in Kuwait. November 20: API reports crude inventory drop in U.S. of more than 4 MMB; Saddam Hussein announces plans to release German hostages; Soviet Union shows reluctance to endorse the use of force against Iraq. November 21: French President François Mitterrand voices support of a proposed U.N. resolution that would authorize the use of force in the Persian Gulf. November 26: U.S. proposes addition to U.N. resolution that would require Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait by January 1. November 29: U.N. Security Council approves U.S.-sponsored resolution authorizing the use of force in the Persian Gulf if Iraq does not withdrawal from Kuwait by Jan. 15, 1991. November 30: U.S. President George H. W. Bush offers to send Secretary of State James Baker to Baghdad to meet with Hussein. December 4: An Iraqi official reports that Iraq will withdraw if it can retain control of the Rumailah field and keep Bubiyan and Werbah islands; also says that demands that the Palestinian issue be treated separately would not be surmountable. December 5: Iraq announces willingness to speak with U.S. about resolving the Persian Gulf crisis. December 13: Secretary of State Baker questions Iraq's seriousness about Middle East peace. December 18: Bush reiterates his "no concessions" stance against Iraq. 1991 January 4: Reports Iraq will accept U.S. offer for talks in Geneva. January 7: Saddam Hussein prepares his troops for what he says will be a long violent war against the U.S. January 9–14: At Geneva talks, Baker says that "regrettably" Iraqi Foreign Minister Aziz has indicated no softening in Iraq's position. Peace talks break down, but there is still talk of a peaceful solution to the crisis. January 15: Report that Iraq has a new peace initiative. January 16: U.S. begins air attack against Iraqi military targets. President Bush directs drawdown of Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). U.S. Secretary of Energy James Watkins orders 33.75 MMB drawdown. Crude oil prices drop $9–10 per barrel in one day after having risen $3–5 per barrel during the first half of January. January 17: Reports of early U.S. and allied success against Iraqi forces; DOE issues SPR sales notice. January 18: Iraqi Scud missiles land in Israel. January 22: Kuwaiti oil facilities are destroyed by Iraq and more Iraqi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia. January 30:DOE selects 13 firms to purchase 17.3 MMB of SPR crude oil. February: Surplus of unsold oil held by oil producers