    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [March 26, 1991]
    [Page 310]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 310]]

    Remarks and an Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Finance
    Minister Theo Waigel of Germany
    March 26, 1991

        The President. I wanted to take this opportunity publicly to thank
    you for Germany's wonderful cooperation and financial contribution as
    well as many other things during this Desert Storm. I understood from
    day one the German position, and we had very close consultations with
    the Chancellor. I know that you were in touch with Secretary Brady and
    others, and I am grateful for the financial support, but even more for
    the understanding. It's not just restricted to Desert Storm; it goes
    over into the role you all are playing in terms of working out
    cooperatively the Polish debt. I don't think Germany gets enough credit
    for having been very, very understanding about that----
        Q. Going to get any money back?
        The President. ----and other areas of cooperation. So please extend
    my best to the Chancellor and wish him well.
        The Finance Minister. Thank you very much. And I want to
    congratulate to the great success not only for your country but for the
    whole of the world, as it was very important for us. We are very happy
    with you.
        Q. Mr. President, is there going to be any left over from the
    contributions?
        The President. I am confident that the Minister and Secretary Brady
    have understanding on the costs involved, and I'm very grateful to
    Germany for their participation in all of this, as I am to other friends
    and allies. I'm afraid it's not going to be any cheaper, if that's what
    you mean, than original estimates.
        Thank you all very much.

                        Note: The President spoke at 1:24 p.m. in the Oval
                            Office at the White House. In his remarks, he
                            referred to Chancellor Helmut Kohl of Germany
                            and Secretary of the Treasury Nicholas F. Brady.