[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[October 31, 1992]
[Page 2123]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on Emergency Food Shipments to 
Armenia
October 31, 1992

    The President authorized today the immediate transport of emergency 
food shipments to Armenia. The President ordered this action in response 
to an urgent request October 30 from Armenian President Levon Ter-
Petrosyan concerning critical shortages of wheat grain in Armenia caused 
by unstable political and economic conditions in the Caucasus region.
    To assist Armenia in this current crisis, the United States will 
begin to airlift on November 1, employing four U.S. Air Force C-5 
aircraft from Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. These aircraft 
will transport 236 metric tons of all purpose flour for delivery to the 
Armenian capital of Yerevan during the next few days.
    In order to address the longer term winter food needs of the 
Armenian people, the United States has begun the shipment by sea of 
66,000 metric tons of wheat grain. The U.S. will also transport 3,000 
metric tons of processed commodities from warehouses in Turkey.
    Today's action by the President demonstrates anew U.S. commitment to 
the welfare of the Armenian people and to the independence of Armenia. 
It is another example of the close bilateral relationship between the 
United States and the government of Armenian President Levon Ter-
Petrosyan.