    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [April 11, 1991]
    [Pages 360-361]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters on Aid to Iraqi Refugees
    April 11, 1991

        Q. Mr. President, do you agree with Prime Minister Major on the
    enclaves?
        The President. Yes, total agreement.
        Q. Iraq said you don't need to mark enclaves.
        Q. What kind of enclaves?
        The President. We're going to do what we need for humanitarian
    relief. And there is no difference between the United Kingdom and the
    United States, and there's no difference between the EC and the United
    States, and there's no difference between the United Nations Secretary-
    General and the United States on this question. So, I hope that you will
    understand that. There is no difference on this.
        Q. What kind of enclave, sir?
        The President. We're looking forward to give relief to these people
    where they are. We're going to continue to do that. And I do not expect
    any interference from the man in Baghdad, and he knows better than

    [[Page 361]]

    to interfere.
        Q. Is the enclave a legal entity?
        Q. Mr. President----
        The President. Charles [Charles Bierbauer, Cable News Network],
    you're off on the wrong track. If you'd listen to what I said, you'd be
    right about this. There is no difference between these people. And it
    takes the United Nations action to do some formalization; that's not
    what we're doing. We're going to help these refugees, and please don't
    try to make a difference where there isn't any. If you don't believe me,
    do what I did yesterday: Talk to John Major, and you will see there are
    no differences. The United States is taking the leadership role on
    bringing refugees support, and we're going to continue to do it. And
    we're doing a magnificent job in conjunction with these allies.
        And P.S., I am not going to involve any American troops in a civil
    war in Iraq. They are not going to be going in there to do what some of
    my severest critics early on now seem to want me to do. I want these
    kids to come home. And that's what's going to happen. And we are going
    to do what is right by these refugees, and I think the American people
    expect that, and they want that. But I don't think they want to see us
    bogged down in a civil war by sending in the 82d Airborne or the 101st
    or the 7th Cavalry. And so, I want to get that matter cleared up.
        But we are together today with our European allies, just as we have
    been all during this magnificent operation over there.

                        Note: The exchange began at 1:36 p.m. at the South
                            Portico of the White House. President Bush
                            referred to Prime Minister John Major of the
                            United Kingdom, Secretary-General Javier Perez
                            de Cuellar de la Guerra of the United Nations,
                            and President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.