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      In addition to its significant conventional armed forces, which

represent the sixth largest army in the world, Iraq also possesses a

substantial chemical weapons capability which it has not hesitated to use,

in violation of international law, against both Iran and its own Kurdish

population.   Iraq has a variety of means to deliver chemical weapons,

including:   artillery, rockets, missiles, and aircraft.


      However, the relative inaccuracy of Iraq's missiles, as well as the

significant defensive  measures  against chemical attack undertaken by the

coalition, suggest that Iraqi chemical weapons are not so much a

substantial threat to military forces, but instead are useful primarily as a

terror weapon    against innocent civilians.


      Finally, Iraq is also developing biological weapons and working

feverishly to obtain a nuclear capability.


Additional US Deployments


      Iraq's continued buildup of forces in and around Kuwait and the

need for us to maintain a full range of options--to include an offensive        - -

option if needed--led the President to make the decision on 8 November to

order additional US forces into the region.  Today, deployment of these

forces is proceeding smoothly.    These additional forces include substantial

land, sea, and air components:


      -    Two additional armored divisions, (1st and 3rd) and elements of a

           third (2nd - forward), as well as the 2nd Armored Cavalry

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