    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [February 22, 1991]
    [Pages 168-170]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the Persian Gulf Conflict
    February 22, 1991

        The Soviet announcement yesterday represents a serious and useful
    effort which is appreciated. But major obstacles remain. The coalition
    for many months has sought a

    [[Page 169]]

    peaceful resolution to this crisis, in keeping with the U.N.
    resolutions. As President Bush pointed out to President Gorbachev, the
    steps the Iraqis are considering would constitute a conditional
    withdrawal and would also prevent the full implementation of relevant
    U.N. Security Council resolutions. Also there is no indication that Iraq
    is prepared to withdraw immediately.
        Full compliance with the Security Council resolutions has been a
    consistent and necessary demand of the international community. The
    world must make sure that Iraq has, in fact, renounced its claim to
    Kuwait and accepted all relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions.
        Indeed, only the Security Council can agree to lift sanctions
    against Iraq, and the world needs to be assured in concrete terms of
    Iraq's peaceful intentions before such action can be taken. In a
    situation where sanctions have been lifted, Saddam Hussein could simply
    revert to using his oil resources once again, not to provide for the
    well-being of his people but instead to re-arm.
        So, in a final effort to obtain Iraqi compliance with the will of
    the international community, the United States, after consulting with
    the Government of Kuwait and her other coalition partners, declares that
    a ground campaign will not be initiated against Iraqi forces if, prior
    to noon Saturday, February 23, New York time, Iraq publicly accepts the
    following terms and authoritatively communicates that acceptance to the
    United Nations:
        First, Iraq must begin large-scale withdrawal from Kuwait by noon
    New York time, Saturday, February 23. Iraq must complete military
    withdrawal from Kuwait in 1 week. Given the fact that Iraq invaded and
    occupied Kuwait in a matter of hours, anything longer than this from the
    initiation of the withdrawal would not meet Resolution 660's requirement
    of immediacy.
        Within the first 48 hours, Iraq must remove all its forces from
    Kuwait City and allow for the prompt return of the legitimate government
    of Kuwait. It must withdraw from all prepared defenses along the Saudi-
    Kuwait and Saudi-Iraq borders, from Bubiyan and Warbah Islands, and from
    Kuwait's Rumaylah oilfield within the 1 week specified above. Iraq must
    return all its forces to their positions of August 1st, in accordance
    with Resolution 660.
        In cooperation with the International Red Cross, Iraq must release
    all prisoners of war and third country civilians being held against
    their will and return the remains of killed and deceased servicemen.
    This action must commence immediately with the initiation of the
    withdrawal and must be completed within 48 hours.
        Iraq must remove all explosives or booby traps, including those on
    Kuwaiti oil installations, and designate Iraqi military liaison officers
    to work with Kuwaiti and other coalition forces on the operational
    details related to Iraq's withdrawal, to include the provision of all
    data on the location and nature of any land or sea mines.
        Iraq must cease combat aircraft flights over Iraq and Kuwait except
    for transport aircraft carrying troops out of Kuwait, and allow
    coalition aircraft exclusive control over and use of all Kuwaiti
    airspace.
        It must cease all destructive actions against Kuwaiti citizens and
    property and release all Kuwaiti detainees.
        The United States and its coalition partners reiterate that their
    forces will not attack retreating Iraqi forces and, further, will
    exercise restraint so long as withdrawal proceeds in accordance with the
    above guidelines and there are no attacks on other countries.
        Any breach of these terms will bring an instant and sharp response
    from coalition forces in accordance with United Nations Security Council
    Resolution 678.
        That's the conclusion of our prepared statement.
        Let me just add a couple of points--first of all, that a copy of
    this document was provided to Iraqi diplomats here in Washington about
    noon today. President Bush and Secretary Baker spoke with President
    Gorbachev for over an hour and 15 minutes this morning to discuss this
    situation. Secretary Baker spoke with Soviet Foreign Ministry officials
    both yesterday and today. And we have consulted with all of our allies
    and coalition partners last night or this morning.

    [[Page 170]]

    The coalition remains strong and united.

                        Note: Press Secretary Fitzwater read this statement
                            to reporters at 12:48 p.m. in the Briefing Room
                            at the White House. The statement referred to
                            President Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union,
                            President Saddam Hussein of Iraq, and Secretary
                            of State James A. Baker III.