    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [January 5, 1991]
    [Pages 10-11]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Radio Address to the Nation on the Persian Gulf Crisis
    January 5, 1991

        As the new year begins, new challenges unfold--challenges to America
    and the future of our world. Simply put: 1990 saw Iraq invade and occupy
    Kuwait. Nineteen ninety-one will see Iraq withdraw--preferably by
    choice; by force, if need be. It is my most sincere hope 1991 is a year
    of peace. I've seen the hideous face of war and counted the costs of
    conflict in friends lost. I remember this all too well, and have no
    greater concern than the well-being of our men and women stationed in
    the Persian Gulf. True, their morale is sky-high. True, if they are
    called upon to fight the aggressors, they will do their job
    courageously, professionally and, in the end, decisively. There will be
    no more Vietnams.
        But we should go the extra mile before asking our service men and
    women to stand in harm's way. We should, and we have. The United
    Nations, with the full support of the United States, has already tried
    to peacefully pressure Iraq out of Kuwait, implementing economic
    sanctions and securing the condemnation of the world in the form of no
    less than 12 resolutions of the U.N. Security Council.
        This week, we've taken one more step. I have offered to have
    Secretary of State James Baker meet with Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq
    `Aziz in Switzerland. Yesterday, we received word that Iraq has accepted
    our offer to meet in Geneva. This will not be secret diplomacy at work.
    Secretary Baker will restate, in person, a message for Saddam Hussein:
    Withdraw from Kuwait unconditionally and immediately, or face the
    terrible consequences.
        Eleven days from today, Saddam Hussein will either have met the
    United Nations deadline for a full and unconditional withdrawal, or he
    will have once again defied the civilized world. This is a deadline for
    Saddam Hussein to comply with the United

    [[Page 11]]

    Nations resolution, not a deadline for our own Armed Forces. Still, time
    is running out. It's running out because each day that passes brings
    real costs.
        Saddam already poses a strategic threat to the capital cities of
    Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel, and Syria, as well as our own men
    and women in the Gulf region. In fact, Saddam has used chemical weapons
    of mass destruction against innocent villagers, his own people. Each day
    that passes brings Saddam Hussein further on the path to developing
    biological and nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them. If
    Saddam corners the world energy market, he can then finance further
    aggression, terror, and blackmail. Each day that passes increases
    Saddam's worldwide threat to democracy.
        The struggling newborn democracies of Eastern Europe and Latin
    America already face a staggering challenge in making the transition to
    a free market. But the added weight of higher oil prices is a crushing
    burden they cannot afford. And our own economy is suffering, suffering
    the effects of higher oil prices and lower growth stemming from Saddam's
    aggression.
        Each day that passes, Saddam's forces also fortify and dig in deeper
    into Kuwait. We risk paying a higher price in the most precious currency
    of all--human life--if we give Saddam more time to prepare for war. And
    each day that passes is another day of fear, suffering, and terror for
    the people of Kuwait, many who risked their lives to shelter and hide
    Americans from Iraqi soldiers. As the Amir of Kuwait said to our Vice
    President just last week, those who advocate waiting longer for
    sanctions to work do not have to live under such brutal occupation.
        As I have discussed with Members of Congress just 2 days ago and in
    our many other consultations, economic sanctions are taking a toll, but
    they are still not forcing Saddam out of Kuwait. Nor do we know when or
    even if they will be successful. As a result, America and her partners
    in this unprecedented coalition are sharing the burden of this important
    mission, and we are ready to use force to defend a new order emerging
    among the nations of the world--a world of sovereign nations living in
    peace.
        We have seen too often in this century how quickly any threat to one
    becomes a threat to all. At this critical moment in history, at a time
    the cold war is fading into the past, we cannot fail. At stake is not
    simply some distant country called Kuwait. At stake is the kind of world
    we will inhabit.
        Last Thanksgiving, I broke bread with some of our men and women on
    the front lines. They understand why we are in Saudi Arabia, and what we
    may have to do. I witnessed courage unfazed by the closeness of danger
    and determination undiminished by the harsh desert sun. These men and
    women are America's finest. We owe each of them our gratitude and full
    support. That is why we must all stand together, not as Republicans or
    Democrats, conservatives or liberals, but as Americans.

                        Note: This address was recorded January 4 in the
                            Oval Office at the White House and was broadcast
                            at 12:06 p.m. on January 5. In his address,
                            President Bush referred to President Saddam
                            Hussein of Iraq and Amir Jabir al-Ahmad al-Jabir
                            Al Sabah of Kuwait.