[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[February 11, 1992]
[Page 231]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting the Report on Iraq's 
Offensive Military Capability

February 11, 1992
Dear Mr. Chairman:
    Under cover of this letter I am transmitting to the Senate and House 
Committees on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, 
and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs the report on Iraq's 
Offensive Military Capability required by section 586J(b) of the Foreign 
Operations Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 
1991 (Public Law 101-513).
    This interim assessment of Iraq's offensive military capability and 
its effect on the Middle East balance of power includes an assessment of 
Iraq's power projection capability, the prospects for another sustained 
conflict with Iran, joint Iraqi-Jordanian cooperation, the threat Iraq's 
arms transfer activities pose to U.S. allies in the Middle East, and the 
potential extension of Iraq's political-military influence into Africa 
and Latin America.
    The report unfortunately cannot be produced in an unclassified form. 
I recommend to your attention, however, the January 22, 1992, testimony 
on Iraqi unconventional weapons capabilities by Robert Gates before the 
Senate Armed Services Committee.
    Sincerely,

                                                             George Bush

                    Note: Identical letters were sent to Robert C. Byrd, 
                        chairman of the Senate Committee on 
                        Appropriations; Jamie L. Whitten, chairman of 
                        the House Committee on Appropriations; Claiborne 
                        Pell, chairman of the Senate Committee on 
                        Foreign Relations; and Dante B. Fascell, 
                        chairman of the House Committee on Foreign 
                        Affairs.