U.S. President Bush requested that the Secretary of State of the U.S. visit Saddam Hussein while the Iraqi Minister of Defense come to Washington to talk with U.S. leaders, to ensure Iraq understood the U.S.'s position on the declaration from the United Nations and America's resolve to use whatever means necessary to evict Iraq from Kuwait. When Suddam Hessein refused to withdraw Iraq's troops, U.S. President Bush set a deadline of January 16th, a deadline for Iraq to submit to the U.N. Resolutions and withdraw. 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.
Iraqi troops push to within few miles of Saudi Arabian border.
State Department says American civilians are trapped in Kuwait. European Community imposes trade embargo on Iraq. 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.