The First Gulf War 1990 1991 What GHWB
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 80 s 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, 250183 (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?
- Slides: 15
