GULF WATCH: Day 124 : A daily briefing paper on developments in the crisis : Diplomatic Front:

The United States and Iraq tentatively agreed to meet alone, without allies, during proposed talks. This format would exclude not only U.S. allies but also the Palestine Liberation Organization, which Iraqi President Saddam Hussein wanted to invite.

At the United Nations, 132 members of a General Assembly committee voted for a resolution condemning Iraq for “serious violations of human rights” against Kuwaitis and foreigners in the occupied emirate.

The draft, sponsored by more than 30 countries representing all regional groups, refers specifically to “torture, arrests, summary executions, disappearances and abductions.” Only Iraq voted against the resolution, calling it “lies and falsifications.”

Political Front:

Gen. Colin L. Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, lashed out at “amateurs” and former defense officials who have criticized the Bush Administration’s Persian Gulf policy or suggested he may have withheld reservations about it.

Defense Secretary Dick Cheney voiced deep skepticism about waiting for Hussein to bow to economic pressure. He also raised to 188,000 the number of reservists who can be ordered to duty in Operation Desert Shield.

Hostage Front:

Former boxing champ Muhammad Ali left Iraq for the United States with some of the 15 hostages he helped free from their status as “human shields” in Iraq. Ten of the Americans released were those with serious medical problems, a State Department spokeswoman said. She added that the department has not received any additional information about reports that more Americans were rounded up in Kuwait over the weekend.

U.S. Citizens in Iraq and Kuwait:

* Before invasion 3,500

* Now in Iraq/Kuwait 700+

* Held as human shields 88

* Seriously ill 49