Here is a chronology of the Iraq-Kuwait crisis: Aug. 1 _ Iraq pulls out of talks with Kuwait on Iraqi grievances over oil pricing, Kuwaiti war loans to Iraq, and Iraqi claims on Kuwaiti territory. Aug. 2 _ Iraq's powerful army overruns Kuwait before dawn, seizing the emir's palace and other government buildings. President Bush orders U.S. economic embargo against Iraq. Aug. 3 _ Shelling and gunfire echo through Kuwait City as Kuwaiti forces mount last-ditch resistance. Iraqi troops push to within few miles of Saudi Arabian border. State Department says American civilians are trapped in Kuwait. Aug. 4 _ Iraq announces new military government for Iraqi-occupied Kuwait. European Community imposes trade embargo on Iraq. Aug. 5 _ Kuwait's new Iraqi-installed government claims Iraqi troops begin pulling out of Kuwait, but United States skeptical. Japan suspends Iraqi oil imports. Aug. 6 _ U.N. Security Council orders worldwide embargo on trade with Iraq. In Saudi Arabia, U.S. Defense Secretary Dick Cheney confers with Saudi leaders about defending the oil kingdom against any Iraqi attack. Aug. 7 _ Bush orders deployment of U.S. combat troops and warplanes to Saudi Arabia. A fresh U.S. Navy task force sets sail for region. Turkey cuts off exports from Iraqi oil pipeline through Turkish territory. Aug. 8 _ Iraq declares Kuwait has been annexed. Britain agrees to join multinational force in the gulf. Other oil-producing nations indicate they will step up production to make up for embargoed Iraqi and Kuwaiti oil. Aug. 9 _ American troops take up position in Saudi Arabia's oil-producing province. Iraq says it has canceled its estimated $15 billion debt, incurred during the Iran-Iraq war, to Kuwait. Iraq closes its borders for foreigners, trapping thousands of Americans and other Westerners in Iraq and Kuwait. Aug. 10 _ Twelve of 20 Arab League states vote to send all-Arab military force to join Americans in defense of Saudi Arabia. First Egyptian contingent arrives in Saudi Arabia. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein urges Arabs to sweep ``emirs of oil'' from power in gulf states. Aug. 11 _ Saudi Arabian anti-aircraft batteries reportedly fire on Iraqi reconnaissance planes near Kuwaiti border. Thousands of Arabs demonstrate in Yemen and Jordan against United States. Bush suggests Saddam risks overthrow from within unless he ``changes his spots.'' Aug. 12 _ Saddam says he is ready to resolve the gulf crisis if Israel withdraws from territories it occupies. Secretary of State James A. Baker III says the U.S. Navy will interdict Iraqi oil shipments. Aug. 13 _ Iraqi troops in Kuwait round up American and British visitors from two hotels in Kuwait for transport to Iraq. King Hussein of Jordan secretly meets with Saddam in Baghdad. Aug. 14 _ King Hussein flies to Washington in effort to mediate U.S.-Iraq confrontation. Aug. 15 _ Saddam offers to withdraw from Iran territories and release prisoners of war in bid to with favor with Tehran against the United States. Aug. 16 _ Bush pressed King Hussein to close Iraq's access to the sea through Aqaba, Jordan, but Hussein indicated Bush made little headway. Aug. 17 _ Bush has decided to call up military reserves to meet shortages of doctors, cargo handlers and other specialists in the gulf crisis. Aug. 18 _ A U.S. frigate fired warning shots across the bow of an Iraqi oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman and U.S. forces briefly went to battle stations over the incident. Aug. 19 _ Saddam offers to free all foreigners in Iraq and Kuwait if the United States promises to withdraw its forces from Saudi Arabia and guarantee that an international embargo will be lifted. Aug. 20 _ Iraq announces it has carried out a plan to move Western hostages to vital military installations to use as human shields to deter any U.S. attack and warned its people not to try to hide any of the thousands of foreigners trapped in the country. Aug. 21 _ Arab and Western nations condemn Saddam's threats against hostages and continue adding armed forces to the region. Saddam defends the holding of foreigners and promises ``a major catastrophe'' if war breaks out.
A chronology of the crisis: From August 1 through 5, Iraq threatened, invaded then consolidated its hold on Kuwait. August 6 through 9, the United Nations orders a trade embargo against Iraq; the U.S. begins a regional military buildup; Iraq seals its borders. August 10 through 13, Arab countries join in the defense of Saudi Arabia. Saddam seeks Arab support by involving Israel in any possible settlement. August 14 through 16, King Hussein of Jordan fails in his mediation efforts. August 17 through 21, the U.S. increases its buildup and embargo efforts. Iraq uses hostages as shields at military installations.