[National Security Directives - NSD]

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON


August 20, 1990


NATIONAL SECURITY DIRECTIVE 45


MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
		THE SECRETARY OF STATE
		THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
		THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
		THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
		THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY
		THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
		THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR
			NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS
		THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
		THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
		THE DIRECTOR, UNITED STATES ARMS CONTROL
			AND DISARMAMENT AGENCY
		THE DIRECTOR, UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


SUBJECT:       U.S. Policy in Response to the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait (C)


U.S. Interests


U.S. interests in the Persian Gulf are vital to the national
security.  These interests include access to oil and the security
and stability of key friendly states in the region.  The United
States will defend its vital interests in the area, through the
use of U.S. military force if necessary and appropriate, against
any power with interests inimical to our own.  The United States
also will support the individual and collective self-defense of
friendly countries in the area to enable them to play a more
active role in their own defense.  The United States will
encourage the effective expressions of support and the
participation of our allies and other friendly states to promote
our mutual interests in the Persian Gulf region.   (S)


On Thursday, August 2, 1990 the government of Iraq, without
provocation or warning, invaded and occupied the State of Kuwait,
thereby placing these vital U.S. interests at risk.  Four
principles will guide U.S. policy during this crisis: (S)


-- the immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of all
Iraqi forces from Kuwait; (S)


-- the restoration of Kuwait's legitimate government to replace
the puppet regime installed by Iraq; (S)


-- a commitment to the security and stability of the Persian
Gulf; and, (S)


-- the protection of the lives of American citizens abroad. (S)



To meet these principles and to bring the crisis to an immediate,
peaceful, and just end, I hereby direct that the following
diplomatic, economic, energy and military measures be undertaken. (S)



Diplomatic


The United States will continue to support the precepts of UNSC
resolution 660 and 662 condemning Iraq's invasion and subsequent
annexation of Kuwait and calling for the immediate and
unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait.  The
Secretary of State should continue to work bilaterally with our
allies and friends, and in concert with the international
community through the United Nations and other fora, to find a
peaceful solution to end the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait and to
restore Kuwait's legitimate government.  (S)


Economic


Consistent with my authority under the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act, the National Emergencies Act, the United
Nations Participation Act, and section 301 of title 3 of the
United States Code, the Executive Orders signed on August 2 and
August 9, 1990 freezing Kuwaiti and Iraqi assets in this country
and prohibiting transactions with Iraq and Kuwait remain in
force.  The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the
Secretary of State, should continue to take such actions,
including the promulgation of rules and regulations, as may be
necessary to carry out the purposes of these Orders.
Furthermore, the United States will continue to support UNSC
Resolution 661 imposing mandatory economic sanctions against Iraq
and Kuwait under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.  We
will emphasize individual and collective compliance with these
sanctions, but are prepared, if necessary, to enforce them in the
exercise of our inherent right of individual and collective
self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.   (S)


Energy



The United States now imports nearly half the oil it consumes
and, as a result of the current crisis, could face a major threat
to its economy.  Much of the world is even more dependent on
imported oil and more vulnerable to Iraqi threats.  To minimize
any impact that oil flow reductions from Iraq and Kuwait will have on the world's economies, it will be our policy to ask oil-producing nations to do what they can to increase production to offset these losses.  I also direct the Secretaries of State and Energy to explore with the member countries of the International Energy Agency (IEA) a coordinated drawdown of strategic petroleum reserves, and implementation of complementary measures.  I will continue to ask the American public to exercise restraint in their own consumption of oil products.  The Secretary of Energy should work with various sectors of the U.S. economy to encourage energy conservation and fuel switching to non-oil sources, where appropriate and economic.  Finally, I will continue to appeal to oil companies to show restraint in their pricing of crude oil and products.  The Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, should work with oil companies in this regard. (S)


