Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 2.58 — strongly supporting 5 facts
Saudi Arabia and Baghdad are linked through their roles in the 1990 Gulf crisis, where Saudi Arabia's security concerns and diplomatic stance were directly influenced by the actions and threats originating from Baghdad [1], [2], [3], and [4]. The geopolitical tension between the two locations was a central focus of international reporting and U.S. foreign policy during this period [5].
Facts (5)
Sources
The Persian Gulf TV War by Douglas Kellner (http://www.gseis.ucla ... pages.gseis.ucla.edu 5 facts
accountOn August 3, 1990, King Hussein of Jordan visited Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, where the Iraqi President indicated he was prepared to make major compromises, including a potential withdrawal from Kuwait, and stated he had signed a nonaggression pact with Saudi Arabia.
quotePatrick Tyler reported in the Washington Post: "Saddam called in the ranking U.S. diplomat in Baghdad, and told him categorically that Kuwait now belongs to Iraq and there was no going back, according to Administration officials. 'It's a done deal,' one U.S. official said, characterizing Saddam's message. Another official said Saddam appended a specific warning that if Saudi Arabia shuts down the Iraqi crude oil pipelines that cross the Saudi desert to the Red Sea, Iraq will attack the kingdom. The warning further stated that if American forces intervene in the region, Iraq will 'embarrass' the United States, the official said."
claimDouglas Kellner observes that Washington Post editorial writers and columnists advocated for a military attack on Baghdad prior to President George H.W. Bush's announcement of troop deployments to Saudi Arabia.
accountThe New York Times reported on August 5, 1990, that an Arab mediation summit was postponed, noting that President Saddam Hussein was not prepared to attend and Saudi Arabia feared meeting without him would be perceived as an anti-Baghdad initiative.
accountOn August 6, 1990, the Bush administration expressed concern that Saudi Arabia and other leading Arab countries were not taking the Iraqi threat seriously and were inclined to appease Baghdad by allowing the takeover of Kuwait.