    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [May 3, 1991]
    [Pages 462-463]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on President Bush's Meeting With
    President Carlos Andres Perez of Venezuela
    May 3, 1991

        The President met today with Venezuelan President Carlos Andres
    Perez, who is on a private visit to the U.S. The two leaders discussed
    the peace process in El Salvador, expressing their satisfaction over the
    agreement reached last weekend by the Government of El Salvador and the
    guerrillas. The President praised President Perez' efforts on behalf of
    peace in El Salvador.
        They also discussed Nicaragua, with both

    [[Page 463]]

    leaders indicating their willingness to help Nicaragua clear its arrears
    with the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank as soon as
    possible. The United States is prepared to make a substantial
    contribution to this effort, and so is Venezuela. Spain, Mexico, and
    other countries are also offering very generous contributions. We hope
    that with this assistance, Nicaragua will be able to move forward with
    its economic reform program.
        Both Presidents reaffirmed their strong commitment to democracy and
    pluralism in Haiti. On Suriname, the President and President Perez also
    set forth their strong support for civilian democratic rule; both agree
    that the May 25 elections will be a fundamental test of the Surinamese
    military's willingness to permit a genuine democratic process.
        Finally, the two Presidents discussed international oil issues.
    President Perez briefed the President on a proposal for a multilateral
    consumer-producer dialog. The President reaffirmed the U.S. commitment
    to strengthened bilateral energy cooperation and consultations,
    including our excellent consultations with Venezuela. He reaffirmed the
    U.S. position that price, production levels, and related issues should
    be determined by market mechanisms, not by multilateral negotiations.
        Following their meeting, President Perez left for Houston, TX,
    Tulsa, OK, and Palo Alto, CA. He will be honored at the graduation
    ceremony of the University of Tulsa on Saturday.