13:35 18Mar2003 RTRS-Iraq - Snapshot of the Crisis - 1830 GMT
NEWS
* Saddam rejects U.S. ultimatum to go into exile or face war
* U.S., British troops prepare for invasion of Iraq; U.S.
drops leaflets on Iraqi units with calls to surrender
* Colin Powell says U.S. has 45-nation coalition supporting
military action
* Schism in world opinion as France, Russia, Germany oppose
ultimatum; Australia, Poland, Denmark offer military support
* France could help U.S.-led military coalition if Iraq used
biological and chemical weapons, French ambassador says
* Blair expected to win parliamentary vote despite losing
three ministers
EVENTS
Tuesday -
* British parliament votes on military action (around 2200
GMT)
Wednesday -
* Possible Turkish parliament vote on resolution to support
U.S. in war
* Security Council meets, Blix to present report
Thursday -
* U.S. deadline for Saddam to leave Iraq or face war (0115
GMT)
QUOTES
Powell: "We now have a coalition of the willing that
includes some 30 nations who have publicly said they could be
included in such a listing ... There are 15 other nations who
for one reason or another do not yet wish to be publicly named
but will be supporting the coalition."
TACTICS
U.S. is banking on a blitzkrieg to bring it early victory.
It is likely to use Tomahawk cruise missiles, smart bombs,
bunker busters and electronic jammers to shock the Iraqi army
into submission. The aim would be to break the army's will,
cause units to surrender or defect and isolate Saddam.
Saddam, heavily outgunned, is likely to opt for guerrilla
hit-and-run tactics and street fighting -- with a possible last
stand in Baghdad or his home region of Tikrit. Iraq's strategy
will be to spring battlefield surprises and inflict casualties
in hope the flow of body bags combines with anti-war protests to
sap attackers' will to fight.
MILITARY FORCES
U.S. has deployed around 225,000 military personnel in the
Gulf region and Britain has committed some 45,000. Strike force
includes dozens of warships and nearly 600 attack planes.
Australia has committed its 2,000-strong force of troops, jet
fighters and warships in the Gulf.
Iraq has some 350,000 troops, an air force short of planes
and pilots, and a small navy. Saddam's personal bodyguard
numbers some 15,000 Special Security Force Organisation troops.
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Tuesday, 18 March 2003 13:35:46
RTRS [nIQUPDATE] {EN}
ENDS
