[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[February 22, 1991]
[Pages 168-170]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the Persian Gulf Conflict
February 22, 1991

    The Soviet announcement yesterday represents a serious and useful
effort which is appreciated. But major obstacles remain. The coalition 
for many months has sought a

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peaceful resolution to this crisis, in keeping with the U.N. 
resolutions. As President Bush pointed out to President Gorbachev, the 
steps the Iraqis are considering would constitute a conditional 
withdrawal and would also prevent the full implementation of relevant 
U.N. Security Council resolutions. Also there is no indication that Iraq 
is prepared to withdraw immediately.
    Full compliance with the Security Council resolutions has been a 
consistent and necessary demand of the international community. The 
world must make sure that Iraq has, in fact, renounced its claim to 
Kuwait and accepted all relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions.
    Indeed, only the Security Council can agree to lift sanctions 
against Iraq, and the world needs to be assured in concrete terms of 
Iraq's peaceful intentions before such action can be taken. In a 
situation where sanctions have been lifted, Saddam Hussein could simply 
revert to using his oil resources once again, not to provide for the 
well-being of his people but instead to re-arm.
    So, in a final effort to obtain Iraqi compliance with the will of 
the international community, the United States, after consulting with 
the Government of Kuwait and her other coalition partners, declares that 
a ground campaign will not be initiated against Iraqi forces if, prior 
to noon Saturday, February 23, New York time, Iraq publicly accepts the 
following terms and authoritatively communicates that acceptance to the 
United Nations:
    First, Iraq must begin large-scale withdrawal from Kuwait by noon 
New York time, Saturday, February 23. Iraq must complete military 
withdrawal from Kuwait in 1 week. Given the fact that Iraq invaded and 
occupied Kuwait in a matter of hours, anything longer than this from the 
initiation of the withdrawal would not meet Resolution 660's requirement 
of immediacy.
    Within the first 48 hours, Iraq must remove all its forces from 
Kuwait City and allow for the prompt return of the legitimate government 
of Kuwait. It must withdraw from all prepared defenses along the Saudi-
Kuwait and Saudi-Iraq borders, from Bubiyan and Warbah Islands, and from 
Kuwait's Rumaylah oilfield within the 1 week specified above. Iraq must 
return all its forces to their positions of August 1st, in accordance 
with Resolution 660.
    In cooperation with the International Red Cross, Iraq must release 
all prisoners of war and third country civilians being held against 
their will and return the remains of killed and deceased servicemen. 
This action must commence immediately with the initiation of the 
withdrawal and must be completed within 48 hours.
    Iraq must remove all explosives or booby traps, including those on 
Kuwaiti oil installations, and designate Iraqi military liaison officers 
to work with Kuwaiti and other coalition forces on the operational 
details related to Iraq's withdrawal, to include the provision of all 
data on the location and nature of any land or sea mines.
    Iraq must cease combat aircraft flights over Iraq and Kuwait except 
for transport aircraft carrying troops out of Kuwait, and allow 
coalition aircraft exclusive control over and use of all Kuwaiti 
airspace.
    It must cease all destructive actions against Kuwaiti citizens and 
property and release all Kuwaiti detainees.
    The United States and its coalition partners reiterate that their 
forces will not attack retreating Iraqi forces and, further, will 
exercise restraint so long as withdrawal proceeds in accordance with the 
above guidelines and there are no attacks on other countries.
    Any breach of these terms will bring an instant and sharp response 
from coalition forces in accordance with United Nations Security Council 
Resolution 678.
    That's the conclusion of our prepared statement.
    Let me just add a couple of points--first of all, that a copy of 
this document was provided to Iraqi diplomats here in Washington about 
noon today. President Bush and Secretary Baker spoke with President 
Gorbachev for over an hour and 15 minutes this morning to discuss this 
situation. Secretary Baker spoke with Soviet Foreign Ministry officials 
both yesterday and today. And we have consulted with all of our allies 
and coalition partners last night or this morning.

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The coalition remains strong and united.

                    Note: Press Secretary Fitzwater read this statement 
                        to reporters at 12:48 p.m. in the Briefing Room 
                        at the White House. The statement referred to 
                        President Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union, 
                        President Saddam Hussein of Iraq, and Secretary 
                        of State James A. Baker III.