
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 7, 1991                   TAG: 9102070421
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

STATE HAILS EX-ENVOY TO KUWAIT/ OFFICIAL HONORED FOR DEFYING IRAQ

Nathaniel Howell, the former U.S. ambassador to Kuwait, received a hero's welcome Wednesday when he met with Gov. Douglas Wilder and was honored by the General Assembly.

The House of Delegates and the Senate presented Howell with a resolution commending him for defying Iraqi President Saddam Hussein by refusing to leave the embassy in Kuwait City after Iraq invaded Kuwait on Aug. 2. The embassy stayed open to Americans and Kuwaitis in hiding, and Howell stayed until December, when Iraq released all hostages.

Del. William Moore, D-Portsmouth, noted that the Iraqi leader cut off the embassy's water in an attempt to force Howell and the others to leave.

"In defiance of this dictator, the ambassador went out and dug a well and washed the embassy's cars right there in front of the Iraqi troops," Moore said.

"I'm sure he would shun the title, but Ambassador Howell is one of our American heroes of today."

The House gave Howell a lengthy standing ovation. He received a similarly warm reception in the Senate.

Howell also met briefly with Wilder. After that meeting, Howell defended the Persian Gulf war in remarks to reporters.

"What we're fighting for there is our interest in a stable order and the right of governments to choose their own government," Howell said.

Kuwait had been governed by a ruling family before the Iraqi invasion in August, and was moving toward democracy, Howell said. After the war, the question for Kuwait will be "not whether to begin democratization but whether to continue it," he said.

Howell, a Portsmouth native who now lives in Charlottesville, is a career diplomat with 26 years in the foreign service. He has said he plans to tour the country and try to recruit college students into the foreign service.

Howell was honored in Portsmouth last weekend with a parade and other special events. Mayor Gloria Webb said the roadway leading to the city's new $21.5 million Churchland High School under construction will be named "Nat" Howell Drive.

Howell's wife, Margie Saunders Howell, is from Bedford County.

by CNB