Baker: ‘New Phase’ in Gulf : Won’t Rule Out Military Strike Against Iraq

Secretary of State James A. Baker III today again raised the prospect of a U.S. military attack on Iraq as he declared that the crisis in the Persian Gulf is entering a new phase.

Baker implied a heightening of tensions in the region and a redoubled U.S. resolve to evict Iraq from Kuwait. “I don’t think that we can or should we rule out resort to force if that should be necessary,” he said.

The exiled emir of Kuwait, Sheik Jabbar al Ahmed al Sabah, asked after meeting with Baker if a date should be set now for a military offensive to evict the Iraqis, replied: “This is up to the Security Council of the United Nations.”

But he added quickly that “as far as I am concerned, I would like my country to be liberated today and before tomorrow.”

Baker visited the emir in Taif, the mountain resort of Saudi Arabia’s royal family, on the second leg of a seven-country trip designed to test support among Arabs, Europeans and the Soviets for military action against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Before moving on to Jiddah to consult with King Fahd and Prince Saud, the Saudi foreign minister, Baker spoke of the situation in dire terms.

“This crisis is entering a new phase, and while we are still seeking a peaceful political and diplomatic solution,” he said, “we have to put ourselves in a position where we would be able to exercise any options that might be available.”

Baker said he had not discussed a military timetable with the emir. Also, he said, “the entire international community” is seeking a peaceful solution to Iraq’s occupation of Kuwait.

Also today, there were indications that Hussein was moving to further pressure the United States and Britain by allowing hostages to call home.

In Washington, State Department deputy spokesman Richard Boucher said at least 21 families in the United States received telephone calls from relatives being detained in Iraq.

“Consistent with other reports we have received, many detainees said they were losing weight, that the food was poor and that with the approach of winter they were frequently cold,” Boucher said.

He added, “We think if he (Hussein) is genuinely concerned about allowing husbands and fathers to talk to their wives and children, he should simply release all the hostages and let them come home.”

The British Foreign Office said today at least 30 British hostages held in Iraq called their families in Britain during the weekend.