IRAQ-KUWXITi SITnATIOMIO
Pali
Iraq ud friends Unprepared Tor Defeat
Iraq's government-controlled media have not prepared the Iraqi public for military defeat. The media's overall tone continues to be both militant and upbeat about Iraq's performance in the war. The large numbers of Iraqi casualties have not been reported because the media has carried only news favorable to Iraq. Radio reports claim that Iraqi troops are returning to positions0 because the jihad is "complete." The withdrawal is characterisedictory for Iraq.
cotnanti Baghdad's well-developed propaganda machine probably has caused many Iraqis to believe that the army was repulsing the coalition attach and inflicting heavy casualties on coalition forces. The regime is likely toublic confused and angry over the suddenness of the Iraqi defeat.
Jordan'*otioa to Baddaa'* Xnaounoeaent
Jordanians are shockeddistrustfulthat Saddaa has decided to withdraw the Iraqi arsy from Kuwait, according to press reports. On* Jordanianeporter that the withdrawal announcementoalition forces' trick, because he believed Saddaa would not retreat in defeat. Many Jordanians are calling international news agency offices in Aznan for confirmation of the Iraqi withdrawal, which Jordan's Arabic-language newspapers did not report in their Tuesday editions. Jordanians continue to collect food and medicine to send to Iraq, and "dozens" of Jordanian youths are reportedly volunteering at recently opened Arab-lslaalc Corps recruiting offices to fight beside the Iraqi Amy. ^ffffAfl
Couuti The government's censorship of western war reporting probably caused many Jordanians to believe that Iraq was repulsing the coalition attack and inflicting heavy casualties on coal ition forces up until the tiae of Saddas's announcement. HH
J
asese Batatlon*
Chief Cabinet Secretary Sakamoto, rejecting Iraq's proposal to withdraw conditionally from Iraq, today called on Baghdad to comply withesolutions. Prime Minister Kiifu and Foreign Minister Nakayaaa made similar remarks.
Comacoti The statements Indicate that despite some domestic pressure toeasefire, Tokyo continues to stand firmly behind the multinational action, igflpmj
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