Knowledge Tree
New York Times
Also known as: NYT
Facts (19)
Sources
The Persian Gulf TV War by Douglas Kellner (http://www.gseis.ucla ... pages.gseis.ucla.edu 19 facts
claimChristopher Hitchens noted in Harper's (January 1991) that the New York Times characterized Iraq as 'pragmatic' and 'cooperative,' attributing these virtues to Saddam Hussein's 'personal strength.'
claimThe New York Times received a copy of the Iraqi peace message but declined to take it seriously, following the Bush administration's lead in dismissing attempts at a negotiated settlement.
accountThe New York Times reported on August 5 that Iraqi troops were allegedly in the Neutral Zone, a report which Baghdad denied as 'false news'.
perspectiveDouglas Kellner asserts that the New York Times followed the George H.W. Bush administration's line during the early days of the Gulf War crisis, whereas the Washington Post actively promoted a military solution.
claimThe Boston Globe, Newsday, the Jerusalem Post, the New York Times, the Daily Telegraph, the Toronto Star, The Times (of London), and the Washington Times published the false account of the meeting between Saddam Hussein and Joseph Wilson.
quoteOn August 3, 1990, the New York Times editorial board stated: "The U.S. has no treaty obligation to come to Kuwait's aid. But the gulf states and most nations still look to Washington for leadership and help in organizing action. President Bush has responded with the right lead--a strong national stand and a strong push for collective diplomacy."
quoteIn an August 9, 1990 editorial titled 'The U.S. Stands Up. Who Else?', the New York Times supported President George H.W. Bush's decision to commit U.S. forces to Saudi Arabia, stating: 'President Bush has drawn a line in the sand, committing U.S. forces to face down Saddam Hussein....On balance, he has made the right choice in the right way.'
accountThe New York Times reported on August 4, 1990, that Pentagon officials stated more than 60,000 Iraqi troops were massing in southern Kuwait, with some within five to ten miles of the Saudi frontier.
quoteThe New York Times editorial board wrote on August 6, 1954: 'Underdeveloped countries with rich resources now have an object lesson in the heavy cost that must be paid by one of their number which goes berserk with fanatical nationalism. It is perhaps too much to hope that Iran's experience will prevent the rise of Mossadeghs in other countries, but that experience may at least strengthen the hands of more reasonable and more far-seeing leaders.'
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.
accountThe New York Times published a headline on August 6, 1990, stating 'Bush, Hinting Force, Declares Gulf Impasse 'Will Not Stand'', with a subheadline regarding Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney's mission to Saudi Arabia to secure access to military installations.
claimOn August 6, 1954, the New York Times published an editorial celebrating the overthrow of the Mossadegh government in Iran and the restoration of the shah, which was accompanied by U.S. corporations taking over 40% of Iranian oil, breaking a British monopoly.
claimElaine Sciolino reported in the New York Times on November 20, 1986, that administration officials privately stated the La Belle disco bombing was carried out by the same organization responsible for the bombing of an Arab social club in West Berlin, and that pretrial testimony linked Syria, rather than Libya, to that attack.
accountA well-connected Middle Eastern diplomat informed the New York Times on August 23, 1990, of an Iraqi peace offer, but the administration dismissed it and the news was not published at that time.
claimThe New York Times published several articles on August 5, 1990, critical of Iraq and Saddam Hussein, including headlines such as 'Arab of Vast Ambition--Saddam Hussein,' 'Iraq Makes Its Bid to Run the Show in the Middle East,' 'Stopping Saddam's Drive for Dominance,' and 'Stop Hussein with Force if Necessary.'
claimThomas Friedman and Patrick Tyler, writing in the New York Times on March 3, 1991, claimed that the George H.W. Bush administration decided on the path to war in September 1990, while the Times's analysis suggested that George H.W. Bush and Brent Scowcroft were pushing for the military option from the beginning.
claimU.S. Ambassador to Iraq April Glaspie hinted in a New York Times interview that the United States was surprised that Iraq seized the entirety of Kuwait, suggesting the U.S. expected Iraq to only take the off-shore islands and the disputed oil field.
accountNoam Chomsky noted that the New York Times briefly reported on page 14 of an article on another topic that the U.S. government dismissed a Newsday report regarding Iraqi peace offers as 'baloney,' though the Times later conceded the story was accurate.
claimWilliam Safire speculated in a New York Times Op-Ed column on May 18, 1991, that George H.W. Bush's hyperthyroid condition might have influenced his decision to pursue military action in the Persian Gulf.