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Monday, August 27, 1990
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Monday, August 27, 1990
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George H. W. Bush Papers
Presidential Daily Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
2009-0166-S
2009-0166-S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin: Office of the President
Series:
Daily Files
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
90558
Folder ID Number:
90558-005
Folder Title:
Monday, August 27, 1990
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
V
12
12
2
3
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Doc. No. / Type
Subject/Title
Date
Restriction
Classification
01. Log
White House Telephone Log [Signal Switchboard] [redaction of
08/27/90
(b)(6)
personal information] (2 pp.)
Page 1 of 1
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Office of the President
Series:
Daily Files
Subseries:
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Monday, August 27, 1990
Pinksheet Number:
dw1800
OA/ID Number:
90558-005
Date Closed:
9/2/2010
FOIA/Sys Case #:
2009-0166-S
Re-review Case #:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
8/29
8/25
10-1100 Meety W/ Gen Scowcroft
8/26
0815-0840 Scoweroft
1300-1400
8/27
0830-0945 Scowcroft
1415.1530
Scoweroft, mulrooney,
ambassado Be
8/28
0730-0810
servenft mulsoney
0810-0830
scowengs
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
01. Log
White House Telephone Log [Signal Switchboard] [redaction
08/27/90
(b)(6)
of personal information] (2 pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Office of the President
Series:
Daily Files
Subseries:
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Monday, August 27, 1990
Date Closed:
9/2/2010
OA/ID Number:
90558-005
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2009-0166-S
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TELEPHONE MEMORANDUM
SIGNAL SWITCHBOARD
August 27 , 19 90
TIME
PLACED
DISC
NAME
ACTION
OUT
4:55 AM
4:59
Mr. Eric E. Herbst
Tlkd-ok
White House Situation Room
4:56 AM
INC
PM
White House Signal 2-2264
our
8:51 AM
8:56
Mr. Marlin Fitzwater
Tlkd-ok
Nonantum Portside Hotel
8:52 AM
Kennebunkport, Maine
INC
PM
Kennebunkport Signal x332
OUT
9:03 AM
9:10
Ms. Bridget M. Montagne
Tlkd-ok
Office, Washington, D.C.
9:04 AM
INC
PM
White House Signal 2-2199
OUT
9:26 AM
9:38
Conference Call:
Tlkd-ok
President Hosni Mubarak
9:33 AM
INC
PM
(b)(6)
OUT
AM
Mr. David C. Welch
White House Situation Room
INC
PM
White House Signal 2-2264
OUT
9:38 AM
9:41
Ms. Bridget M. Montagne
Tlkd-ok
Bush Presidential Library Photocopy
Office, Washington, D.C.
9:39 AM
INC
PM
White House Signal 2-2199
aux
AM
Conference Call:
LW with Ms. Bonsanti
Secretary General
3:13 PM
INC
3:09 PM
Javier Perez de Cuellar
OUT
AM
(b)(6)
INC
PM
OUT
AM
Dr. Richard N. Haass
Office, Washington, D.C.
INC
PM
395-6900
OUT
AM
Mr. Corneilius F. O'Leary
White House Situation Room
INC
PM
White House Signal 2-2264
OUT
AM
Ms. Nancy Bearg Pyke
Office, Washington, D.C.
INC
PM
395-5694
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TELEPHONE MEMORANDUM
SIGNAL SWITCHBOARD
August 27 . 1990
TIME
NAME
ACTION
PLACED
DISC
WCL
OUT
AM
Secretary Nicholas F. Brady
4:16 PM
Office, Washington, D.C.
Tlkd-ok
566-2533
6:02 PM
INCX
4:15 PM
6:06
OUT
Mr. Marlin Fitzwater
Tlkd with Major Byrne
AM
Nonantum Portside Hotel
6:12 PM
Kennebunkport, Maine
INK
6:06 PM
Kennebunkport Signal x220
OUT
AM
Mr. Marlin Fitzwater
Tlkd-ok
Nonantum Portside Hotel
6:20 PM
Kennebunkport, Maine
INIX
6:20 PM
6:23
Kennebunkport Signal x220
OUT
AM
Mr. Don Rhodes
Tlkd-ok
8:12 PM
(b)(6)
INC
8:12 PM
8:16
94K
AM
Mr. Prescott Bush, Jr.
Tlkd-ok
8:35 PM
(b)(6)
INC
8:34 PM
8:41
OUT
AM
Bush Presidential Library Photocopy
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TELEPHONE MEMORANDUM
AUGUST 27
PRESIDENT BUSH
, 19 90
TIME
NAME
ACTION
PLACED
DISC
OUT
AM
NO CALLS
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
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PRESIDENTIAL MOVEMENTS
LOCATION Kennebunkport, Maine
DATE 27 August 1990
TIME
MOVEMENTS
0520
Depart Walker's Point via Motorcade
(LOW KEY)
0529
Arrive Grist Mill Tidal Pool
(LOW KEY)
0810
Depart Grist Mill Tidal Pool via Boat
(LOW KEY)
0823
Arrive Walker's Point
(LOW KEY)
0955
Depart Walker's Point via Boat
(LOW KEY)
1146
Arrive Walker's Point
(LOW KEY)
1623
Depart Walker's Point via Boat
(LOW KEY)
1720
Arrive Walker's Point
(LOW KEY)
WHCA FORM 15, OCTOBER 15, 1980
News Summary
OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1990 -- 6 A.M. EDT EDITION
TODAY'S HEADLINES
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
IRAQ SEIZES LEBANON'S AMBASSADOR TO KUWAIT -- Iraqi occupation
troops have seized Lebanon's ambassador to Kuwait and 12 of his
staff, foreign ministry sources told Reuter Monday.
(Reuter)
U.S. HOPEFUL SADDAM WILL BOW TO PRESSURE -- The Administration is
expressing hope the Persian Gulf crisis still can be resolved
without military conflict, if worldwide economic sanctions force
Iraq's Saddam to withdraw his forces from Kuwait.
(Washington Times, AP, Reuter)
SOME SOUR NOTES IN CHORUS OF PRAISE FOR BUSH -- Although the
approval rating for President Bush in the Persian Gulf crisis is
running high -- more than 70 percent in recent polls -- some notes
of doubt and criticism are beginning to creep in.
(UPI)
NATIONAL NEWS
FED'S CONCERNS OVER RECESSION ARE INCREASING -- Fed policy makers
are increasingly concerned about the possibility of a recession in
the U.S., and lean toward a modest easing of credit.
(Wall Street Journal)
NETWORK NEWS (Sunday evening)
GULF -- After negotiations
between the U.S. and Iraq, 55
dependents of American
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
A-1
diplomats were allowed to
leave Baghdad.
NATIONAL NEWS
A-13
U.N. Secretary-General
Perez de Cuellar will meet
NETWORK NEWS
B-1
with Iraq's foreign minister
this week.
SUNDAY TALK SHOWS
C-1
President Bush basked not
only in perfect weather, but
in a growing sense of confidence
Saddam has been check-mated.
This Summary is prepared Monday through Friday by the White House News Summary Staff.
For complete stories or information, please call 456-2950.
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-1
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
IRAQ SEIZES LEBANON'S AMBASSADOR TO KUWAIT
BEIRUT -- Iraqi occupation troops have seized Lebanon's
ambassador to Kuwait and 12 of his staff, foreign ministry sources
told Reuter Monday.
They said ambassador Adnan Badra and the other diplomats, who
were due to return to Lebanon last Thursday, had been taken to
Baghdad after being detained on leaving the embassy en route to
Saudi Arabia.
Lebanon's pro-Syrian government decided to withdraw Badra in
protest against Iraq's Aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait and Baghdad's
order to close embassies in the annexed northern Persian Gulf
state.
The sources said the diplomats had been banned from leaving
Baghdad and their precise whereabouts were unknown.
(Reuter)
THREE AMERICAN DEPENDENTS STOPPED AT IRAQ-TURKISH BORDER
Fifty-two of 55 dependents of U.S. Embassy personnel from
Kuwait crossed from Iraq into Turkey late Sunday, but three young
men were detained by Iraqi border authorities, the State Department
said.
A spokeswoman for the Kuwait task force at State Department
headquarters said, "The convoy of Kuwait embassy dependents crossed
the border from Iraq into Turkey about 2 a.m. Iraqi time (6 p.m.
EDT). Fifty-two of the group of 55 who earlier had permission to
cross were allowed to leave.
"Three young men in the group, male dependents of Kuwait
embassy diplomats, were not allowed by Iraqi officials to transit
the border and are in the company of an American Embassy Baghdad
escort officer
The spokeswoman, who declined to allow her name to be used,
said she had no information on the ages of the three males held
back, nor on what would happen to them. State Department officials
previously have described all 55 of the dependents as "women and
children."
An Administration official with President Bush in
Kennebunkport, said later that all three of those kept from
crossing the border were over 18 years of age. The official, who
declined to be identified by name, said there was no indication
that the three were harmed, but that they were sent back to Baghdad
with the escort officer.
(George Gedda, AP)
-970m-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-2
U.N. LEADER TO HOLD TALKS WITH IRAQI IN MEDIATION BID
CAIRO The U.N. announted Sunday that Secretary-General
Perez de Cuellar will meet Thursday in Jordan with Iraq's foreign
minister to discuss the Persian Gulf crisis, as Iraq allowed more
than 50 Americans to leave the country but continued to round up
Westerners.
The announcement marked the first formal attempt by the U.N
leader to mediate in the international dispute sparked by Iraq's
Aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait and its detention of thousands of
Westerners.
National Security Adviser Scowcroft said on ABC Sunday that
the Bush Administration "would have no problem" with a mediation
effort by Perez de Cuellar but made clear that the only thing the
U.S. is ready to negotiate now would be "the timetable, the
modalities" of an Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait.
Saddam Hussein, who has called for talks with the nations
arrayed against him, has declared that his conquest of Kuwait is
irreversible. But Iraqi Foreign Minister Aziz told CNN Sunday:
"We are open to listen to suggestions. We have not closed the door
to any idea, but this question is complicated by the American
threat to Iraq."
(William Claiborne, Washington Post, A1)
SHEVARDNADZE: SOVIETS WILL NOT USE FORCE
But Moscow Has No Objection If Others Enforce Iraqi Embargo
MOSCOW -- The Soviet Union will not use force in the Persian
Gulf despite voting for a U.N. resolution last week permitting
limited military enforcement of the embargo of Iraq, Foreign
Minister Shevardnadze said Sunday.
After talks here with French Foreign Minister Dumas,
Shevardnadze said in a joint news conference that while Moscow will
not object if other countries, including the U.S., use military
means to back up the embargo, "we have no such plans to use force
or take part in such an operation."
"We voted (for the U.N. resolution) because other countries
are ready to take part in inspecting the ships and vessels
suspected of carrying prohibited cargo, Shevardnadze said. "The
United States and other countries represented in this region -- I
mean which have their own armed forces -- they should act, but
within the guidelines of the resolution."
Shevardnadze also denied reports that the 193 Soviet military
advisers still in Iraq are helping it "prepare details for military
operations." Other officials have said the advisers help teach
Iraqi soldiers how to use and maintain Soviet-made arms and
equipment.
(David Remnick, Washington Post, A13)
-елош-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-3
U.S. SAYS IRAQIS BRIEFLY ENTERED CHINESE EMBASSY IN KUWAIT
Iraqi authorities reportedy entered the Chinese Embassy in
Kuwait and tightened their grip on other foreign embassies there
Sunday by shutting off their water supply, Administration officials
said.
The U.S. Embassy, which now houses about 10 diplomats, has
been virtually cut off from the 2,500 people who make up the
American community and surrounded by Iraqi forces, the State
Department said.
Ambassador Nathaniel Howell and his staff of mostly consular
officers have stored adequate food and water, including that which
fills several jugs and the compounds swimming pool. While their
electricity has been cut, a couple of telephone lines work from
time to time.
(Clifford Krauss, New York Times, A10)
U.S. HOPEFUL SADDAM WILL BOW TO PRESSURE
The Administration is expressing hope the Persian Gulf crisis
still can be resolved without military conflict, if worldwide
economic sanctions force Iraq's Saddam to withdraw his forces from
Kuwait.
"I can see a peaceful way out of it," National Security
Adviser Scowcroft said Sunday. "Saddam Hussein must now see he's
facing overwhelming world opinion. He is casting about for a way
out of the box in which he finds himself," Scowcroft said
The specter of global economic pressure on Iraq, combined with
the U.S.-led military buildup in Saudi Arabia, prompted several
analysts who appeared on network television talk shows Sunday to
forecast an eventual reversal by Saddam of his Aug. 2 conquest of
Kuwait.
Former national security advisers Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew
Brzezinski indicated there was room for hope that the gulf crisis
could be resolved short of military conflict. (George Gedda, AP)
Bush To Meet With Canada's Mulroney On Persian Gulf Crisis
KENNEBUNKPORT -- President Bush, buoyed by a crucial U.S.
victory in the U.N., is exploring ways to increase pressure on
Iraq's Saddam Hussein in talks with Prime Minister Mulroney.
Mulroney, a key ally, was to arrive at Bush's seaside vacation
complex at midday Monday for a 24-hour visit.
Although Canada earlier voiced some reservations about using
force in the Persian Gulf, it now has joined other nations in
providing forces in the region.
The two leaders were expected to discuss Mulroney's recent
talks with Arab leaders, as well as the role of three Canadian
ships sent to the Persian Gulf to help enforce the trade embargo,
said an Administration source who asked not to be identified.
Bush and Mulroney also were likely to discuss the emergence
of U.N. Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar as a conduit to talk
with Saddam Hussein, the Administration official said.
(Tom Raum, AP)
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-4
Bush set To Confer with Canadian Leader On Gulf Crivis
KENNEBUNKPORT -- As U.S. warships shadow Iraqi merchant
vessels to implement a trade embargo on Iraq, President Bush
invited Prime Minister Mulroney to his seaside holiday home Monday
to discuss the gulf crisis.
Mulroney, accompanied by his wife, Mila, and four children,
was to arrive at midday for "extensive discussions" with Bush, a
White House spokesman said. Canada has two destroyers and a
support ship in the multi-national force arrayed against Iraq in
the Persian Gulf.
The Canadian leader's visit comes amid signs that Bush and his
advisers believe their strategy in the 25-day-old crisis is
starting to make headway.
President Saddam "certainly is showing that he is concerned
by what is in place against him
He is casting about for a way
out of the box in which he finds himself," National Security
Adviser Scowcroft told ABC News on Sunday.
With massive ground, air and naval forces in the gulf and
armed with U.N. backing to cut Iraqi economic lifelines by force
if necessary, the White House seemed hopeful of a peaceful
resolution of the crisis and emphasized it would be on Bush's
terms.
Scowcroft said U.N. Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar's plan
to meet Iraqi officials in Amman on Thursday was "clearly
acceptable" and pointedly added that Perez de Cuellar's agenda was
unambiguous.
(Gene Gibbons, Reuter)
War Fears Diminish But West Dismisses Saddam's Peace Feelers
NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Fears of imminent war in the Persian Gulf
diminished Monday after a jittery weekend but both sides seemed set
for a lengthy stand-off in the crisis.
Western leaders scorned hints that Iraq's Saddam Hussein,
faced with a huge military buildup in Saudi Arabia, was ready to
talk peace. "This man is a despot and a tyrant and must be
stopped," said Prime Minister Thatcher.
But National Security Adviser Scowcroft said Saddam seemed to
be looking for a way out.
"He certainly is showing that he is concerned by what is in
place against him
He is casting about for a way out of the box
in which he finds himself," Scowcroft said in a television
interview.
Scowcroft said Washington was ready for talks at any time if
Iraq met its conditions -- mainly a total withdrawal from Kuwait
and restoration of the emir
Saddam appeared to set for a long haul. The Independent
newspaper reported from Baghdad that food rationing would start
Sept. 1 in an attempt to beat the U.N. embargo which has cut off
almost all Iraq's trade.
(Simon Martin, Reuter)
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-5
Bush set To Talk, If
KENNEBUNKPORT -- The Bush Administration, confident that it
now has enough forces in Saudi Arabia to repel an Iraqi attack, is
ready to talk with President Saddam -- but only after Iraq leaves
Kuwait and restores its pre-invasion government.
Believing that Iraq is on the run due to the American military
buildup and a united Arab front against Saddam, senior
Administration officials said Sunday for the first time that
diplomacy could lead to a peaceful resolution of the 25-day-old
crisis.
But in Washington the Pentagon is still fearing for war,
making sure that if a military confrontation breaks out, the
thousands of American troops in Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert
Shield are fully supplied for an all-out offensive.
Senior military officials told the Washington Times that the
Pentagon has placed urgent orders with arms suppliers for jet- and
tank-killing missiles, shells and bullets, the officials said. The
purchases include Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
In addition, the officials said, the Pentagon is not slowing
the shipment of troops and equipment to the gulf and will continue
to call up thousands of reservists -- many of whom would go to
Saudi Arabia.
(Paul Bedard, Washington Times, A1)
ECONOMIC BLOCKADE
KENNEBUNKPORT -- The U.N. economic blockade already is
"pinching" Iraq -- forcing President Saddam to seek some way "out
of the box" that eventually could undermine his reign over his own
people, top Bush Administration officials said Sunday.
"He is certainly showing that he is concerned by what is in
place against him," Gen. Scowcroft said. "I think he is casting
about for a way out of the box in which he finds himself."
In addition, the officials said the U.S. would support the
efforts of U.N. Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar to mediate the
Persian Gulf crisis, but pointed out that Perez de Cuellar should
adopt recent U.N. Security Council resolutions as his framework for
the negotiations now set for Thursday in Amman
And Scowcroft told reporters here Sunday that the U.S. would
grant political asylum to the crews of any Iraqi ships if they
permitted American or allied forces to board their vessels or to
turn the ships away. Saddam reportedly has threatened to execute
any ship captains who comply with searches or any other orders
authorized by the U.N. to enforce the economic sanctions. But
Scowcroft downplayed the possibility that any such confrontations
are near, saying, "While right now there are a few ships that
conceivably could be a problem, right now, as I understand it,
there are no problems in the area." (Timothy Clifford, Newsday)
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-6
U.S. offers Asvlum To Iraqi Crews That Help with En argo
KENNEBUNKPORT -- The U.S. will offer asylum to Iraqi tanker
crews that cooperate with efforts to enforce a U.N. trade embargo
against Baghdad, a senior U.S. official said Sunday.
"To the extent that some of them may fear for their safety or
lives if they do comply with the U.N. orders, of course we will
(offer asylum to the crew members), said National Security Adviser
Scowcroft
The U.N. Security Council early Saturday approved by a 13-0
vote with two abstentions the use of military force to carry out
the embargo imposed following Iraq's Aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait.
