[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[March 26, 1991]
[Page 310]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 310]]


Remarks and an Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Finance 
Minister Theo Waigel of Germany
March 26, 1991

    The President. I wanted to take this opportunity publicly to thank 
you for Germany's wonderful cooperation and financial contribution as 
well as many other things during this Desert Storm. I understood from 
day one the German position, and we had very close consultations with 
the Chancellor. I know that you were in touch with Secretary Brady and 
others, and I am grateful for the financial support, but even more for 
the understanding. It's not just restricted to Desert Storm; it goes 
over into the role you all are playing in terms of working out 
cooperatively the Polish debt. I don't think Germany gets enough credit 
for having been very, very understanding about that----
    Q. Going to get any money back?
    The President. ----and other areas of cooperation. So please extend 
my best to the Chancellor and wish him well.
    The Finance Minister. Thank you very much. And I want to 
congratulate to the great success not only for your country but for the 
whole of the world, as it was very important for us. We are very happy 
with you.
    Q. Mr. President, is there going to be any left over from the 
contributions?
    The President. I am confident that the Minister and Secretary Brady 
have understanding on the costs involved, and I'm very grateful to 
Germany for their participation in all of this, as I am to other friends 
and allies. I'm afraid it's not going to be any cheaper, if that's what 
you mean, than original estimates.
    Thank you all very much.

                    Note: The President spoke at 1:24 p.m. in the Oval 
                        Office at the White House. In his remarks, he 
                        referred to Chancellor Helmut Kohl of Germany 
                        and Secretary of the Treasury Nicholas F. Brady.