    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [January 16, 1991]
    [Page 42]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Allied Military Action in the Persian Gulf
    January 16, 1991

        I have a statement by the President of the United States:
        The liberation of Kuwait has begun. In conjunction with the forces
    of our coalition partners, the United States has moved under the code
    name Operation Desert Storm to enforce the mandates of the United
    Nations Security Council. As of 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Operation
    Desert Storm forces were engaging targets in Kuwait and Iraq.
        President Bush will address the Nation at 9 p.m. tonight from the
    Oval Office. I'll try to get you more as soon as we can. Thank you very
    much.

                        Note: Press Secretary Fitzwater read the statement
                            to reporters at 7:08 p.m. in the Briefing Room
                            at the White House.