However, Scowcroft said voluntary compliance with the U.N.
sanctions was good and he foresaw no military confrontations soon.
(Irwin Arieff, Reuter)
DEMANDS FOR OVERALL U.S. ENERGY POLICY INCREASE
Role of Taxes, Costs of Persian Gulf Deployment
May Be Focus of Congressional Debate
Not for a decade has the U.S. energy policy agenda been so
full.
The Persian Gulf crisis has doubled U.S. oil prices in a
month. Congress returns next week to face a budget battle in which
the role of energy taxes and costs of a huge military deployment
to protect oil supplies are likely to be the focus of debate
The Bush Administration does not want the authority to impose
energy price controls or to allocate energy resources. But beyond
that, its overall energy policy has never been articulated -- it
is still being developed, 14 months after Secretary Watkins, in a
White House ceremony, said he would develop a comprehensive
national energy strategy aimed partly at eliminating decision-
making based on crisis or panic
"The initial response of the Bush Administration to this
latest crisis signals a continuation of the short-sighted policies
which have gotten the U.S. into this mess in the first place, said
the Energy Conservation Coalition in a comment typical of criticism
of the Administration. "Although inflating our tires will reduce
some oil use, it is not the hard-hitting policy and program
recommendations this country needs."
The demand for action on an energy policy framework is not
coming just from the environmental community.
Texaco Inc. released the results of a poll it commissioned
indicating that 86 percent of Americans favor development of a
comprehensive energy policy and 73 percent believe the situation
in the Middle East represents "a serious threat to the American
economy and the nation's way of life."
(Thomas Lippman, Washington Post, A4)
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-7
IMAGE-MAKERS SEE RISK AS BUSH GOLFS THROUGH GULF CRISIS
when Americans recall the gulf crisis of August 1990, they'll
picture their President in a golf cart and a motorboat -- images
that some Democrats are mentally stockpiling for their 1992
campaign arsenal.
Why does the White House permit President Bush, the nation's
best-known vacationer, to be photographed talking about troops,
tensions, hostages and hardships while he's fishing or golfing?
"It's over-compensation. It's an attempt to prove that George
Bush and Iraq are not Jimmy Carter and Iran," said GOP analyst
Stuart Rothenberg, editor of The Political Report.
But he and others suggest that Bush could have made the same
point in a less jarring way by taking a working vacation at Camp
David, for example, or by limiting his activities in Maine to a
morning run, relaxation with his family and work related to the
crisis
To the image-makers, Bush is committing a cardinal sin and
taking a potential risk.
"What you need when you're the president is a lot of personal
credibility to get you over the rough spots," said Bob Squier, a
Democratic media consultant. "This operation is not going to be
easy. He's squandering his goodwill by giving pictures that make
it look like he's not taking this seriously."
(Jill Lawrence, AP)
SOME SOUR NOTES IN CHORUS OF PRAISE FOR BUSH
Although the approval rating for President Bush in the Persian
Gulf crisis is running high -- more than 70 percent in recent polls
-- some notes of doubt and criticism are beginning to creep in.
Some of the critics fault the Administration for past actions
such as not recognizing the potential dangers of President Saddam
before the Aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait. Others raise questions about
how the U.S. is going to pull its forces out of the Middle East
without destabilizing the region or going to war.
And still others criticize him for operating on a double
standard -- invading Panama in December 1989 but then responding
with military force to another nation's invasion of a small
country.
But the critics remain the distinct minority, even among such
traditional opponents as the Heritage Foundation.
James Phillips, a Middle East analyst with the foundation,
said, "Bush has operated flawlessly in the crisis so far, although
I'm a little nervous about the future."
Phillips said, "Where I would fault him is for giving Saddam
Hussein the benefit of the doubt for too long. We continued our
policy of using him as a force for containing Iran for too long.
Perhaps a sharp word of warning from Bush before the invasion could
have headed Saddam off."
(Jim Anderson, UPI)
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-8
MITCHELL, FOLEY
After the first wave of American combat troops was already en
route to Saudi Arabia, President Bush tried to reach one
congressional leader who controls the constitutional authority to
declare war, call up the militia and -- in the case of Saddam
Hussein -- punish felonies against the law of nations.
But Sen. Mitchell was traveling. The White House operators
left a message for him in Nashville. When he called back, Bush was
busy.
"I did finally speak to Gen. Scowcroft, who merely informed
me in general terms of the proposed deployment," Mitchell told
reporters Aug. 8. There was no conversation beyond that."
Since then, Mitchell and Speaker Foley -- who did talk to Bush
on Aug. 7 -- have vanished into vacationland. Before leaving --
Mitchell for Maine and Foley for the Virgin Islands -- they gave
Bush a virtual congressional carte blanche for the biggest
commitment of American force overseas since the Vietnam War
When the two leaders return to Washington for a meeting with
Bush, they will encounter some second-guessing from their
colleagues over the risk that "Operation Desert Shield" presents
to the U.S.
"There's a feeling that things have escalated beyond
expectations and that this co-equal branch of government is not
plugged in," said a House leadership official who took a telephone
poll of key Democrats. Among the concerns voiced about Bush's
policy was the potential use of military power to force Hussein out
of Kuwait, the leadership official said.
(Patrick Slovan, Newsday)
ISRAEL VOWS AID FOR PALESTINIAN GULF REFUGEES
ALLENBY BRIDGE, West Bank -- As Palestinian refugees from
Kuwait and Iraq streamed westward across the Jordan River on
Sunday, a senior Israeli government official promised to expedite
the flow of those returning to the West Bank from the Persian Gulf
crisis area.
Shmuel Goren, occupied territories coordinator, paid a visit
to this historic crossing place between Jordan and the West Bank
and declared that Israel would "obviously help" any foreign
citizens wishing to pass this way
But the official also said that Israel, during the impending
harvest season, would crack down on any effort to truck West Bank
food supplies across the Allenby Bridge into Jordan with Iraq as
the ultimate destination.
(William Tuohy, Los Angeles Times)
SAUDIS ACT TO RAISE OIL PRODUCTION
DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia -- The Saudi government has ordered the
state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco to begin increasing production
but has yet to set any new ceiling, according to informed oil
sources
The sources said the government order to Saudi Aramco was
issued early last week after oil Minister Nisham Nazer publicly
warned Saudi Arabia's OPEC partners that if they refused to hold
an emergency meeting to discuss the current crisis in the market,
his government reserved the right to take unilateral action
"immediately."
(David Ottaway, Washington Post, A13)
-more-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-9
U.S. BUILDUP PUTS STRAIN ON SAUDIS
Fosts Hand Over Air Bases, Box Lunches To Massing Americans
AN AIR BASE IN SAUDI ARABIA --
In the past 2 1/2 weeks, the
U.S. has inundated Saudi Arabia with more military weaponry and
hardware than this country's own armed forces possess and with
almost as many troops as comprise the 65, 700-man Saudi military.
Operation Desert Shield has pushed the U.S. military's airlift
and sealift capabilities farther than ever before. In the process,
it is straining the ability of Saudi Arabia to support the largest
buildup of military forces on its soil in modern history.
"Some of our demands have been very, very high," said Army
Maj. Gen. William Pagonis, who is directing the massive transport
of ground forces and equipment at this base, which cannot be
identified under U.S. military rules. "Even the United States
would have a hard time moving into New Jersey and dumping the
amount of soldiers we've dumped here."
The Saudi forces have vacated entire airfields and other
military facilities to accommodate the growing contingent of U.S.
troops, which is expected to exceed 100,000 men and women within
the next few weeks.
(Molly Moore, Washington Post, A1)
IRAQ so FAR HOLDS THE EDGE IN PROPAGANDA BATTLE WITH WEST
A study of international broadcasting and press worldwide
suggests that, so far, the Western allies are holding together to
a degree that may surprise those skeptical of Western European and
Asian resolve.
But the U.S. may not be succeeding so well in waging the word
war in the Middle East.
First, the Iraqi government is successfully jamming American
and British broadcasts in Arabic in the region, using equipment
purchased from the West for its war with Iran.
Second, the U.S. is typically not adept at understanding the
nuances of the region, a problem that former officials of the Jimmy
Carter Administration admit severely limited the success of the
Camp David accords in the 1970s.
Third, President Saddam's miscalculation of the Western
response to his invasion of Kuwait may be more than matched by his
skill at employing the code words and passions that move politics,
at least among masses, in his own region
William Quandt, of the Brookings Institution, said he thinks
President Bush should direct more of his own actions at the
international audience. There has been "no major statement, he
said, "addressed to the Middle Easterners."
Earlier last week, several Bush aides argued in private White
House sessions that the President was actually harming U.S.
interests abroad by not paying enough attention to how his remarks
would be played overseas, according to a senior Administration
source. They were concerned in particular about Bush's
descriptions of Saddam as a "liar" and an "evil" force who had no
regard for "human life.' (Thomas Rosenstiel, Los Angeles Times)
-erom-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-10
MUBARAK: IRAQ MAY COMPROMISE
CAIRO -- Syyptian Presider: Mubarak Sunday made an apparent
plea to President Saddam to avert war by withdrawing from Kuwait.
Asked if Saddam was likely to "make a deal" or "fight to the
finish, " Mubarak told CBS's Dan Rather, "He may come to compromise"
by withdrawing. There's no other way.
Mubarak said if Saddam does not respond to global diplomatic
measures, he fears "force may be used."
Mubarak also admitted Saddam is in "a very tight corner" and
"will meet terrible problems" from militant supporters if he pulls
out now.
The Egyptian leader also:
* Said President Bush "will be in a difficult situation if he
withdraws without" a solution
* Said other Moslems don't believe Saddam's claim that the
crisis is a "holy war. "
* Said Saddam got very bad advice about being videotaped last
week with hostage children. "It was very stupid."
(USA Today, 1A)
SUPPRESSED AT HOME AND DISMISSED ABROAD
Prophetic Iraqi Opposition Considered Too Far-Flung,
Fractious To Engineer Saddam's Overthrow
LONDON -- As much of the world is drawn into a crisis spawned
by the actions of President Saddam, one group feels entitled to
say, "We told you so": Iraq's scattered and diverse political
opposition.
Ruthlessly suppressed at home, ignored, denigrated and at
times betrayed by the West, and hopelessly divided among
themselves, Saddam's opponents for years have been issued unheeded
warnings about the Iraqi leader's expansionist goals and
willingness to use weapons of mass destruction and Gestapo-style
tactics against enemies foreign or domestic.
Yet even within the Persian Gulf in crisis, they remain
prophets without honor. Many Western analysts and intelligence
specialists dismiss the opposition -- much of which is based here -
- as too weak to play a significant role in overthrowing the Iraqi
president or destabilizing his government. "We don't see them as
particularly effective, said an official in the State Department,
which this month rejected a meeting with one of the leaders of
Iraq's Kurdish resistance movement.
(Glenn Frankel, Washington Post, A13)
-елош-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-11
END OF COLD WAR STRENGTHENS U.N.
Gulf Acts Signal Harmony Not Seen Since nding
U.N. -- After years of being dismissed as a failure and a
forum for Third World demagoguery, the U.N. suddenly has been
transformed into the mechanism through which the world community
hopes to prevent the Persian Gulf crisis from becoming an arena of
bloody warfare.
It is perhaps the most dramatic illustration to date of how
the long Cold War rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union and
their allies has been replaced by a determination to work together
against threats to peace
If there has been a discordant note in the U.N.'s approach to
the gulf crisis, it involves the feeling of some Third World
countries that the new harmony among the Security Council's members
could erode the power of the General Assembly's larger numbers.
That feeling led some to argue that any naval forces enforcing the
embargo should be controlled by the U.N.
(John Goshko, news analysis, Washington Post, A1)
GULF CRISIS TESTS BAKER, 'SHEV' TIES
The Persian Gulf crisis has highlighted the special
relationship that has developed between Soviet Foreign Minister
Shevardnadze and Secretary Baker, the superpowers' top diplomats.
Beginning with their unprecedented joint declaration early in
the crisis condemning Iraq's Aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait, Mr. Baker
and Mr. Shevardnadze have been in almost constant contact,
coordinating diplomatic strategies and fretting together over their
trapped citizens.
By an informal count, the secretary of state has talked with
Mr. Shevardnadze no less than nine times in the last three and a
half weeks
The close working ties between the two men helped the
superpowers avoid confrontation in the Middle East and was a key
element in Washington's effort to build an unprecedented
international coalition against President Saddam
"They have both frank and cordial types of conversations,"
Margaret Tutwiler, Mr. Baker's spokesman and close aide, said
recently. "They're both very straight with each other."
(Warren Strobel, Washington Times, A7)
PENTAGON SUSPENDS MEDIA POOL COVERING GULF CRISIS
The Pentagon suspended its media press pool covering the
Persian Gulf Sunday, saying it was no longer needed because Saudi
Arabia was not permitting open coverage of operations there.
"We are pleased that the government of Saudi Arabia has chosen
to allow reporters to cover military operations in the gulf
region," a Defense Department statement said.
It said the pool was suspended as of 5 p.m. EDT because of the
large numbers of reporters that had been allowed into the country.
(Reuter)
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-12
SUNUNU-LED GROUP TO MEET WITH SOVIETS
Officials will Discuss Presidential Process
KENNEBUN PORT -- Another step in the improving relationship
between the U.S. and the Soviet Union will take place this week
with the arrival in Moscow of White House Chief of Staff Sununu and
a delegation of top White House aides, who will spend the week
advising the Soviets on how to organize a presidential office.
Despite the continuing crisis in the Middle East, Sununu was
to leave Washington Sunday night and, with a stop en route to meet
with Finnish President Mauno Koivisto, arrive in Moscow late
Monday. He and the others are to meet with Soviet officials on
Tuesday and Wednesday, then depart for Leningrad for another day
of meetings. The White House team is to leave the Soviet Union on
Friday and stop in London, where Sununu is to meet with Prime
Minister Thatcher, on the way back to Washington, arriving
Saturday
The fact that such a senior U.S. delegation will be leaving
for Moscow in the middle of the gulf crisis speaks volumes about
Bush's desire to nurture the improving relationship with Gorbachev.
(Dan Balz, Washington Post, A15)
Sununu's Smooth Operation Is Winning Over His Critics
KENNEBUNKPORT -- White House Chief of Staff Sununu's
managerial philosophy, which will be on display this week in an
unusual visit to Moscow, is what he calls "the acorn theory of
management."
He says he would rather deal "with a couple of dozen problems
when they're acorns rather than on big problem when it's become an
oak tree."
In practice, it means keeping his door open and giving aides
ample opportunity daily to contact him on even the most trivial
matters
Brookings Institution scholar Stephen Hess calls Mr. Sununu
"the big surprise of the Bush Administration."
How has he done it?
In part by working long hours, maintaining an open-door policy
and displaying an ability to cut deals even with such liberals as
Sen. Edward Kennedy
"He's got an open door and an open mind," said Andrew Card,
the deputy chief of staff and part of the delegation to Moscow.
"He is not a micromanager. He does not do an awful lot of
minutiae."
(AP, Washington Times, A4)
EDITOR'S NOTES: "with Embargo, U.S. Farmers Lose One of Their Best
Clients," by William Robbins, appears in the New York Times, A9.
"Japanese Feel Pressure On Aid For Gulf Effort," by Urban Lehner,
appears in the Wall Street Journal, A3.
###
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-13
NATIONAL NEWS
FED'S CONCERNS OVER RECESSION ARE INCREASING
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. -- Fed policy makers are
increasingly concerned about the possibility of a recession in the
U.S., and lean toward a modest easing of credit.
But at the same time, Fed officials suggest they won't move
to cut short-term interest rates until financial markets settle
down. The crisis in the Middle East has caused the U.S. dollar and
the bond market to fall sharply in recent days.
That's the conclusion drawn from interviews with a half-dozen
top Fed officials attending a conference here. Some spoke for the
record; others asked that their names not be used. Their comments
strongly suggest that at its meeting this past week, the Fed's
policy-making committee adopted a directive that allows Fed
Chairman Greenspan to reduce short-term interest rates modestly in
the next few weeks, if market conditions allow. The panel adopted
a similar directive at its meeting in early July.
(Alan Murray, Wall Street Journal, A2)
U.S. AGAIN SAYS GNP ROSE 1.2% IN 2nd QUARTER
The economy wasn't quite as bad off in the second quarter as
the government originally estimated, although overall growth was
just as weak.
After reviewing new data, the Commerce Department made minor
revisions to its calculation of the second-quarter real
GNP
showing that personal spending and exports during the period
were stronger than originally estimated. Business inventories, the
new data showed, were smaller.
(Hilary Stout, Wall Street Journal, A2)
FBI DRUG PROBE TAKES DAY TO CLEAR THORNBURGH'S SON
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Allegations that Attorney General
Thornburgh's son used drugs first surfaced here eight years ago,
but they were looked into only last month in a federal
investigation that consisted of two interviews over the course of
a single day.
Confirming that only two former friends of Mr. Thornburgh's
son, William, had been interviewed, Justice Department spokesman
Dan Eramian said the investigation was thorough and that it was not
unusual to close an inquiry after just two interviews.
He said FBI agents found no evidence of wrongdoing
But a Harrisburg businessman, who described himself as a
friend of the two men interviewed by the FBI, told a different
story.
"It was pretty common knowledge among the cocaine crowd in
Harrisburg that Bill Thornburgh was doing drugs," said the
businessman, now on probation for cocaine possession.
(Jerry Seper, Washington Times, A1)
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- A-14
METHADONE MAKER DOUBLES PRICE; OFFICIALS WARN
OF IMPACT ON TREATMENT EFFORT
The main U.S. producer of methadone, the synthetic narcotic
used to treat heroin addicts, is doubling its prices for the drug -
- a move federal officials warn could result in thousands of inner-
city drug abusers being denied access to treatment programs.
The prices hike, announced recently by the Mallinckrodt
Specialty Chemicals Co. of St. Louis, has raised concerns among
Bush Administration drug policy officials and prompted some drug
treatment administrators to accuse Mallinckrodt of exploiting its
dominant market position to engage in "drug war price gouging."
(Michael Isikoff, Washington Post, A8)
EDITOR'S NOTES: "Discussing Yellowstone, Lujan Creates New stir,"
by Robert Reinhold, appears in the New York Times, A12.
"GOP Fund-Raising Group Finds A Way To Get More Cash To Senate
Candidates," by Jill Abramson, appears in the Wall Street Journal,
A12.
-end of A-section-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- B-1
NETWORK NEWS SUMMARY
(Sunday evening, August 26)
ABC's Forrest Sawyer: After long negotiations between U.S. and
Iraqi officials, 55 dependents of American diplomats -- mostly
wives and children -- were allowed to leave Baghdad to make the
long and difficult journey overland to Turkey.