Military


To protect U.S. interests in the Gulf and in response to requests from the King of Saudi Arabia and the Amir of Kuwait, I have ordered U.S. military forces deployed to the region for two purposes: to deter and, if necessary, defend Saudi Arabia and other friendly states in the Gulf region from further Iraqi aggression; and to enforce the mandatory Chapter 7 sanctions under Article 51 of the UN Charter and UNSC Resolutions 660 and 661.  U.S. forces will work together with those of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries to preserve their national integrity and to deter further Iraqi aggression.  Through their presence, as well as through training and exercises, these multinational forces will enhance the overall capability of Saudi Arabia and other regional states to defend themselves. (S)


I also approve U.S. participation, in conjunction with the forces of other friendly governments, in two separate multinational forces that would provide for the defense of Saudi Arabia and enforce the UN mandated sanctions.  These two groups will be called the Multinational Force for Saudi Arabia (MNFSA) and the Multinational Group to enforce sanctions (MNFES) against Iraq and Kuwait.  The United States should coordinate closely with the Saudis, the Kuwaitis and others on the composition and organization of these forces. (S)


The MNFSA:   The MNFSA is to deter aggression by Iraq against
Saudi Arabia and other friendly Arab states in the Gulf, to
ensure the territorial integrity and political independence
of Saudi Arabia and other members of the GCC, and to conduct
exercises and training to enhance the proficiency of Saudi
forces in the defense of the Kingdom.  (S)


Adequate legal basis exists under the UN Charter and UNSC
resolutions for the implementation of multinational efforts.
I do not believe it is necessary now for the United States
to seek additional UN endorsement for the MNFSA.  If I
subsequently determined that further UN endorsement is
required, we should ensure that any UN-led effort is
acceptable to U.S. military commanders and an adequate
command structure is established and operating beforehand.(S)


In concert with the other UNSC Permanent members, I
authorize U.S. participation in discussions of the UN
Military Staff Committee on the MNF operation for Saudi
Arabia.  If such talks are initiated, they should be of
lower priority than talks concerning the MNFES. (S)


Soviet participation in the MNFSA is warranted only if the
Saudis request it.  If so, we should work with the Saudis to
insure that the Soviet mission is acceptable to us and that
Soviet forces are deployed at a distance from U.S.
operations in these countries.  Soviet assistance in
providing lift support to others providing forces inside
Saudi Arabia should be encouraged.  (S)


The MNFES:  The MNF to enforce economic sanctions against
Iraq and Kuwait is designed to bring about the withdrawal of
Iraqi forces from Kuwait, and to restore Kuwait's
sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
Participating countries would seek to prevent the export of
all commodities and products originating in Iraq or Kuwait,
regardless of port of embarkation or transshipment point,
and prevent the shipment to Iraq or Kuwait, regardless of
declared port of destination or transshipment point, of any
commodities or supplies whose provision to Iraq or Kuwait is
contrary to UNSC Resolutions 660 and 661. These efforts
should complement individual and collective compliance
measures already in force. (S)


In accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and UNSC
resolutions 660 and 661, I hereby direct that all imports
and exports, except medicines and food for humanitarian
purposes (i.e., natural disasters) bound to and from Iraq
and Kuwait be intercepted immediately.  I direct the
Secretary of Defense to immediately organize and coordinate
a multinational force as requested by the Government of
Kuwait.  U.S. forces, in coordination with other cooperating
national forces, should take necessary action to intercept
vessels on a case-by-case basis until sufficient U.S. and
other forces are available for more comprehensive
enforcement.  I also approve the submission to Congress of a
separate letter informing it of the character and basis for
our intercept operations in keeping with my commitment to
congressional consultations on matters of national
importance.  The GCC states and potential contributors to
the MNFES should be notified of the implementation of the
intercept operation.  I also agree to Soviet participation
in the MNFES.  (S)


Since the UN Charter provides the legal basis for the
conduct of this operation, I do not believe it is necessary
now to obtain additional UN endorsement for the MNFES.
Subject to the consent of the UNSC Permanent members, I
agree to allow U.S. participation in discussions of the
MNFES operation for enforcing sanctions against Iraq and
Kuwait by the UN Military Staff Committee. (S)





[signed: George Bush]


Original Classification: Secret 

Declassified: 1996

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