How We Got There: A Chronology of Events in the Mideast

The following is a month-by-month chronology of the Persian Gulf crisis:

AUGUST

Iraq’s army overruns Kuwait. President Bush orders U.S. economic embargo against Iraq; West European and Japanese governments follow suit. U.N. Security Council orders worldwide embargo on trade with Iraq. Bush deploys U.S. combat troops and warplanes to Saudi Arabia. Turkey cuts off exports from Iraqi oil pipeline through Turkish territory. Britain joins multinational force in Persian Gulf. Iraq closes borders to foreigners, trapping thousands of Americans and other Westerners in Iraq and Kuwait. Twelve of 20 Arab League states vote to send all-Arab military force to Saudi defense.

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein says he is ready to resolve gulf crisis if Israel withdraws from territories it occupies. Bush calls up military reserves. Hussein offers to free all foreigners in Iraq and Kuwait if United States promises to withdraw its forces from Saudi Arabia and guarantee trade embargo will be lifted. Iraq announces it has moved Western hostages to military installations to use as human shields. Iraq rings nine embassies in Kuwait with troops. U.N. Security Council authorizes military action to enforce economic embargo of Iraq. Baghdad declares Kuwait its 19th province.

SEPTEMBER

Bush asks Congress to write off Egypt’s $7-billion debt in appreciation for help in the gulf. Iraq offers free oil to Third World countries. Iraqi soldiers move into French diplomatic compound in Kuwait. Iraq opens Kuwait’s borders, and thousands try to flee.

Baghdad government seizes assets in Iraq owned by countries participating in embargo. U.N. Security Council members agree to extend embargo against Iraq to air corridors. Iraq orders expulsion of military attaches from all European Community countries. Iraq orders Kuwaitis to apply for Iraqi citizenship.

OCTOBER

Hussein says Iraq has developed a missile capable of hitting targets in Saudi Arabia. Crude oil futures rise to all-time high of $40.40 a barrel. Iran and Iraq renew diplomatic relations.

U.S. and Kuwaiti officials reject compromise under which Iraq would pull troops out of most of Kuwait.

NOVEMBER

Bush likens Hussein to Hitler. Bush orders an additional 150,000 U.S. troops to the gulf. Iraq says it will never pull out of Kuwait, despite the U.S. reinforcement. Bush extends for additional 90 days the 90-day call-up for reservists in the gulf. Secretary of State Baker rejects Soviet suggestion that solution to crisis be linked to Israel’s occupation of land claimed by Palestinians.

Iraq says it will pour 250,000 more troops into Kuwait. U.S. Army and Marine Corps announce call-ups of 26,625 reserves. Bush, in Mideast, meets Egypt’s President Mubarak and Syria’s President Assad on the crisis. Senate Armed Services Committee opens hearings on Bush’s gulf policy. U.N. Security Council votes 12-2 to give Iraq until Jan. 15 to pull its troops out of Kuwait, after which United States and its allies are free to use military force.

DECEMBER

Iraqi Parliament endorses Hussein’s decision to free thousands of Western hostages. Diplomats from U.S. Embassy in Kuwait leave occupied emirate. Iraq insists it will set date for direct U.S.-Iraqi talks. European leaders put meeting with Iraq on hold after talks between Iraqi Foreign Minister Tarik Aziz and Bush are canceled.

Deputy U.S. field commander in gulf says his troops will not be ready to mount an offensive by Jan. 15. Hussein recalls Iraqi ambassadors for urgent consultations. He is quoted as saying Israel would be Iraq’s first target if war breaks out. Hussein insists Palestine must be liberated if crisis is to be resolved peacefully. Hussein sends his envoys back to posts to pass word he’s ready to talk.

JANUARY

Bush offers to send Baker to Geneva to meet Aziz in “one last attempt” at peace. Iraq agrees to talks. Hussein tells Iraqis to prepare for a long war, ruling out unconditional withdrawal from Kuwait. France says it will pursue its own peace initiative if the Geneva meeting fails. After six hours of talks with Aziz, Baker says he finds no Iraqi flexibility. U.N. Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar visits Baghdad for last-minute negotiations but makes no progress.