[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[January 5, 1991]
[Pages 10-11]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Radio Address to the Nation on the Persian Gulf Crisis
January 5, 1991

    As the new year begins, new challenges unfold--challenges to America
and the future of our world. Simply put: 1990 saw Iraq invade and occupy 
Kuwait. Nineteen ninety-one will see Iraq withdraw--preferably by 
choice; by force, if need be. It is my most sincere hope 1991 is a year 
of peace. I've seen the hideous face of war and counted the costs of 
conflict in friends lost. I remember this all too well, and have no 
greater concern than the well-being of our men and women stationed in 
the Persian Gulf. True, their morale is sky-high. True, if they are 
called upon to fight the aggressors, they will do their job 
courageously, professionally and, in the end, decisively. There will be 
no more Vietnams.
    But we should go the extra mile before asking our service men and 
women to stand in harm's way. We should, and we have. The United 
Nations, with the full support of the United States, has already tried 
to peacefully pressure Iraq out of Kuwait, implementing economic 
sanctions and securing the condemnation of the world in the form of no 
less than 12 resolutions of the U.N. Security Council.
    This week, we've taken one more step. I have offered to have 
Secretary of State James Baker meet with Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq 
`Aziz in Switzerland. Yesterday, we received word that Iraq has accepted 
our offer to meet in Geneva. This will not be secret diplomacy at work. 
Secretary Baker will restate, in person, a message for Saddam Hussein: 
Withdraw from Kuwait unconditionally and immediately, or face the 
terrible consequences.
    Eleven days from today, Saddam Hussein will either have met the 
United Nations deadline for a full and unconditional withdrawal, or he 
will have once again defied the civilized world. This is a deadline for 
Saddam Hussein to comply with the United

[[Page 11]]

Nations resolution, not a deadline for our own Armed Forces. Still, time 
is running out. It's running out because each day that passes brings 
real costs.
    Saddam already poses a strategic threat to the capital cities of 
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel, and Syria, as well as our own men 
and women in the Gulf region. In fact, Saddam has used chemical weapons 
of mass destruction against innocent villagers, his own people. Each day 
that passes brings Saddam Hussein further on the path to developing 
biological and nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them. If 
Saddam corners the world energy market, he can then finance further 
aggression, terror, and blackmail. Each day that passes increases 
Saddam's worldwide threat to democracy.
    The struggling newborn democracies of Eastern Europe and Latin 
America already face a staggering challenge in making the transition to 
a free market. But the added weight of higher oil prices is a crushing 
burden they cannot afford. And our own economy is suffering, suffering 
the effects of higher oil prices and lower growth stemming from Saddam's 
aggression.
    Each day that passes, Saddam's forces also fortify and dig in deeper 
into Kuwait. We risk paying a higher price in the most precious currency 
of all--human life--if we give Saddam more time to prepare for war. And 
each day that passes is another day of fear, suffering, and terror for 
the people of Kuwait, many who risked their lives to shelter and hide 
Americans from Iraqi soldiers. As the Amir of Kuwait said to our Vice 
President just last week, those who advocate waiting longer for 
sanctions to work do not have to live under such brutal occupation.
    As I have discussed with Members of Congress just 2 days ago and in 
our many other consultations, economic sanctions are taking a toll, but 
they are still not forcing Saddam out of Kuwait. Nor do we know when or 
even if they will be successful. As a result, America and her partners 
in this unprecedented coalition are sharing the burden of this important 
mission, and we are ready to use force to defend a new order emerging 
among the nations of the world--a world of sovereign nations living in 
peace.
    We have seen too often in this century how quickly any threat to one 
becomes a threat to all. At this critical moment in history, at a time 
the cold war is fading into the past, we cannot fail. At stake is not 
simply some distant country called Kuwait. At stake is the kind of world 
we will inhabit.
    Last Thanksgiving, I broke bread with some of our men and women on 
the front lines. They understand why we are in Saudi Arabia, and what we 
may have to do. I witnessed courage unfazed by the closeness of danger 
and determination undiminished by the harsh desert sun. These men and 
women are America's finest. We owe each of them our gratitude and full 
support. That is why we must all stand together, not as Republicans or 
Democrats, conservatives or liberals, but as Americans.

                    Note: This address was recorded January 4 in the 
                        Oval Office at the White House and was broadcast 
                        at 12:06 p.m. on January 5. In his address, 
                        President Bush referred to President Saddam 
                        Hussein of Iraq and Amir Jabir al-Ahmad al-Jabir 
                        Al Sabah of Kuwait.