ABC's Peter Collins reports from the Turkish-Iraqi border the bus
carrying the Americans arrived on the Iraqi side of the border at
mid-afternoon. U.S. officials waiting at the border have been
disappointed to learn the Americans will not be coming out Sunday.
They're hopeful the hostages will come out Monday, but given Iraq's
record so far there are no guarantees.
Sawyer reports while Iraq says peace talks are possible, it is
still preparing for a fight. Officials are waging a propaganda
campaign as Western reporters were shown Saddam's popular army.
Ministry of Information officials, who only days ago were slow to
answer reporters' requests, are now manning a table at the hotel
where journalists are housed. And the Iraqi news agency stated
Saddam's peaceful reply to U.N. Secretary General Perez de
Cuellar's offer to negotiate the crisis. of course, Saddam said,
the secretary general is always welcome. Shortly after that
statement, Perez de Cuellar's office announced the secretary
general will meet with the Iraqi foreign minister on Thursday in
Amman. In Kuwait, Iraqi soldiers have rounded up eight more
Britons and have a standing order to execute anyone sheltering
foreigners. The standoff continues at the embassies, meanwhile.
ABC's Bob Zelnick reports on the U.S. military buildup in the Gulf.
To get U.N. authority to use force, diplomatic sources say the U.S.
had to agree to place maximum reliance on political, not military
means, to achieve Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait. This was a
distinct change in the administration's tone. Throughout much of
last week, administration officials appeared to be signaling the
U.S. could tolerate no solution which left Saddam Hussein in charge
of an Iraq whose military power remains unbroken. But Sunday, on
"This Week with David Brinkley," National Security Advisor
Scowcroft suggested a political settlement would be acceptable.
(Scowcroft: "If we can go back to the status quo ante in terms of
Iraqi forces out of Kuwait and the leadership back in Kuwait and
hostages released, there will still be a fundamentally different
situation in that area.")
For the moment at least, the word is a united international front
and an embargo -- not an invasion -- will be used to get the Iraqis
out.
ABC's Jim Hickey reports on the economic problems of countries like
Egypt caused by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
ABC's Carole Williams reports Newsweek magazine polled people on
which countries Americans feel are trying to help solve the Persian
Gulf crisis. Japan fared the worst with only 18 percent if those
polled saying Japan is doing as much as it can, 59 percent said
Japan is not doing enough.
-more-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- B-2
ABC's Mark Litke reports from Tokyo on the Japanese reaction to the
Persian Gulf crisis. The Japanese government has been almost
paralyzed wit: indecision since the crisis erupted.
(Taizo Watanabe, Foreign Ministry spokesman: "It's very difficult
because many people are suffering from this kind of Second World
War trauma. We've got to be concerned about the possibility of the
re-emergence of Japan as a military power.")
Still, the Japanese are aware of the mounting criticism that Japan
talks of support but so far has sent no money and no manpower.
More public figures are hoping that the country will live up to its
international responsibilities.
(Taichi Masuzoe, political analyst: "Personally, I will be really
embarrassed and I'll criticize our government and our prime
minister.")
The Japanese government is finally planning on sending medical
supplies and financial support.
(Watanabe: "This is the first ever venture in the post-War era
that we are going to change our policy from passive to positive in
the field of peacekeeping efforts.")
ABC's Chris Bury reports from Indianapolis on the American Legion
convention. The legionnaires talked tough and were itching for a
fight with Saddam.
(World War Two veteran: "In my day we wouldn't take that stuff.
We'd go out and get him. We'd clean house with him. I'm not a'
kiddin' ya'."
Vietnam veterans were more cautious.
(Miles Epling, National Commander American Legion and Vietnam
veteran: "If we're going to get into a conflict, let's get in it
to win. Let's don't get in it to do what we did in Vietnam.")
ABC's Greg Dobbs reports on the families of soldiers sent overseas.
Crisis counseling centers have been created at military bases to
help the families cope.
(ABC-Lead)
[Editor's note: Most of the NBC broadcast was pre-empted)
NBC's Garrick Utley:
This week, on Thursday, U.N. Secretary
General Perez de Cuellar will meet with Iraq's foreign minister,
here in Amman, Jordan. The announcement came Sunday afternoon.
The U.N. secretary general has said it is time for him to get
involved as a mediator in this crisis, and his first job here will
be to find out whether the Iraqis are interested in negotiating a
withdrawal from Kuwait. Is this development going to complicate
life for George Bush?
NBC's John Cochran: No one on the Bush administration will put it
this bluntly, but the only kinds of negotiations the United States
is interested in are the kinds that Gen. Douglas MacArthur
conducted in 1945 on a battleship in Tokyo Bay, the kinds where the
enemy surrenders, period. As President Bush began his final week
of vacation, he had a fine warm day, but he had a cool response to
U.N. offers to mediate.
(TV coverage: President golfing.)
Administration officials responded politely but without enormous
enthusiasm.
-more-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- B-3
Cochran continues:
(Assistant Secretary of State Felly: "We're not going to reject
out of hand anybody who can contribute successfully to the
improvement of the situation.")
With his aide Brent Scowcroft, the President conferred by phone
with Egypt's President Mubarak.
(TV coverage: Still of President on phone.)
Bush wants the allies to stand firm: no backing down from the
demand that Iraq withdraw from Kuwait. Scowcroft said the only
thing to negotiate is the timing of the withdrawal.
(Gen. Scowcroft: "What is negotiable? I think the timetables of
his getting out, exactly the modalities of it.")
It's not clear whether timing was all Perez de Cuellar had in mind
Saturday when the U.N. secretary general offered to meet with Iraqi
officials, but Saddam Hussein quickly accepted the offer and it
didn't take long to arrange the meeting next Thursday between the
U.N. envoy and Iraq's Foreign Minister Aziz.
(Aziz: "We are open-minded and we are open to listen to
suggestions, to ideas. We have not closed the door for any idea
and constructive suggestion.")
President Bush's aides say he expects little, in anything, to come
from this week's talks. They also say the President must give
formal support to U.N. peace efforts.
(TV coverage: President entering car.)
The U.S. has gotten the tough anti-Iraq resolutions it wanted this
month from the U.N. Now, it would be very bad form to undermine
the U.N. peace mission.
(Donald McHenry, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.: "If we were
resistant to some diplomatic effort to resolve this question, I
think we probably would lose some of the international support.
There would be those who would say that the United States is on the
warpath.")
Ambassador McHenry said he expects Secretary General Perez de
Cuellar will try to find some face-saving way for Saddam Hussein
to back out of this crisis, but McHenry also said he does not think
the secretary general will succeed. White House aides are equally
pessimistic.
NBC's Keith Miller reports from Baghdad Iraq's new recruits for its
popular army look they will need a good deal of time to shape up.
The mood in Baghdad, at least on the surface, appeared calm.
NBC's Mary Alice Williams reports Prime Minister Thatcher says
there will be no negotiating with Saddam.
(Thatcher: "This man is a despot and a tyrant and must be
stopped.")
(NBC-Lead)
CBS's Bob Schieffer: It's been fairly quiet in the region around
the Persian Gulf Sunday, but there were several developments on the
diplomatic front. U.S. Secretary General Perez de Cuellar
announced Sunday afternoon that he will discuss the crisis with the
Iraqi foreign minister on Thursday in Amman, Jordan. In Baghdad,
55 wives and children of the U.S. diplomats who have been trapped
in Iraq were finally told that they could leave for the Turkish
border. Iraqi authorities still refused to let the diplomats
themselves leave. At the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, where a skeleton
staff of Americans is still in place, the standoff with Iraqi
soldiers continued. At the Pentagon, more reservists and National
Guard troops were called to active duty.
-erom-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- B-4
CBS's Deborah Potter reports on the 55 U.S. Embassy dependents who
werc allowed to leave for Turkey. At the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait
the U.S. ambarsador and a handful of staffers are still surrounded
by Iraqi troops, but official say the Americans will keep the flag
flying for as long as possible.
(Undersecretary of State Kimmitt: "They are up, they are
functioning, the moral is good and they're doing what they can
under difficult circumstances to serve the American community still
there
They are without power at this moment. They're
operating on auxiliary means.
Conditions are getting tougher by the day.
(Ambassador Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti Ambassador to the U.S.: "The Iraqis
are persecuting them. They are going from home to home, from
apartment to apartment looking for these foreign nationals
and
we are trying to hide them away as much as we can.
But some are being found. Sixteen Westerners and two more
Americans were taken into custody this weekend and the roundups
continue.
Schieffer: In Kennebunkport, President Bush kept to his vacation
schedule Sunday. He got in a round of golf after church and left
most pronouncements on the crisis to his advisors.
CBS's Wyatt Andrews: The President Sunday basked not only in
perfect weekend weather, but in a growing sense of confidence
Saddam has been check-mated.
(TV coverage: President golfing.)
White House officials Sunday even said they approve of U.N. chief
Perez de Cuellar's proposal to start peace talks with Saddam, but
made it clear any talks should focus only how Saddam might give up.
(Gen. Scowcroft: "We're prepared to talk about anything after
Saddam Hussein has withdrawn from Kuwait, has allowed the
leadership of that country to come back and has released all the
foreigners who want to leave.
And what, if anything, would the U.S. negotiate?
(Gen Scowcroft: "What is negotiable? I think the timetables of
his getting out, exactly the modalities of it.")
To the White House, the U.S. finally cornered Saddam early Saturday
when the U.N. blessed the use of force against any ship doing
business with Iraq. The Navy, which had been shadowing suspect
ships, could now at any time decide to stop them. The other source
of official confidence is that the blockade, even without the use
of force, seems to be working.
(Assistant Secretary of State Kelly: "We know that internal food
prices are going through the roof for certain commodities like
rice, sugar and so on.")
As if to confirm the blockade has begun to bite, Iraqi officials
Sunday began to publicly complain.
(Iragi Foreign Minister Aziz: "Because the American blockade
against Iraq might lead to the starvation of the Iraqi people, it
might lead to the starvation of the Iraqi children.")
Assured now that he's put the maximum diplomatic and military
pressure on Saddam Hussein, the President's strategy is to wait.
Outside of the two potential flashpoints -- harm to the hostages
or a clash at sea -- this once hot crisis is evolving into a test
of patience and nerve.
-more-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- B-5
Schieffer reports Soviet Foreign Minister Shevardnadze said that
Soviet ships would not use force to interdict ves els trying to
bring supplies into Iraq, but; he added the Soviets will not
interfere with other ships who use force to carry out the blockade.
CBS's David Martin reports no interdictions have taken place yet
probably because the embargo seems to be working on its own without
force. Iraqi-flagged vessels are the only ships determined to defy
the embargo and right now the Navy has nine of them under
surveillance. They seem to be either empty or so far away from
port that there is no immediate prospect that they will be able to
unload their cargo. By one count, the Navy has stopped and
searched 14 vessels but so far have not found any embargo runners.
Schieffer reports Gen. Schwarzkopf has transferred his headquarters
from Florida to Saudi Arabia.
CBS's Bob Simon reports on the continuing U.S. military buildup in
Saudi Arabia. What's coming in now is the equipment and the
personnel which could launch an offensive against Kuwait or Iraq.
Military planners say it will be another month before they've got
what it takes.
(Maj. Gen William Pagonis: "Our forces are growing rapidly and our
combat power is growing rapidly and we're all here to sustain it
for as long as necessary to bring the forces in.")
U.S. AWACS Sunday spotted a lot of Iraqi air traffic going into
Kuwait. Soldiers from around the Middle East are deployed in the
desert. Predictably, however, U.S. commanders say they don't want
any foreign multinational or U.N. strings attached, so it's
basically an American operation.
CBS's Dan Rather interviewed President Mubarak:
Rather: Can Saddam Hussein withdraw from Kuwait and still remain
in power -- still have face in this part of the world?
Mubarak: After the invasion of Kuwait and the complete withdrawal
from Iran, I think he has put himself in a very difficult corner.
To withdraw again from Kuwait easily would be a disaster
Rather: Can President Bush bring this much military power this far
and not use it and still keep U.S. credibility in this part of the
world?
Mubarak:
It depends on the situation, frankly speaking. Of
course, I think that President Bush didn't bring all these forces
just to use it right away. President Bush will be in a difficult
situation if he withdraws without solving the problem. That's why
he is using all ways and means to tighten the circle around Iraq.
Rather: When this crisis is over, will it be more difficult or
less difficult to find a solution to the Palestinian question?
Mubarak: I think it will be a little bit easier to find a
solution
if the Kuwaiti problem is solved because occupying
another's territory by force will be an example to the Israelis.
Rather: Is Yasser Arafat's stature being increased or diminished
by all of this?
-елош-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- B-6
Mubarak: In our country it is diminishing
Overall, he lost
lots of his credibility all over this part of the brld. I can't
say that he's finished, but his curve went down -- sharply.
Rather: Is Saddam Hussein the kind of man who can look at all this
military force arrayed against him and make a deal? Is he the kind
of person who might compromise or is he a fight-to-the-finish,
never-give-in person?
Mubarak: I think he may come to a compromise.
Rather: What kind of a compromise could there be?
Mubarak: A withdrawal
There's no other way out.
Schieffer reports that hundreds of small defense contractors
suddenly have more business than they know what to do with.
(Lawrence Korb, defense analyst: "This is good for the defense
industry because it shows people that even after the Cold War we
will still need a defense industry.")
The defense industry credits the Iraqi invasion with playing a
major role in saving continued funding for the B-2 Stealth bomber.
(Michael Lauer, Kidder Peabody defense analyst: "If the market is
an accurate gauge of what may be ahead of us, then I think it's
telling us that, unfortunately, fireworks may begin and I think the
industry is going to do okay.")
Schieffer reports Saudi Arabia and Venezuela asked OPEC for the go-
ahead to exceed their quotas. According to an AAA survey, the
price of gas has jumped nearly 20 cents a gallon since Iraq invaded
Kuwait.
CBS's James Citori reports on the stalled drive for increase fuel
efficiency in cars.
(Christopher Flavin, Worldwatch Inst.: "That momentum has now
slowed down. We're dead in the water and we're not making the kind
of progress that we need to.")
Average economy is down slightly from 1988, all the result, say car
makers, of consumers indulging in relatively inexpensive gas and
bigger vehicles. If cars averaged 40 miles per gallon, the U.S.
would save 2.8 million barrels of oil a day -- equal to the daily
production of Iraq.
(David Cole, auto analyst: "The biggest trick of all is to get the
population to want to make the sacrifices associated with cars with
that kind of fuel economy.")
Experts say the one thing which will guarantee conservation and
accelerated research into more efficient cars is perhaps the least
likely course of action: a tax making gasoline in the U.S. as
costly as in many other countries -- $2 to $3 a gallon. (CBS-Lead)
BULGARIA
Schieffer reports thousands of demonstrators sacked the
headquarters of Bulgaria's former Communist Party. Police fired
on the demonstrators with plastic bullets.
(CBS-3, ABC-3)
###
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-1
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY
Moderator: David Brinkley. Panel Sam Donaldson & Cokie Roberts.
Guests: Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan, Henry Kissinger and
Zbigniew Brzezinski, followed by Gen. Scowcroft.
Brinkley: Do you see a peaceful way out of this? And, if you do,
describe it for us, will you?
Hassan: The continued emphasis on the conditionality of withdrawal
of forces, or non-conditional withdrawal of forces, is very clear.
An act of aggression has been committed; annexation is unacceptable
to everyone, including my own country
However, I note with
interest that the United Nations secretary general has been invited
to find a middle ground. And I think that that middle ground
should surely include recognition of guarantees of non-aggression
from that enormous build-up of troops south of Kuwait. I think we
have to get the problem back into its component parts of Kuwait and
Iraq, rather than just focusing on the international aspect of the
problem.
Brinkley: Is there a good chance of this coming about?
Hassan: I think that President Waldheim's visit to Baghdad
Saturday, was very clear. Saddam does want to negotiate, and he
does want an interlocutor. So how that can come about, how we can
get things into perspective, as President Bush has said, is the
challenge to us all.
Roberts: We have reports here that you and King Hussein have met
with Yasser Arafat with a new peace plan of putting U.N.
peace-keeping forces in Kuwait, taking the U.S. forces and the
Iraqi forces out of the territory. Is that true?
Hassan: There was not such a meeting in recent days. We are
looking at talking points at the present time which we can, I hope,
offer to the Iraqis -- and, indeed, to the world community, if and
when that is possible.
I think that outlining peace plans is premature because I
think that we need discreet diplomacy at this stage and not
up-front, media-type diplomacy. What we need to emphasize is,
clearly, the withdrawal from Kuwait and, indeed, the future of that
very complicated and historically complicated territorial issue
between Kuwait and Iraq.
Guests: Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brzezinski.
Brinkley: If you were President Bush right now, what would you do?
Kissinger: I would stick to the policy that President Bush has
been pursuing. I would state the two objectives that he put
forward -- withdrawal from Kuwait, and restoration of the
government
And I would be prepared to start withdrawing our
troops, if those conditions are achieved.
-елош-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-2
Brzazinski: I think the President has succeeded in Ceterring Iraq
from acving a inst Saudi Arabi>. He has resisted the temptation
to act alone and unilaterally. He now has the opportunity to bring
to bear the collective pressure of the international community,
thereby making possible some form of a regional solution along the
lines that I thought very intelligently was being recommended by
the crown prince of Jordan.
Roberts: Mr. Kissinger, you've written that the United States has
crossed the Rubicon here -- that it simply cannot lose, cannot be
perceived as losing, but that time is not on our side
Does
that argue for a quick military strike?
Kissinger: No. I think that the President has to balance a
variety of elements -- maintaining international support as against
the possibility of achieving the fundamental objective -- which he
stated and which the United Nations has unanimously endorsed
My basic point is, we cannot after the deployment into the Gulf
march out of the Gulf without having achieved these objectives.
And when the time has come to take other measures, that is not for
me to say. And I hope that sanctions will work, and I hope that
international pressure will work. And if that does work, we will
have had a great success; but if it doesn't work, the consequence
of a setback would be disastrous.
Brzezinski:
My judgment is that time is working on our side,
that collective international pressure will work and that, in any
case, the costs of unilateral and solitary American military action
would be disproportionate to any possible achievement. I think it
would explode the Middle East. It would turn not only the Arab
community against us, but much of the international community --
and it could even jeopardize our vital interests. In fact, I think
this is the first post-Cold War crisis in which America has the
unique opportunity to fashion a new form of leadership --
leadership which is genuinely supported by the international
community and gives us its moral sanctions; and that entitles us
to exercise prudence and patience.
