    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [January 17, 1991]
    [Page 46]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters on the Persian Gulf Conflict
    January 17, 1991

        Q. Mr. President, will you insist on an unconditional surrender by
    Saddam?
        Q. Has it reached that point, sir, that surrender is the answer?
        The President. I tried very hard last night to spell out our
    objectives, and I think it's very clear. And the United Nations spelled
    them out, and they remain the same. He can call it anything he wants,
    interpret any way he wants, but we are going to prevail. I don't want to
    get caught up in some semantics about all of this. He's got to get out
    of Kuwait. And he's got to do it with no concessions or no condition.
    That was determined long ago when he failed to comply with the U.N.
    resolutions. And now, in keeping with those, we are using force, and
    we're not going to stop until he fully complies with the resolutions.
        So, let's not worry about what we call it. Let's worry about--call
    it, if you want to make it clear, full compliance with the U.N.
    resolutions, full compliance with the objectives of the coalition
    forces.
        Q. What do you think of his response so far?
        The President. I think our people are doing very well.

                        Note: The exchange began at 3:13 p.m. in the Cabinet
                            Room at the White House. In his remarks,
                            President Bush referred to President Saddam
                            Hussein of Iraq. A tape was not available for
                            verification of the content of this exchange.