Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 8, 1994 TAG: 9410110021
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: WASHINGTON NOTE: LEDE LENGTH: Medium
At a news conference at the White House, Clinton warned that it would be ``a grave mistake'' for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to repeat the miscalculation he made in August 1990 when he invaded Kuwait, assuming that Washington would not be willing to fight for the tiny emirate. A U.S.-led international coalition drove Saddam's forces out of Kuwait in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
A few minutes after Clinton spoke Friday, the Pentagon disclosed that the aircraft carrier George Washington, which had been steaming in the Adriatic Sea, had been ordered to the Red Sea, accompanied by the cruiser San Jacinto, which is equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Military authorities also began moving toward the area several maritime pre-positioning ships, which are stationed throughout the globe to transport troops, tanks, ammunition and equipment. They placed several Army and Air Force units on alert for possible deployment.
The Navy said the helicopter assault ship Tripoli and an accompanying amphibious ready group were preparing to steam toward the Kuwaiti coast after loading up troops and equipment in Oman, at the foot of the Persian Gulf.
As Middle Eastern neighbors such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt expressed support for Kuwait, the emirate called up its troop reserves, and its Cabinet went into emergency session. At the United Nations, Security Council President David Hannay summoned Iraqi U.N. Ambassador Nazir Hamdoon to explain the troop movements and to warn against provocations that could threaten Kuwait and regional security.
The Iraqi buildup involves about 40,000 to 50,000 troops, including two divisions of the elite Republican Guards. The push began Thursday, and the units sped toward the border Friday. Officials said the leading elements were only about 18 or 19 miles from Kuwait.
Senior administration officials said the United States would step up its reconnaissance of the Persian Gulf region - by repositioning spy satellites and increasing the number of reconnaissance flights - to enable authorities to track the Iraqi movements more closely.
U.S. strategists strongly implied that if the Iraqis continued to pour troops and equipment into the area, the United States would launch heavy attacks - possibly including both air power and precision-guided missiles.
Part of the problem facing policy-makers is that U.S. troops, aircraft, ships and equipment are stationed so far from the area that it is likely to take several days to deploy U.S. forces in Kuwait. As a result, officials must move quickly to anticipate Iraqi action.
At the same time, however, strategists said Saddam is adept at feigning hostilities and pushing to the edge before pulling back. If Washington sends a sizable military contingent, it could be tied up indefinitely.
U.S. officials speculated that Iraq launched its troop movements toward the border to help pressure other countries - particularly Russia and France - to go along with its bid to lift the U.N. sanctions.
Many Security Council members want to grant Baghdad's request, but the United States, which has veto power in the council, has opposed it. The Security Council is expected to take up the issue formally Monday.
Senior administration officials said the push by Iraq is more likely to solidify allied opposition to lifting the sanctions than to split the major powers further.
U.S. officials said the force that Iraq has assembled near the Kuwaiti border does not necessarily mean Iraq is planning to invade. Baghdad often moves its divisions, and carried out similar moves six months ago, the last time the sanctions issue was on the table.
However, they said the situation could turn dangerous quickly if the Iraqis pull in additional troops and equipment aimed at launching an offensive.
by CNB