[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[May 6, 1991]
[Pages 476-477]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks and an Exchange With Reporters on Ethiopian Jewish Emigration
May 6, 1991

    The President. I might just make one comment here to say how much we 
appreciate Senator Boschwitz going to Ethiopia. A concern of the 
Falashas, the Jews there in Ethiopia that want to go out and go to 
Israel, is a concern that I share. And Rudy took a good step forward 
there in talking to the Ethiopian authorities. It's a mission of 
conscience, a mission of compassion. And we are very grateful to you for 
undertaking it.
    I'm anxious to hear from you, how you feel things will go. But I 
know you've got some words of encouragement from the Ethiopian 
Government. And I think it's a mission that many in this country when 
they understand it will appreciate it. I'm grateful for your doing it.
    Mr. Boschwitz. Well, you've been active in that matter before, very 
active, Mr. President. So, this is a continuation. Of course, Ethiopia's 
also in great turmoil, so it's important that we bring peace there.
    Q. Is there some reason to believe that the Ethiopians are going to 
lift the restrictions on emigration?
    Mr. Boschwitz. Well, there's some hope that we will. It's a pretty 
tenuous situation. But I think that they're anxious to meet with some of 
the rebels, and I think we can bring them together. I think something 
will happen over there.
    Q. Mr. President, can the world deal with three crises at a time--
Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and the Kurds? Are they up to that relief effort?
    The President. Resources of the United States are stressed, but the 
compassion is not. And so, I expect we can do what the United States has 
always done.
    Mr. Boschwitz. The United States moved in 170 million dollars' worth 
of food in this

[[Page 477]]

past year to Ethiopia. We played a very essential role in preventing 
more egregious starvation there.
    The President. Thank you all very much.

                    Note: The President spoke at 2:32 p.m. in the Oval 
                        Office at the White House, prior to a meeting 
                        with former Senator Rudy Boschwitz. A tape was 
                        not available for verification of the content of 
                        these remarks.