File: 082696_d50028_088.txt
Page: 088
Total Pages: 274

Saturday --- American military analysts have conducted a broad review of the Iraqi military an~
come to the conclusion that the passage of time is rapidly degrading advanced weapons in the Iraqi
military arsenal due to maintenance difficulties and that the Iraqi's are relying on low technology
systems such as anti-aircraft bai-rages from ground troops that in effect `~mine the 5kyI in order to offset
the U.S. `5 technical superiority. (New York Times, November 25, p. 1.)

---State Department, Defense Department and intelligence officials say that economic sanctions have
virtually stopped Iraq's international trade and caused shortages of many products including tires and
grain. The consensus on the effect of the sanctions is as follows:

1. 90 percent of food imports have been shut down.
2. Industrial workers have been shifted to agricultural work.
3. Iraq is losing $1.5 billion per day in lost oil revenues.
4. Virtually all Iraqi and Kuwaiti bank accounts have been frozen.
5. Medical supplies might be running short.
(New York Times, November 25, p. 12.)

---4th Civil Affairs Group, a 156 member Marine Corps Reserve Unit from Anacostia, D.C., reports
for duty. (Washington Post, December 15, p. El.)

November 25
Sunday--- Administration officials and foreign diplomats say that the U.S. has mustered enough
support in the U.N. Security Council to gain approval of a resolution that would authorize the use ol
military force against Iraq if it did not withdraw its forces from Kuwait by the end of January. (New
York Times, November 26, p. Al.)

In Iraq, the possibility of war sinks in as Iraqi reservists begin getiing call-up notices. For the first
time, Iraqis seem to be concerned about the possibility of a war that would kill and wound hundreds
of thousands and lay waste to large portions of their country. Iraqi farmers will no longer be exempted
from service. (New York Times, November 26, p. Al.)

Secretary of Defense Cheney and National Security Adviser Scowcroft say in separate briefings that
Iraq may be able to produce a crude nuclear weapon within a year. (New York Times, November 26,
p. Al3~) { -

An activated Seattle Army Reservist with a nine week old son was told she did not have to report
for duty with her unit because her unit had enough people with her specialty - nursing administration.
The reservist, Twila Schamer, and her husband are both members of the Army's 50th General Hospital
Unit which was called to active duty for at least six months. (Baltimore Sun, November 26, p. 3.)

Five members of a Marine Corps Reserve Unit in the Bronx declare that they were seeking
discharges as conscientious objectors. The Pentagon says that fewer than 100 of the 80,000 reservists

2~2

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