Donaldson: How do you reduce the Iraqi military and perhaps their
chemicals without military action?
Kissinger: One is by military action. The other would be, if the
sanctions are as effective as the advocates maintain, that the
sanctions are maintained until the chemical facilities are either
dismantled or put under United Nations' supervision.
Donaldson: What about the question of whether the destabilization
of Saddam Hussein ought to be one of our objectives?
Brzezinski: The defense of Saudi Arabia is such a vital American
interest that we should pursue it unilaterally. The expulsion of
the Iraqis from Kuwait is a general interest which I think the
international community can achieve by sustained pressure. The
toppling of Saddam Hussein can only be achieved by force. That
force could only be pursued by the United States. I believe we
would be alone and, therefore, it is not worth it.
-елош-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-3
Kissinger: My view is -- and apparently it's the view of the
administration. as well -- is that, if this crisis ends with Iraqi
forces in possession of Kuwait and American forces in Saudi Arabia,
that the protection of Saudi Arabia and of the Gulf states will not
be possible over an extended period of time -- that it would be
possible only by the presence of a very large American force
permanently, which would be a constant irritation and that,
therefore, you cannot separate the future of Kuwait from the future
of the Gulf area.
Roberts: So that sounds like what you're saying is that you have
to invade, that you have to take military action.
Kissinger: I'm not saying you have to invade. I believe Iraq must
be made to withdraw from Kuwait, which most people seem to think
the sanctions can accomplish. And I'm saying that if the sanctions
don't accomplish it, then we will face the problem that Zbig has
mentioned, namely, the protection of Saudi Arabia by other
measures. But I'm not recommending that for now.
Brzezinski: It seems to me that, of course, the disgorging of
Kuwait by Iraq is desirable. But if the choice is a prolonged
American presence in Saudi Arabia with all the complications that
Henry rightly mentions, or a solitary and largely unilateral
American military effort to throw Iraq out of Kuwait, then I prefer
the former to the latter. I prefer to sit in the sands in Saudi
Arabia than to have American soldiers fighting through the streets
of the city of Kuwait, taking very heavy casualties and
precipitating an Arab anti-American explosion which could even
destabilize the governments they were seeking to protect -- and
thereby in the end even deprive us of the oil that we so vitally
need.
Donaldson:
Apart from the views which you've both expressed
this morning
looking at the situation in total, do you expect
that there will be major military action?
Kissinger: I believe that Saddam Hussein is looking for some way
out; and I think if we remain firm and if we keep open the prospect
that we will not stop, he will settle. There will not be military
action.
Brzezinski: I think if we sustain collective international
pressure with the United States actively involved, there will be
some form of an intermediary regional solution, as discussed by
Crown Prince Hassan.
Guest: Gen. Scowcroft.
Brinkley:
There seems to be a feeling that we may have to sit
for a time in the desert and wait for the sanctions to work and
wait for other things to develop. In the meantime, in the United
States, Saddam Hussein is playing for American public opinion very
effectively which certainly will cause pressure in this country
to build up on President Bush. Are you ready for that?
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-4
Scowcroft: Yes, we're certainly ready for it. I'm not sure that
it will take place exactly as you have outlined. WE just now have
our strategy in place with the U.N. resolution passed early
Saturday morning, and I think it's time now to see whether or not
it will work. And that's what we're prepared to do.
Roberts:
We now have thousands of American troops in place at
tremendous cost. We have thousands of Americans being held hostage
in the region. Is it acceptable to us at this point after these
kinds of expenditures to go back to the situation as it was before
Saddam invaded Kuwait, to the status quo ante, or do we have to do
something more dramatic than that -- get him out of the region or
get his power out of the region?
Scowcroft:
If we can go back to the status quo ante in terms
of Iraqi forces out of Kuwait and the leadership back in Kuwait and
hostages released, there will still be a fundamentally different
situation in that area, in that collective action will have been
shown to work against a case of aggression; and, therefore, the
situation will not be the same afterwards.
Roberts: Speaking of that collective action, the U.N. secretary
general has offered to go and negotiate. Is that something that
would be acceptable to you?
Scowcroft: I think it's clearly acceptable.
Brinkley: Can you see a peaceful way out of this -- and if so,
describe it for us?
Scowcroft: Yes, I can see a peaceful way out of it
I
think
that Saddam Hussein must now see that he's facing overwhelming
world opinion, backed by forceful actions to sanction him, to
prevent his commerce and economically to squeeze him. It seems to
me that the course of prudence for a leader in this situation would
be do what we're asking, what the world community is asking that
he do. I see no reason that would prevent him from doing it. He
has certainly, after launching a war in 1980, now given up all of
the putative gains of that war. So he has shown that he can be a
realist when it needs to be done.
Brinkley: Henry Kissinger said a minute ago
that he is looking
for a way out. Is that your information?
Scowcroft: I don't know. He certainly is showing that he is
concerned by what is in place against him and some of his moves,
which I think have not been very effective -- that is, the
attempted use of women and especially small children -- to make his
threats. But I think it shows that he is casting about for a way
out of the box in which he finds himself.
Roberts: What effect does it have to have someone like Waldheim
go in there and get his people out? Does it make us look somehow
that our hands are tied?
Scowcroft: Oh, I don't think so at all. I think one can
sympathize with the leader of a country wanting to get his own
citizens out
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-5
Donaldson:
What would it take to justify the use of American
troops and the body bags that would come back to this country for
President Bus: to make a decision to actually strike in a land war
in that part of the war?
Scowcroft: I think you could assume that if Iraq should launch
a major assault into Saudi Arabia, it would be resisted forcibly
and with considerable strength.
Brinkley:
We've heard a good deal lately about a "peace
dividend" with the end of the Cold War and so on. Can we forget
it now?
Scowcroft: I think we have an entirely new situation in which we
have to review the costs of what we're doing and make the
appropriate adjustments.
Discussion. Tom Wicker joins.
Donaldson:
The thought that we would send American forces in
on land -- or for that matter anywhere -- to die in a war for the
oil by itself is one that you have to think very hard about
Wicker:
I think it behooves us to look ahead and to begin to
remove our dependence upon foreign oil
Brinkley: Will there be a shot fired in the Middle East by us?
Donaldson: I think not. Obvisouly, if they harm our diplomats or
our citizens there we're going to have to take action. Short of
that, I think the President's policy -- and if you listened to Gen.
Scowcroft -- it seemed to me [they want] to give the blockade a
chance to work
It just seems to me a lot of people in this
town and a lot of people on the air have just reveled in the idea
that we're going to war -- our toughness -- that the American eagle
has talons on its claws. I'd like to say to those people
why
don't you lead the charge
?
We're going into recession in this country
###
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-6
FACE THE NATION
Moderator: Bruce Morton.
Guests: Iraqi Ambassador the the U.S. Al-Mashat followed by
Undersecretary of State Kimmitt.
Al-Mashat:
I think you should tell the people openly this is
the biggest deception in history that we in Iraq are threatening
anybody. We haven't taken anything from the United States. We
haven't threatened you. We haven't threatened Saudi Arabia
When we went into Kuwait it was the 2nd of August, you did not come
in until the 8th of August. If we had harbored any design, we
would have gone right through then. So let us tell the American
people that this is the biggest deception in history.
Morton: You are the one who says we are moving towards war. What
the United States has done, as I understand it, is to send troops
to protect Saudi Arabia in response to a Saudi request. That is
not an invasion, as I understand the English language.
Al-Mashat:
Then there is no problem if this is the case as you
claim.
Morton:
I don't think any American official has promised to
invade Iraq. You keep saying we are going to do that. I don't
know who the "we" is. But I don't recall any official of the
United States government saying that, do you?
Al-Mashat: Yes. I have heard many.
Morton: Who?
Al-Mashat: I have heard many that we are going to force Iraq out
of Kuwait by all what it takes. What it means "by all what it
takes?" Even they are talking about our president, many times,
even they are talking about taking out Iraq by air. Why is this?
Morton:
Are the sanctions working, is Iraq short of food?
Al-Mashat: Definitely the sanctions will affect us. But we are
people with lots of pride and we are going to resist and we are
going to give sacrifices, we will tighten our belt to defend our
own country. We wanted peace, we have to talk peace, not to talk
war because of this big armada that you have assembled -- it is not
just to defend Saudi Arabia as you claim. You have to tell the
American people the truth.
God gave you a brain to think logically. Why you have the
biggest ever, ever in American history -- to have such a big --
Morton: Because the Saudis asked the United States for help, and
the United States sent troops. What's so extraordinary about that?
Al-Mashat: And you needed such a big offensive troop? This is not
defensive.
- - -
Guest: Undersecretary Kimmitt.
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-7
Morton:
One of the Lebanese hostages was released. Any word
on chances for anybody else
?
Kimmitt:
At present we have no other indication that others are
coming out. Although I would certainly note that at a time Saddam
Hussein is holding thousands of people hostage against their will
the hostages holders in Lebanon and their sponsors certainly could
put themselves at a distance from Saddam Hussein by letting the
people in Lebanon go free.
Morton: What's the
rationale for keeping the embassy [in Kuwait]
open?
Kimmitt: The rationale for keeping the embassy open is that there
is a legitimate government of Kuwait. We recognize that
government.
Morton: There was, but, I mean, it's gone.
Kimmitt: It is not gone. It has been displaced by Iraqi force.
But the United Nations Security Council in one of five
unprecedented unanimous resolutions has declared the Iraqi
annexation of Kuwait null and void. We, and many other countries,
are keeping our flags flying for as long as we can to make clear
that we and the rest of the civilized world stand behind the notion
that there is still a legitimate Kuwaiti government and it should
be restored promptly. We also, I might add, have still quite a
number of American citizens in Kuwait, and, as I said, that's the
primary function of our embassy -- to stay in touch with those
people and to facilitate their departure.
Morton: How effective are the sanctions? Do you have any word so
far
?
Kimmitt: I think they are becoming increasingly effective. I
think the difference between this sanctions regime and past
sanctions regimes is that it enjoys the virtually unanimous support
of the world community. And therefore, I think that the sanctions
are beginning to pinch more and more as each day goes by. We see
that both in terms of the drop-off in supplies and revenues for
Iraq. We also see it in Iraq's frantic attempts to circumvent the
sanctions, which we and other nations are working very hard to
stop. We do not want revenues flowing to a leader like Saddam
Hussein who says that his first priority is to feed not his people,
but his million-man army.
Morton: How long might it take, do you think, for sanctions really
to take hold, to cause such a degree of shortage or economic
dislocation that Saddam Hussein would really have to do something,
get out of Kuwait, invade Saudi Arabia, whatever?
Kimmitt: I think that would be very hard to predict. I think
again they will start to take an increasing toll as each day goes
by. I think that the sanctions will have both a material effect,
but we also hope that they would have a political effect, when he
sees that the world community is not breaking ranks, that it is
staying behind the U.N. Security Council mandated sanctions, that
he would understand that he has only one way out, and that is to
withdraw from Kuwait.
-970m-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-8
Morton: Have American objectives changed? I mean the fact is now
that if Saddam Hussein were to withdraw from Kuwait This noon, the
United States wouldn't want to withdraw from Saudi Arabia, because
they wouldn't trust him, they wouldn't be sure that he wouldn't go
back two days later.
Kimmitt: We certainly would like to see him withdraw at noon,
completely, unconditionally, immediately. We would like to see the
legitimate government restored. At the same time the President
has made clear that one of the objectives that we seek to ensure
is the free, uninterrupted flow of oil from the Persian Gulf. I
think that we would assess the situation at the time upon his
withdrawal. But we would certainly take those steps that are
necessary to ensure that oil would continue to flow freely. At the
same time I would note that your hypothetical did not posit the
release of Americans held against their will in both Iraq and
Kuwait. That certainly, too, would have to be accomplished before
we could talk about next steps.
Morton: Would the long-term interests of the United States require
a new government in Iraq...?
Kimmitt: I think that the leadership of Iraq should be left up to
the Iraqi people themselves. I think what not only the United
States but the rest of the world community needs to do is to ensure
that Iraq does not pose a threat either to its neighbors or in a
broader sense to people throughout the region
Morton: Are we there for a long time, is this turning into a
stalemate?
Kimmitt: We are there for as long as it takes to accomplish the
objectives that he President has set out.
###
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-9
MEET THE PRESS
Moderator: John Dancy. Panel: R.W. Apple and David Broder.
Guests: Assistant Secretary of State John Kelly and Sen. Kerrey.
Broder:
What are we going to do about all this [in Iraq]? So
far, we have a lot of deploring but not much acting.
Kelly: I think we've done a lot more than deplore. We have gotten
an unprecedented international response
Broder: U.N. Secretary General Perez de Cuellar has suggested that
he may try to negotiate; and there are some reports, at least, that
Hussein would welcome that. Is this something that we would
approve of and welcome?
Kelly: I think the mandate for the secretary general has already
been laid down in the Security Council resolutions: the withdrawal
immediately of Iraqi forces from Kuwait; the restoration of the
legitimate government of Kuwait; the freeing of all foreign
citizens who are held in those two countries against their will;
and a return to stability in that region.
Dancy: Are you saying that Iraqi troops must pull out of Kuwait
before the United States will sit down and negotiate with them
about the future of Kuwait?
Kelly: I'm saying that from the outset of this crisis 23 days ago,
the President of the United States and the United Nations Security
Council unanimously have been demanding the immediate withdrawal
of Iraqi troops from Kuwait.
Dancy: I know we've said that's an objective. But is that a
precondition to talks?
Kelly: No, we're willing to talk. We have our charge d'affaires,
Joe Wilson, in Baghdad. He has been talking to the Iraqis; and,
if they want to talk to him more, he's there and available
We're not going to reject out of hand anybody who can contribute
successfully to the improvement of the situation. On the other
hand, the Iraqis know very clearly -- just like everyone else in
the world -- what they ought to do; and that is stop this
aggression and get out of Kuwait and free all these people they're
holding captive against their will.
Apple: Mr. Kelly, we've been saying what you just said for more
than three weeks now
How long do we wait to see whether
economic sanctions are going to work
?
Kelly: I think the economic sanctions are already pinching in Iraq
-- I don't think that; I know that
This is a boycott that is
working, and economic sanctions that are real and genuine and will
produce results.
Apple: You're predicting, then, that Saddam Hussein will have to
pull out of Kuwait, allow the restoration of the monarchy as a
result of these sanctions? You just said it will work.
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-10
Kelly: I'm saying at the end of the day, the international
community and legality and law and order will prevail.
Apple: Without military force?
Kelly: I hope without military force. Nobody wants to see a war
over there. But certainly the international community has made it
repeatedly clear what the government of Iraq has to do.
Broder:
Have we now undertaken a permanent commitment to the
security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states?
Kelly: I don't think we've undertaken a permanent stationing of
land forces in that part of the world. I think we have
demonstrated the American commitment to security and the American
commitment to resist aggression. I mean, let's face it: a small
state here has been conquered by a rapacious neighbor -- and the
United States and the world community have responded.
Dancy: Can you foresee a solution to this crisis that leaves
Saddam Hussein in power in Iraq?
Kelly: I'm not going to rule anything in or out. But, clearly,
his own people must have something to think about
Apple:
With all of the flashpoints that we have -- the embassy,
the hostages, shooting at Iraqi ships -- can we avoid setting
something off, or can they avoid setting something off?
Kelly: We certainly hope so but there's no reacting to
aggression without an element of risk; and I think that's what the
American forces out in the region face, but I know they don't
want
Broder: You said that we know that the blockade is beginning to
pinch. What do we know specifically? What's happening inside
Iraq?
Kelly: We know that internal food prices are going through the
roof for certain commodities like rice, sugar and so on. We know
that there are bread lines. I've seen TV footage in the last few
days of stores that appear to be fairly normal. I suspect that may
be a put-up job.
-
Guest: Sen. Kerrey.
Dancy:
How do you feel after the commitment of 50,000 American
reserves?
Sen. Kerrey: I'm still very uncomfortable
I mean, what it
does is it increases the ante and changes the dynamic in the area.
I mean, now you're talking about a massive retaliatory strike if
Iraq were to penetrate into Saudi Arabia. So, I mean, it does
change the dynamic substantially.
Dancy: The congressional leaders have asked for a briefing from
the White House on Tuesday morning. What is that all about? Are
the Democrats about to go on the attack here?
-елош-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-11
Sen. verrey: I don't know. I wasn't invited to the meeting so I
don't know. like most of the American people, am learning about
what's going on through whatever investigative journalism is
permitted. Part of the problem is, in fact, at the first post-Cold
War moment when we're putting Americans in harm's way, we aren't,
it seems to me, being provided a sufficient amount of information
to really engage meaningfully in a debate about whether or not this
is appropriate.
Dancy: You mean, you're being shut out by the administration?
Sen. Kerrey: I know from reading the newspaper that it's hot in
the desert and that the chow is bad
I'm starting to get some
additional detail about where the troops placements are; but it's
generally after the fact. Now, there may be legitimate reasons for
that
Apple:
If we have a stalemate in the desert, how long will
people put up with it? How long will they keep patience with the
President?
Sen. Kerrey:
Our troops are in Saudi Arabia
and they're in
harm's way
I want us, the taxpayers, those of us who are
safely back here at home, to put ourselves on the line as well.
So I don't like this notion that somehow we're going to be able to
do this for free here at home. And, as a matter of fact, I think
the American people are demonstrating a willingness. They're being
very tolerant of higher oil prices, even though they're grumbling
a bit about it. And there's going to be a real cost to all of us.
I think it is a demonstration that politicians can risk a bit as
well.
Apple: Are the American people going to want to take some
affirmative action
?
Sen. Kerrey:
The truth is, you know, unless Colin Powell
becomes George Bush's Maxwell Taylor, it seems to me that we do
have an opportunity here to evaluate where and when we'll use
American force in the post-Cold War era
The President's
strategy for preparing for a land war in Europe, preparing for a
major war in Asia and having some sort of mobile forces ready as
well as a nuclear deterrent was wrong. The first post-Cold War
crisis has occurred in the Middle East; and it's likely to be that
there will be additional crisis in South Asia. So it seems to me
that our strategy has to be evaluated, as well as our long-term
political and diplomatic strategy
In general, have been blinded
by money, it seems to me; and, as a consequence, we put into place
policy that encouraged Hussein to become extremely strong.
Broder:
You've said you're uncomfortable. Are you saying that
there is no American national interest in the Persian Gulf that
justifies the President's decision to send troops in these numbers
to that region?
