File: 082696_d50028_098.txt
Page: 098
Total Pages: 274

December 11
Tuesday ---U.S. State Department says that nearly all Americans who wanted to leave Kuwait an~
Iraq have done so. (New York Times, December 12, p. Al.)

Foreign ministers of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council hope to meet in
Europe this month to pledge to Saddam Hussein that he need not fear attack if he gives up Kuwait
peacefully by January 15. They are also considering how to deaf with Iraq even if it leaves Kuwait
peacefully. (New York Times December 12, p. A18.) [

France will send an additional 4,000 troops to Saudi Arabia bringing the total number to 10,000.
(New York Times, December 12, p. A18.)

It appears that President Bush, by downplaying the hostage issue, has avoided the mistakes of
President Carter, and has won the hostage issue since virtually all hostages have been released. (New
York Times, December 12, p. A19.) [

Secretary of Defense Cheney signs an order giving troops in Cperation Desert Shield imminent
danger pay retroactive to August 1. (Navy Times, December 24, p. 3.)

December 12
Wednesday --- Saddam Hussein has replaced his aging Defense Minister, 70 year old General Abdel
Shanshal, with Major General Saadi Tuma Abbas, a hero of the war against Iran who commanded the
port city of Basra against attacking Iranians. (New York Times, December 13, p. A20.)

The U.S. and Iraq fail once again to agree on a date which their Foreign Ministers could meet in
order to avoid a war. Both sides agree that Iraqi Foreign Minister Aziz should come to Washington on
December 17, but they haven't been able to agree on a date for Secretary of State Baker to go to
Baghdad. The U.S. has offered December 20 or January 3. Iraq only offers January 12. (New York
Times, December 13, p. A21.)

Some Army Reserve Chemical Warfare Units in the Persian Gulf complain of having inadequate
equipment. The Pentagon says that 72% of the~Army's Chemical Warfare Troops are in the reserve and
National Guard. (New York Times, December 13, p. A21.)

A West Point graduate and doctor, Army Captain David Wiggins, who is scheduled to leave for
Saudi Arabia with his unit on December 16, began a hunger strike as a result of the Army's refusal to
grant his application for conscientious objector (CO) status. Wiggins, who applied for CO status in
February, 1990, plans to go to Saudi Arabia, but contends he will not contribute to the killing.
(Washington Post, December 13, p. A44.)

December 13
Friday--- Americans are evenly divided on whether to give sanctions more time or go to war if Iraq
does not withdraw from Kuwait by January 15 according to a New York Times/CBS News Poll
conducted from 9 - 11 December.

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