[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[February 8, 1991]
[Pages 127-128]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters on the Persian Gulf Conflict
February 8, 1991

    Q. Mr. President, sorry to interrupt you, sir. Could you say
something about Jordan and the apparently escalating administration 
comments on the subject?

[[Page 128]]

    The President. Look, I'd prefer not to take any questions at 
essentially this photo opportunity.
    You're talking a very great interest in Jordan, and Mr. Fitzwater 
gave our views on that. But there is quite some concern now about what 
appears to be a shift in the Jordanian position. And yet, we're 
concerned about it and don't understand some of the rhetoric coming out 
of there. On the other hand, we've always had a historically good 
relationship with Jordan. But this complicates things.
    Jim Baker testified on that yesterday very well and pointed out that 
we're having to review our aid picture with him, given the fact they've 
seemed to have moved over, way over into the Saddam Hussein camp 
totally.

                    Note: The exchange began at 1:34 p.m. in the Oval 
                        Office at the White House, prior to a meeting 
                        with Foreign Minister Guido Di Tella of 
                        Argentina. In his remarks, President Bush 
                        referred to Marlin Fitzwater, Press Secretary to 
                        the President; Secretary of State James A. Baker 
                        III; King Hussein I of Jordan; and President 
                        Saddam Hussein of Iraq. A tape was not available 
                        for verification of the content of this 
                        exchange.