    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [February 8, 1991]
    [Pages 127-128]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters on the Persian Gulf Conflict
    February 8, 1991

        Q. Mr. President, sorry to interrupt you, sir. Could you say
    something about Jordan and the apparently escalating administration
    comments on the subject?

    [[Page 128]]

        The President. Look, I'd prefer not to take any questions at
    essentially this photo opportunity.
        You're talking a very great interest in Jordan, and Mr. Fitzwater
    gave our views on that. But there is quite some concern now about what
    appears to be a shift in the Jordanian position. And yet, we're
    concerned about it and don't understand some of the rhetoric coming out
    of there. On the other hand, we've always had a historically good
    relationship with Jordan. But this complicates things.
        Jim Baker testified on that yesterday very well and pointed out that
    we're having to review our aid picture with him, given the fact they've
    seemed to have moved over, way over into the Saddam Hussein camp
    totally.

                        Note: The exchange began at 1:34 p.m. in the Oval
                            Office at the White House, prior to a meeting
                            with Foreign Minister Guido Di Tella of
                            Argentina. In his remarks, President Bush
                            referred to Marlin Fitzwater, Press Secretary to
                            the President; Secretary of State James A. Baker
                            III; King Hussein I of Jordan; and President
                            Saddam Hussein of Iraq. A tape was not available
                            for verification of the content of this
                            exchange.