[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[February 26, 1992]
[Pages 319-320]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Jaime Paz 
Zamora of Bolivia in San Antonio

February 26, 1992
    Q. Mr. President, what do you say to Members of Congress who say 
your drug war has been a failure?
    The President. I tell them they don't know what they're talking 
about. That's what I say. The record is good.

[At this point, one group of journalists left the room, and a second 
group entered.]

    The President. I might say with your countrymen here that we are 
very respectful of the job you're doing and cooperation, not only in the 
antinarcotics field but in so many other areas. I'm just delighted to 
see you again.
    Q. Mr. Bush, is the Government of the United States going to support 
the private industry helping other programs in Bolivia?
    The President. Well, we think we need

[[Page 320]]

every facet of our society helping, the Government, private, everybody 
getting involved to help as best we can. And it's a two-way street. I 
think Bolivia has been very cooperative with the United States. We've 
got a couple of sticking points here that we'll talk about. But I think 
generally speaking it's going quite well, and we salute the President 
for his efforts. He is a dedicated leader who is trying to whip a tough 
problem. And we know that, and we respect that. So he's welcome here, 
and we're glad to have the whole team with us.
    Thank you all very much.

                    Note: The exchange began at 5:05 p.m. at the 
                        Marriott Rivercenter Hotel. Part of this 
                        exchange could not be verified because the tape 
                        was incomplete.