    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [January 17, 1991]
    [Pages 45-46]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters on the Persian Gulf Conflict
    January 17, 1991

        Q. Mr. President, based on what you've been told this morning, what
    are your thoughts at this point on how severely the Iraqis have been
    damaged, how long this may last, and at what cost?
        The President. Well, again, I don't want to go into questions here
    because of the moment. I will say that was covered very well by
    Secretary Cheney and Colin Powell. And the way we're going to handle
    this is, I will not be commenting on the ups and downs--and there will
    be some downs--or the trauma of the moment--there's a lot of trauma of
    the moment. But I think it is fair to say--and I will be repeating this
    to the leaders here--that we are pleased with the way things have gone
    so far. We're determined to finish what we've set out to do. But I just
    think, for procedural reasons, I'd like you all to know that I'm not
    going to be trying to do briefings from the White House on the details
    of the operations over there. I have full confidence in our Secretary of
    Defense and in our able Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and, of course, in
    our general, General Schwarzkopf.
        So, for the future, though I'll be in touch with the American
    people, I think it's better to leave the details of the operations to
    the briefings over there. And, of course, I'll be available for
    questions from time to time. But when we don't have all the information,
    I just would hate to risk misleading the American people.
        Having said that, I think all of us are very pleased that so far the
    operation is going forward with great success. And we keep praying that
    the loss of life will be held at

    [[Page 46]]

    an absolute minimum. And I feel so strongly about our troops over there.
    Certainly I feel that way about them, and I feel that way about the
    innocents who might get caught up in this conflict. So, I think it's
    fair to say there's a lot of prayer going on both here and on Capitol
    Hill and across this whole country. And it will be that way until this
    is concluded.
        Q. Mr. President, Saddam Hussein says he won't be crushed.
        The President. I won't take others right now. Thank you.
        Q. Are you concerned this early talk of success might lead to
    unwarranted optimism on some people's part?
        The President. No, I'm not concerned. There is no unwarranted
    optimism, and there will be none. And I would refer you to the briefing
    of the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
        Thank you all very much.

                        Note: The exchange began at 9:40 a.m. in the Cabinet
                            Room at the White House, prior to a meeting with
                            congressional leaders. In his remarks, the
                            President referred to Secretary of Defense Dick
                            Cheney; Colin L. Powell, Chairman of the Joint
                            Chiefs of Staff; and Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf,
                            commander of the U.S. forces in the Persian
                            Gulf.