was mounted with TOW anti-tank missiles.

A senior Kuwaiti guerrilla leader said the resistance movement has recruited thousands of volunteers from the ranks of Kuwaiti refugees in Saudi Arabia. A senior Saudi official said the resistance is “growing in strength” and stepping up its attacks.

Trade Front:

Saudi Arabian officials announced that their nation has increased oil production by 2.27 million barrels per day and will give priority to supplying developing nations hit hardest by the embargo on Iraqi and Kuwaiti oil. But because of the lag time in shipping, it will be several weeks before these nations see the oil.

Crisis Indicators:

* U.S. troops on the ground: 50,000-plus

* U.S. sailors aboard ships in region: 35,000

* U.S. ships in region or en route: 70

* Iraqi troops in/near Kuwait: 265,000

* Iraqi tanks in Kuwait: 1,500

* High temperature in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: 104

* U.S. diplomats remaining in Kuwait: 10

* U.S. diplomats and dependents held in Iraq: 58

* Other Americans detained in Iraq and Kuwait: 70

* Total Americans in Iraq and Kuwait: 2,718

* Total Westerners in Iraq and Kuwait: 11,385

* Gold (London, per ounce): $387, up $2.55