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-12
Ser verrey: The only justification that I find lec timate is the
United States and to move quickly, we're the only nation that could
move quick enough to prevent an invasion of Saudi Arabia. That
justification I find legitimate
I question a response that
says that we're going to go there and have our young people die so
that we can have cheap oil here at home, or cheap gasoline here at
home. In fact, the United Nations Security Council resolution
mentions nothing about oil
Dancy: If that's the case, should Democrats then get behind an oil
import fee to raise the price of oil and perhaps cut some of our
dependence on it?
Sen. Kerrey: I don't know what the Democrats ought to do, in
truth
I think it does have implications -- not just for
Democrats but for the American people. We are going to have to
conserve energy. I think we need to have higher CAFE standards for
our automobiles. I think we ought to be looking for alternative
fuels. It doesn't mean that we're going to be independent of oil
entirely. But it does mean, it seems to me, that we are going to
have to change our personal attitude and our personal habits
Discussion. Garrick Utley joins.
Dancy: If I were looking for a headline out of what I heard this
morning, it would be, I believe, that the United States is willing
to negotiate, is willing to have the good offices of the U.N.
secretary general, and does not insist that Iraq leave Kuwait as
a precondition for those talks.
Utley: I would not agree with Iraq not leaving Kuwait. I wouldn't
say I would go that far because, even if Perez de Cuellar goes to
Baghdad he has these Security Council resolutions which call for
a withdrawal, call for the foreigners being allowed to go. He
cannot do anything else to go against those Security Council
resolutions
###
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-13
THE MCLAUGHLIN GROUP
Moderator: John McLaughlin. Panel: Fred Barnes, Patrick
Buchanan, Jack Germond and Morton Kondracke.
Buchanan:
I don't think the United States should want war
because
we'd lose thousands of men, we'd lose our hostages, our
interests an people in the Arab world would be destroyed, and all
this little sheikhdoms and kings and emirs we're defending in the
Gulf would be rolled over at the convulsion that would happen.
There are only two groups that are beating the drums right now for
war in the Middle East, and that is the Israeli defense ministry
and its amen corner in the United States.
Barnes:
The Bush administration
decided they're not trying
to provoke a war; they wouldn't have pulled the Marines out of
Kuwait away from the embassy there if they wanted a provocation.
They pulled them away to avoid a provocation. They're going to try
to see if the economic blockade will work against Iraq
Germond:
I thought from the beginning it was wise to send those
troops into Saudi Arabia. It was not wise to postulate such a
strong position; it's an absolutist position that Bush did at the
time because politically it is not sustainable in this country.
McLaughlin: The joint chiefs of staff are urging the President
that any military action against Saddam Hussein and his huge war
machine must be sweeping, it must be deadly and it must be
comprehensive. Do you agree with that?
Kondracke: You could argue a different way. You could start
attacking his military installations, his chemical plants, his
nuclear weapons plants, his tanks, and then say
okay, now get
out. And if he doesn't get out you bomb some more
We don't
have to invade Kuwait. All we have to do is bomb his military
installations and he's finished as a military power.
McLaughlin:
It's gotta be sweeping, it's gotta be simultaneous,
and it's got to be deadly, and the joint chiefs are right.
Buchanan: Iraq has an army of one million men. It is something
like North Korea. It's not going to go out because of a couple of
air strikes.
Germond:
The American people don't want [conflict] if it
involves the lives of hundreds of hostages and thousands of troops
for oil. The American people will not sustain the policy.
Barnes: The polls show just the opposite.
McLaughlin: Your objective must be once you use military force to
topple Saddam Hussein.
The President has been fishing and golfing. TV footage of
the recreating commander in chief has been juxtaposed on the
nightly news with shots of the soldiers in the sweltering Saudi
desert
Is too much being made of George Bush's being on
vacation as he conducts affairs of state?
-970m-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-14
Barnes: Of course too much is being made. This is entirely a
media-generated controversy. Bush can do everythi g he needs to
do there. He houldn't play gold -- he's a pretty lousy player
There's no reason why he should let the Butcher of Baghdad decide
whether he's in Kennebunkport or down in Washington.
Germond: I don't think he ought to be dancing on Saddam Hussein's
string. I think people think he's entitled to vacation. But the
irony of this thing is that the Sununu's of the world -- they would
have called those pictures good visuals three weeks ago. Now
they're coming back to haunt them. And politically it is a stupid
thing to do
Kondracke: I think he should have come back from vacation when he
called up the reserves. Now he is in a position of making people
leave their jobs, or taking pay cuts, people leaving their
families. That's the moment of solidarity with these people.
Buchanan:
A President needs to relax and think clearly, that's
where he gets it. But he ought to realize that when he's on the
golf course they're going to juxtapose those positions and
politically it's a media problem and he's got to pay for it.
McLaughlin: I'll tell you what's in the public interest: exactly
what George Bush is doing. That is to contain expectations, not
to put the country in a crisis mode as would be the case were he
in the White House squirreled away
He's got to stretch this
thing out until the forces get there.
Barnes: Bush should not be giving these photo opportunities out
on the golf course. If he wants to talk to reporters he should
drop by the press center and do that and then go out and golf on
his own without the press.
McLaughlin: Is Dan Quayle the Stealth Vice President?
Barnes: He's participating as heavily as Jim Baker
Buchanan: Some people are making the point that Jim Baker wants
to distance himself from what seems to be a very military policy
because he's not totally 100 percent in agreement
McLaughlin: Is the press making too much of President Bush's minor
recreational indulgences?
Germond:
I don't think it is smart long-run politics for him
to play it this way. I think he ought to come back to Washington
and tend to business now. I know he can do it there, but the
people are very concerned about this thing
McLaughlin: Whenever the Democrats need footage of the President
burning a gallon of gas for every two miles traveled while we send
American boys over there to fight for oil, they've got the footage
they want.
Barnes: It all depends on how this comes out. If he loses then
they'll have a great issue. If he wins, they'll forget about it.
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-15
McLaughlin: Do you think President Bush is a trifle too
optimistic, possibly even gullible about the Soviet [advisors in
Iraq}?
Kondracke: I think he's giving them the benefit of the doubt in
the hope that they'll come around
Buchanan: The Soviet Union is playing a double game. You cannot
have hundreds or thousands of advisors in Iraq without knowing
what is coming. On the surface, they're with the United States
Barnes: What they're figuring on is that this is not going to end
with Saddam Hussein being bounced from power. He'll stay in power,
they will have kept their ties open to him and they'll still have
a friendly power over there in the Middle East.
Germond: I don't know what in the world we could have expected the
Soviets do beyond what they have done so far
Anyone that imagines that this is really the international
community coming together and likely to stay together in the
Persian Gulf, they are kidding themselves. This is a U.S.
operation
and it is never going to be anything else.
Buchanan: Five years from now America first is going to be the
foreign policy of the United States partly as a consequence of this
no matter how it comes out
We [conservatives] believe that
American blood should not be spilled in large quantities unless
America's vital interests are at stake -- not democracy, not
realpolitik, not somebody's idea of how the world ought to be
ordered.
McLaughlin: Next week, shooting in the Gulf?
Buchanan: No.
Barnes: No.
Germond: No.
Kondracke: Yes.
McLaughlin: Yes.
###
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-16
INSIDE WASHINGTON
Moderator:
Gordon Peterson.
Panel:
Tina
Gulland,
James
Kilpatrick, Carl Rowan and Strobe Talbott.
Peterson: If there is a shooting war, how much of a threat is it
to our economy?
Rowan: I think it's a serious threat to our economy
We've
already paid immensely for just the threat of war.
Gulland: Big threat, but not as big in oil terms as the oil
embargo of '73, and we can face it if we've got the will.
Talbott: May turn out that the biggest casualty of this crisis is
that we may not have a deficit reduction agreement this year.
Peterson:
What happens if the Iraqis move into the American
Embassy compound -- actually invaded and take Ambassador Howell
and other people into custody?
Rowan: That's tantamount to invading the United States. That
embassy is U.S. territory and it violates every diplomatic law that
goes back almost to the days of Christ.
Gulland: I think what was interesting was the decision to remove
the Marine guards
We don't want a fire-fight at the embassy
to start what could be a worldwide war. And so I think we're being
prudent even if he is violating absolutely every international norm
and civilized norm.
Talbott: The President is getting advice from two directions. One
camp is telling him that time is on Saddam Hussein's side
We
need to seize the first provocation that comes along, and of course
the violation of embassy property would be a very good one in order
to pre-empt, in order to knock Saddam Hussein out of this thing
once and for all. On the other hand, the President is getting
advice from the center and certainly from the international
community: The most important thing for him to do here is to keep
the U.N. with him and to keep his Arab allies with him and that
means not going in.
Gulland: Part of the assumption in Washington has been that
American will and public support will not stick with the President,
and that's why time is on [Saddam's] side --
Kilpatrick: And that's a pretty valid assumption.
Gulland: I don't know
George Bush
needs to move beyond what
he did Monday in Baltimore, which is simply reiterate the first
moves into the region. He's got to say why, what his vision is of
being there long-haul, because it looks like a long haul and if he
does there can be public support.
Kilpatrick: This is not like what happened after Pearl Harbor
I don't detect in my reading, in my conversations, any great wave
of strong patriotic support.
Rowan: I think there is
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-17
Talbott:
There's a huge difference here between this situation
and
the beginning of World War I, and that diff rence is that
Iraq, Saddam Pussein, is all by himself
Rowan:
Where has the Secretary of State been? He's been out
hunting in Wyoming and the rumors are all over this town that he
disagrees with the policy and so forth.
Talbott: I think the rumors are overdone about a disagreement
between Baker and Secretary Cheney. I think the President has
decided he wants to send a very tough, strong signal to Saddam
Hussein and the Iraqis, and one way to do that is to let the
Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
to be very much out in front.
Rowan: If this is just a signal, it's the costliest signal in
human history.
Kilpatrick: Do you go in right now and hit hard and destroy, and
I think that probably is a better option than waiting and waiting
and waiting because sanctions are not going to work.
Gulland: Instantly you'd have the world saying we shot first
and
all those pictures would come back to haunt us
Talbott: If Saddam Hussein goes down in flames, he could spread
those flames very wide. He could do a great deal of damage
throughout the Gulf setting whole oilfields on fire.
The important thing here is who "we" are. "We" is not just
the United States, it's the international community
When George Bush prudently recrates in his Miami Vice
speedboat there, he's' burning up 25 gallons of hydrocarbons an
hour, by the way. I predict that if this thing ends in anything
other than a clean win for President Bush, we are going to see lots
and lots of tapes replayed of him zooming around off the coast of
Maine. And where are we going to see them in 1992? In Democratic
Party commercials.
Gulland: I think this is a little bit of a bum rap; I think Bush
did some lousy PR pics this week when he got in the golf cart and
it took him a long time to finally put on a suit and tie and stand
out in front of his vacation home with Cheney and Colin Powell and
talk serious stuff.
Rowan: I don't think it's a bum rap. I can understand that he
doesn't want to appear to be hiding out in the White House,
worrying about Saddam Hussein, but it is very insensitive when
people are being called up from the reserves for him to be up there
running around the golf course
recreating.
When you start calling up reserves you had better be
right
Talbott: We had another national security crisis before Saddam
Hussein became a household word and it was called the budget -- it
was called the deficit. I think that there would be huge and
lasting damage from all of this if as a result of the Gulf crisis
the President was not able to knock heads together -- including
heads within his own administration -- and get a budget agreement
before the end of this year.
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- C-18
Talbott:
Saddam has reminded us that the post-cold War era is
still going to be a very dangerous and tricky place.
Peterson:
Have we learned nothing [on energy conservation] over
the past two decades?
Gulland: When I said it was a bum rap, I don't mean that the Bush
administration doesn't have a responsibility to look the
conservation issue straight in the eye and try to construct some
kind of a program that is going to make us not appear to be
fighting a war for cheap oil
I think when he got testy it was,
wait a second, I've got to mobilize my troops and figure out what
to do here. Next I'll turn to a conservation program, a foreign
policy that addresses some of the broader issues in the Persian
Gulf.
Talbott: Remember poor old Jimmy Carter when he said that the
energy crisis was the moral equivalent of war. That phrase has a
certain validity and resonance that it didn't have maybe a few
weeks ago.
Peterson: Do you object to seeing the President on his boat,
playing gc =, in an informal setting at his vacation home in
Kennebunkpc c?
Kilpatrick: I think it was insensitive, I certainly do. Bad
public relations. This is a serious matter and by this vacation
attitude the President diminishes the seriousness and
undercuts
the public support for this
-End of News Summary-
OF
BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE
OF THE
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
RESERVE
DATE: 8/27/90
TO: Sec. Brady
FROM: ALAN GREENSPAN R.
Nick- Here is the lauguage
we used on budget
deal.
A
For release on delivery
9:45 a.m., E.D.T.
July 18, 1990
Statement by
Alan Greenspan
Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
before the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
U.S. Senate
July 18, 1990
-14-
extent and persistence of the tightening of credit terms, the
prospective path of potential output growth--especially in view of the
recent slowing in the labor force--and the outlook for fiscal policy.
It is the last of these that is the focus of the remainder of my
-
comments today.
Fiscal and Monetary Policy Interaction
The determination displayed by the Congress and the
Administration in their efforts to come to an agreement on cutting the
deficit has been enormously heartening to all who are concerned about
the long-run health of the U.S. economy. As a nation, we have been
saving too little and borrowing too much; significant progress on the
federal deficit would be an important step in rectifying this situation.
As you know, I favor not only eliminating the deficit, but also
ultimately bringing the government's accounts into surplus over time to
compensate for the private sector's tendency to save relatively little.
In the long run, the nation's saving and investment behavior is crucial
in determining its productivity and hence its standard of living.
Major, substantive, credible cuts in the budget deficit would
present the Federal Reserve with a situation that would call for a
careful reconsideration of its policy stance. What adjustment might be
necessary, and how it might be timed, cannot be spelled out before the
fact. The actions required will depend on the constellation of other
influences on the economy, the nature and magnitude of the fiscal policy
package, and the likely timing of its effects. I can only offer the
-15-
assurance that the Federal Reserve will act, as it has in the past, to
endeavor to keep the economic expansion on track.
Phone call
to AG
Concerns that the Federal Reserve would be unable to offset
1.)
7 Economist
undesirable macroeconomic effects of a budget pact are, I believe,
6
arper that
largely unfounded. It is true that, in general, monetary policy cannot
a
50B
Cut be calibrated extremely finely in response to economic developments, as
would produce we are all subject to imperfect data and an imperfect understanding of
a isalt
the myriad economic interrelationships of the real world. However, some
Which
doubts seem to focus on whether the various lags v] involved permit
Couldn't
monetary policy to catch up to a change in the fiscal stance. I am less
be offset
concerned on this point. We can decide that a policy adjustment is
by appropriate and implement it fully, all in the same morning if need be,
and the effects of the change will show through to interest rates and
r> Af says
financial asset prices almost immediately. Granted, the impact on
money phy
economic growth and inflation will be spread out over several quarters,
lags are
but this is true of changes in fiscal policy as well.
n longer
ten then
In the final analysis, no one can guarantee that growth in the
freat lags
economy will proceed smoothly, without a hitch on a quarter-to-quarter
basis. Nevertheless, a major cut in the budget is unquestionably
the right thing to do. Because the federal government has been
borrowing too much for too long, it is well past time to reduce the
government's draw on credit markets and to free up more resources for
enhancing investment and production by the private sector. In this way,
fiscal policy, by augmenting national saving, will be doing its part to
promote maximum sustainable economic growth. With monetary policy
similarly keeping sight of its long-run goal of price stability, the two
-16-
together will have set a favorable backdrop for vibrant and enduring
economic growth.
Looking Ahead
August-September 1990
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3456789
Major International Events
Soviet/Russian
Republic experts
RSFSR
UNSC
to report moves
parliament
permanent members
toward market economy
convenes
discuss Cambodia
NPT review conference in Geneva
N.-S.
CFE talks
10th anniversary
of Solidarity
Azerbaijan
Korean
EC finance
resume
legislative
PMs meet
ministers
elections
in Seoul
meet in Rome
Thatcher at
EDU conclave
2+4
in Finland
meeting
in Berlin
Visits to US
Australian FM Evans
in US (27-NYC; 28-DC)
Honduran President Callejas in US
Mulroney in Maine
Visits Abroad
Najibullah
Pope John Paul II in Africa
to India
NATO SYG Woerner in Prague
Sununu to USSR and UK
Shevardnadze in Japan
Mandela in Libya and Algeria
Senator
Hurd in Persian Gulf area
Spanish PM Gonzalez in Stockholm
Dole in
Thatcher on official
French PM Rocard in Canada
Belgrade
visit to Finland
Chinese FM Qian to Turkey and Latin America
J. Carter, Mitterrand, Walesa,
and Havel in Norway
AG Thornburgh in S. Korea and Japan
POLITICS & POLICY
HOW BUSH MANAGES
THE PRESIDENCY
He says he's dedicated to problem solving, and he's got a big one in Kuwait. Not to mention the
S&L bailout and the deficit. Is it time for a little vision?
by Ann Reilly Dowd
OTHING tests a President like a
Sorry, boys. In calm or crisis, manager
completed." He understands the mechanics
N
world crisis. The one Saddam
Bush is much the same: energetic, engaged,
of government, and he loves to pull the le-
Hussein handed George Bush in
consultative, and ever cautious. While Ron-
vers. While he respects the bureaucracy, he
early August had just about every-
ald Reagan governed with bold ideas ex-
often circumvents it. going out of channels
thing: blatant aggression. horrendous eco-
pressed passionately and often, Bush prefers
for information. He dives into the nitty-
nomic ramifications. and no easy way for
behind-the-scenes dealmaking with friends.
gritty of policymaking. And yes, he likes to
the U.S. to exercise its power. To make the
Not only does he feel uncomfortable in the
check who's playing on the White House
testing even more severe, the Iraqi tanks
bully pulpit, he believes public sabre-rat-
tennis court and horseshoe pit, who's flying
rolled into Kuwait just as a few other
tling-whether aimed at recalcitrant Demo-
on Air Force One, and who's sitting next to
things were unraveling for the President.
crats in Congress or an Arab dictator
whom at White House dinners.
Bush had wafted
Bush hates contro-
into his second sum-
versy, values secrecy,
mer on a cushion of
CAROL POWERS THE WHITE HOUSE
and delights in sur-
good will. The Cold
prise. He is cautious
War was over. The
but will take a calcu-
economy was still
lated risk. Though he
growing, although
reaches out for a
sluggishly. Despite 13
broad range of opin-
successful vetoes,
ion, in the end he
Bush's relations with
turns to a very few
Congress remained
close aides, mostly in
chummy. And his ap-
the White House,
proval ratings topped
where power within
the charts.
the Administration
Then his charmed
has become increas-
life abruptly ended.
ingly concentrated.
