[National Security Directives - NSD]

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON


January 15, 1991


NATIONAL SECURITY DIRECTIVE 54


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
		DIRECTOR, 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


SUBJECT:       Responding to Iraqi Aggression in the Gulf (U)


1.    Access to Persian Gulf oil and the security of key friendly
states in the area are vital to U.S. national security.
Consistent with NSD 26 of October 2, 1989, and NSD 45 of August
20, 1990, and as a matter of long-standing policy, the United
States remains committed to defending its vital interests in the
region, if necessary through the use of military force, against
any power with interests inimical to our own.  Iraq, by virtue of
its unprovoked invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, and its
subsequent brutal occupation, is clearly a power with interests
inimical to our own.  Economic sanctions mandated by UN Security
Council Resolution 661 have had a measurable impact upon Iraq's
economy but have not accomplished the intended objective of
ending Iraq's occupation of Kuwait.  There is no persuasive
evidence that they will do so in a timely manner.  Moreover,
prolonging the current situation would be detrimental to the
United States in that it would increase the costs of eventual
military action, threaten the political cohesion of the coalition
of countries arrayed against Iraq, allow for continued
brutalization of the Kuwaiti people and destruction of their
country, and cause added damage to the U.S. and world economies.
This directive sets forth guidelines for the defense of vital
U.S. interests in the face of unacceptable Iraqi aggression and
its consequences. (S)


2.    Pursuant to my responsibilities and authority under the
Constitution as President and Commander in Chief, and under the
laws and treaties of the United States, and pursuant to H. J.
Res. 77 (1991), and in accordance with the rights and obligations
of the United States under international law, including UN
Security Council Resolutions 660, 661, 662, 664, 665, 666, 667,
669, 670, 674, 677, and 678, and consistent with the inherent
right of collective self-defense affirmed in Article 51 of the
of the United Nations Charter, I hereby authorize military
actions designed to bring about Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait.
These actions are to be conducted against Iraq and Iraqi forces
in Kuwait by U.S. air, sea and land conventional military forces,
in coordination with the forces of our coalition partners, at a
date and time I shall determine and communicate through National Command Authority channels.  This authorization is for the following purposes:


a.  to effect the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of all Iraqi forces from Kuwait;


b. to restore Kuwait's legitimate government;


c. to protect the lives of American citizens abroad; and


d. to promote the security and the stability of the Persian Gulf. (TS)


3.  To achieve the above purposes, U.S. and coalition forces should seek to:


a. defend Saudi Arabia and the other GCC states against attack;


b. preclude Iraqi launch of ballistic missiles against neighboring states and friendly forces;


c. destroy Iraq's chemical, biological, and nuclear capabilities;


d. destroy Iraq's command, control, and communications capabilities;


e. eliminate the Republican Guards as an effective fighting force; and


f. conduct operations designed to drive Iraq's forces from Kuwait, break the will of Iraqi forces, discourage Iraqi use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, encourage defection of Iraqi forces, and weaken Iraqi popular support for the current government. (TS)


4.  While acting to achieve the purposes in paragraph 2 above and carry out the missions in paragraph 3 above, every reasonable effort should be taken to:


a. minimize U.S. and coalition casualties and 


b.    reduce collateral damage incident to military attacks,
taking special precautions to minimize civilian
casualties and damage to non-military economic
infrastructure, energy-related facilities, and
religious sites.  (TS)


5.    The United States shall seek the maximum participation of
its coalition partners in all aspects of operations conducted in
either Kuwait or Iraq.  (S)


6.    The United States will encourage Iraq's neighbors Syria and
Turkey to increase their forces along their borders with Iraq so
as to draw off Iraqi forces from, and resources devoted to, the
Kuwait theatre of operations. (S)


7.    The United States will discourage the government of Israel
from participating in any military action.  In particular, we
will seek to discourage any preemptive actions by Israel.  Should
Israel be threatened with imminent attack or be attacked by Iraq,
the United States will respond with force against Iraq and will
discourage Israeli participation in hostilities.  (TS)


8.    The United States will discourage any participation in
hostilities by Jordan.  Similarly, the United States will
discourage any Jordanian facilitation of, or support for, Iraqi
military efforts.  The United States will also discourage
violation of Jordanian territory or airspace.  (TS)


9.    The United States recognizes the territorial integrity of
Iraq and will not support efforts to change current boundaries. (S)


10.   Should Iraq resort to using chemical, biological, or nuclear
weapons, be found supporting terrorist acts against U.S. or
coalition partners anywhere in the world, or destroy Kuwait's oil
fields, it shall become an explicit objective of the United
States to replace the current leadership of Iraq.  I also want to
preserve the option of authorizing additional punitive actions
against Iraq.  (TS)


11.  All appropriate U.S. government departments and agencies are
to prepare and present to me for decision those measures
necessary for stabilizing to the extent possible energy supplies
and prices during hostilities.  (C)


12.  Military operations will come to an end only when I have
determined that the objectives set forth in paragraph 2 above
have been met.  (S)





[signed: George Bush]


Original Classification: Top Secret 

Declassified: 1997

HTML by Steven Aftergood