GULF WATCH: Day 47 : A Daily Briefing Paper On Developments In The Crisis : Diplomatic Front:

In response to “very grave illegal acts” by Iraqis who raided Western embassy buildings in Kuwait, 12 European Community governments agreed to expel Iraqi military attaches and restrict the movements of other Iraqi diplomats. They also agreed to pressure countries suspected of not respecting U.N. sanctions against Iraq. Further sanctions also got a boost as President Bush endorsed expanding the trade embargo to include air traffic.

In meetings with senior U.S. officials, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Arens expressed concern about an expected $20 billion increase in U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and asked for additional aid. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic relations after a break of 52 years.

Military Front:

Gen. Michael J. Dugan was fired as Air Force chief of staff for his blunt comments about U.S. contingency plans for massive air strikes whose targets would include Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his family. The four-star general said he regretted any embarrassment that his comments may have caused the Administration.

Hostage Front:

Iraqi troops randomly seized young men fleeing Kuwait but let their sobbing wives, mothers and older men continue into Saudi Arabia. Refugees said busloads of men between the ages of 17 and 45 were seen being shipped north, toward Iraq.

In Jordan, officials shut down the last of three infamous refugee camps and moved the last of the residents to a clean, efficient village of tents to await their turn to go home.

Trade Front:

Oil prices soared to their highest levels in seven years as supply fears and further jitters over the Mideast crisis swept through the market. Oil futures soared to record levels, above $33 a barrel, on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Crisis Indicators:

* U.S. troops in/near Saudi Arabia: more than 150,000

* Personnel in Saudi army: 37,500

* Egyptian troops in Saudi Arabia: 4,000

* Iraqi troops in/near Kuwait border: 265,000

* Americans evacuated by charter plane: 1,380

* Total Americans in Kuwait: 1,280

* Total Americans in Iraq: 170

* High temperature in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: 102

* Retail gasoline (U.S. average per gallon): $1.265, up $.02

* Crude oil (spot price per barrel): $32.74, up $0.97