After just 100 hours of ground combat, and with all of Kuwait and much of southern Iraq under coalition control, US President George H. W. Bush ordered a cease-fire and negotiations began resulting in an agreement for cessation of hostilities. Some US politicians were disappointed by this move, believing Bush should have pressed on to Baghdad and removed Hussein from power; there is little doubt that coalition forces could have accomplished this if they had desired. Still, the political ramifications of removing Hussein would have broadened the scope of the conflict greatly, and many coalition nations refused to participate in such an action, believing it would create a power vacuum and destabilize the region. COUNT 5
QSN1 How long did ground combat operations last in the Persian Gulf War? ANS1 100 hours QSN2 Who ordered the cease-fire that effectively ended hostilities? ANS2 US President George H. W. Bush QSN3 What did some US Politicians think Coalition forces should have been allowed to have done? ANS3 pressed on to Baghdad and removed Hussein from power QSN4 Coalition nations did what with regards to invading Northern Iraq to precipitate the cease fire? ANS4 refused to participate QSN5 Why did Coalition nations fear the removal of Hussein from power? ANS5 it would create a power vacuum and destabilize the region