GULF WATCH: Day 118 : A daily briefing paper on developments in the crisis : Political Front:

The Senate Armed Services Committee opened four days of hearings on the gulf crisis. Chairman Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) questioned whether it is in the nation’s vital interests to use military force at this time against Iraq and suggested that sanctions should be given more time to work.

Former Defense Secretary James R. Schlesinger told the committee that sanctions have already cut Iraq’s civilian production capacity by about 40% and could force the country to leave Kuwait if allowed to remain in effect for a year or more.

Diplomatic Front:

The Soviet Union and Britain said that a U.N. Security Council resolution that would authorize the use of force to resolve the gulf crisis will include a Jan. 15 deadline for Iraq to get out of Kuwait. The 15-member council is expected to take up the resolution on Thursday.

Military Front: A six-month war against Iraq would result in the deaths of 10,000 U.S. troops, the wounding of 35,000 others and spending of about $80 billion, the Center for Defense Information said. But the think tank’s projections suggest that U.S. forces would be able to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in about half that time.

The Navy said two more aircraft carrier groups, the Theodore Roosevelt and the America, will be dispatched to the Middle East shortly after Christmas. The deployment could send up to 15,000 more personnel to the gulf region.

Hostage Front: Iraq’s Hussein said former U.S. boxing champion Muhammad Ali has persuaded him to release an undisclosed number of American hostages.

Three other Americans released by Hussein at the request of family members arrived in Jordan, where they waved Iraqi flags and accused the Bush Administration of ignoring their plight.

Iraqi Forces Deployed In or Near Kuwait:

Troops: 450,000; up 20,000

Tanks: 3,600; up 100

Artillery pieces: 2,400; up 200

Armored carriers: 2,200; no change