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1990


April 2
         Monday ---In a speech to the Iraqi armed forces, Saddam Hussein threatens to use
      mustard and nerve gas against any aggressor and accuses the United States, the United
      Kingdom and Israel of piotttng against Iraq. (Washington Post, April 3, p. Al.)

April 9
         Monday --- Iraqi scheme to smuggle triggers for nuclear weapons is foiled. Saddam
      Hussein continues to amass missiles and chemical weapons.  (U.S. News and World
      Report, April 9, p. 34)

April 11
         Wednesday--- Arabs rally around Saddam Hussein despite outrage expressed in the
      United States and Israel over his threat to use chemical weapons if Iraq is invaded. Many
      Arabs look upon Hussein as an Arab hero. (Washington Post, April 11, p. A33.)

April 16
         Monday ---In response to the seizure of electrical devices used in nuclear weapons,
      Saddam Hussein warns, "We do not need an atomic bomb. We have the dual chemical.
      Whoever threatens us with the atomic bomb, we will annihilate him with the dual
      chemical."   Iraq disperses its most sensitive weapons facilities in heavily reinforced
      sanctuaries, strengthens its air defenses and develops missiles capable of reaching Israeli
      targets.  (Time, April 16, p. 30)

      ---Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is making a bid to become the dominant power in the
      Persian Gulf. Increasing oil revenue has provided Hussein with the means to acquire a
      menacing array of weapons including chemical weapons. Iraq is also working on an
      atomic bomb. There is concern that Hussein may wield his newly gained power
      aggressively in the Persian Gulf. (Business Week, April 16, p. 43.)

May 2
         Wednesday --- French company specializing in photo reconnaissance delivers final
      batch of high definition photographs of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to Iraq. Iraq ordered
      pictures taken from two angles which, satellite experts say, can give military planners
      an impression of physical dimensions of military targets. [This tends to contradict Iraq's
      claim at the time of the August 2 invasion that its move was unpremeditated and
      provoked by Kuwaiti intransigence on issues such as oil production levels and outstanding
      loans to Baghdad]. (L~ndon Financial Times, January 11, p. 1.)


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