A CHRONOLOGY OF THE GULF CONFLICT [A chronology of the Gulf War of 1991 and the diplomacy prior to it can be found

on the 'The Gulf War' DVD produced by the BBC stored in the Learning Resources Centre. In lecture 15 we will watch Part 4 of Disk 1.]

2 August 1990 3 August 1990

Iraq invades Kuwait. UNSCR 660 condemns Iraq and demands a withdrawal Iraq troops gather on the Kuwait-Saudi border US naval force is bound for the Persian Gulf

5 August 1990 6 August 1990 7 August 1990

President G.H.W. Bush declares that Iraqi aggression will not stand UNSCR 661 imposes mandatory sanctions on Iraq US troops and aircraft sent to Saudi Arabia US agrees to write off Egypts military debts

8 August 1990 9 August 1990 10 August 1990

Iraq annexes Kuwait as its nineteenth province UNSCR 662 declares the annexation illegal Saddam Hussein calls for an Arab/Islamic rising against foreign intervention in Saudi Arabia A majority of the Arab League condemns Iraq and approves sending of troops to help Saudi Arabia against the threat of an Iraqi attack.

11 August 1990 12 August 1990

British forces arrive in Saudi Arabia Saddam Hussein offers Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait in return for an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories. This is rejected by the US Western navies begin a maritime blockade of Iraq. Iraq seizes Western and Japanese nationals in Iraq as hostages

17 August 1991

18 August 1990

Saddam Hussein attempts to bargain the release of foreign nationals in return for an American withdrawal from Saudi Arabia and a pledge not to attack Iraq. Bush refuses. Saddam Hussein offers the release of foreign nationals and withdrawal from Kuwait in return for lifting of blockade and access to islands of Warba and Bubiyan

23 August 1990

5 Sept. 1990 Saddam Hussein calls for holy war and overthrow of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and President Mubarak of Egypt 25 Sept. 1990 1 Oct 1990 UNSCR 670 imposes air blockade against Iraq Pres Bush speech at UN declares that Iraqi withdrawal must occur before any consideration of problems between Iraq and Kuwait Soviet Union attempts mediation with Iraq Bush declares that US troops in Saudi Arabia will be reinforced UNSCR 678 authorises all necessary means to secure Iraqi compliance with previous UNSCRs. Sets Jan 15 1991 as a deadline for an Iraqi withdrawal. China abstains on the vote but the resolution is passed. Saddam Hussein decides to release all hostages Iraq calls off proposed talks in Washington with the US Saddam Hussein says Israel will be attacked in the event of war with a US-led coalition Saddam Hussein promises the mother of all battles in the event of war US-Iraq talks fail US Congress votes narrowly in favour of military action UN Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar in Baghdad fails to persuade Saddam Hussein to withdraw UN deadline expires Coalition air campaign begins thus launching Operation Desert Storm

5 Oct 1990 8 Nov 1990 29 Nov 1990

6 Dec 1990 15 Dec 1990 24 Dec 1990 7 Jan 1991 9 Jan 1991 12 Jan 1991 13 Jan 1991 16 Jan 1991 17 Jan 1991

18 Jan 1991 21 Jan 1991

First Iraqi Scud missile attacks on Israel Iraq accepts a Soviet peace plan

22 Feb 1991 Bush rejects the plan and puts a counter-proposal Involving a complete Iraqi withdrawal within one week 24 Feb 1991 Coalition ground offensive to eject Iraqi forces from Kuwait begins 27 Feb 1991 Coalition forces seize Kuwait City Iraq accepts the terms of UNSCRs 660, 662 and 678 28 Feb 1991 3 April 1991 Cease-fire declared UNSC Resolution 687, the cease-fire resolution, imposing obligations on Iraq to destroy its weapons of mass destruction programmes. UNSCOM established to carry out inspection and monitoring of destruction of chemical, biological and ballistic missile capabilities. IAEA charged with inspecting and destroying nuclear capability. Iraq obligated to recognise inviolability of border with Kuwait and return all Kuwaiti POWs.