[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[May 3, 1991]
[Pages 462-463]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on President Bush's Meeting With 
President Carlos Andres Perez of Venezuela
May 3, 1991

    The President met today with Venezuelan President Carlos Andres 
Perez, who is on a private visit to the U.S. The two leaders discussed 
the peace process in El Salvador, expressing their satisfaction over the 
agreement reached last weekend by the Government of El Salvador and the 
guerrillas. The President praised President Perez' efforts on behalf of 
peace in El Salvador.
    They also discussed Nicaragua, with both

[[Page 463]]

leaders indicating their willingness to help Nicaragua clear its arrears 
with the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank as soon as 
possible. The United States is prepared to make a substantial 
contribution to this effort, and so is Venezuela. Spain, Mexico, and 
other countries are also offering very generous contributions. We hope 
that with this assistance, Nicaragua will be able to move forward with 
its economic reform program.
    Both Presidents reaffirmed their strong commitment to democracy and 
pluralism in Haiti. On Suriname, the President and President Perez also 
set forth their strong support for civilian democratic rule; both agree 
that the May 25 elections will be a fundamental test of the Surinamese 
military's willingness to permit a genuine democratic process.
    Finally, the two Presidents discussed international oil issues. 
President Perez briefed the President on a proposal for a multilateral 
consumer-producer dialog. The President reaffirmed the U.S. commitment 
to strengthened bilateral energy cooperation and consultations, 
including our excellent consultations with Venezuela. He reaffirmed the 
U.S. position that price, production levels, and related issues should 
be determined by market mechanisms, not by multilateral negotiations.
    Following their meeting, President Perez left for Houston, TX, 
Tulsa, OK, and Palo Alto, CA. He will be honored at the graduation 
ceremony of the University of Tulsa on Saturday.