    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [February 15, 1991]
    [Page 151]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 151]]

    Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on Statements Made by Ambassador
    Zalman Shoval of Israel
    February 15, 1991

        Public statements made yesterday by Israeli Ambassador Zalman Shoval
    criticizing the United States are outrageous and outside the bounds of
    acceptable behavior by the ambassador of any friendly country. The
    Secretary of State made this clear to the Ambassador yesterday, and the
    President protested to Prime Minister Shamir by cable this morning.
        We deserve better from Israel's Ambassador.

                        Note: The statement referred to Secretary of State
                            James A. Baker III and Prime Minister Yitzhak
                            Shamir of Israel. The Ambassador had criticized
                            the United States for withholding economic
                            assistance to Israel.