[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.