demning the use of violence by the demonstrators. The resolution also calls for a
UN fact-finding mission to investigate the violence, but Israel refuses to accept such
a mission. The Israelis’ reaction will lead the Security Council to adopt another res-
olution, on October 24, critical of Israel. These resolutions are noteworthy because
they are supported by the United States, which customarily blocks criticism of Israel
in the Security Council.
October 13:In Beirut, after Syria bombs the presidential palace, the base of Gen.
Michel Aoun’s “provisional” Lebanese government, Aoun admits defeat and takes
refuge in the French embassy. Aoun will later go into exile in France and remain
there until 2005.
November 29:The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 678, authorizing the use
of military force to expel Iraq from Kuwait. It is the first such authorization since
the Korean War in 1950.
1991
January 4:The United States votes at the UN Security Council to denounce Israel’s
use of violence against Palestinians in the fourth resolution condemning Israel since
October 1990.
January 13:UN secretary-general Javier Pérez de Cúellar meets in Baghdad with Sad-
dam Hussein but fails to persuade the Iraqi leader to withdraw his forces from
Kuwait.
January 17:A U.S.-led multinational coalition launches a massive aerial assault to force
Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait.
January 18:Attempting to draw Israel into the war, Iraq fires medium-range Scud mis-
siles at Haifa and Tel Aviv, injuring fifteen people. Israel, under intense pressure
from the United States to stay out of the war, does not retaliate.
February 24:The U.S.-led coalition launches a ground offensive to force Iraqi troops
from Kuwait. In a classic pincer attack, one wing moves against Iraqi positions in
Kuwait while another wing moves into Iraq.
February 27:President Bush announces that Iraqi forces have been pushed out of
Kuwait and a cease-fire has taken effect.
March 1:Following Iraq’s defeat, Shiites in southern Iraq and Kurds in northern Iraq
launch uncoordinated uprisings against the government of Saddam Hussein. The
uprisings will continue through March, but are brutally suppressed by the Iraqi
army. Thousands of Kurds flee across the border into Iran and Turkey.
March 3:Iraq accepts the U.S.-led coalition’s terms for ending the conflict.
April 3:The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 687, imposing tough conditions
on Iraq, including prohibitions against the possession of biological, chemical, or
nuclear weapons and long-range missiles and a requirement that Iraq submit to UN
inspections of its weapons programs.
April 17:The U.S., British, and French militaries create what they call a “safe haven”
for Kurds in northern Iraq.
May 15:The first UN weapons inspectors arrive in Iraq.
October 11:The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 715, demanding that Iraq
comply “unconditionally” with UN weapons inspections.
October 30:A peace conference opens in Madrid between representatives of Israeli and
Arab nations. The United States and the Soviet Union are co-sponsors.
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