The First Gulf War, 1990-1991
What GHWB Dealt With in 4 Short Years Collapse of Communism Panama/ouster of Noriega Post-Reagan deficit/debt & recession First Gulf War, 1990-1991 Collapse of savings and loan industry Hurricane Andrew ($1 billion in damage) Break-up of Soviet Union, Aug-Dec 1991 Somalia, 1992
Iraqi Problems High Debt from war in 80s with Iran. Needs to sell oil at as a high a price as possible Kuwait was selling oil cheaper to the west; tapped oil fields on the border claimed by Iraq
US Ambassador to Iraq April Glaspie Hussein threatens Kuwait over the summer of 1990 Masses troops on the border Glaspie meets, asks about troop movements
US Ambassador to Iraq April Glaspie Apparently told Hussein US had no interest in “border dispute” with Kuwait A green light? She was forbidden from speaking to the press after the invasion!
Invasion August 2, 1990: Iraqi army invades Kuwait Overruns the country in 2 days At first proclaims a “Republic,” then annexes Kuwait as a province
The Saudis Saudi King terrified that Iraq would invade Saudi Arabia next If so, Iraq would control 60% of world’s oil supply “Asks” for American military help
The United Nations August 9: UN Security Council votes 15-0 that annexation is null and void Other resolutions follow; Iraq ignores them all President Bush assembles impressive anti-Iraq coalition in the UN and in the field
The United States Bush: Hussein is a new Hitler! Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell, Gen. Norman Swartzkopf Operation “Desert Shield”
US Congress Fierce debate over giving Bush authorization to go to war Republicans behind him Democrats waiver-“No blood for oil?”
US Congress Bush administration carries on effective campaign for war “Instant books”: Saddam is the anti-Christ! “Citizens for a Free Kuwait” invented by Kuwaiti government in exile; faked testimony before Congress (“Nurse Nayirah”, e.g.) Senate voted 52-47 to authorize the war; House, 250-183 (closest since war of 1812)
War Air campaign begins Jan. 17; ground war, Feb. 24 Iraq forced out of Kuwait by Feb. 27, agrees to cease-fire on March 3
Why Not Go to Baghdad?