[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[January 15, 1991]
[Pages 41-42]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the Conditional Release of 
Military Assistance to El Salvador
January 15, 1991

    The President is sending a report to Congress on Salvadoran
Government and FMLN guerrilla compliance with the terms set forth in the 
Fiscal Year 1991 Foreign Operations Appropriation Act. Today, the 
President determined that $42.5 million, the 50 percent of FY 1991 
military aid for El Salvador that has been withheld under the law, may 
be released. The President's decision was based on the FMLN's violation 
of the conditions against ``engaging in acts of violence directed at 
civilian targets'' and acquiring or receiving ``significant shipments of 
lethal military assistance from outside El Salvador,'' contained in 
Sections 531 (D) and (E) of the Act.
    The President has decided to suspend delivery of this aid for 60 
days in the interest of promoting a peaceful settlement to El Salvador's 
tragic conflict. Despite the FMLN's intransigence in negotiating with 
the Government and its clear violation of standards which Congress has 
established, we must give the peace negotiations under U.N. mediation 
every possible chance to succeed. The end of the 60-day period will 
coincide with the elections in March for the Salvadoran National 
Assembly. If the FMLN takes a serious and constructive approach to the 
peace talks so that they result in a political settlement and a U.N.-
supervised cease-fire within 60 days, these funds will not need to be 
released for the defense of El Salvador's security.
    The United States is prepared to go the last mile for peace in El 
Salvador. We are not prepared to sacrifice the security of the elected 
government or of American citizens. The United States will monitor 
carefully security conditions in El Salvador, and the President may 
release military assistance sooner than 60 days in case of a compelling 
security need.
    The President would strongly prefer not to have to use these funds 
for military purposes, but rather, as the legislation permits, to help 
monitor a cease-fire and assist in demobilizing combatants and returning 
them to civilian life. An internationally verified cease-fire would 
assist greatly in assuring the fullest possible participation in the 
election and allow us to use our assistance to support a peace 
settlement and national

[[Page 42]]

reconstruction. The time for war in El Salvador is over; the time for a 
peace settlement is now.

                    Note: The Presidential determination on military 
                        assistance for El Salvador was printed in the 
                        ``Federal Register'' of February 6.