CRISIS IN THE PERSIAN GULF : GULF WATCH: Day 140 : A Daily Briefing Paper on Developments in the Crisis

Military Front: American troops will not be ready to attack Iraq immediately after the Jan. 15 U.N. deadline for Saddam Hussein to withdraw from Kuwait, the deputy commander of U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf said. Army Lt. Gen. Calvin A. H. Waller said that if President Bush called for an attack in mid-January, “I’d say no, I’m not ready to do the job.”

At the same time, congressional delegations returned from visits with U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia with glowing reports of the military’s ability to handily defeat Iraq. “I personally think that if there is war, it will be a short one that will last no more than five days,” said Sen. Daniel Inouye, a Hawaii Democrat.

Diplomatic Front: Meanwhile, the Bush Administration prepared to greet today new British Prime Minister John Major, who is expected to pledge his support for U.S. policy in the Persian Gulf.

Economic Front: U.S. allies have pledged more than $9 billion to support the American military campaign against Iraq, the State Department said. The allies additionally have pledged nearly $14 billion to help nations adversely affected by the crisis.

Major Pledges of Overall Assistance:

* Saudi Arabia: $10 billion

* Kuwait: $5 billion

* Japan: $4 billion

* Germany: $2 billion

* European Community: $2 billion