[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[July 13, 1994]
[Page 1252]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Report on the American Helicopter Tragedy in Iraq
July 13, 1994

    I have been briefed on the report prepared by Major General Andrus 
of the 3d Air Force on the accidental downing on April 14 of two U.S. 
Army helicopters that were flying over Iraq as part of Operation Provide 
Comfort. The men and women on these helicopters were serving their 
countries in a humanitarian effort to help ensure the safety and welfare 
of the Iraqi-Kurdish people in the aftermath of the Gulf War.
    I commend Secretary Perry, General Shalikashvili, and General Andrus 
for producing a thorough analysis of what went wrong on that terrible 
day and for ordering a sensible program of corrective actions to help 
prevent such tragedies in the future. I intend to ensure that these 
actions are implemented, and I look forward to receiving progress 
reports from Secretary Perry and General Shalikashvili on this process.
    In considering this report, we necessarily are drawn to the errors 
of commission and omission that produced the tragedy. At the same time, 
we must keep in mind that Operation Provide Comfort has been and 
continues to be a very successful coalition effort that has effectively 
deterred Iraq from disrupting peace and order in the UN-established 
security zone. Because of Operation Provide Comfort, human rights abuses 
against the Kurdish population of northern Iraq have been curtailed.
    The 26 brave Americans, allied and Iraqi-Kurdish personnel who died 
in the crashes served with courage and professionalism, and they lost 
their lives trying to save the lives of others. The important work they 
were doing must, and will, continue.
    To the families and loved ones of those who were killed, I offer my 
sincere condolences and, on behalf of the United States of America, the 
gratitude of our entire Nation.
    In remarks at the memorial service for the victims, I said that it 
is our duty to find the answers to this tragedy that these families 
rightfully seek. The report Secretary Perry is releasing today is an 
important step toward fulfilling that pledge.