    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [February 27, 1991]
    [Pages 187-188]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Address to the Nation on the Suspension of Allied Offensive Combat
    Operations in the Persian Gulf
    February 27, 1991

        Kuwait is liberated. Iraq's army is defeated. Our military
    objectives are met. Kuwait is once more in the hands of Kuwaitis, in
    control of their own destiny. We share in their joy, a joy tempered only
    by our compassion for their ordeal.
        Tonight the Kuwaiti flag once again flies above the capital of a
    free and sovereign nation. And the American flag flies above our
    Embassy.
        Seven months ago, America and the world drew a line in the sand. We
    declared that the aggression against Kuwait would not stand. And
    tonight, America and the world have kept their word.
        This is not a time of euphoria, certainly not a time to gloat. But
    it is a time of pride: pride in our troops; pride in the friends who
    stood with us in the crisis; pride in our nation and the people whose
    strength and resolve made victory quick, decisive, and just. And soon we
    will open wide our arms to welcome back home to America our magnificent
    fighting forces.
        No one country can claim this victory as its own. It was not only a
    victory for Kuwait but a victory for all the coalition partners. This is
    a victory for the United Nations, for all mankind, for the rule of law,
    and for what is right.
        After consulting with Secretary of Defense Cheney, the Chairman of
    the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Powell, and our coalition partners, I
    am pleased to announce that at midnight tonight eastern standard time,
    exactly 100 hours since ground operations commenced and 6 weeks since
    the start of Desert Storm, all United States and coalition forces will
    suspend offensive combat operations. It is up to Iraq whether

    [[Page 188]]

    this suspension on the part of the coalition becomes a permanent cease-
    fire.
        Coalition political and military terms for a formal cease-fire
    include the following requirements:
        Iraq must release immediately all coalition prisoners of war, third
    country nationals, and the remains of all who have fallen. Iraq must
    release all Kuwaiti detainees. Iraq also must inform Kuwaiti authorities
    of the location and nature of all land and sea mines. Iraq must comply
    fully with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
    This includes a rescinding of Iraq's August decision to annex Kuwait and
    acceptance in principle of Iraq's responsibility to pay compensation for
    the loss, damage, and injury its aggression has caused.
        The coalition calls upon the Iraqi Government to designate military
    commanders to meet within 48 hours with their coalition counterparts at
    a place in the theater of operations to be specified to arrange for
    military aspects of the cease-fire. Further, I have asked Secretary of
    State Baker to request that the United Nations Security Council meet to
    formulate the necessary arrangements for this war to be ended.
        This suspension of offensive combat operations is contingent upon
    Iraq's not firing upon any coalition forces and not launching Scud
    missiles against any other country. If Iraq violates these terms,
    coalition forces will be free to resume military operations.
        At every opportunity, I have said to the people of Iraq that our
    quarrel was not with them but instead with their leadership and, above
    all, with Saddam Hussein. This remains the case. You, the people of
    Iraq, are not our enemy. We do not seek your destruction. We have
    treated your POW's with kindness. Coalition forces fought this war only
    as a last resort and look forward to the day when Iraq is led by people
    prepared to live in peace with their neighbors.
        We must now begin to look beyond victory and war. We must meet the
    challenge of securing the peace. In the future, as before, we will
    consult with our coalition partners. We've already done a good deal of
    thinking and planning for the postwar period, and Secretary Baker has
    already begun to consult with our coalition partners on the region's
    challenges. There can be, and will be, no solely American answer to all
    these challenges. But we can assist and support the countries of the
    region and be a catalyst for peace. In this spirit, Secretary Baker will
    go to the region next week to begin a new round of consultations.
        This war is now behind us. Ahead of us is the difficult task of
    securing a potentially historic peace. Tonight though, let us be proud
    of what we have accomplished. Let us give thanks to those who risked
    their lives. Let us never forget those who gave their lives. May God
    bless our valiant military forces and their families, and let us all
    remember them in our prayers.
        Good night, and may God bless the United States of America.

                        Note: President Bush spoke at 9:02 p.m. from the
                            Oval Office at the White House. In his address,
                            he referred to Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney;
                            Colin L. Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
                            Staff; Secretary of State James A. Baker III;
                            and President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. The
                            address was broadcast live on nationwide radio
                            and television.