DESERT STORM: DAY 12

Military

The U.S. Central Command said today that bombing by allied forces appears to have stopped the flow of oil from the supertanker terminal in Kuwait. Late Saturday, U.S. F-111 fighter-bombers blew up the pipeline valves pinpointed as the source of the giant slick. International experts arrived in the area to staunch the spill, which stretches over an area 35 miles long and 10 miles wide. Saudi officials said about 460 million gallons of oil have been pumped into the Persian Gulf.

At least 69 Iraqi aircraft have flown to sanctuary in Iran, the U.S. military reported at a briefing in Saudi Arabia. Army Brig. Gen. Pat Stevens said the allied command is delighted by those landings but said he did not understand why the Iraqis were doing it.

U.S. Central Command reported the allies carried out more than 2,000 sorties today, and a U.S. Marine Harrier jet was lost in combat--the first allied loss in more than two days.

Israel and Saudi Arabia had a brief respite Sunday from the Iraqi missiles that have rained from the sky almost nightly. Today, Patriot missile firings and warning sirens signaled another night attack on Riyadh. Witnesses said the Patriots intercepted one Scud missile. Later, the Israeli army said Iraq fired a missile at Israel, and television showed what appeared to be Patriot missiles intercepting an incoming rocket.

Political

In an address to religious broadcasters, President Bush said the United States does not seek to destroy Iraq. The President said America is fighting a “just war.”

In its latest radio broadcasts, Iraq said President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt should expect to be assassinated by a countryman soon--and suggested it plans attacks with chemical and biological weapons.

Bombings that may be linked to the U.S. role in the war occurred in Greece, Turkey and the Philippines. In Athens, an anti-tank missile was fired at an American Express office, and a bomb blast shook an insurance office building. No major damage or injuries were reported. A bomb placed under a car in Ankara, Turkey, exploded in the parking lot of the main government tax office. No injuries were reported, and it was not immediately clear whether the bombing was related to the Gulf War. In the Philippines, assailants hurled a bomb at a provincial radio station and left a red poster saying “Long live Saddam, Criminal Bush.” One person was injured.

Financial

The stock market failed to extend its rally of late last week.

Oil prices remained little changed.