[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[February 13, 1991]
[Pages 142-143]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on Allied Bombing in Baghdad
February 13, 1991

    Last night, coalition forces bombed a military command and control
center in Baghdad that, according to press reports, resulted in a number 
of civilian casualties.
    The loss of civilian lives in time of war is a truly tragic 
consequence. It saddens everyone to know that innocent people may have 
died in the course of military conflict. America treats human life as 
our most precious value. That is why even during this military conflict 
in which the lives of our service men and women are at risk, we will not 
target civilian facilities. We will continue to hit only military 
targets. The bunker that was attacked last night was a military target, 
a command-and-control center that fed instructions directly to the Iraqi 
war machine, painted and camouflaged to avoid detection and well-
documented as a military target. We have been systematically attacking 
these targets since the war began.
    We don't know why civilians were at this location, but we do know 
that Saddam Hussein does not share our value in the sanctity of life. 
Indeed, he time and again has shown a willingness to sacrifice civilian 
lives and property that further his war aims.
    Civilian hostages were moved in November and December to military 
sites for use as human shields. POW's reportedly have been placed at 
military sites. Roving bands of execution squads search out deserters 
among his own ranks of servicemen. Command and control centers in Iraq 
have been placed on top of schools and public buildings. Tanks and other 
artillery have been placed beside private homes and small villages. And 
only this morning we have documentation that two MIG 21's have been 
parked near the front door of a treasured

[[Page 143]]

archeologic site which dates back to the 27th century B.C.
    His environmental terrorism spreads throughout the Persian Gulf, 
killing wildlife and threatening human water supplies. And finally, 
Saddam Hussein aims his Scud missiles at innocent civilians in Israel 
and Saudi Arabia. He kills civilians intentionally and with purpose.
    Saddam Hussein created this war. He created the military bunkers. 
And he can bring the war to an end. We urge him once again to save his 
people and to comply with the U.N. resolutions.
    Thank you very much.

                    Note: Press Secretary Fitzwater read the statement 
                        to reporters at 11:47 a.m. in the Briefing Room 
                        at the White House. The statement referred to 
                        President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.