The Day in the Gulf

ULTIMATUM TO IRAQ: President Bush told Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to begin withdrawing his forces from Kuwait by noon EST today if he wants to avoid a ground war. The White House said the withdrawal must be completed within one week and that all prisoners of war must be released within 48 hours. It pledged not to attack withdrawing Iraqi forces.

BAGHDAD REACTS: Iraq denounced Bush’s ultimatum as “shameful.” A statement by the ruling Revolutionary Command Council did not say whether Hussein was rejecting the ultimatum but suggested that Iraq prefers a more lenient proposal worked out with Soviet officials.

SOVIET-IRAQI TALKS: The Soviet and Iraqi foreign ministers continued their negotiations, producing agreement on a revised, six-point plan for peace, Kremlin spokesman Vitaly N. Ignatenko announced. The proposal would commit Hussein to a three-week withdrawal from Kuwait to begin one day after a cease-fire.

OIL WELLS AFLAME: Hussein “launched a scorched-earth policy against Kuwait,” even while his foreign minister was discussing peace plans in Moscow, President Bush charged. In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, military officials said more than 150 oil wells were aflame as Iraq stepped up its sabotage of the Kuwaiti industry. Iraq denied the charges.

100 IRAQIS CAPTURED: Allied forces using artillery, attack helicopters and tactical fighter planes continued to pressure Iraqi positions north of the Saudi border. They destroyed 18 tanks and 15 other vehicles and took more than 100 prisoners, the U.S. military said. One Marine was killed.

MORE FOR WAR: Bush asked Congress for $15 billion in taxpayers’ money plus authority to spend $53.5 billion pledged by foreign countries to begin paying for the Gulf War.