File: 082696_d50028_095.txt
Page: 095
Total Pages: 274

Operation Desert Shield and notifies an undisclosed number of others that they would be called up soon.
The Marine Corps calls up an additional 84 reservists who are needed to help load and transport tons
of extra equipment destined for Saudi Arabia. (Associated Press, December 6.)

Department of Defense releases fifteenth list of U.S. Naval Reserve Selected Reserve units ordered
to active duty involving approximately 289 Naval Reservists. (CflINFO 080044Z DEC 90)

?ecember 6
Thursday--- President Saddam Hussein says that Iraq will release all foreign hostages from Kuwait
and Iraq who have been held there since the August 2 invasion of Kuwait. Hussein says he is releasing
the hostages since he no longer needs them for human shields and because he wants to make a gesture
to foster stepped-up diplomatic efforts in order to avert war. Western diplomats in Baghdad see the
move as a calculated effort by Hussein to seize the diplomatic high ground. (New York Times,
December 7, p. Al.)

Both President Bush and Secretary of State Baker welcome Iraq's promise to release hostages, but
say that Iraq must still unconditionally withdraw from Kuwait. (New York Times, December 7, p. Al.)

Following meetings in Baghdad, King Hussein of Jordan says he is convinced that Saddam Hussein
will not leave Kuwait until the Palestinian problem is resolved. (New York Times, December 7, p.
A21.)

Governments throughout the world express hope that freeing the hostages will be the first step to a
peaceful settlement of the Persian Gulf situation. (New York Times, December 7, p. A2l.)

The Maritime Administration has activated 18 more military cargo ships from the Ready Reserve
Force, bringing the total number of ships activated to 66. (Journal of Commerce, December 7, p. 8B.)

December 7
Friday--- Bush Administration announces that the beleaguered American Embass~y in Kuwait would
be vacated once all Americans who wish to leave Kuwait have been allowed to do so by the Iraqi
government. (New York Times, December 8, p. 1.)

A twenty year old Army private was accidentally crushed to death by an Army truck in Saudi Arabia
thus becoming the 48th fatality in the deployment of American forces in Operation Desert Shield. (New
York Times, December 8, p. 6.)

---U.S. and Saudi officials in Saudi Arabia are wary of Iraq's generally welcomed move of releasing
all hostages. These officials fear the move may be a ploy to weaken international resolve against Iraq.
(New York Times, December 8, p. 6.)

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