Chapter 1
Addressing the Nation
1 March 1991
Oval Office, White House
Washington, D.C.
Since October 5, 1947, when Presidents needed to address to the nation via television, they did so from the Oval Office. President Harry Truman was the first, and every president thereafter had followed suit. The American public and the international community were familiar with the setting: the President seated behind the Resolute desk, the flags framing the right and left of the picture, the credenza behind the President in front of the windows. Often, the message to the nation was one of distress. This speech would be no different.
“In three, two, one,” the producer said and pointed to the President.
“Good evening, my fellow Americans. I come to you with grave news that I believe needs to be told. Our nation is in a state of war with the nation of Iraq, and I feel you are owed an explanation for why that is and, more importantly, why this war needs to be fought to its rightful conclusion. Approximately six months ago, the armed forces of Iraq invaded the country of Kuwait. Iraq claims Kuwait is a rogue province of Iraq. They also claim that Kuwait had been stealing oil from their oil fields via slant well drilling. The Iraqi government, under the leadership of Saddam Hussein, has justified this wanton act of aggression based on the 1890 Ottoman Empire treaty with Great Britain, which referred to Kuwait as the Basra Province. At the conclusion of World War I, however, the boundaries were redrawn, establishing Kuwait as a free and independent country.
“The government of Iraq could have stopped their military adventurism in Kuwait, but they did not. Instead, Iraqi forces continued to advance across the Arabian Peninsula, invading the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. These overt and blatant acts of aggression cannot stand. America cannot allow a rogue dictator to assume control of over fifty percent of the world’s oil production.”
The President paused for just a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing. “In the past six months, we have attempted to negotiate a withdrawal of Iraqi forces from these lands and restore the established international borders. Our overtures of peace were instead met with violent attacks on the forces we sent to stabilize the situation. Our forces have defended themselves, but make no mistake, our forces have fought gallantly and will continue to do so. Up to this point, our responses have been defensive in nature. We do not wish to harm the Iraqi people, who have no say in the decisions made by their unelected leaders.
“This continued aggression must stop. Iraqi forces must withdraw to the international border established and recognized between Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Therefore, in response to Iraq’s continued aggression, the following steps are being taken. One, effective at 1200 Greenwich Mean Time tomorrow, March eighth, 1991, no ships—cargo, oil or container as well as military shipping of any kind—will be allowed to enter the Strait of Hormuz regardless of where it is bound. Two, all shipping in the Persian Gulf must depart by March fifteenth or remain in port, as any shipping in transit at that point will be considered hostile. Third, on March thirtieth, Iraqi ground forces must initiate a withdrawal from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as well as the UAE. After the March thirtieth deadline, US forces and our allies in this conflict will take appropriate action to remove Iraqi forces from these countries.
“It is my sincere desire that the Iraqi government will recognize the futility of their aggressive actions and comply with these demands. The American people only wish for a lasting peace in the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. We take no pleasure in having our sons, our daughters, our husbands, and our wives committed to this conflict so far from home. But we are also determined to defend the oppressed and stop the aggression that has been thrust on Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Tonight, I ask for your prayers that the Iraqi government will comply with our demands and avoid further bloodshed and violence. I ask for your prayers for our soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen as they prepare to remove the Iraqis from these nations.
“Good night, and God bless these United States of America,” the President concluded. He held his stare at the camera until he heard the word “Cut” from the director as the programming cut to the major studios.
*******
Halfway around the world and seven hours ahead of the Washington, D.C. time, Saddam sat watching the president’s address on CNN. He had already received a written copy of what the president was reading on his teleprompters, so nothing was a surprise, but it still pissed him off. Others sitting with him did not move or say anything as they watched a slow burn of anger and frustration consume Saddam. Finally, Saddam turned to the assembled officers, surprisingly calm.
“Have all preparations been made?” he asked.
Sultan Hashim Ahmed al-Tai, the Minister of Defense, glanced over at Ibrahim Ahmed Abd al-Sattan al-Tikrit, the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, and received a reassuring nod indicating that all was prepared before he spoke.
“Sir, all preparations have been made. Our forces are well supplied and are in position to blunt and destroy any advance by the American Army. The Arabian Gulf is closed with our minefield, and only those that have transited it with our pilots know the way through the minefield. Our navy has trained extensively in ambush tactics, so if any ships exit the minefields, they will be prepared to deal with them. The air force has taken some losses but is capable of meeting the Americans—” al-Tikrit expounded before he was interrupted.
“How many fighter aircraft can we surge to meet the Americans?” Saddam asked, looking at Hamid Raja Shalah al-Tikriti, the Air Force Commander.
“Sir, we can surge around three hundred and fifty aircraft and sustain that for thirty days. We are prepared for them. This also does not include our close-air support aircraft or our helicopters. This, combined with our air-defense systems, should be sufficient to stop any American attacks,” al-Tikriti said confidently.
“It better,” was all Saddam said, looking across the audience. His eyes focused on one man who had not said much, nor had he been asked to speak.
“What is our status?” Saddam asked the individual identified on CNN as Chemical Ali, a name he did not appreciate.
“We have not moved anything from our stockpiles. Our Soviet advisors have told us the American satellites are watching them like a hawk. If we move anything too soon, it will tip them off as to our intentions. When ordered, we are prepared to move them and load the Scuds with them when the time comes,” Ali Hassan al-Majid said. Saddam simply nodded.
“Admiral, is our newest gift from the Chinese functioning properly?” Saddam asked, turning to Admiral Ramd Gha’ib Hassan.
“It is, sir. Our crew training was completed several weeks ago thanks to the cooperation we received from Rear Admiral Morteza Safari of the Iranian Navy. In August, they did their first shakedown cruise in the Arabian Sea and watched the American PrePo ships from Diego Garcia make the transition. The instructor crew would not allow them to fire on those ships at that time, but they did run drills against them and evaded one American destroyer that moved into the area. They returned to the Arabian Gulf and have completed their training. As we speak, they are preparing to get underway from Bandar Abbas Naval Base, where they have been undergoing their training. If an American satellite happens to spot it, it would appear to be one of the new submarines Iran has purchased,” Hassan indicated. Continuing, “It has been brought to our attention that the Soviets have been training the Iranians in one of their Kilo subs and will put to sea accompanying our submarine.”
“Good. I think it is time for us to put our Chinese gift to sea and be prepared to engage the American Navy, particularly their aircraft carriers or amphibious ships, beginning on March fifteenth,” Saddam said as he stood and turned to face the assembled officers.
“Gentlemen, the Americans are not going to be a pushover, as we have already seen with the XVIII Airborne Corps. The American attack helicopters and antitank weapons are formidable. We must inflict maximum damage on them and, if possible, we want these attacks on their forces to be spectacular. Remember, the American public is our target. The American public cannot accept a protracted war with heavy losses. We must show them the destruction and suffering we are inflicting on their sons and daughters and will continue to inflict until they leave our lands. If in the opening days of this war we can demonstrate how heavy the losses on the American forces will be, then the President will be forced to sue for peace, and it’ll be on our terms. We will give him back the UAE and half of Saudi Arabia, but we will keep Kuwait and the northern half of Saudi Arabia. We will retain a port on the Red Sea and the ports in Kuwait. We will no longer be a desert beggar and a land-locked nation. Alright, you know what must be done. Now go do it."
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