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File: 082696_d50028_067.txt
with no concessions. (Reuters News Service, October 22.)
---In keeping with the Navy's Total Force Policy, 110 reservists were called up from
25 units. This recall brings the total Naval Reservists activated to date to 4,665.
(October 200135Z 90 CHINFO)
Washington Post reports that President Bush had sent a message to Iraqi President
Saddam Hussein just days before the invasion of Kuwait saying that the U.S. wants better
relations with Baghdad, but is concerned about Iraq's threats to use force against its
neighbors. (w;hi;{;n Post, October 21, p; 2D5~.~ Walker complains to Massachusetts
officials about police "coddling" of protesters at the Westover Air Force Base in
Chicopee, Massachusetts. Westover is the largest Air Force Reserve Base and is the main
staging area in the Northeast for flights to Saudi Arabia. (AP, October 20.)
October 21
Sunday --- For the first time since the earliest days of the U.N. imposed embargo,
* an Iraqi ship has refused to halt when waning shots were fired. In a search of its cargo
by a boarding party from the Navy destroyer USS O'BRIEN, the 7,000 ton AL BAHAR
AL ARABT is found to be carrying prohibited cargo and ordered to return to Iraq or
divert to another port for unloading. The master agreed to return to Iraq, but instead
) proceeded toward the Strait of Hormuz ignoring repeated radio requests to halt. The
O'BRIEN fired 40 shots from her 25mm cannon and 5 inch guns. The apparent new
instructions to Iraqi captains to refuse orders to halt marks a reversal in cooperation such
that U.S. commanders believe Iraqi captains fear retribution to their families if they
submit to a search. (Baltimore Sun, October 22, p. 1.)
Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell says on NBC's "Meet the Press" that he
and House Speaker Thomas S. Foley would summon lawmakers back to Washington
from their upcoming break if the President decides to launch military action against Iraq.
He said he could. understand the requirement of surprise in operations but that if
President Bush goes to war without seeking Congressional approval, it would not be
consistent with the Constitution and that Congress strongly urges the President to abide
by the Constitution. (Baltimore Sun, October 22, p. 3.)
David Broder notes that support for President Bush is declining. The latest
Washington Post/ABC News Poll shows overall support for President Bush has declined
from 75 percent to 56 percent in the past month, dragging down approval of his Gulf
Policy from 75 percent to 60 percent. (Washington Post, October 21, p. C-7.)
)
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