GULF WATCH: Day 141 : A daily briefing paper on developments in the crisis.
Military Front:
President Bush reportedly told members of Congress that Saddam Hussein is underestimating U.S. power and must be made aware that “if we get into an armed situation, he’s going to get his ass kicked.” The President also said he is mentally prepared to order troops into combat if Iraq does not withdraw from Kuwait.
Pentagon officials said U.S. warplanes could punish Iraq by the Jan. 15 deadline. The warning came after the deputy commander of U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia said U.S. ground forces might not be combat ready for weeks after the deadline.
Diplomatic Front:
The United States joined other members of the U.N. Security Council in unanimously supporting the concept of an international peace conference at an appropriate time between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Israel has long opposed the concept.
Political Front:
Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell said he expects Bush to seek a war declaration from Congress before launching an offensive against Iraq. Bush said he’d welcome a strong resolution endorsing military action.
Latest Gulf Deployment Figures:
* U.S. troops: 280,000
* Allied troops: 220,000
* Iraqi troops: 510,000
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