September 21, 1990 – CBS World News Roundup – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
September 21, 1990 – As the wheels of war began to ratchet up louder and faster, Iraq’s Saddam Hussein took to the airwaves, breaking into the running of a popular Iraqi TV comedy to inform everyone within earshot to “prepare for the Mother and Father of all battles”. It was the latest in an ever-present procession of tough-talking from Saddam Hussein and the strongest statement yet, and this time were was no mention of Peace, something that he had been adding to these pronouncements since the crisis began. He vowed no retreat from Kuwait and threatened to destroy all the oil fields in the Gulf. The latest blast of bluster was joined by Iraq’s Information Minister who said if the U.S. started the war, they would pay dearly for the act. He went on to say Iraq would be very happy to meet America in the Gulf; they want this battle on behalf of all the Muslims in the world. Saudi diplomats were heard saying this latest statement from Hussein was nothing new, going on to say Saddam Hussein continues to misread the intentions of the forces against him. Those intention, they say, were not to recapture Kuwait but to destroy Saddam Hussein and force him from power. Officials said the key factions in the equation were the political effects of the planned air embargo and the continuing International buildup of forces.
500 French soldiers sailed out of Toulon earlier in the day. The first of some 4300 French troops heading to Saudi Arabia. And for the past three days, Egyptian ships have been taking Syrian troops and tanks to Saudi Arabia.
The UN Security Council held off voting on a ground-to-air embargo against Iraq, saying it might have an adverse affect on refugees attempting to flee Iraq.
And that’s just a little of what went on, this rather busy and frantic September 21, 1990 as reported on The CBS World News Roundup.
