[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[April 24, 1991]
[Pages 421-422]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 421]]


Remarks Following Discussions With President Hassan Gouled Aptidon of 
Djibouti and an Exchange With Reporters
April 24, 1991

    President Bush. There comes a time when nations must decide whether 
to allow aggression to go unchallenged. And the decision is never easy 
for any country, large or small. But today I want to thank one small 
nation which took up a very large challenge in the Persian Gulf war--the 
Republic of Djibouti.
    Tiny in size, lacking in resources, and vulnerable to retaliation, 
Djibouti saw Saddam Hussein's aggression as an intolerable precedent for 
small nations everywhere. And so Djibouti joined the chorus of 
condemnation, voting with the Arab League and the United Nations. It 
joined the coalition of forces against Saddam Hussein. By opening its 
airfields, its seaports, its territorial waters to allies, Djibouti 
aided allied forces to liberate Kuwait quickly and efficiently.
    President Gouled, your personal support was invaluable. Djibouti's 
response to the Gulf crisis, however, came as no surprise to us. 
Djibouti has long been a model of stability and moderation in a region 
which is no stranger to violence and extremism. This deep and abiding 
desire for peace and willingness to act with others to resist aggression 
are the chief characteristics of what I call the new world order. It is 
the responsibility imposed by our successes. It refers to new ways of 
working with nations like yours to deter aggression, and to achieve 
stability, to achieve prosperity, and above all, to achieve peace.
    Together, we look forward to the day when the nations of the world, 
large and small, cooperate peacefully to settle disputes and to deter 
aggression.
    We are glad to have the opportunity to express our hopes directly to 
President Gouled, and we anticipate many long years ahead in our 
relationship.
    I want to thank you again, Your Excellency, for the warm welcome 
which Djibouti has always extended to our Navy, and your support of the 
United States soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coastguardsmen was 
indeed essential to our coalition success. We thank you, and we wish you 
well.
    President Gouled Aptidon. Mr. President, it is a great pleasure for 
me to be here in this wonderful country at your kind invitation. I have 
very much enjoyed the opportunity to meet with you in an atmosphere of 
genuine friendship and mutual understanding.
    I wish to commend you, Mr. President, for your strong leadership 
during the recent Gulf crisis which culminated in the liberation of 
Kuwait and the restoration of its legitimate government. As a small 
country, the Republic of Djibouti has an interest in the recognition and 
maintenance of the territorial integrity of other nations around the 
world.
    We discussed a wide range of issues of common concerns, Mr. 
President, including matters related to our bilateral relationship, 
Djibouti's strategic importance in general, and its vital role in the 
Gulf crisis in particular.
    The plight of the destitute peoples of the Horn of Africa deserve 
urgent international action to alleviate the misery and endless 
suffering as a result of the prolonged civil strife and ethnic 
conflicts. The misfortunes in the neighboring countries have had a 
calamitous impact on the political, social, and economic survival of 
Djibouti. However, we shall persevere in our strenuous mission of 
reconciliation and stability.
    Mr. President, I call on the United States Government to take a 
leading role in seeking an end to the armed conflicts in the Horn of 
Africa, which have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and 
unnecessarily threatened the lives of tens of millions of impoverished 
people.
    We found ourselves in agreement on the goals for post-Gulf peace and 
security. The aftermath of the Gulf war provides a unique opportunity to 
adopt constructive policies that will guarantee peace and security in 
the region in the Middle East and that will ensure the legitimate rights 
of the Palestinian people.

[[Page 422]]

    President Bush and I also had the opportunity to review important 
elements of our bilateral relationship. We have discussed ideas designed 
to assist Djibouti in meeting its development needs which improve the 
living standards for Djibouti's population.
    Again, I enjoyed meeting my friend, President Bush. I leave 
Washington with a deep appreciation for the assistance the U.S. has 
provided to Djibouti and optimism over closer U.S.-Djibouti ties that 
have been established during this visit.
    Thank you. I was a bit more lengthy.
    President Bush. Tres bien. Tres bien. Thank you, and welcome again.

Situation in Iraq

    Q. Mr. President, should there be a deadline for all Iraqis to 
withdraw from----
    President Bush. We're working on the problem. I'll have a little 
more to say about it later. There are serious problems, but I think 
we're getting it under control.

Administration Travel Policy

    Q. Mr. President, what about Governor Sununu? Have you asked him to 
review his travel policy?
    Q. Do you think he's getting a bum rap?
    President Bush. I know that he's complied with these--the policy. 
He's gone for full disclosure. So, I'm not saying what the rap is, but 
as one who's vowed to stay above even the appearance of impropriety, 
perhaps it is appropriate to review the policy. But I think he has 
complied with it. He has not--there was total disclosure. And I don't 
know more what one could ask of a person. And he has my full confidence.
    But in terms of reviewing the policy, I'll take a look at that. 
We'll get our best people to review it in the light of practice and see 
whether it should be altered in any way. But the point is here, he 
complied with the existing directives, and I think he should be given 
credit for that. He made what I think is full disclosure. And if people 
say it's not full, we'll ask for whatever else it is. But I don't know 
what the rap is. He's complied.
    Q. Do you think there was an abuse, Mr. President?
    President Bush. Well, I think he complied with the existing policy, 
and that's--so how can it be abuse? But I think it is appropriate to 
take another look at the policy because I want our administration to be 
above even the perception of impropriety. If that policy leads to a 
perception problem, then I'll take a look at it. And that's exactly what 
I'm going to do. We'll get Boyden Gray and others to take a look. But I 
don't like this jumping all over Governor Sununu when he has complied 
with the policy and has made full disclosure. What more can you ask of a 
man?
    Q. But was it excessive use, sir? Was there excessive use?
    President Bush. You make that judgment.
    Q. ----there is no 48-hour deadline?
    Q. Well, do you have an opinion, sir?
    President Bush. I've got an opinion on a lot of things, John [John 
Cochran, NBC News].
    Q. Did he go to the woodshed, Mr. President?
    Q. Do you think you could share it with us?
    President Bush. ----got an opinion on a lot of things.

                    Note: President Bush spoke at 1:10 p.m. at the South 
                        Portico of the White House. In his remarks, he 
                        referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; 
                        John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the President; 
                        and C. Boyden Gray, Counsel to the President. 
                        President Gouled spoke in French, and his 
                        remarks were translated by an interpreter. Prior 
                        to their remarks, the two Presidents met 
                        privately in the Oval Office and with U.S. and 
                        Djibouti officials in the Cabinet Room, and then 
                        attended a luncheon in the Old Family Dining 
                        Room.