    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [April 24, 1991]
    [Pages 421-422]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 421]]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Hassan Gouled Aptidon of
    Djibouti and an Exchange With Reporters
    April 24, 1991

        President Bush. There comes a time when nations must decide whether
    to allow aggression to go unchallenged. And the decision is never easy
    for any country, large or small. But today I want to thank one small
    nation which took up a very large challenge in the Persian Gulf war--the
    Republic of Djibouti.
        Tiny in size, lacking in resources, and vulnerable to retaliation,
    Djibouti saw Saddam Hussein's aggression as an intolerable precedent for
    small nations everywhere. And so Djibouti joined the chorus of
    condemnation, voting with the Arab League and the United Nations. It
    joined the coalition of forces against Saddam Hussein. By opening its
    airfields, its seaports, its territorial waters to allies, Djibouti
    aided allied forces to liberate Kuwait quickly and efficiently.
        President Gouled, your personal support was invaluable. Djibouti's
    response to the Gulf crisis, however, came as no surprise to us.
    Djibouti has long been a model of stability and moderation in a region
    which is no stranger to violence and extremism. This deep and abiding
    desire for peace and willingness to act with others to resist aggression
    are the chief characteristics of what I call the new world order. It is
    the responsibility imposed by our successes. It refers to new ways of
    working with nations like yours to deter aggression, and to achieve
    stability, to achieve prosperity, and above all, to achieve peace.
        Together, we look forward to the day when the nations of the world,
    large and small, cooperate peacefully to settle disputes and to deter
    aggression.
        We are glad to have the opportunity to express our hopes directly to
    President Gouled, and we anticipate many long years ahead in our
    relationship.
        I want to thank you again, Your Excellency, for the warm welcome
    which Djibouti has always extended to our Navy, and your support of the
    United States soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coastguardsmen was
    indeed essential to our coalition success. We thank you, and we wish you
    well.
        President Gouled Aptidon. Mr. President, it is a great pleasure for
    me to be here in this wonderful country at your kind invitation. I have
    very much enjoyed the opportunity to meet with you in an atmosphere of
    genuine friendship and mutual understanding.
        I wish to commend you, Mr. President, for your strong leadership
    during the recent Gulf crisis which culminated in the liberation of
    Kuwait and the restoration of its legitimate government. As a small
    country, the Republic of Djibouti has an interest in the recognition and
    maintenance of the territorial integrity of other nations around the
    world.
        We discussed a wide range of issues of common concerns, Mr.
    President, including matters related to our bilateral relationship,
    Djibouti's strategic importance in general, and its vital role in the
    Gulf crisis in particular.
        The plight of the destitute peoples of the Horn of Africa deserve
    urgent international action to alleviate the misery and endless
    suffering as a result of the prolonged civil strife and ethnic
    conflicts. The misfortunes in the neighboring countries have had a
    calamitous impact on the political, social, and economic survival of
    Djibouti. However, we shall persevere in our strenuous mission of
    reconciliation and stability.
        Mr. President, I call on the United States Government to take a
    leading role in seeking an end to the armed conflicts in the Horn of
    Africa, which have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and
    unnecessarily threatened the lives of tens of millions of impoverished
    people.
        We found ourselves in agreement on the goals for post-Gulf peace and
    security. The aftermath of the Gulf war provides a unique opportunity to
    adopt constructive policies that will guarantee peace and security in
    the region in the Middle East and that will ensure the legitimate rights
    of the Palestinian people.

    [[Page 422]]

        President Bush and I also had the opportunity to review important
    elements of our bilateral relationship. We have discussed ideas designed
    to assist Djibouti in meeting its development needs which improve the
    living standards for Djibouti's population.
        Again, I enjoyed meeting my friend, President Bush. I leave
    Washington with a deep appreciation for the assistance the U.S. has
    provided to Djibouti and optimism over closer U.S.-Djibouti ties that
    have been established during this visit.
        Thank you. I was a bit more lengthy.
        President Bush. Tres bien. Tres bien. Thank you, and welcome again.

    Situation in Iraq

        Q. Mr. President, should there be a deadline for all Iraqis to
    withdraw from----
        President Bush. We're working on the problem. I'll have a little
    more to say about it later. There are serious problems, but I think
    we're getting it under control.

    Administration Travel Policy

        Q. Mr. President, what about Governor Sununu? Have you asked him to
    review his travel policy?
        Q. Do you think he's getting a bum rap?
        President Bush. I know that he's complied with these--the policy.
    He's gone for full disclosure. So, I'm not saying what the rap is, but
    as one who's vowed to stay above even the appearance of impropriety,
    perhaps it is appropriate to review the policy. But I think he has
    complied with it. He has not--there was total disclosure. And I don't
    know more what one could ask of a person. And he has my full confidence.
        But in terms of reviewing the policy, I'll take a look at that.
    We'll get our best people to review it in the light of practice and see
    whether it should be altered in any way. But the point is here, he
    complied with the existing directives, and I think he should be given
    credit for that. He made what I think is full disclosure. And if people
    say it's not full, we'll ask for whatever else it is. But I don't know
    what the rap is. He's complied.
        Q. Do you think there was an abuse, Mr. President?
        President Bush. Well, I think he complied with the existing policy,
    and that's--so how can it be abuse? But I think it is appropriate to
    take another look at the policy because I want our administration to be
    above even the perception of impropriety. If that policy leads to a
    perception problem, then I'll take a look at it. And that's exactly what
    I'm going to do. We'll get Boyden Gray and others to take a look. But I
    don't like this jumping all over Governor Sununu when he has complied
    with the policy and has made full disclosure. What more can you ask of a
    man?
        Q. But was it excessive use, sir? Was there excessive use?
        President Bush. You make that judgment.
        Q. ----there is no 48-hour deadline?
        Q. Well, do you have an opinion, sir?
        President Bush. I've got an opinion on a lot of things, John [John
    Cochran, NBC News].
        Q. Did he go to the woodshed, Mr. President?
        Q. Do you think you could share it with us?
        President Bush. ----got an opinion on a lot of things.

                        Note: President Bush spoke at 1:10 p.m. at the South
                            Portico of the White House. In his remarks, he
                            referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq;
                            John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the President;
                            and C. Boyden Gray, Counsel to the President.
                            President Gouled spoke in French, and his
                            remarks were translated by an interpreter. Prior
                            to their remarks, the two Presidents met
                            privately in the Oval Office and with U.S. and
                            Djibouti officials in the Cabinet Room, and then
                            attended a luncheon in the Old Family Dining
                            Room.