Friday, October 5, 1990

Pres. Bush has initiated private discussions with members of Congress on the possible use of force in Gulf crisis [WP 10/5].

In speech read on behalf of Iraqi F.M. Aziz to UN Gen. Assembly, Iraq accuses U.S. and allies of starting new era of "Western imperialism," but offers no indication it is willing to withdraw from Kuwait, calling instead for comprehensive settlement on all Middle East issues [NYT, LAT 10/6; text in INA 10/6 in FBIS 10/9].

Pres. Mubarak claims Israel has been secretly in contact with Iraq in recent weeks; Israel does not deny allegations, but claims Mubarak's intent was to undercut Arab support for Iraq, rather than draw Israel further into Gulf crisis [NYT 10/6; MEM 10/8].

Western military officials in Middle East claim that several days before Iraq's attack of Kuwait, officers in UN force in southern Iraq had reported to the UN Iraq's military buildup had earmarks of attack against Kuwait, but that UN ignored the warnings [NYT 10/6].