GULF WATCH: Day 42 : A Daily Briefing Paper On Developments In The Crisis

Diplomatic Front:

The U.N. Security Council has scheduled informal consultations for today on when and how food can reach foreign nationals in Iraq. At issue is an interpretation of the U.N.’s resolution imposing economic sanctions, which exempts medicine and allows food “for humanitarian purposes.”

In Washington, President Bush videotaped an eight-minute message to the Iraqi people, saying he has “no quarrel” with them, and they should blame any hardship on their government.

In Iran, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s successor as spiritual leader called for a holy war against U.S. gulf forces.

In Syria, President Hafez Assad, who will meet Secretary of State James A. Baker on Friday, said: “The problem now is not the presence of foreign troops in the gulf. The problem is Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.” Military Front:

Britain said it will dispatch to the Persian Gulf on Friday a combat force expected to include ground troops, tanks and artillery.

The U.S. Army is calling up about 450 retired Army personnel and reservists for duty in support of Operation Desert Shield in Saudi Arabia. In Washington, the postmaster general announced that troops in the gulf will be allowed to mail letters home postage free. Hostage Front:

An Iraqi Airways plane carrying 440 Westerners, including at least 286 Americans, landed in London after a flight from Baghdad. A third of all American citizens in Iraq and Kuwait have been evacuated, and all U.S. women and children in Kuwait were urged to contact the embassy to arrange their departure. Trade Front:

After President Bush warned that the nation will not tolerate “profiteering” during the Persian Gulf crisis, lawmakers moved to head off price-gouging at the gas pump with the threat of jail and stiff fines. Legislation was introduced in both the House and Senate to give the President power to prohibit excessive fuel price increases during national emergencies. Crisis Indicators:

U.S. troops on the ground: 100,000

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

U.S. warships in region: 50+

U.S. reservists to be mobilized: up to 50,103

Iraqi troops in/near Kuwait: 265,000

U.S. diplomats, dependents held in Iraq: 58

Other Americans detained in Iraq, Kuwait: 80

Total Americans in Kuwait: about 1,400

Total Americans in Iraq: about 200

High temperature in Mecca, Saudi Arabia: 99

Retail gasoline (U.S. average per gallon): $1.259, up $.003

Crude oil (spot price per barrel): $30.85, up $.56