    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [February 13, 1991]
    [Pages 142-143]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on Allied Bombing in Baghdad
    February 13, 1991

        Last night, coalition forces bombed a military command and control
    center in Baghdad that, according to press reports, resulted in a number
    of civilian casualties.
        The loss of civilian lives in time of war is a truly tragic
    consequence. It saddens everyone to know that innocent people may have
    died in the course of military conflict. America treats human life as
    our most precious value. That is why even during this military conflict
    in which the lives of our service men and women are at risk, we will not
    target civilian facilities. We will continue to hit only military
    targets. The bunker that was attacked last night was a military target,
    a command-and-control center that fed instructions directly to the Iraqi
    war machine, painted and camouflaged to avoid detection and well-
    documented as a military target. We have been systematically attacking
    these targets since the war began.
        We don't know why civilians were at this location, but we do know
    that Saddam Hussein does not share our value in the sanctity of life.
    Indeed, he time and again has shown a willingness to sacrifice civilian
    lives and property that further his war aims.
        Civilian hostages were moved in November and December to military
    sites for use as human shields. POW's reportedly have been placed at
    military sites. Roving bands of execution squads search out deserters
    among his own ranks of servicemen. Command and control centers in Iraq
    have been placed on top of schools and public buildings. Tanks and other
    artillery have been placed beside private homes and small villages. And
    only this morning we have documentation that two MIG 21's have been
    parked near the front door of a treasured

    [[Page 143]]

    archeologic site which dates back to the 27th century B.C.
        His environmental terrorism spreads throughout the Persian Gulf,
    killing wildlife and threatening human water supplies. And finally,
    Saddam Hussein aims his Scud missiles at innocent civilians in Israel
    and Saudi Arabia. He kills civilians intentionally and with purpose.
        Saddam Hussein created this war. He created the military bunkers.
    And he can bring the war to an end. We urge him once again to save his
    people and to comply with the U.N. resolutions.
        Thank you very much.

                        Note: Press Secretary Fitzwater read the statement
                            to reporters at 11:47 a.m. in the Briefing Room
                            at the White House. The statement referred to
                            President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.