SPOT COMMENTARY
Responds to thaltinatua
An Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) spokesman today denounced President Bush's call for Iraq to begin withdrawing froa Kuwait by noon toaorrow. arshly worded statement, the apokesaan called the President "the eneay of God and the Devil's friend" and reiterated accusations that the US is targeting civilians and places of worship. The spokeaaan stressed Iraq'e "desire for peace" and its cooperation on-the Soviet initiative, which an official Soviet spokesman further elaborated yesterday. The RCC spokesman also called the President's comments on the destruction ln Kuwait "useless" and sold the UN Security Council shouldonnlttee to investigate the "true source" of the destruction in Iraq and Kuwait. ggg
Coaaenti The priaary ala of the RCCin Saddaa's speechto seize the political and aoral high ground by naking the US appear hostile to negotiations and determined to destroy Iraq. The Iraqi leadership also probably hopes the stateaent will rally public opinion in the Arab world.
Allies support us Stand
worldwide reaction so far to President Bush's stateaent has been favorable:
pokesaan for the Western Europeanregional group coneiating of Britain, France, Germany, Italy the Netherlande, Belglua, Spain, Portugal, andperfect identity of view" today with the President'a ultimatum. Canada, Saudi Arabia, Israel Japan, and Denaark also eupported the President in fficial public statements.
e Chinese and Soviet presa havaed the Preoldent'o
ultimatum withouthinese govamaont epokesaan announced aarliar that Beijing waicomad Iraq'a willingness to work vlth tha Sovlat paaca plan. BBJ
Belgiua Donates Koaey to British and Preach Var Bfforta
Belgium agreed today to donate an unspecified amount of financial aid to Brltieh and French allltary efforts ln tho Gulf, according to press reports. The Belgian Government's announcement reportedlyequest froa London and Paris for military equipaent or aor.ey. eporting, Belgiua ls alsorigate and two alnesveepers into tho Poroian Gulf, in responseEU request. Belgian allltary laadero reportedly are embarrassed by their Halted role ln coalition war efforts, and see direct requests for asslstance--Hke those of the British, French, and WETJ--as tho only way torussels into action. fffflCT
Coaaontt These developments probablyesult of tho Belgian Government's dlaceafiture following crltlcisa at home and ln Britain for refusing London's request for artillery shells last December. Earlier this month, the Belgian Prims Minister said tha refusal hadistake. The Belgian flotilla vas previously not permitted to operate in Gulf vaters andcontinue to be prohibited froa nearing Kuwaiti waters.
Original document.
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