    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [January 13, 1991]
    [Pages 38-40]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Soviet Military Intervention in Lithuania and a Question-and-
    Answer Session With Reporters
    January 13, 1991

        The President. Well, I've been following the situation in Lithuania
    and the other Baltic States closely. The turn of events there is deeply
    disturbing. There is no justification for the use of force against
    peaceful and democratically-elected governments. And the brave people
    and the leaders of the Baltic States have, indeed, acted with dignity
    and restraint. The thoughts and prayers of the people of the United
    States are with them, and particularly with the Lithuanian people who
    have experienced a great tragedy.
        For several years now, the Soviet Union has been on a course of
    democratic and peaceful change. And we've supported that effort and
    stated repeatedly how much we admire the Soviet leaders who chose that
    path. Indeed, change in the Soviet Union has helped to create a basis
    for unprecedented cooperation and partnership between the United States
    and the Soviet Union.
        The events that we're witnessing now are completely inconsistent
    with that course. The progress of reform in the U.S.S.R. has been an
    essential element in the improvement of U.S.-Soviet relations. Events
    like those now taking place in the Baltic States threaten to set back or
    perhaps even reverse the process of reform which is so important in the
    world and the development of the new international order.
        We condemn these acts, which could not help but affect our
    relationship. At this hour, the United States and the West will redouble
    our efforts to strengthen and encourage peaceful change in the Soviet
    Union. Legitimacy is not built by force; it's earned by the consensus of
    the people, by openness, and by the protection of basic human and
    political rights. So, I ask the Soviet leaders to refrain from further
    acts that might lead to more violence and loss of life. I urge the
    Soviet Government to return to a peaceful course of negotiations and
    dialog with the legitimate governments of the Baltic States.
        And I did have an opportunity when I talked to President Gorbachev
    not so many hours ago to encourage the peaceful change there and not the
    use of force.

    Soviet Military Intervention in Lithuania

        Q. Mr. President, was Gorbachev directly behind this military
    crackdown? Is there any reason to believe the military acted without
    complete Presidential decree on this?
        The President. I cannot answer that question. I just don't know the
    facts of----
        Q. Is there any official explanation for what happened in Lithuania?
        The President. Not an official explanation, but we have a good deal
    of information on it.
        Q. And what about the fallout here? Is the summit off at this point?
        The President. Well, I've just expressed this statement here, and I
    just expressed my sentiments in this statement I made, so I can't go
    beyond that.
        Q. Any consideration of export credit guarantees or any other----
        The President. I'm just not going to go further than what I've said
    here. I've just laid it out, and people can interpret it any way they
    want.

    [[Page 39]]

        Q. Mr. President, if the crackdown continues----
        Q. How does it complicate the Persian Gulf situation?
        Q. Mr. President, if the crackdown continues in the Baltics, will
    you go to Moscow on February 11th?
        The President. Well, I would simply--that's too hypothetical. What
    I'm saying is I hope the crackdown will not continue.
        Q. Mr. President, did you get any reassurances from leader Gorbachev
    about whether he will continue or halt the act, consider reassurances
    about what he will do next?
        The President. Well, I heard a statement I was just asking our
    Soviet experts about in here, where he was talking about curtailing the
    use of force. I hope that's true, but I did not get direct affirmation
    from them.

    Persian Gulf Crisis

        Q. Mr. President, what do you hear, sir, about the results of the de
    Cuellar mission?
        The President. We have not had a direct report from Perez de
    Cuellar, and there is a report--is all I saw, as to what he said at the
    airport. But I have not had contact with him. He told me he would call
    me, so I expect to hear from him when he returns.
        Q. What effect, sir, do you think the Soviet actions----
        The President. I can't hear. John [John Cochran, NBC News], what----
        Q. ----Mr. Gorbachev may now--[inaudible]--to Baghdad----
        The President. Well, I don't know.
        Q. Is that something Gorbachev had mentioned----
        The President. I don't know what he'd do, and I know there was some
    thinking of that, but people are very concerned, obviously--time drawing
    close. And I just don't know how to answer that. I just don't know what
    he plans to----
        Q. ----has read a statement that they will keep Kuwait, will not
    withdraw.
        The President. It doesn't surprise me, but they're making a
    tremendous mistake.
        Q. Mr. President, do you think that the Soviet Union is striking out
    on Lithuania at this moment because they think our attention and the
    attention of the world has been diverted by the Persian Gulf crisis?
        The President. No.
        Q. Are you concerned that by speaking out now that you may
    jeopardize your support from Mr. Gorbachev in the Persian Gulf crisis?
        The President. No, I believe the Soviet support for the United
    Nations approach is solid and firm. And President Gorbachev told me that
    not so long ago--just when I had the last conversation.
        Q. Are you talking about the Friday phone call? Just to clarify----
        The President. Yes, yes.
        Q. Mr. President, what is your message to the seemingly millions of
    Americans who have been contacting Congress and apparently contacting
    you, pleading with you not to go to war in the Gulf?
        The President. Well, I think that matter was resolved when the
    Congress acted yesterday, and I'd tell them the same thing I've told the
    American people over and over again.
        Q. But to the American people--what is your response to the
    Americans who are asking you now not to go to war?
        The President. Well, I say we've got to do what we have to do. And
    the Congress has affirmed that position. And I think that is--you know,
    one of the arguments that some made is, well, please get Congress
    engaged; why are you not willing to go to Congress? We went to Congress;
    Congress, both Houses of the Congress, affirmed the policies of this
    government.

    Soviet Military Intervention in Lithuania

        Q. Mr. President, you remonstrated with Gorbachev last week not to
    use force in the Baltics, and just yesterday Gorbachev said he was
    sending emissaries from his Federation Council to mediate. A few hours
    later the tanks were rolling. Are you afraid that he has lost control in
    the Soviet Union?
        The President. Well, I am concerned about the internal affairs
    there--and he, himself, is very much concerned about that. But let's
    hope that there will be a peaceful--a return to peace, no more use of
    force, and that they can peacefully negotiate their differences. That's
    what I hope for. I think that's what President Gorbachev--I know that's
    what he told me he wanted before, and I hope that still holds, and I

    [[Page 40]]

    hope that will obtain. But I am very much concerned about the loss of
    life there.
        Kathy [Kathy Lewis, Houston Chronicle], and then I've got to go
    inside.
        Q. Mr. President, do you plan on trying to contact him directly?
        The President. I always have that option. Our phone lines are open,
    and I have no immediate plans of that, but I wouldn't rule that out.
        Thank you all very much.
        Q. What about Perez de Cuellar, sir?
        Q. How long do you give the Soviet Union before----
        The President. I'm not setting time lines.
        Q. What's topic A tonight at the NSC [National Security Council]
    meeting--the Gulf or the Lithuanian crisis?
        The President. More of the same.

                        Note: The President spoke at 4:05 p.m. on the South
                            Lawn at the White House, upon his return from
                            Camp David, MD. In his remarks, he referred to
                            President Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union
                            and Javier Perez de Cuellar de la Guerra,
                            Secretary-General of the United Nations.