GULF WATCH: Day 104 : A daily briefing paper on developments in the crisis : Political Front:

Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) called on President Bush to convene a special session of Congress to seek a “put-up-or-shut-up” vote on possible military action against Iraq. He was joined by Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), who said Bush has set America on a “collision course” that will end either with Iraq’s withdrawal from Kuwait or with warfare. The White House rejected the request for a special session, noting that “there is no war” and therefore no need for a congressional vote.

California Rep. Ronald V. Dellums (D-Berkeley) and 21 other House Democrats said they will file a lawsuit in federal court next week in an effort to keep the President from launching a military offensive without congressional approval.

Military Front:

The Pentagon confirmed that U.S. Marines will conduct their first amphibious assault exercise in Saudi Arabia this weekend, about 30 miles from the Kuwait border.

The ceiling for naval reservists called to active duty was raised to 10,000 from 6,300. Pentagon officials indicated that similar increases are likely for the other military services.

The Reserve Mobilization:

* Army reserves called up 24,524

* Navy reserves called up 4,616

* Air Force reserves called up 5,278

* Coast Guard reserves called up 511

* Marine reserves called up 1,144

* Total mobilized so far 36,073

* Total authorized 53,750