Bush broke his no-
He delegates, but
tax pledge. The price
like a CEO who's
of the S&L bailout
held every job in the
exploded to $100 bil-
company, he some-
lion-plus. and the
times can't resist
President was dra-
penciling himself in.
matically linked to
With (from left) Boskin, Brady, Darman, and Porter: "At the top it's very small, very clubby."
He insists on loyalty
the scandal through
and team play, but
his son Neil's directorship of a bankrupt
running amok-is counterproductive. In-
make no mistake, he loves being captain of
S&L. His deficit reduction talks with Con-
stead he goes out of his way to build consen-
the team.
gress collapsed. and it looked as if he had
sus one-on-one. behind closed doors. Yet. if
given away the defining Republican issue
Americans begin demanding bolder leader-
HILE MOSTLY a plus, Bush's
for nothing. His approval ratings dropped
ship, and Bush seems stymied in the Middle
W
hands-on management style has
sharply. When the Iraqi invasion sent oil
East, he could stumble on vision as Reagan
its minuses. During the abortive
prices soaring and the Dow plummeting,
did on details.
coup against Panamanian
murmurs began around Washington de-
George Bush's is a high-energy, do-it-
strongman Manuel Noriega that preceded
manding stronger action. One Washington
yourself presidency driven by a zest for
the successful U.S. invasion, the President's
disc jockey taunted: "Kick ass, George.
problem solving-or as he put it in his ac-
attention to detail proved paralyzing. Tak-
Kick ass."
ceptance speech at the Republican Nation-
ing calls directly from the field, he turned
REPORTER ASSOCIATE Jennifer Reese
al Convention, "missions defined, missions
the Oval Office into a military operations
68
FORTUNE
AUGUST
27.
1990
In contrast to Ronald Reagan, Bush treats his staffers like family. But this baby really is family: the President's newest grandchild, Charles Walker Bush.
center replete with maps and raw intelli-
watching the news. reading reports. and
Iraq by all countries. Throughout the early
gence data that he personally ordered from
talking to aides.
hours of the crisis. Bush characteristically
the CIA. Buried in unfiltered and often
Though it turned out to be a very long
revealed little in public.
contradictory information, the President
day, it included most of what Bush had on
The President's emphasis on teamwork
hesitated and the coup fizzled.
his original calendar. He flew off to Colo-
Since then, procedures for crisis man-
has its occasional downside. Says one aide.
rado for a scheduled meeting with Brit-
"Sometimes controversial ideas and issues
agement have emphasized more thorough
ain's Margaret Thatcher. who joined Bush
staffing. The invasion itself was a model of
get swept under the rug." Adds former
in strongly denouncing the invasion. In be-
delegation. After Bush made the basic de-
Bush chief of staff Craig Fuller: "Peopit
tween meetings, speeches. and a press
cision, he let Defense Secretary Richard
tend to watch where Baker and [Budge'
conference, Bush squeezed in detailed dis-
Director Richard] Darman are coming
Cheney and his generals mariage the oper-
cussions by phone with the leaders of
down on an issue, then fall into line
ation. Between phone briefings by Cheney
Egypt. Jordan, Yemen. and Saudi Arabia.
every 20 minutes or so. Bush called world
Sometimes the President may put to
Though the Pentagon got three carrier
much faith in individuals. After the Tian
leaders to inform them of the U.S. action.
battle groups moving toward the region,
Bush's handling of the Iraqi crisis fol-
anmen Square massacre. Chinese leader
the President understood that his military
lowed the same pattern. After he learned
Deng Xiaoping, who once called Bush
options were difficult at best. He worked
of the attack around 9 P.M., he instructed
"old friend." would not even return his
for consensus among Arabs, whom he rec-
phone call.
U.N. Ambassador Thomas Pickering to
ognized would be key to any move against
call a meeting of the Security Council.
His near obsession with secrecy can back-
the Iraqis.
While National Security Adviser Brent
fire too. Had he talked with conservatives
Bush did not have to phone Soviet Presi-
Scowcroft worked through the night in the
before breaking his no-tax pledge, Bush
dent Mikhail Gorbachev. because Secretary
White House situation room. Bush slept.
might have avoided an embarrassing vote in
James Baker was already meeting with Sovi-
Scowcroft awakened Bush at 5, and the
the House Republican conference against
et Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze
any tax increases: His misinformation cam-
President signed orders freezing Iraqi as-
in Siberia. After flying to Moscow, they
paigns have from time to time undercut his
sets and blocking most imports. including
made a joint statement demanding Iraqi
oil. The President was in his office by 5:45,
otherwise warm relationship with the press.
withdrawal and an end to arms shipments to
The presidential management style took
POLITICS & POLICY
shape during Bush's struggling days as a
in New York. Says White House Chief of
Beyond the Cabinet, Bush chose personal
Texas oilman. Recalls younger brother
Staff John Sununu: "He is a master of the
friends for most top White House positions
William "Bucky" Bush. who worked on
small gesture."
as well as some judgeships, ambassador-
his rigs as a roughneck: "He knew all his
With the exception of four years as a Tex-
ships, and a surprising number of key agency
people by their first names. He studied
as Congressman, Bush's management expe-
positions. Among them: the Peace Corps, the
geological charts and logs to figure out
rience has always been in executive jobs
Federal Trade Commission, the Federal En-
what properties to buy. Then he'd assem-
where business was conducted mostly in pri-
ergy Regulatory Commission, and the Over-
ble rights, raise money to drill, and get a
vate. Loose lips don't work for oilmen, party
seas Private Investment Corp.
DAVID VALDEZ-THE WHITE HOUSE
HOUSE
Flying to Kennebunkport with granddaughter Marshall Bush and dog Millie
After a 6:30 A.M. breakfast in his private study, Bush pecks out notes.
chunk of the common stock for his sweat
chairmen, diplomats, spy masters, or Vice
To drama seek- rs' dismay, the bickering
equity." He was a risk taker, but within
Presidents. A member of the secret Skull and
has stopped. It's not that Bush's team lacks
limits: Unlike many wildcatters, he didn't
Bones Society at Yale, Bush reveled in the
ego or differences of opinion. No one has
personally guarantee anything. His deals
cloak-and-dagger privacy of the CIA: He
ever called Baker. Darman. or Sununu faint-
always had more upside than downside.
once stunned aides by coming to a meeting
ing flowers. But in sharp contrast to the
Most important, the young Bush placed a
in a CIA disguise- red wig, a big nose. and
high priority on people and trust. "In those
Reagan years. Cabinet members and senior
thick glasses. As Vice President he steadfast-
White House aides have direct and frequent
days deals were done on a handshake," says
ly refused to tell even his closest aides what
access to the President. He invites strongly
Bucky Bush. "On closing day you'd whip up
he was saying to Reagan. His Chief of Staff
argued points of view and takes his time de-
a two-page contract, then you were off and
Admiral Dan Murphy told prospective em-
ciding. But once he's spoken. he expects his
running. The key was personal trust and
ployees: "If you leak, you will be fired." Not
troops to fall in line. Bush told a packed Re-
knowledge of character-and boy, were
surprisingly, his office was known asea tight
publican fund-raiser on his 66th birthday in
there some characters in Midland in those
ship.
Junes thank my lucky stars that we can
days! If you didn't know the good ones from
the bad, you were history."
fight like cats and dogs in Cabinet meetings
T THE WHITE HOUSE. Bush's
Such personal skills helped George
Bush boost morale at the Republican Na-
A
but once I make a decision. move on as a
past is prologue. Outraged by the
team." He also likes to point out: "Loyalty
internal warfare that characterized
is not a character flaw."
tional Committee during Watergate, and
the Reagan Administration. Bush
at the CIA after congressional revelations
Bush shares credit. often allowing his
put a high priority on team play. While Rea-
Cabinet Secretaries to announce new ini-
of wrongdoing. At the CIA's Langley, Vir-
gan turned to a headhunter to fill most Cab-
tiatives. He also shares blame. After his
ginia. headquarters. he often rode the em-
inet and White House posts. Bush
devastating defeat in the Iowa caucuses.
ployee elevator instead of the personal one
personally chose loyal and seasoned friends.
reserved for the director. and he asked that
his Iowa campaign manager Richard Bond
Sitting around the pool at Camp David.
said, "It's my fault." Replied Bush: "No.
staffers call him George. (When he left a
First Lady Barbara Bush told Environmen-
year later. he received a standing ovation
it's mine." Similarly, in policy battles the
tal Protection Agency Administrator Wil-
loser is rarely punished. More often he's
in a crowded CIA auditorium.) His first
liam Reilly, the only newcomer to Bush's
day as President Nixon's Ambassador to
built up. Shortly after Transportation Sec-
inner circle. "I said to George: You know.
retary Sam Skinner lost to Darman in a
the United Nations. he shook every em-
almost your entire Cabinet are our friends.'
ployee's hand at the 12-story U.S. mission
bid for more money for roads, bridges. and
He said: Well. what would you expect?'
other items of infrastructure. Bush invited
70 FORTUNE AUGUST 27. 1990
him to Kennebunkport for a weekend of
Hill-before leaving the office around 6:45.
tournament. Bush played 18 holes on foot-
golf, boating, and family fun. At 6 A.M. on
Says Deputy Chief of Staff Andy Card. a
relishing every minute, save a few short
Saturday, Skinner heard a knock on his
former Reagan aide: "Reagan was comfort-
putts. Said a weary cameraman at the sixth
cottage door. When he opened it, he found
able with structured events. Bush invites
hole: "Hey, this is nothing. A few weeks ago
the President in his robe, carrying a tray
spontaneity. He manages by walking
he played 18 holes, three sets of tennis, and
with a pot of steaming coffee. "It's your
around."
wake-up call," said Bush.
then went jogging. He never stops." One
Most evenings the President has either a
staffer calls such marathons "weekends
While Reagan inspired his staff with a few
formal event or dinner with friends. It's not
from hell."
big ideas articulated often and with feeling,
unusual for him to phone Cabinet members,
Bush keeps his team of problem solvers on
Bush's warmth. energy, and accessibility
staffers, or old friends on the spur of the mo-
have saved him from the isolation that
their toes with rifle-shot questions. Bred on
ment to "come over for a beer and a movie."
plagues the presidency. While Reagan was
sports and socializing, he prefers people and
Or he may go out to one of his favorite local
Olympian with staff, Bush treats them like
action to theory. He was raised in preppy
restaurants. He never dines with four if he
family. By now most have been invited to
Connecticut, where grand notions passion-
can find 40, and he loves house guests. Says
ately expressed were considered freakish.
some homey event at the residence, Camp
one aide: "In the past the White House fam-
While Reagan focused on a single issue of
David, or Kennebunkport. Many have
ily quarters were as accessible as the Dalai
the day, Bush handles dozens at a time, often
jogged, fished, motorboated, or played ten-
Lama's palace. But with Bush. it seems the
nis, walleyball, golf, or horseshoes with the
blurring his message in a whir of activity.
mattress in the Lincoln Bedroom is never
When he talks off the cuff, sentences disap-
boss. Most feel they get a fair hearing. At
cold." He also may fit in some exercise-
his first Cabinet meeting, he encouraged
pear in a tumble of words and clipped
maybe tennis, horseshoes, racquetball at the
phrases. Even when he's listening, he's apt to
calls and memos. When he gets them. he
House gym, jogging at Fort McNair, or a fast
be fiddling with something.
promptly responds by phone. note, or com-
game of golf. (He rushes through the
ments scribbled in the margin. When Sun-
course, rarely finishes, and never reveals his
YPICALLY Bush begins his day at
unu asked Cabinet members to keep him
score.)
informed of such communications, Bush cut
5:30 to strains of country music, af-
Still, Bush manages most nights to spend
in: "When you think of it." Nor has Sununu
ter about 6½ hours' sleep. As he
some time in his study on the second floor of
been a bottleneck. Says EPA Administrator
sips coffee and watches CNN, he
the White House, where he
skims the New York Times, the Washington
writes more notes, reads up
Post, the Washington Times, the Wall Street
Even sorting lures relaxes Bush, as does real fishing in Wyoming.
to 30 briefing papers, and
Journal, USA Today-for the baseball
signs decision memos.
NUST
scores-and the Houston Chronicle. By 6:30
Friends say he does not ago-
he's eating a breakfast of grapefruit, coffee,
nize over choices. When he
and sometimes bran cereal in his private
needs a break, he might fid-
study behind the Oval Office, usually alone.
dle with a favorite fishing
Then there's an hour for reading, note writ-
rod or box of lures he keeps
ing on his electronic typewriter. and phoning
in the closet. As he told his
unsuspecting aides before his regular nation-
brother Bucky: "I like to play
al security briefing at 8:15. When Treasury
with them. I put the orange
Secretary Nicholas Brady caught a glimpse
ones with the orange ones.
of Bush walking from the residence to the
The green with the green. I
Oval Office for that briefing, his old friend
check the lines. And I think
and campaign chairman pointed to his watch
about fishing off Islamor-
in mock disapproval. Minutes later a note
ada," the area in the Florida
arrived in the Cabinet Room: "Brady, I've
Keys where Bush has fished
been at work since 7:10. I just got back from a
for 20 years.
meeting at the residence."
Says Bucky: "He relaxes
After his national security briefing, Bush
with friends, family, and ex-
meets with Sununu for up to an hour, work-
ercise. It's part of his ecosys-
ing through a briefing book of "action
tem. It's the way we grew up.
items" that could range from a California
There were always games."
poll to a speech draft to a legislative update.
When the Trinity River
Afterward his day is scheduled minute by
flooded in Texas last May,
minute with meetings and events until 4:30
Bush choppered into the
or so, when Sununu returns with the "P.M.
area and tromped around in
agenda," a second notebook filled with
the steamy heat. Then he
items for the President's approval.
flew on to Houston, landing
Even with his tight schedule, Bush often
at the Deerwood Country
squeezes in spontaneous events-an unan-
Club, where pro golfer Doug
nounced appearance at a meeting, an im-
Sanders, an old friend, was
promptu news briefing, a quick lunch on the
playing host at a charity golf
POLITICS & POLICY
Reilly. "During the Reagan years EPA ad-
Margaret Thatcher, as well as several well-
ing of Gorbachev, Kohl, and Mitterrand
ministrators had problems getting access not
known Soviet experts.
also paid dividends in European affairs.
just to the President but to Don Regan, the
In such meetings Bush is moved by infor-
Says former U.S. diplomat Robert Hormats,
Chief of Staff. Such a thing is unthinkable in
mation, not ideology. Says Brady: "He be-
now vice chairman of Goldman Sachs Inter-
the Bush White House."
lieves if you do the pick-and-shovel work,
national, who recently dined with Kohl:
In general Bush prefers getting informa-
the solution will jump out. He likes a discus-
"Bush's personal diplomacy enabled him to
tion from people rather than from memos.
sion framed by facts." If he can't get the an-
discuss a new European security arrange-
So did Reagan. But while Reagan was
swers he wants, he'll pick up the phone and
ment with Gorbachev in Washington with-
usually a passive participant. Bush is an
call experts four and five levels down in the
out the Germans feeling he was going
active questioner. In preparation for Rea-
bureaucracy. Nor does he suffer unprepared
behind their backs. It's all about trust."
gan's Soviet summits. the CIA produced
pleaders gladly. When one Congressman
In the domestic arena Bush is more likely
movies and staged lectures. Bush's pre-
questioned Bush's timid response to the So-
to rely on the bureaucracy as a way of sort-
summit briefings, by contrast. were inter-
viet embargo of Lithuania, the President
ing out different points of view. But even
active events involving heads of state and
shot back: "What do you have in mind?
then he often pulls the management of poli-
experts in and out of government. Before
What should I say when Soviet tanks roll in?
cymaking into the White House. The Ad-
meeting Soviet President Mikhail Gorba-
We'll be right there? We couldn't protect
ministration's education, crime, child care,
chev at the Malta Summit last year, Bush
the Lithuanians under any circumstances.
and clean air proposals were developed in
got in touch with Prince Sadruddin Aga
They're not even in our orbit." Or as he of-
small meetings with Cabinet members
Khan. a U.N. official involved in aid to
ten asks recalcitrant aides: "If you're so
around an antique table in the West Wing
smart. why weren't you elected President?"
office of Roger Porter. the President's do-
MICHAEL
Bush's independent style was evident in
mestic policy chief.
his nomination of Federal Appeals Court
To whatever is done by staff, Bush adds
Judge David Souter of New Hampshire for
his own layer of personal intelligence gath-
the Supreme Court. With his top aides di-
ering for what national security types call
vided, the President retired to his small
"sanity checks." After the Senate sustained
HOUSE
study behind the Oval Office, where, as is
his 11th veto (Amtrak) and before it took up
his habit, he jotted down on a legal pad in
his 12th (the Hatch Act revision), the Presi-
order of importance short phrases outlining
dent slipped up to the Hill for a friendly,
the pros and cons of each candidate. He de-
pulse-taking lunch with Senate Minority
cided on Souter. a solid conservative jurist
Leader Bob Dole, who was his GOP prima-
without a paper trail on controversial issues
ry rival but is now a staunch ally, and long-
like abortion, then called his staff to tell
time. friend and hunting buddy Alan
them.
Simpson. the Wyoming Senator who is mi-
nority whip. A quick visit to the kitchen staff
N FOREIGN POLICY Bush often cir-
topped off the lunch.
cumvents the bureaucracy. When a
Before deciding to convene a budget
lengthy government-wide foreign poli-
summit, the President met separately in the
cy review failed to produce the bold
family quarters with Dole. Senate Majority
arms control plan he wanted for his first
Leader George Mitchell. House Speaker
NATO summit. Bush turned to Baker, Sun-
Thomas Foley, and Minority Leader Robert
unu, Cheney, National Security Adviser
Michel. Says Porter, who taught Harvard's
Brent Scowcroft, and William Crowe, then
course on the presidency before joining the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs, to come up
Bush Administration: "Every President
with an alternative. Scowcroft proposed
does some of this. But Bush does a great
deep cuts in U.S. and Soviet manpower and
deal more."
planes in Europe. Bush liked the idea but
wanted it studied more thoroughly by his
HILE the President casts his net
military advisers. Days later Crowe told
W
wide for information, he turns
Bush the Pentagon could live with a 20%
to a few key aides when it's time
cut in manpower and a 15% cut in aircraft.
to decide. Says one aide: "At the
Bush often shines when jousting with reporters.
