File: 082696_d50028_147.txt
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radio to President Saddam Hussein in a race against the deadline declared by President Bush. (New

York Times, February 23, p. 5.)
Allied fighter-bombers pound enemy troop emplacements in every corner of Kuwait, flying a record
number of missions over the Emirate. American and British artillery and rocket launchers join in the
final preparation for a ground offensive, as do armadas of Army and Marine Corps helicopters. (New
York Times, February 23, p. 1.)

American military spokesman Brigadier General Richard I. Neal says at a briefing in Riyadh that
President Hussein has ordered a "scorched-earth policy" into effect in Kuwait, setting fire to about 140
of the 950 oil wells in the country. At least 100 of them have exploded in the last 24 hours, and tanks,
pipelines, warehouses and shipping terminals associated with the oil industry have been knocked out in
a systematic campaign. (New York Times, February 23, p. 1.)

Amid speculation that the Persian Gulf fighting was close to an end, oil prices fall to $17.91 per
barrel, the lowest closing price since July of 1990. (New York Times, February 23, p. 31.)

Some American troops have become disheaatened by diplomatic efforts that have created false hopes
and led to impatience and even despair. (Washington Post, February 23, p. 1.)

European allies express solid support for President Bush's ultimatum. After a meeting of foreign
and defense ministers of the nine-nation Western European Union, French Foreign Minister Roland
) Dumas says there is "a perfect identity of views" with the Bush ultimatum. (Washington Post, February
23, p. 15.)

Air Force General Hansford T. Johnson, chief of the U.S. Transportation Command, said "We need
a maritime industry to undergird" the superpower status of the U.S. and that the current composition
of the Ready Reserve Fleet does not meet that need. The Persian Gulf war has pointed out the need
for more roll-on, roll~ff ships in a fleet largely made up of conventional breakbulk ships. (Journal of
Commerce, February 22, P. 12B.)

The Department of Defense announces that 395 individuals have contributed cash to the U.S. war
effort. The figure includes 373 U.S. citizens as well as individuals from France, Germany, Japan,
England, Australia, Canada, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and the Philippines. (DOD News Briefing,
2317482 FEB 91)

February 23
Saturday --- The U.S. and its allies launch a massive ground invasion of Kuwait, just hours after Iraq
rejected a U.S. ultimatum to leave the occupied nation. President Bush declares, "The liberation of

Kuwait has now entered a final phase." Some allied units in the east storm into Kuwait and others to
the west sweep into Iraq in a flanking maneuver. Little Iraqi resistance is reported. (Washington Post,
February 24, p. 1.)

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