GULF WATCH: Day 128 : A Daily Briefing Paper On Developments In The Crisis
Hostage Front:
The Iraqi National Assembly overwhelmingly approved Saddam Hussein’s directive to free all foreigners held hostage in Iraq and Kuwait, including more than 700 Americans. Iraq said the hostages could begin leaving today, and the White House pledged it would do everything possible to expedite their release. The State Department said it has asked Iraq to let American citizens leave the country without obtaining normal exit visas.
In an unexpected move, the State Department said it would abandon its besieged embassy in Kuwait as soon as all Americans who want to leave Iraq and Kuwait have been allowed to go. But the planned evacuation of the eight diplomatic personnel, who have kept the embassy open since late August in defiance of Iraqi orders, is not a concession to Hussein, the State Department insisted. Diplomatic Front:
The State Department said it will not schedule a meeting between President Bush and Iraqi Foreign Minister Tarik Aziz until Baghdad agrees on a date for a meeting between Saddam Hussein and Secretary of State James A. Baker III. Iraq has proposed that Aziz meet with Bush on Dec. 17. Military Front:
Defense Ministry sources in Cairo said Egypt will increase its military forces in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates this month, bringing the total to 27,000 men. They said the 7,000 new troops will begin moving into Saudi Arabia in the coming week. The Iraqi Military Deployment:
Iraqi troops in or near Kuwait 480,000
Tanks deployed 4,000
Artillery pieces deployed 2,700
Armored vehicles deployed 2,500
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
