[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[May 24, 1991]
[Pages 557-558]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the Airlift of Ethiopian Jews 
to Israel
May 24, 1991

    We are delighted to announce that this morning at 7 a.m. Washington 
time, an emergency humanitarian airlift began which will transport the 
18,000 Ethiopian Jews in Addis Ababa to Israel. The operation results 
from an agreement between the Governments of Israel and Ethiopia. We 
expect the airlift to last 2 days. We have been informed that the 
operation is proceeding smoothly.
    We want to express our appreciation to Acting President Tesfaye 
Gebre-Kidan of Ethiopia. We understand that the Ethiopian decision to 
allow the Falashas to depart the country was taken in response to a 
letter from President Bush on May 22. Our initiative in this 
humanitarian operation commenced with the visit of Senator Rudy 
Boschwitz to Addis Ababa as a special emissary of the President on April 
26-27.
    The United States will be hosting a conference in London starting on 
May 27 to

[[Page 558]]

help facilitate an end to the tragic war in Ethiopia. We hope at that 
time to see the establishment of a provisional government and agreement 
on a plan for a political transition leading to peace and democracy.
    Israeli Prime Minister Shamir called President Bush at about 11 a.m. 
aboard Air Force One to thank him for the American role in release of 
the Falashas. The Prime Minister and the President also discussed the 
Mideast peace process. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for 
Secretary Baker's efforts in the Mideast and said he hoped the peace 
process will continue.

                    aNote: The statement referred to former Senator Rudy 
                        Boschwitz; Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir of 
                        Israel; and Secretary of State James A. Baker 
                        III.