1990
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August 2
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Iraq
invades Kuwait. UN
resolution 660 calls for Iraqi withdrawal.
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August 3
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Iraqi forces reach Kuwaiti-Saudi border. The Arab League
condemns Iraq.
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August 5
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President Bush declares that the invasion “will not
stand.”
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August 6
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King Fahd meets with Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney
and requests U.S. military assistance. UN
resolution 661 bans the importation of Iraqi goods.
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August 8
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American fighter planes arrive in Saudi Arabia. Iraq declares
a “comprehensive and eternal merger” with Kuwait
and annexes it as its nineteenth province.
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August 9
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UN resolution
662 finds the annexation of Kuwait has no legal validity.
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August 12
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Iraq offers to withdraw in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal
from Palestinian territory (namely, the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank) and a Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon.
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August 18
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UN resolution
664 demands that Iraq release foreign nationals who are
being detained in Iraq.
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August 21
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Syria joins earlier Egyptian commitment to defend Saudi Arabia.
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August 25
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UN resolution
665 strengthens the economic embargo against Iraq.
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September 5
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Iraq calls for the overthrow of leaders in Saudi Arabia and
Egypt.
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September 9
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Joint U.S.-Soviet statement made that “we must demonstrate
beyond any doubt that aggression cannot and will not pay.”
(George Bush and Brent Scrowcroft, A World Transformed
[New York: Knopf, 1998], p. 368)
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September 13
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UN resolution
666 asks for continuous information on the humanitarian
situation within Kuwait and Iraq.
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September 16
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UN resolution
667 condemns Iraqi violation of diplomatic compounds in
Kuwait and demands the immediate release of foreign nationals
removed from Kuwait.
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September 24
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UN resolution
669 imposes an air embargo on Iraq.
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October 29
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UN resolution
674 reiterates the condemnation of Iraqi treatment of
foreign nationals and demands their release.
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November 6
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American congressional elections take place.
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November 8
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The United States announces that it is doubling its troop
presence in the region to over 400,000.
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November 19
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Iraq begins significant reinforcement of its troops in Kuwait.
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November 29
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UN resolution
678 authorizes the use of "all means necessary" after
January 15, 1991, to enforce previous UN resolutions, including
that requiring Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait.
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December 6
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Iraq decides to release all foreign nationals held since
the invasion.
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1991
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January 9
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Secretary
of State James Baker meets Iraqi Foreign
Minister Tariq Aziz in Geneva in unsuccessful effort to
find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Baker delivers
a letter from President
Bush to President Hussein. Aziz reads but refuses to forward
it.
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January 12
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The U.S. Congress authorizes the use of force. The Senate
vote is 52–47 in favor.
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January 15
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A UN deadline for Iraqi withdrawal is issued.
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January 17
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The allied attack begins with Apache helicopter strike at
2:38 A.M.
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