Baker argued for a more dramatic 25% re-
top it's very small. very clubby. There's lots
duction. After checking with Cheney, Bush
Afghanistan whom Bush had known since
of camaraderie, humor. and male bonding.
settled on 20%. "OK. that's consensus."
his own U.N. days. Bush invited his old
That's how the boys defuse tension and
said the President. "Let's go."
avoid burnout." The President's inner circle
friend to Camp David for a discussion of
He generally feels more confident on for-
how Afghan factions were faring after the
is filled with heavyweights, though of sur-
eign than domestic policy issues. Aides say
Soviet pullout. Before this year's summit
prisingly different temperaments. There are
Bush phones four or five heads of state a
he spoke with West German Chancellor
three hard-nosed competitors-Baker, Sun-
week for a total that exceeds that of the last
Helmut Kohl. French President François
unu, and Darman-and two soft-spoken
six Presidents combined. It's a habit that
Mitterrand. and British Prime Minister
and Scowcroft. A step removed
helped mightily in the Iraqi crisis. His woo-
from the inner sanctum are two brainy but
FORTUNE
mild-mannered professors: Porter,
often fiddles with the final details
the domestic policy chief, and Mi-
Council of Economic Advisers.
Chief White House counsel Boy-
den Gray, an old Bush friend and
DAVID VAIDEZ THE WHITE HOUSE
at the last minute. He picked the
chael Boskin, chairman of the
exact dollar-and-cents increase for
his minimum wage and federal
employee raise proposals. After
three discussions with Porter over
tennis partner, is also a trusted
what constitutes an assault rifle, he
adviser.
decided to propose a ban on all
Bush is clever about using dif-
automatic weapons with maga-
ferent personalities for different
zines that hold more than 15
tasks. Sununu, the brusque but
rounds.
brainy engineer and former New
Accessibility and unpredictabili-
Hampshire governor, plays bad cop
ty are clever strategies for keeping
to Bush's good cop. When Demo-
the opposition off guard. In only 18
cratic Senator Daniel Patrick Moy-
months Bush held 57 press confer-
nihan proposed cutting Social
ences, more than Reagan did in
Security payroll taxes, some con-
eight years, and many on less than
servatives appeared to be circling
an hour's notice. "How's the tem-
favorably around the idea. The
perature out there?" Bush often
White House thought for a while
asks Press Secretary Marlin Fitz-
that the U.S. Chamber of Com-
water. If it's rising, Fitzwater quick-
merce might back Moynihan. Sun-
ly briefs Bush on likely questions.
unu reportedly phoned Chamber
Then he's off to meet reporters.
President Richard Lesher and
Though wooden in formal speech-
threatened to "cut your b---- off
es, Bush's grasp of detail and zest
with a chainsaw." The Chamber
for competition let him shine when
did not lobby for the proposal,
jousting with the press, despite his
which went nowhere.
An ecosystem of support: first partners at dusk at Kennebunkport
occasional woolly syntax. Fitzwater
Darman, who has built a power-
has never had to issue a correction.
ful alliance with Sununu, is the President's
Reagan years. He's often his own foreign
a frequent occurrence with Reagan. Con-
chief, economic strategist. Baker drives for-
desk officer, political strategist, even his
gress has also found it difficult to categorize
eign policy. Scowcroft and Brady are trusted
own office manager. When Bush discov-
this President. While Reagan took bold
counselors who mainly stick to their respec-
ered that his correspondence unit was
stands but then compromised, Bush focuses
tive areas of expertise-defense and fi-
70,000 letters behind, he trotted down to
quickly on what's possible. Faced with hope-
nance. But the President knows neither has
the letter-writing shop to see what the
less odds, as in aid to the Nicaraguan contras.
ambitions beyond making the Bush presi-
problem was. The pace quickened and the
he caves artfully and proclaims victory. When
dency work, so they are often the last guys in
backlog is down to a few thousand.
he agrees with Congress on the objective-
the room before the President decides.
such as the Clean Air Act-he works closely
Still, Bush has no single guru. He en-
N MORE substantive issues his
o
with the opposition. When he thinks he can
hances his personal power by sharing infor-
peripatetic presence makes for a
win, as in the case of his successful vetoes, he
mation only on a "need to know" basis.
very personal and unpredictable
doesn't budge. Says Brookings Institution
When Bush sent Scowcroft and Deputy Sec-
pattern of decisions. When there
scholar Thomas Mann: "He's a very adept
retary of State Lawrence Eagleburger on a
is controversy, Bush typically splits the dif-
tactician."
secret mission to China after the Tianan-
ference. When the steel quotas were about
But what about a strategic plan? When
men Square massacre, he didn't tell Sununu.
to expire last year, Labor Secretary Eliza-
reporters bring up the "vision thing."
When he met with congressional leaders be-
beth Dole argued for a five-year extension.
Bush's stock answer is: "Don't put me on
fore calling a budget summit, he didn't tell
Commerce Secretary Robert Mosbacher
the couch. Don't analyze me." Insiders say
his own congressional aides what he was go-
and U.S. Trade Representative Carla Hills
dealmaker Bush doesn't want to invite criti-
ing to talk about. Though the President
pushed for four with a reassessment after
cism or limit his options by defining goals.
drops FYIs to aides, his White House staff
two. Boskin wanted only one, limited to cer-
Outsiders wonder whether he knows what
has long ago stopped trying to keep track of
tain product lines. The President asked Por-
he wants. Brother Bucky's explanation is
all his private conversations. Says one aide:
ter to propose an alternative. The final
pure Bush pragmatism: "I think George
"If the President is making the decisions,
compromise was a 21/2-year extension for all
would agree with investor Warren Buffett.
the only important thing is that he keeps
product lines.
who says that long-range planning has ex-
track."
When there is consensus, Bush usually
treme limitations, especially when it comes
At times it seems no decision is too small
goes with it-but not always. After the
to macroeconomic policy. What really
or innocuous for Bush. During the develop-
Tiananmen Square massacre he bucked his
counts are the day-to-day things. If you do
ment of his 1991 budget, he made about 70
staff and vetoed a popular bill allowing Chi-
well in the short run. the long run will take
relatively micro decisions, most of which
nese students to remain in the U.S. Even
care of itself." So far in this Administration.
would have been settled by staff in the
when he goes with the broad consensus. he
vision is what works today.
Fri 10-Aug-90 17:56 EDT
Bush not a 'hostage in the White House
By TOM FERRARO
KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (UPI) Refusing to be "held hostage in the
White House" by the Persian Gulf crisis, President Bush began his
summer vacation in Maine Friday by levelling a salvo at Iraq's Saddam
Hussein and zipping around in his speedboat.
Bush said his planned 25-day stay at the family' seaside estate
would be a combination of work and play keeping abreast of
developments in the Middle East while enjoying such activities as
tennis, golf and fishing.
Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One on the trip from
Washington to Kennebunkport, Bush said he was comfortable with his
decision to go ahead with his vacation while U.S. troops, planes and
warships converged on the newest global hot spot.
He stressed, however, that he would get constant briefings from
aides, keep in touch with world leaders by telephone and, if needed,
could return to Washington within as little as 90 minutes.
Bush pointed out that he has "an excellent communications
system," including phones on his red, white and blue speedboat and golf
cart.
The president also disclosed that Secretary of State James Baker
would fly to Kennebunkport in the next few days to report on his visit
to Turkey and meeting with NATO officials, and there may be a parade of
other advisers arriving on the scene.
"I am determined that life goes on," the president said. "I will
have a busy schedule, busier than I would liked to have had. I have a
list of calls I will be making over the next couple of days."
"So it will be a different than I'd hoped, but I think I've done
the right thing" by going ahead with the vacation, he said.
The president dismissed as "radical rhetoric" Saddam's threat of
a "holy war" against the United States in the Middle East.
"He (Saddam) is so isolated
so backed in a corner by world
opinion" that the threat is merely "a frantic ploy to try to gather
some support," Bush said, predicting "it's going to be ineffective."
As for his vacation, the president said he felt it necessary to go
ahead with his summer plans in the small fishing village that is
dominated by the Bush family's Walker's Point estate.
"What you don't want to do is appear held hostage in the White
House to events," Bush said. "I'm not going to do that.'
"Look, if I'm on vacation, I want to have a vacation,' he added.
"I don't want to kid the American people that I'm working.
"Play and play hard, and work like hell the rest of the time, when
you're in Washington, and I think I've done that."
Perhaps to underline his position, Bush took his speedboat,
Fidelity, out for a cruise on the gray Atlantic shortly after arriving
at the compound.
Bush has spent every summer in Kennebunkport but one 1944, when
-
he was a Navy pilot.
Before leaving the White House Friday afernoon, Bush sent a report
to Congress consistent with the War Powers Resolution saying that he did
not believe hostilities involving American troops were imminent in the
gulf and that the deployment of U.S. forces would help bring about a
"peaceful resolution of the crisis."
He also sent Congress a request to exempt the armed forces from the
automatic spending cuts required by the Gramm-Rudman balanced budget law
if budget negotiators fail to reach a deal by Oct. 1.
Bush planned to make a quick trip to Washington for briefings
Wednesday, returning to Maine the same day.
First lady Barbara Bush and several of their children and
grandchildren accompanied the president to Kennebunkport.
Street
For all the tensions over a possible Gulf War, Bush managed a big
smile and a quip when asked if he had any advice for Americans.
"Yeah," he said. "Stay out of Kuwait and Iraq."
Sat 11-Aug-90 11:49 EDT
The Going Looks Tough for Many Incumbent Governors
By WILLIAM M. WELCH
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) Kansas Gov. Mike Hayden's near-loss in a
three-way Republican primary last week is the latest evidence that
1990 is turning into a mean campaign season for incumbents.
Voters have lots of reasons to be dissatisfied with government -
among them the savings and loan crisis, the federal budget deficit
and the weakened economy. Their discontent already is shaping some
of the 36 governor's races this year.
"There's a loss of confidence in government," said Arkansas
Gov. Bill Clinton, who is having his own difficulties as he seeks a
fifth term.
"There's a reserve of cynicism in the electorate for a variety
of reasons, said Mark Gearan, director of the Democratic
Governors' Association. "There's a concern among incumbents. But
every state takes on a different hue and cast."
Hayden won renomination in Kansas by fewer than 8,000 votes and
3 percentage points, after trailing through most of a long night of
vote counting Tuesday.
Hayden's political troubles stemmed from changes in the property
tax system that had resulted in big tax increases for many Kansans.
His predecessor, former Gov. John Carlin, who shared some of the
heat for tax changes dating back to his term, lost a comeback bid
and the Democratic nomination by fewer than 1,800 votes to Joan
Finney, veteran state treasurer.
An incumbent's advantage is strong, through the ability to raise
money, generate publicity and use the powers of government. Yet
Kansas is hardly alone in its unease with incumbents.
Next door in Nebraska, Republican Gov. Kay Orr is at the top of
the GOP endangered list as she seeks a second term.
She's in trouble over tax increases and her belated admission
that taxes had indeed been raised. To bolster her campaign, she's
hosted visits from President Bush, Barbara Bush and Vice President
Dan Quayle. Ronald Reagan is expected to show up, too.
X
Another shaky Republican, Florida Gov. Bob Martinez, is
considered vulnerable because of his opposition to abortion, his
vacillation on taxes and general doubts about his management
ability. He's presented the Democrats with an opportunity to
capture the governorship of one of the largest states, and one that
will be a redistricting battleground next year.
Democratic governors are having difficulty, too. Clinton in
Arkansas, James Blanchard in Michigan and Rudy Perpich in Minnesota
all have been in office for eight years or more and face their most
serious challenges yet.
Nearly all the New England governors have suffered along with
the region's economy. And the three Democrats Michael Dukakis in
Massachusetts, William O'Neill in Connecticut, and Madeleine Kunin
in Vermont all decided not to run again.
Meanwhile, Republican Govs. John McKernan of Maine and Edward
DiPrete of Rhode Island are trailing their Democratic challengers
in the polls.
DiPrete's troubles stem not only from Rhode Island's flagging
economy but also from personal ethics questions. His favorability
rating has been as low as 17 percent in polls. While Democrats have
yet to select their nominee, DiPrete trails all three Democratic
contenders in one-on-one polling tests.
Michele Davis, director of the Republican Governors'
Association, says she doesn't see a wave of anti-incumbent
sentiment washing across the governors races. Each, she says, is a
victim of individual or regional difficulties.
"I don't see it as an overarching theme or problem," she said.
"Each incumbent is judged by their own merits."
Clinton, however, says President Bush's break with his
read-my-lips pledge against new taxes has contributed to an eroding
confidence in government at all levels.
"He said X and now he's doing Y," Clinton said. "It's hurting
not just him, it's hurting all of us."
In Clinton's case and a few others, another factor may be at
work: voters are just getting tired of the same names and faces.
Clinton has been on the Arkansas political scene since 1974
and he's only 43 years old. He's been governor for 10 of the last
12 years, including three two-year terms and one four-year term
that ends this year.
Now seeking a fifth term, Clinton is facing a strong challenge
from Republican Sheffield Nelson, himself the victor in a tough
primary. Polls show Clinton ahead, but Republicans say he fails to
get more than 50 percent in their polls - giving them reason to
believe he is vulnerable.
Blanchard won re-election in Michigan four years ago with 68
percent of the vote, but he faces a tougher test this time.
He's leading Republican John Engler, majority leader of the
state Senate, but Republicans believe Engler is within striking
distance. Blanchard vetded a restrictive abortion bill this year,
and abortion could emerge as a big issue in the race. To top off
his problems, his ex-wife Paula Blanchard, whom he divorced while
in office, has written a book about their marriage and has embarked
on a promotional tour.
daily
THE WHITE HOUSE
MRS. BUSH'S PRESS OFFICE
DAILY PRESS CLIPPINGS
Monday, August 27, 1990
Mrs. Bush
(in folder)
Governor Sununu
West Wing
Marlin Fitzwater
West Wing
Patty Presock
West Wing
First Lady Detail
Staircase
Denise Balzano
Room 268 OEOB
Karen Connell
Room 58 OEOB
Shirley Green
Room 94 OEOB
Anne Griffith
Room 98 OEOB
Diana Kellogg
Room 190 OEOB
Gregg Petersmeyer
Room 100 OEOB
Carolyn Washington
Room 268 OEOB
Benita Somerfield
hold one copy
Ann Brock
Kim Brady
Julie Cooke
Joan DeCain
Laurie Firestone
Susan Porter Rose
Anna Perez
Sondra Haley
Jean Becker
Jay Suchan
(plus originals)
2D . MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1990 . USA TODAY
Rooting for Lee Atwater
in his toughest campaign
King's
Things We
visited Lee
Atwater at
George Wash-
ington Univer-
sity Hospital in
the Nation's
Capital. The
GOP chief is
giving it his all
in a battle with
a brain tumor
LARRY KING'S
and resultant
complications
People
(some clotting
causing swelling in the legs.)
Lee says all his friends stay
in touch daily and that he's
constantly hearing from po-
liticos as well. He said he has
received visits from Barbara
Bush and Dan Quayle.
Atwater, a fighter from the
word Go, says, "I'm hangin'
in there, pal."
6A . MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1990 . USA TODAY
CAPITAL LINE
USA TODAY'S BRIEFING ON WASHINGTON
PEOPLE WATCH
By Scott Perry, AP
SON'S SUPPORT: President Bush helps his 89-year-old
mother, Dorothy Bush,leave St. Ann's Episcopal Church
after Sunday morning services in Kennebunkport, Maine.
A church clergyman and Secret Service agent also assist.
Bush aunt
scares kln
KENNEB UNKPORT,
Maine - This whole town
tensed up yesterday when
two ambulances an-'
swered an emergency call
at President Bush's vaca-
tion retreat, Walker's
Point compound.
It turned out that Nan-
ey Walker, an elderly
nunt of Bush's, fainted
briefly, the White House
said. She later was re-
ported fully recovered.
She is the older sister
of Bush's mother. Doro-
thy, 89. Their brother, Dr.
John Walker, 81, died last
week after being stricken
at Walker's Point.- and
Nancy Walker attended
the funeral Tuesday in a
wheelchair.
The Associated Prees
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 1990
TheWashington Post
Value of
The Dolls
Paper Creations Are
Making a Comeback
By Irene Lacher
Los Angeles Times
Tom Tierney swears he has never seen.
George Bush in his underwear.
Kindly turn to Plate 1 of the artist's latest en-
try in his motley stable of paper doll all-stars-
the nation's 41st president and family in "full
color" and minutely researched wardrobe. Ex-
cept for the undies, that is. Even though Tier-
ney's paper brainchildren spring full grown onto
the page only after he studies their true-life garb
down to the fabric swatch, when it came to
Bush's skivvies, the ever-vigilant artist was
forced to, well, guess.
Plate 1, you see, is the actual doll, which al-
ways comes nearly in the buff, except for Tier-
ney's two-dimensional Pope John Paul II, who
gets special dispensation from appearing in pub-
lic in his drawers.
"The publisher said, 'You have to be digni-
fied," says the uber paper doll artist of our
time.
Don't snicker. Designer Bob Mackie called
him someone who "probably knows more about
glamour than anybody," Tierney says. Garbo
once asked for his autograph. And the humble
paper doll has made Tierney a millionaire.
"They're just beautifully drawn," says paper
doll expert Emma Terry, who writes, edits, cop-
ies and ships the bimonthly Paper Doll News,
See DOLLS, F7, Col. 1
TIERNEY
Tem THERNOY
Tom Tierney's first couple without the trimmings.
PAGE / OF 2
THE WASHINGTON POST
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 1990 F7
Still, even the humble paper doll is
"Cleopatra is bare-bosomed, as is
Paper
But by the time the Depression
seeing its day of resurrection. West-
Nefertiti. We got a lot of fan mail
They are women of a certain age
ern Publishing Co., a Racine, Wis.,
from people who say, 'You have
who remember playing with Mary
The highlight of his collection is a
company that bills itself as the larg-
guts,' and the others say, 'Why
Pickford paper dolls. They are histo-
bitty French kitchen from the
rians, of course. They are artists and
1850s. "It is in an alcove with cur-
One collector,
est commercial paper doll manufac-
would you do a paper doll for chil-
Doll
turer, declines to disclose sales fig-
dren with bare bosoms?' I write back
art dealers, like Barb Rausch, a com-
tains. The paper stove opens on a
ics illustrator whose style is detect-
Deanna Williams,
ures but says the children's market
and say, 'I'm sorry I offended you,
hinge and there are paper sauce-
for paper dolls seems to be growing.
but they're historically accurate.'
able to aficionados, even though her
pans. There's a paper dresser with
paper cups and saucers and the
figures that if she
And as far as the zealous adult
So no cracks about Tierney's vir-
Gollecting
official Barbie paper dolls are un-
market goes, you can thank Tom
tually svelte Barbara Bush doll. "I
signed. There is Evelyn Gathings,
drawer opens and there are paper
who resurrects the 19th-century
knives and forks. The paper cook, he
really wanted to,
Tierney for putting paper dolls back
think a lot of people were surprised
on the shelves. Tierney, considered
that I drew her as she is, but she's
fashion of putting monkeys and in-
has a paper hat you can take off and
DOLLS, From F1
sects into costume. There is Noble
you can put a ladle in his hand. It's
she could sell her
one of the most successful paper doll
really not that big and fat. She's big-
artists ever, is credited with trigger-
himself, who draws on his own
boned, as we say."
circulation 225, from tiny Vivian, La.
enchanting," he says.
