CRISIS IN THE PERSIAN GULF : GULF WATCH: Day 99 : A Daily Briefing Paper On Developments In The Crisis
Military Front:
President Bush said he has ordered a new wave of U.S. troops to the Persian Gulf to create an “adequate offensive military option should that be necessary.” Pentagon sources have said the reinforcements could number as many as 240,000.
Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein fired his army chief of staff--the third high-level dismissal since Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s exiled defense minister said Iraq has 650 U.S.-made Hawk missiles, and another Arab official said Iraq is creating a deadly strain of biological weapons. Hostage Front:
In Warsaw, more than 240 freed Poles returned home from Iraq. Former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, meanwhile, secured the release of 50 more Western hostages. Diplomatic Front:
After meeting with Secretary of State James A. Baker III, Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze said military force in the gulf cannot be ruled out.
In Riyadh, China’s foreign minister met with Saudi officials and reportedly indicated that China would not veto any U.N. decision authorizing military action. Forces in the Persian Gulf:
U.S. troops 238,000
Saudi troops 117,700
Iraqi forces in/near Kuwait 430,000
Iraqi tanks in/near Kuwait 4,800
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