Administration of George Bush, 1991 / Apr. 11

in lockstep with Europe in terms of our In his remarks, he referred to President Sad- approach to helping these unfortunate peo- dam Hussein of Iraq. President Santer was ple that are being victimized by this brutal also Prime Minister of Luxembourg. A tape dictator in Baghdad. was not available for verification of the con- tent of these remarks. Note: President Bush spoke at 11:05 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White House.

Remarks Following Discussions With President Jacques Delors of the European Economic Community and President Jacques Santer of the European Council of Ministers April 11, 1991

President Bush. I was delighted to have ment to promote peace and prosperity in the opportunity to meet with two friends, that region. the EC Council President Jacques Santer Presidents Santer and Delors and I also and Commission President Jacques Delors. reviewed the massive and urgent U.S. and We gather at a time of extraordinary chal- European relief effort currently underway lenge and opportunity throughout the for the Iraqi refugees and displaced persons world. Our victory in the Gulf—collective in Turkey, northern Iraq, and Iran. To ease victory in the Gulf—has proven that inter- the human suffering caused by Saddam’s national cooperation can defeat aggression brutality and repression of his own people, and lay the groundwork for new inter- the United States and the European Com- national cooperation. munity are working to get urgently critical As part of our mutual efforts to deepen supplies of food and shelter and medicine U.S.-EC cooperation, we discussed a wide to the refugees as quickly as possible. A range of issues today. We talked about the number of European nations are cooper- situations in the Middle East, in Europe— ating with the United States in airlifting East and West—and in the Soviet Union. these supplies to Turkey and to concentra- I’m happy to report that we see eye to eye on these issues and that the EC is pre- tions of refugees in the largest relief effort pared to take on growing responsibilities. mounted in modern military history. For example, we’re going to work together We had a broad and useful discussion to support reform in Eastern Europe. They of our views of Europe after the Paris are vitally interested in that, have been CSCE summit. Of particular interest to us doing a lot in that regard. We agreed to are the EC’s plans for greater political and continue to encourage the people of Yugo- economic union. And I reiterated our sup- slavia to work out their differences peace- port for European integration and our fully and through democratic dialog. shared interest in the development of a Eu- Presidents Santer and Delors and I re- ropean security in the transatlantic alliance. viewed the situation in the Soviet Union. We reaffirmed our mutual commitment to We agreed to encourage constructive Soviet continuing transatlantic cooperation on involvement in world affairs and to support issues involving our mutual security, foreign constructive domestic reform within the policy, on our economic interests. U.S.S.R. And we also talked about our hopes for We also discussed, obviously, the Middle renewed progress on the Uruguay round. East. This administration values the excel- In a world increasingly defined and bound lent support we received from our Euro- by economic interests, we all have an inter- pean friends and allies in the Gulf crisis, est in free and fair trade. An open trading and we continue to work with them on what regime would permit each of us to build we must do to help create a stable environ- on our strengths and take advantage of the

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others’ strengths. I reiterated my desire to have many points of convergence, especially gain renewal of Fast Track trade authority. in the regard of the reorganization of Eu- And we all agreed to work for rapid progress rope after the political upheavals in the on the Uruguay round. countries of Central and Eastern Europe. From the standpoint of the United States This can only have positive repercussions of America, this has been a very construc- on the restructuring of the European Con- tive visit. And I might say parenthetically, tinent. and I hope the two Presidents here agree, It is evident that the date of this visit that the relationship between the EC and is opportune, favorable, and well-chosen. the United States is strong and good. The Gulf war, which the United States of Mr. President, welcome. All yours, sir. America and their partners in Europe have President Santer. Ladies and gentlemen, won in a perfect solidarity, is over now. first of all, I want to express my gratitude At present, we are facing new challenges to President Bush for inviting the President which are direct and immediate con- of the European Commission, Mr. Jacques sequences of this conflict. First, the dra- Delors, and myself, in my capacity as Presi- matic situation of the Kurd refugees in Tur- dent of the European Council, to the White key and Iraq. And second, the launching House for a mutual exchange of ideas. of the peace process in the Near and Mid- It is the very first time that the President dle East, a process that should bring dura- of the United States receives both the Presi- ble and definitive peace in the whole region. dent of the European Council and the I’m fully convinced that through these President of the European Commission in talks, we have laid the foundation of an the new context created by the Transatlantic intensification of dialogs between the Declaration of November 1990. United States of America and the European The talks we had together have been very Community and, hence also, of a closer co- fertile for both sides and they have taken operation including security. place in an excellent atmosphere. I would Thank you very much. particularly like to point out that both sides President Bush. Thank you, Mr. Presi- have submitted their concerns with consid- dent. Good to see you all. erable fairness and that all items raised have been discussed with utmost frankness. In my capacity as acting President of the Note: President Bush spoke at 1:29 p.m. at European Council, I am particularly the South Portico of the White House. In pleased with the fact that the United States his remarks, he referred to President Saddam of America and the European Community Hussein of Iraq.

Exchange With Reporters on Aid to Iraqi Refugees April 11, 1991

Q. Mr. President, do you agree with States, and there’s no difference between Prime Minister Major on the enclaves? the United Nations Secretary-General and The President. Yes, total agreement. the United States on this question. So, I Q. Iraq said you don’t need to mark en- hope that you will understand that. There claves. is no difference on this. Q. What kind of enclaves? Q. What kind of enclave, sir? The President. We’re going to do what The President. We’re looking forward to we need for humanitarian relief. And there give relief to these people where they are. is no difference between the United King- We’re going to continue to do that. And dom and the United States, and there’s no I do not expect any interference from the difference between the EC and the United man in Baghdad, and he knows better than

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