    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [June 13, 1991]
    [Page 653]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Bill Providing Humanitarian Assistance for
    Iraqi Refugees and Displaced Persons
    June 13, 1991

        Today I have signed H.R. 2251, an Act that provides supplemental
    appropriations for humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced
    persons in and around Iraq and for peacekeeping activities.
        I am pleased by the demonstration of bipartisan cooperation and the
    speed with which the Congress has worked to complete action on this
    legislation. This Act will enable the Departments of State and Defense
    and the Agency for International Development to continue their efforts
    on behalf of the refugees and displaced persons in and around Iraq, and
    to replenish those accounts which have been drawn down by the immense
    effort of Operation Provide Comfort. The funds provided in this Act are
    incremental costs of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
        In the 68 days since the initiation of Operation Provide Comfort,
    the United States has delivered by air and land over 17,000 tons of
    relief supplies and provided medical assistance for thousands of Iraqi
    refugees and displaced persons who fled to the Turkey/Iraq border area.
    Countless lives were saved. Through American leadership, spearheaded so
    well by the military, 650,000 Iraqi refugees and displaced persons have
    left the inhospitable mountains and traveled to or through relief camps
    we built. Most are now returning to their homes. The last mountain camp
    has closed. The task of responding to this human tragedy is not over,
    but we can be grateful for what has been accomplished by the United
    States, the United Nations, and the international community.

                                                                 George Bush

    The White House,
    June 13, 1991.

                        Note: H.R. 2251, approved June 13, was assigned
                            Public Law No. 102-55.