European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 18, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monday february 18, 1991 the stars and stripes p Page 3 key a rallied naval a forces. Major water desalination Plant Oil Slick Turkey a ii Iii inv ago War in the Gulf. A a / -1 a xxv 14 a a a a reporter in Baghdad said the iraqi capital had its. Quietest night since the War began with no air raids late saturday or Early sunday. But Iran s islamic Republican news Agency reported that ferocious bombing rocked the Southern iraqi cities of Fao Basra and Abul Khasi. Iran Iraq said it fired three missiles late saturday on dimona a Negev desert town where an israeli nuclear reactor is located. Iraqis also said another missile hit the Northern is Airport City of Haifa. Israeli authorities said one iraqi missile landed in the Negev late saturday for the first time in the War. . Soldiers skirmishes with iraqi forces on the saudi Border Early sunday. Two american solders were killed and six wounded probably by Friendly fire from an army helicopter. . Forces captured 20 iraqi prisoners three iraqi tanks and two armoured personnel carriers. Saudi Arabia Jubal Ttorp a a is a a i , a  amp a f f a a v v v a x v. -j5i via Dhahran Riyadh Bahrain a Sas Upu Fito Wes Booher Qatar the . Central come in Riyadh said american artillery shelled an iraqi observation Post inside Kuwait and warplanes pounded away at fortified troop positions in the occupied emirate. Iraqi foreign minister Tariq Aziz travelled Overland to the iranian capital of Tehran on sunday afternoon. Aziz is headed to a Moscow meeting with soviet president  War summary reported saturday 2,600 sorties flown. One american non combat death. Two americans missing in action. Two . Planes shot Down. One . Plane lost to non combat. One iraqi helicopter shot Down. Iraq reported 130 civilians deaths and 78 civilian wounded at Al Falluca. Since Start of War reported by allies a a More than 76,000 sorties flown. 33 killed in action including 14 americans and 19 saudis 30 americans listed As non combat deaths. An additional 105 americans listed As non combat deaths in operation desert shield before War. 5tmissing in action including 30 v americans 10 British one italian and 10 saudis. 12 prisoners of War including eight americans two British one italian and one kuwaiti. A Gorbachev s burst of diplomacy Springs from hard line pressure Moscow apr Mikhail Gorbachev s meeting monday with iraqis foreign minister comes As pressure builds Tor the soviet president to push for an end to the War against the Kremlin a longtime ally and secure his country a influence in the Middle East. Gorbachev s response was a Hurst of diplomacy though it is not known whether his efforts played a significant role in iraqis statement last week containing Baghdad s first mention of willingness to withdraw from Kuwait. The trip by iraqi foreign minister Tariq Aziz could be a final bid for peace before the allies begin a ground offensive. In its proposal Friday Iraq linked the withdrawal offer to removal of Allied forces from the persian Gulf and of israeli forces from the occupied territories. It also demanded War damage reparations. Soviet foreign ministry spokesman Vitaly Churkin said iraqis willingness to discuss a withdrawal might be a a starting an analysis Point in movement toward peace a a but the attached conditions Are a Likely to Render it meaningless a. Soviet officials have said Gorbachev would try to obtain clarifications from Aziz about iraqis peace Olfer. Gorbachev has been under pressure to broker a settlement because of worries that the . Gulf presence could Lead to Long term american superiority there. In preparing for the new regional order the4 soviets must strike a delicate balance. While they Are trying to App a Gorbachev so new think Rig it supporting the .-led Effort to evict Iraq from Kuwait they must be careful not to alienate the arabs. The consequences of a diplomatic misstep in the Region could be dangerous for soviet Security.  War is raging too close for Comfort. Since Gorbachev became the Leader six years ago the Kremlin has largely abandoned its policy of gaining influence in the Region through weapons sales to Arab clients. Instead it has tried to open a dialogue with both sides in the Gulf conflict a rid h As i de the drive for an i International peace conference on the Middle East. As the Allied bombing continued to take a heavy toll on Iraq last week and concern grew that the . Goal was not Only to secure an iraqi pullout but to topple Saddam and destroy his country Gorbachev redoubled his diplomatic efforts. Pressure on Gorbachev has come primarily from military hard liners. Togaila Yarayo Kerns soviet foreign minister Alexander Bessmer Nyoh has been emphasizing that in addition tide manding an iraqi withdrawal the Kremlin is interested in a a collective Security sys Tern a for a postwar Gulf. The envoy also has been mentioning the need to address the palestinian problem after an iraqi withdrawal. ,