File: 082696_d50028_128.txt
Page: 128
Total Pages: 274

States, Mohamed Mashat, has requested political asylum in Austria. (Washington Times, February -
p. 7.)

Israeli military pilots lack "identification friend or foe" (1FF) codes that would allow their pianes
to conduct an air raid on Iraqi targets without being accidentally targeted by nearby U.S. and allied
warplanes. (Washington Post, February 1, p. A24.)

Air Force Chief of Staff General Merrill A. McPeak says that despite `phenomenal" success in the
bombing raids against Iraq, air power alone won't win the Persian Gulf war. (Orlando Sentinel,
February 1, p. 1.)

February 1
Friday --- U.S. B-52s continue round-the-clock bombing of Iraqi positions. There is no sign of
further Iraqi movement into Saudi Arabia. (New York Times, February 2, p. 1.)

A B-52 crashes in the Indian Ocean while returning to Diego Garcia. Three crew members are
rescued, three remain missing. Mechanical failure is stated as the cause of the crash. (New York
Times February 4, p. Al.)

An Air Force AC-130 gunship is lost over Iraqi territory; 14 crewmembers are missing. (New York
Times, February 2, p. 1.)

President Bush tours three military bases in the South, and thanks American troops and their farnili~
for "doing the hard work of freedom." (New York Times, February 2, p. 5.)

France agrees to allow American B-52s based in Britain to enter its airspace for raids against Iraq,
and to refuel at a French military base enroute. (N~ew York Times, February 2, p. 6.)

February 2
Saturday --- American command in Persian Gulf announces the allies have put the Iraqi Navy out
of action. Naval campaign climaxed this past week; 24 enemy attack boats, some captured from the
Kuwaiti Navy, were destroyed, and 31 others heavily damaged. (New York Times, February 3, p. 1.)

Two U.S. planes lost, bringing total U.S. combat air losses to 15, all from ground fire. (New York
Times, February 3, p. 14.)

Western officials report strong winds have delayed progress of the Persian Gulf oil spill, keeping
it away from Saudi coast and that country's largest desalinization plant. (New York Times, February
3, p. 14.)

---Iran renews affirmation of neutrality, rejects appeals by senior emissary from Baghdad for return
of Iraqi warplanes. (New York Times, February 3, p. 17.)

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