    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [April 3, 1991]
    [Pages 323-324]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the United Nations Persian Gulf Cease-Fire Resolution
    April 3, 1991

        I am extremely pleased that the Security Council has voted in favor
    of Resolution 687. Fourteen times now the United Nations has
    demonstrated its determination to contribute significantly to the
    prospects for lasting peace and security in the Gulf
    region.
        This latest resolution creates the basis for a formal cease-fire
    in the Gulf. It comes 8 months since Iraq invaded Kuwait. During these 8
    months, the world community has stood up for
    what is right and just. It is now up to Iraq's Government to demonstrate
    that it is prepared to respect the will of the

    [[Page 324]]

    world community and communicate its formal acceptance of this resolution
    to the Security Council and the Secretary-General.
        The resolution is unprecedented. It creates a force to monitor the
    legal border between Iraq and Kuwait; it also provides a U.N. guarantee
    of that border. Once this observer force arrives, all remaining U.S.
    ground forces will be withdrawn from Iraqi territory.
        The resolution establishes a fund to compensate Kuwait and other
    claimants for the damage caused by Iraq's aggression. The resolution
    also includes provisions designed to ensure that Iraq cannot rebuild its
    military strength to threaten anew the peace of the region. Weapons of
    mass destruction and the means to deliver them are to be destroyed; this
    is to be confirmed by onsite inspection.
        Certain sanctions will remain in force until such time as Iraq is
    led by a government that convinces the world of its intent both to live
    in peace with its neighbors and to devote its resources to the welfare
    of the Iraqi people. The resolution thus provides the necessary latitude
    for the international community to adjust its relations with Iraq
    depending upon Iraq's leadership and behavior.
        I also want to condemn in the strongest terms continued attacks by
    Iraqi Government forces against defenseless Kurdish and other Iraqi
    civilians. This sort of behavior will continue to set Iraq apart from
    the community of civilized nations. I call upon Iraq's leaders to halt
    these attacks immediately and to allow international organizations to go
    to work inside Iraq to alleviate the suffering and to ensure that
    humanitarian aid reaches needy civilians. As a result of these cruel
    attacks, Turkey is now faced with a mounting refugee problem. The United
    States is prepared to extend economic help to Turkey through
    multilateral channels, and we call upon others to do likewise.