    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [January 15, 1991]
    [Pages 41-42]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the Conditional Release of
    Military Assistance to El Salvador
    January 15, 1991

        The President is sending a report to Congress on Salvadoran
    Government and FMLN guerrilla compliance with the terms set forth in the
    Fiscal Year 1991 Foreign Operations Appropriation Act. Today, the
    President determined that $42.5 million, the 50 percent of FY 1991
    military aid for El Salvador that has been withheld under the law, may
    be released. The President's decision was based on the FMLN's violation
    of the conditions against ``engaging in acts of violence directed at
    civilian targets'' and acquiring or receiving ``significant shipments of
    lethal military assistance from outside El Salvador,'' contained in
    Sections 531 (D) and (E) of the Act.
        The President has decided to suspend delivery of this aid for 60
    days in the interest of promoting a peaceful settlement to El Salvador's
    tragic conflict. Despite the FMLN's intransigence in negotiating with
    the Government and its clear violation of standards which Congress has
    established, we must give the peace negotiations under U.N. mediation
    every possible chance to succeed. The end of the 60-day period will
    coincide with the elections in March for the Salvadoran National
    Assembly. If the FMLN takes a serious and constructive approach to the
    peace talks so that they result in a political settlement and a U.N.-
    supervised cease-fire within 60 days, these funds will not need to be
    released for the defense of El Salvador's security.
        The United States is prepared to go the last mile for peace in El
    Salvador. We are not prepared to sacrifice the security of the elected
    government or of American citizens. The United States will monitor
    carefully security conditions in El Salvador, and the President may
    release military assistance sooner than 60 days in case of a compelling
    security need.
        The President would strongly prefer not to have to use these funds
    for military purposes, but rather, as the legislation permits, to help
    monitor a cease-fire and assist in demobilizing combatants and returning
    them to civilian life. An internationally verified cease-fire would
    assist greatly in assuring the fullest possible participation in the
    election and allow us to use our assistance to support a peace
    settlement and national

    [[Page 42]]

    reconstruction. The time for war in El Salvador is over; the time for a
    peace settlement is now.

                        Note: The Presidential determination on military
                            assistance for El Salvador was printed in the
                            ``Federal Register'' of February 6.