[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[April 11, 1991]
[Pages 360-361]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters on Aid to Iraqi Refugees
April 11, 1991

    Q. Mr. President, do you agree with Prime Minister Major on the 
enclaves?
    The President. Yes, total agreement.
    Q. Iraq said you don't need to mark enclaves.
    Q. What kind of enclaves?
    The President. We're going to do what we need for humanitarian 
relief. And there is no difference between the United Kingdom and the 
United States, and there's no difference between the EC and the United 
States, and there's no difference between the United Nations Secretary-
General and the United States on this question. So, I hope that you will 
understand that. There is no difference on this.
    Q. What kind of enclave, sir?
    The President. We're looking forward to give relief to these people 
where they are. We're going to continue to do that. And I do not expect 
any interference from the man in Baghdad, and he knows better than

[[Page 361]]

to interfere.
    Q. Is the enclave a legal entity?
    Q. Mr. President----
    The President. Charles [Charles Bierbauer, Cable News Network], 
you're off on the wrong track. If you'd listen to what I said, you'd be 
right about this. There is no difference between these people. And it 
takes the United Nations action to do some formalization; that's not 
what we're doing. We're going to help these refugees, and please don't 
try to make a difference where there isn't any. If you don't believe me, 
do what I did yesterday: Talk to John Major, and you will see there are 
no differences. The United States is taking the leadership role on 
bringing refugees support, and we're going to continue to do it. And 
we're doing a magnificent job in conjunction with these allies.
    And P.S., I am not going to involve any American troops in a civil 
war in Iraq. They are not going to be going in there to do what some of 
my severest critics early on now seem to want me to do. I want these 
kids to come home. And that's what's going to happen. And we are going 
to do what is right by these refugees, and I think the American people 
expect that, and they want that. But I don't think they want to see us 
bogged down in a civil war by sending in the 82d Airborne or the 101st 
or the 7th Cavalry. And so, I want to get that matter cleared up.
    But we are together today with our European allies, just as we have 
been all during this magnificent operation over there.

                    Note: The exchange began at 1:36 p.m. at the South 
                        Portico of the White House. President Bush 
                        referred to Prime Minister John Major of the 
                        United Kingdom, Secretary-General Javier Perez 
                        de Cuellar de la Guerra of the United Nations, 
                        and President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.