    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [June 4, 1991]
    [Pages 603-604]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 603]]

    Remarks Announcing the Nomination of Robert Strauss To Be United States
    Ambassador to the Soviet Union
    June 4, 1991

        The President. Let me just say that I am delighted to announce my
    intention to nominate an old friend and an experienced diplomat, Robert
    Strauss, to be our next Ambassador to the Soviet Union.
        Bob Strauss has taken on difficult and delicate assignments in the
    past for Presidents of both parties. I know that he's the right man to
    represent the United States in this fantastic period of change in the
    Soviet Union. And at this moment, we are considering any number of ideas
    to foster democratic reform, to foster economic change in the Soviet
    Union. And at the same time, the status of East-West relations is being
    redefined by the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe and by President
    Gorbachev.
        We have an important role in leading and defining a new world order
    in which the United States and the Soviet Union continue to work
    cooperatively for the betterment of mankind. And I frankly can think of
    nobody, no one, more qualified or more talented to bring to this
    representation what we need: contacts with high officials, a knowledge
    of America, a guarantee that two ships--big ships, important ships--
    won't pass in the night for lack of understanding. And I'm very proud
    that he will be our representative to the Soviet Union during this
    important, I would say, critical period.
        And Bob, I just can't tell you how grateful I am to you and I ought
    to say to Helen, too, your wife, for being willing to undertake this
    important assignment. It's a wonderful thing for our country. And I am
    confident that this appointment will be well-received by your many
    friends on both sides of the aisle of the United States Senate, of the
    Congress, and certainly by the American people. So, thank you for
    suiting up once again, and I believe it's a wonderful thing for the
    United States. Thank you for being willing to do this.
        Now, please say a word, if you will. And then we'll get the
    Secretary.
        Mr. Strauss. I have no statement to make other than, a week ago if
    anyone had told me I would be standing here, I would have thought they
    were crazy. I spent the last several days in consultation with the
    President and with the Secretary of State and with Helen Strauss, I
    might add. And I have concluded that if there is a role I can play, I'm
    delighted to play it with the Secretary of State and with this
    President.
        I enter this administration as a Democrat, as all of you know. It's
    a nonpolitical appointment, if ever there was one and could be one, and
    I certainly will come out a Democrat. And in the meantime, I'll do my
    damnedest, Mr. President, to represent this nation as you and the
    Secretary would want me to.
        I'll take a question or two later on after the Secretary says
    something, if you like.
        Secretary Baker. Mr. President, Ambassador Strauss, let me simply
    echo, Mr. President, what you've said with respect to this appointment.
    We are extraordinarily pleased that Ambassador Strauss is willing to
    undertake this responsibility. It is a real plus for America. It's a
    plus for the American people. It is a plus, a big plus, for the
    developing relationship and the emerging and continually positively
    forward-moving relationship between the United States and the Soviet
    Union.
        The President. Bob, thank you. And I have an 11:15 a.m., but if you
    want to fire a couple of questions at----
        Q. Mr. President, are we going to have a summit at the end of the
    month?
        Q. Mr. President, are you going to Moscow at the end of the month?
        The President. We're talking about that all in the next couple of
    days here. I have no comments on any of these stories right now. I want
    to keep the focus on this wonderful new appointment. And Bob will take
    some questions. And I don't know whether--Jim, do you want to stay with
    him?

                        Note: The President spoke at 11:07 a.m. in the Rose
                            Garden at the White House. In his

    [[Page 604]]

                            remarks, he referred to President Mikhail
                            Gorbachev of the Soviet Union; Mr. Strauss'
                            wife, Helen; and Secretary of State James A.
                            Baker III. Following the President's remarks,
                            Mr. Strauss, who was a former U.S. Trade
                            Representative, responded to questions from the
                            press.