File: 082696_d50028_056.txt
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Persian Gulf buildup than the nearly 50,000 that had been authorized. The total number
eventually called to active duty will probably be about 40,000, according to Pentagon
sources. (Associated Press, September 25.)

A nationwide poll conducted for Time/CNN last week shows President Bush with an
overall approval rating of 71 % and support for his handling of the Persian Gulf crisis
even higher at 75%. (Time, September 24, p. 33.)

The Navy has recalled more than 2,500 reserve medical personnel to active duty.
(Navy Times, September 24, p. 10.)

Maritime Administration officials estimate the cost of reserve fleet ship activation at
about $1.5 million per ship - about $500,000 higher than the agency's planning estimate.
The difference is partially attributable to premium shipyard labor costs for weekend and
holiday work and the fact that 25 of the 40 reserve fleet ships had never been activated.
(Journal of Commerce~, September 24, p. 10.)

Oil prices hit $38.35 a barrel. (New York Times, September 25, p. Dl.)

September 25
Tuesday --.* U.N. Security Council, by a vote of 14-1, passes Resolution 670,
imposing an air embargo on Iraq that cuts off all air links except those the Security
Council approves for humanitarian reasons. (New York Times, September 26, p. Al.)

Soviet Foreign Minister Shevardnadze tells U.N. General Assembly that Iraq's
aggression constitutes a critical test for the U.N. that the U.N. has power to suppress
acts of aggression and that conflict may be imminent in the Middle East. (New York
Times, September 26, p. Al.)

President Assad of Syria and President Rafsanjani of Iran, meeting in Tehran,
denounce Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and dem-and Iraq pull out so that other foreign troops
can leave as weil. (New York Times, September 26, p. A9.)

The Navy is planning to send the INDEPENDENCE battle group from the Gulf of
Oman to the Persian Gulf to demonstrate American military prowess. (New York Times,
September 26, p. A8.)

---In a symposium at the Center for Naval Analysis, three senior military officers state
that the United States would pay a high cost in men and equipment if there is a war with
Iraq. Retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral William J. Crowe Jr. says
that ground, air and naval forces would be used at a fast, intense and furious rate. (Navy
Times, November 5, 1990, p. 23.)

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