[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[January 16, 1991]
[Page 42]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Allied Military Action in the Persian Gulf
January 16, 1991

    I have a statement by the President of the United States:
    The liberation of Kuwait has begun. In conjunction with the forces 
of our coalition partners, the United States has moved under the code 
name Operation Desert Storm to enforce the mandates of the United 
Nations Security Council. As of 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Operation 
Desert Storm forces were engaging targets in Kuwait and Iraq.
    President Bush will address the Nation at 9 p.m. tonight from the 
Oval Office. I'll try to get you more as soon as we can. Thank you very 
much.

                    Note: Press Secretary Fitzwater read the statement 
                        to reporters at 7:08 p.m. in the Briefing Room 
                        at the White House.