European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 6, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Wednesday March 6, 1991 the stars and stripes Page. 5in the Gulf Iran has Opportunity to profit the most from Gulf conflict by George Gedda Washington apr after suffer. Ing through much of the previous decade in a devastating War against Iraq Iran can look to the future with far greater optimism than before the persian Gulf conflict erupted seven months ago. Unlike other winners in the Gulf War Iran profited without incurring its costs. A Iran is the biggest Winner of All Quot says James Phillips Middle East analyst at the conservative heritage foundation. Most important the Allied coalition was Able to achieve in 42 Days what the iranian military was unable to in eight years of bloody struggle against Saddam Hussein total elimination of iraqis offensive military capability. If there is a Downside for Iran it is the continued presence of Large numbers of american forces near that country a Border. But president Bush has said most . Troops will be withdrawn soon. Another Windfall for the iranians occurred in january when iraqi pilots flew about 140 warplanes to safety in Iran in a desperate bid to spare them almost certain destruction. A i can assure you those planes will never be returned to Iraq a said Amos Perl Uttof a professor of International politics at american University. He predicted that Iran will encourage the iraqis to yield to Allied demands As quickly As possible to ensure the exit of . And other coalition troops. The Iran Iraq War ended in 1988 with Iraq the Clear Winner having captured several Hundred Square Miles of strategic territory at the Mouth of the Gulf in the stars and stripes but what took eight years to achieve was tossed out by Saddam Hussein in a single Day last August. To Deal with the escalating confrontation with the United states Saddam withdrew his 30 divisions from the captured iranian territory in effect ceding it Back to Iran. Tens of thousands of iranian prisoners of War also were freed in the bargain. One Side effect of the conflict is creation of at least the potential for a less hostile . Relationship with Iran. Despite the absence of diplomatic relations the state department kept Iran apprised of Battlefield developments mindful of Iran a proximity to the War. The iranians earned some credit among americans by forcefully opposing the iraqi occupation of Kuwait and by soft peddling the implications of the .-led operations near its Borders. But the iranians have shown no interest in opening a dialogue with the United states on improving relations. The Bush administrations position is that Rio if it Rove meet is possible so Long As Iran Sal ies in Lebanon continue to hold american hostages there of the 13 Western hostages in Lebanon six Are american including associated press Middle East Bureau chief Terry Anderson who this month completes six years in Captivity. 1 Phillips said More moderate elements in Iran Are eager for a More Normal relationship with Western countries because this could facilitate increased flows of badly needed financial credits. They would not object to the freeing of the hostages he said. Bottoms up Albert Noble a member of the 1st Cav ing a Welcome Home for about 20 soldiers div from fort Hood Texas washes Down arriving at Westover fab mass., from a hot dog with a cold Beer monday Dur the persian Gulf Region. -10 years ago March 6,1981 a the chairman of Ahouse subcommittee said he had been told by Al Salvador a president Jose Napoleon Duarte that his government does not need any further . Military advisers Tofield in its fight against leftist guerrillas.20 year Sago March 6,1971 a president Nixon defended the laotian invasion and predicted the United states can increase its troop withdrawal rate if the offensive continues to go Well.30 years ago March 6,1961 a the Kennedy administration told members of the . Armed forces overseas they no longer can bring Home newly purchased foreign cars at government expense.40 years ago March 6�?T, 1951 a the West called on the soviet Union to join it in a sweeping settlement of the cold War in Europe. The United states Britain and France handed the soviet Union a three Point program for a full fledged big four peace conference. A Blunt unflappable Kelly disarmed the Media at daily Gulf briefings Washington a there was the War with Iraq. And there was the War with the Media. Thanks to army it. Gen. Thomas Kelly the Pentagon won both. The bespectacled Ruddy faced general ousted with reporters in televised daily briefings during operation desert storm. He was Blunt. He was funny. He was totally believable. And on monday he disarmed the opposition a the Media. In announcing his retirement the 58-year-old Kelly went out of his. Way to Praise reporters and chide the Public for criticizing the news Media. A i got a lot of letters from people who really done to understand the hurly Burly and give and take of a press briefing a Kelly said. A at no time were you Ever impolite to me and at no time did i Ever become offended a said Kelly. A was you know i hold a lot of you in great  having a tree press has served the country Well he said. As he departed reporters applauded. All this came from a Man reluctant at the Start of operation desert storm to take on the chore of briefing the Media. He was concerned it would take too much of his time. But after trying it Kelly started to like it. As time wore on a you Kelly might say he even. Relished it a Pentagon spokesman Pete Williams said. Kelly has been director of operations for the joint chiefs of Stalf since 1988. In that Post he is the direct link Between its chairman Gen. Colin l. Powell and the Heads of each of the armed services. That was one of his biggest assets in dealing with the Media. As a Mere briefer he was overqualified. But As an insider his credibility was enhanced. Kelly first faced throngs of reporters in conducting news briefings during the invasion of Panama in 1989. A the did pretty Well Quot said Williams. A file was sort of rough around the  dozens of reporters with no background in military matters flooded to the Pentagon for the persian Gull War. The result some questions bordered on the absurd. Others were extremely knowledgeable. The disparity can be unsettling to even the most Veteran  Kelly was unflappable. And his scuds Are in the cards Dallas apr a company marketing a competing set of operation desert storm trading cards promises to deliver what the first set did t Saddam Hussein and the scud  Saddam Hussein is a key player in the Gulf War a said Chris Widmaier spokesman for pro set the company manufacturing the cards.  re trying to do an educational set you have to have a Saddam  Topps co announced its 88-card operation desert storm collection last month. That set does no to include the iraqi Leader or the scud missiles his troops launched into saudi Arabia and Israel. Pro set s operation desert storm collection will include 250 cards and will be sold in 10-card.packs starting March 21 i he cards will retail for Between 50 and 69 cents with part of the profits going to the children of Gulf War veterans company spokesmen said