I would say he's about the best."
sometimes fantastic experiences to
But paper doll collecting isn't just
collection and buy a
Such details are important to pa-
create such dolls as his bride, now
Tierney, a 62-year-old New York-
charm, nostalgia and fairy dust. It's
ing a comeback for paper dolls.
per doll folk, who figure that, in an-
under construction, who trips down
Rolls-Royce. She
More than 1 million copies of his 58
er, is considered a paper doll celebri-
big bucks these days. "Like the real
other century or two, posterity will
the aisle with a cat snoozing on her
dolls, it's getting so it is quite an im-
books are sold each year at $3.95 a
look to these objects of their affec-
ty to those in the know, a tiny but
train.
growing, offbeat and impassioned as-
portant collecting area," Noble says.
doesn t want to.
pop, often in pairs-one to keep and
tion for clues to the images of early
sortment of grown-ups who meet,
But the hard-core paper doll fan
"It's not like collecting milk bottle
one to cut.
astronauts and mythical monsters,
swap dolls that may run into the
sets his sights quite a bit further
caps. When you pay $2,000 for a
Tierney, a former fashion illustra-
to presidents and popes.
thousands of dollars, research their
than the nearest gift or museum
handful of paper, the handful of pa-
rolled around, paper dolls had be-
tor, began a dozen years ago with
Says Noble: "If you built a house
history endlessly, study chatty news-
shop, where some of the fancier pa-
per is something precious and im-
come America's favorite dime store
paper dolls of such movie stars as
in 1930, it's probably fallen down or
letters, send each other paper dolls
per dolls can be found. In fact, No-
portant."
toy-and an inspiration for genera-
Joan Crawford and Marilyn Monroe
you sold it. If you built furniture, it's
instead of greeting cards and con-
ble's own collecting preference
"If I sold all my paper dolls, I could
tions of designers: "One thing I
and moved on to such unlikely play-
tattered. But the paper things sur-
vene once a year to dress up as fan-
stretches back a couple of centuries.
move into a smaller house, my clos-
found out from designers was that
mates as Gertrude Stein, Golda Me-
vive. They somehow follow you
tasy characters.
"It's the earlier and earlier things
ets are so full," says Williams, a col-
every one of them started with pa-
ir, Christian Science Church founder
around the world.
And, yes, they play with dolls too.
that excite me," he says. "I'm not
lege art history lecturer.
per dolls as a kid," Tierney saysi dur-
Mary Baker Eddy and the pope,
"I have things that were made in
play all day long," says John Darcy
terribly into the late Victorian
The trophies of this world, the
ing a telephone interview. "Here are
whose paper wardrobe includes a
Yorkshire in 1810, and they're still
Noble, a Vista, Calif., resident and
things. I get excited about 1860, and
ones that bring up to five figures at
people making millions of dollars,
historically correct ski outfit.
here and they' still intact, although
"toy curator emeritus" of the Muse-
1820, I'm jumping with joy. Eigh-
auction, are the earliest paper dolls
and paper dolls got them started.
Tierney is particularly keen on re-
houses and towns fall down in decay.
um of the City of New York. "I have
teenth century, I'm like a humming
from France and Germany that date
A lot of designers learned how
searching wardrobe, to produce
This is the great magic of paper. It's
always played and I have never
top."
back to the mid-18th century, dolls
to design through paper dolls."
what he calls "biographical paper
immortal."
stopped playing since I was a child.
His choicest pieces include tiny
that paraded the latest fashions for
The favorites were paper dolls of
The most highly evolved animals
toy theaters modeled after produc-
adult aristocrats, or came with mov-
dolls." Tierney's pope wears a wrist-
the stars, Shirley Temple and the
watch and leather shoes instead of
are always playing-monkeys,
tions of actual English melodramas
ing parts to amuse the French court
like. But by the '50s, the economical
popular in the 1820s, European pa-
in puppet shows. For decades, paper
the traditional velvet slippers. When
whales play all the time.
Shirleys had succumbed to an even
"Only stupid humanity has stopped
dolls did the job of fashion magazines
Tierney produced his book of the
per dolls with moving parts, and "tin-
more compelling force: Barbie.
sel pictures"-paper dolls of knights
and advertisements, championing
presidential Kennedys, he consulted
playing. The whole stupid world has
"Barbie is indestructible," Tierney
in armor that young boys would col-
such products as flour. stove polish
Oleg Cassini's assistants on color
gone crackers."
says. "No matter what they do to
Noble is an aristocrat to Southern
lect and decorate with bright bits, to
and fabric, because most photos of
and mercerized thread. And women
her, she survives. When Barbie
California's knot of enthusiasts, one
be hung in English parlors. There is
came out, here was a plastic doll that
John and Jackie were black-and-
studied them, in front and side
a paper Noah's ark and tiny boxed
was affordable. People switched.
white. His insistence on accuracy
of the country's larger groups of col-
views, for fashion tips for make-
PAGE OF 2
lectors, about 50 of whom meet reg-
landscapes that you peep at through
your-own wear.
Betsy McCall, was a paper doll in
has earned him mixed reviews, par-
ularly. (Serious collectors are a se-
a pinhole-an 18th-century castle
McCall's, but finally Barbie killed off
ticularly in the case of his paper
The last people whom paper dolls
lect group-there are only an
with stags and hounds, a party at
Betsy."
Egyptian women.
were intended for were children.
estimated 1,000 nationwide.)
Versailles and a hermit in his cell.
THE PRESIDENT
August 27, 1990
(Kennebunkport)
Dear Mary,
Many thanks for the note about General Wilson. Someone
from the staff has already been in touch with him, and
I've asked that other appropriate staff follow up.
I hope all is well with you. Barbara sends warmest
best wishes, too.
Sincerely,
per
FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON D.C.
Mrs. D. Eldredge Jackson Jr.
Box 177
South Woodstock, VT 05071
Jan
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 27, 1990
(Kennebunkport)
Dear General Hultman:
Please convey to all the members of the Reserve Officers
Association of the United States my sincere thanks for
the resolution in support of our efforts in the Persian
Gulf.
I am heartened by the widespread support of the American
people for the efforts to enforce United Nations sanctions
aimed at bringing about a withdrawal of Iraqi troops from
Kuwait and restoration of Kuwait's independence. I am
also encouraged by the number of other countries that
have joined the international effort to defend Saudi
Arabia against aggression.
I remain committed to finding a prompt and lasting solution
to the crisis caused by the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, and
the support of the ROA in this effort is very important.
My thanks again.
Warm regards.
Sincerely,
CyBl
Evan L. Hultman
Major General, AUS (Ret.)
National Executive Director
Reserve Officers Association of
the United States
No. 1 Constitution Avenue, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-5624
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- 1
12:00 NOON NEWS UPDATE
GULF CRISIS (Kennebunkport/Tom Raum, AP) -- President Bush, buoyed
by a crucial U.S. victory in the U.N., is exploring ways to
increase pressure on Iraq's Saddam Hussein in talks with Prime
Minister Mulroney. Before meeting with Mulroney today, Bush spent
two-and-a-half hours fishing from a small boat without any luck.
Afterward he was asked by reporters how he gauged U.N. chances in
mediation talks with Iraqi officials scheduled to begin later this
week. "Better than we did today," Bush cracked.
IRAQ/U.S. DEPENDENTS (Lisa Genasci, AP) -- Iraq allowed 52 American
detainees to cross into Turkey today and the U.N. Secretary General
announced he would meet a top Iraqi diplomat, in tentative new
steps toward a diplomatic resolution of the Middle East crisis.
The Americans, dependents of diplomats from the U.S. Embassy in
Kuwait who the Iraqis have refused to release, crossed into Turkey
at the Habur border post early today and later flew to a NATO base
at Incirlik, 320 miles to the west. Three members of the group,
sons of diplomats, were turned back at the border by Iraqi
officials, the State Department said in Washington
The group's
other members were to leave Turkey for the U.S. on Tuesday, said
Sgt. Marty Davis, spokeswoman at Incirlik.
IRAQ/WESTERNERS (Ruweished, Jordan/Peter Smerdon, Reuter) -- Iraqi
troops are hunting for Westerners in Kuwait city, sending squads
to scour fashionable apartment buildings, travelers reaching Jordan
said on Monday. A Filipino technician, who asked not to be named,
told Reuters he had seen heavily-armed soldiers searching buildings
in the Salmiya district before he fled Friday
The technician
said he knew a group of 12 British, Canadian and American friends
hiding in one apartment in an area where the search was closing in.
"I don't know whether the Iraqis found them," he said.
IRAQ/STATE DEPT. (George Gedda, AP) -- The State Department
summoned Iraq's ambassador and informed him that new restrictions
were being imposed on the movement of Iraqi diplomats, U.S.
officials said. The restrictions were outlined by Deputy Secretary
Eagleburger to Iraqi Ambassador Mohamed Al-Mashat. The nature of
the restrictions was not disclosed.
KUWAITI RESISTANCE (Abu Dhabi/Reuter) -- A Kuwaiti resistance group
said Monday it would strike at Baghdad in retaliation for Iraq's
invasion of Kuwait Aug. 2. A statement read out on Free Kuwait
radio on behalf of what it called the "February 25 Movement" said
Kuwaitis were determined to expel the Iraqi, 1 invaders and restore
Kuwait's exiled emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah. "We will work
along with honorable and free Iraqis to hit the regime of Saddam
Hussein in the heart of Baghdad, said the statement, monitored by
Reuters in Abu Dhabi
"We pledge to our people that we will
burn the land under the feet of Saddam and his regime. Saddam will
not enjoy a single inch of our dear land," the statement from the
previously unknown group said.
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- 2
QATAR/FORCES (Nicosia/Reuter) -- Qatar Monday became the fifth
Persian Gulf state to approve the basing of foreign forces on its
territory to deter attack following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The
Qatar News Agency, monitored in Nicosia, said a joint cabinet and
consultative council meeting in Doha had approved the deployment
of friendly forces in the central Gulf emirate
The agency said
Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad al-Thani, briefed the
meeting on Gulf deployments which made it necessary "for certain
fraternal and friendly states to deploy military forces in the
Gulf
to repulse any possible aggression."
(Doha, Qatar/AP) -- The state of Qatar joined other Arab
states in the Persian Gulf in agreeing to extend military
facilities to the multinational buildup confronting Iraq. An
official statement after a joint meeting of the government and the
Shura Council said Qatar "has agreed to extend military
facilities to some friendly countries at their request." It did
not specify which countries would be able to use the military
facilities.
IRAQI TANKERS (New York/Reuter) -- Iraqi vessels have been given
new orders by Baghdad not to defy the Western blockade in the Gulf,
CBS News reported Monday. CBS Pentagon correspondent David Martin
said captains have been told to allow U.S. Navy ships to stop their
vessels and board and search them
The CBS report gave no
source for its information and added there was no official
confirmation.
GULF CRISIS/PICKERING (George Gedda/AP) -- The Administration is
expressing hope the Persian Gulf crisis still can be resolved
without military conflict, if worldwide economic sanctions force
Saddam Hussein to withdraw his forces from Kuwait. "He's a classic
case of someone who is vulnerable to sanctions,' Ambassador
Pickering said of Saddam
"We're watching if the sanctions are
going to bite and how rapidly,' Pickering said on NBC's "Today"
Show
"It might be a month or two before it begins to bite."
OPEC PRODUCTION (Vienna/Sally Jacobsen, AP) -- OPEC ministers were
moving toward an agreement allowing for a temporary increase in oil
production to help fill the gap caused by the Persian Gulf crisis,
sources said. Ten of the 11 nations of OPEC meeting informally in
Vienna have agreed in principle to authorize an increase, said a
delegation source, who demanded anonymity. "They see the need for
some kind of OPEC sanction to increase production," he said. Only
Iran, which contends there is enough excess oil in the
industrialized world to meet any shortfall, was opposed, he
said
He said talks were continuing to work out the details.
(Vienna/Joby Warrick, UPI) -- OPEC Ministers huddled behind
closed doors for a second day Monday as Iran and other key members
resisted efforts to convene an extraordinary formal conference to
raise oil output quotas
"I think this is not the necessary
time to increase production -- maybe in the future, if we change
the situation, but not now," Iranian Minister of Petroleum
Gholamreza Aghazadeh said during a lunch recess. Earlier he told
reporters it was "not necessary to have formal meetings" to boost
output quotas.
-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- 3
GAS PRICES (Los Angeles/AP) -- Gasoline rose more than a nickel a
gallon at the pump in the past two weeks as motorists continued to
feel the effects of the Persian Gulf crisis, according to a
national survey. The average prices for all grades of gasoline
rose 5.2 cents to $1.3316 a gallon, the Lundberg Survey of 3,500
gas stations reported Sunday.
BIG OIL (Oxford, Ohio/UPI) -- Big oil companies are falsely
pleading they are hostage to the crisis in the Middle East, a Miami
University economist who believes there really is no competitive
gasoline market said Monday
"This notion that OPEC appeared
on the scene and for the first time in its history supplies were
tightly controlled is a fiction," said James Brock
And
contrary
to what oil companies argue, there is no consistent link between
the price of crude oil and the price of gasoline, Brock said.
SHEVARDNADZE/CHINA
(Beijing/Reuter)
--
Foreign
Minister
Shevardnadze will make a brief stop in China Saturday on his way
to Japan and will have talks with his Chinese counterpart on the
Persian Gulf crisis and Cambodia. He will meet Qian Qichen in the
northeastern city of Harbin, the official New China News Agency
said Monday
The New China News Agency gave no details of the
substance of the Soviet foreign minister's planned talks with Qian.
U.N./CAMBODIA (Bangkok/Angus MacSwan, Reuter) -- A U.N.
peacekeeping force envisaged for Cambodia could be empowered to
disarm combatants and control camps but would stop short of hunting
down guerrillas, the U.S. deputy permanent secretary to the U.N.
said Monday. THe military issue was one of five papers the
permanent members of the U.N. Security Council were finalizing in
New York over Monday and Tuesday to try to end 20 years of
bloodshed in Cambodia, Ambassador Watson told reporters during a
one-day visit to Bangkok. The U.S., the Soviet Union, China,
France and Britain were expected to agree on the papers, he said.
LEBANON BOMBING (Sidon/UPI) -- A car bomb exploded Monday in a
Moslem Shiite village in southern Lebanon, killing six people,
police said. They said the bomb in a Japanese-made car went off
in the village of Houmine, 11 miles east of the port city of Sidon,
24 miles south of Beirut. Six people in the car were killed.
EXISTING HOME SALES (John McClain, AP) -- Sales of existing homes
rose 3.3 percent in July, their second straight increase, as
mortgage rates dropped into the single digits, a real estate trade
group reported. The National Association of Realtors said house
resales totaled a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.44 million
units compared to June's rate of 3.33 million
But Realtor's
President Norman Flynn said the recent mortgage rate increases
[after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait] probably will push down sales
this month.
PERSONAL INCOME (Vincent Del Giudice, UPI) -- Personal income
increased 0.6 percent in July, while consumption slowed to 0.5
percent and the personal savings rate remained unchanged at 4.9
percent, the Commerce Department said Monday.
###
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- 1
12:00 NOON NEWS UPDATE
GULF CRISIS (Kennebunkport/Tom Raum, AP) -- President Bush, buoyed
by a crucial U.S. victory in the U.N., is exploring ways to
increase pressure on Iraq's Saddam Hussein in talks with Prime
Minister Mulroney. Before meeting with Mulroney today, Bush spent
two-and-a-half hours fishing from a small boat without any luck.
Afterward he was asked by reporters how he gauged U.N. chances in
mediation talks with Iraqi officials scheduled to begin later this
week. "Better than we did today," Bush cracked.
IRAQ/U.S. DEPENDENTS (Lisa Genasci, AP) -- Iraq allowed 52 American
detainees to cross into Turkey today and the U.N. Secretary General
announced he would meet a top Iraqi diplomat, in tentative new
steps toward a diplomatic resolution of the Middle East crisis.
The Americans, dependents of diplomats from the U.S. Embassy in
Kuwait who the Iraqis have refused to release, crossed into Turkey
at the Habur border post early today and later flew to a NATO base
at Incirlik, 320 miles to the west. Three members of the group,
sons of diplomats, were turned back at the border by Iraqi
officials, the State Department said in Washington
The group's
other members were to leave Turkey for the U.S. on Tuesday, said
Sgt. Marty Davis, spokeswoman at Incirlik.
IRAQ/WESTERNERS (Ruweished, Jordan/Peter Smerdon, Reuter) -- Iraqi
troops are hunting for Westerners in Kuwait City, sending squads
to scour fashionable apartment buildings, travelers reaching Jordan
said on Monday. A Filipino technician, who asked not to be named,
told Reuters he had seen heavily-armed soldiers searching buildings
in the Salmiya district before he fled Friday
The technician
said he knew a group of 12 British, Canadian and American friends
hiding in one apartment in an area where the search was closing in.
"I don't know whether the Iraqis found them," he said.
IRAQ/STATE DEPT. (George Gedda, AP) -- The State Department
summoned Iraq's ambassador and informed him that new restrictions
were being imposed on the movement of Iraqi diplomats, U.S.
officials said. The restrictions were outlined by Deputy Secretary
Eagleburger to Iraqi Ambassador Mohamed Al-Mashat. The nature of
the restrictions was not disclosed.
KUWAITI RESISTANCE (Abu Dhabi/Reuter) -- A Kuwaiti resistance group
said Monday it would strike at Baghdad in retaliation for Iraq's
invasion of Kuwait Aug. 2. A statement read out on Free Kuwait
radio on behalf of what it called the "February 25 Movement" said
Kuwaitis were determined to expel the Iraqi, invaders and restore
Kuwait's exiled emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah. "We will work
along with honorable and free Iraqis to hit the regime of Saddam
Hussein in the heart of Baghdad," said the statement, monitored by
Reuters in Abu Dhabi
"We pledge to our people that we will
burn the land under the feet of Saddam and his regime. Saddam will
not enjoy a single inch of our dear land," the statement from the
previously unknown group said.
-more-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- 2
QATAR/FORCES (Nicosia/Reuter) -- Qatar Monday became the fifth
Persian Gulf state to approve the basing of foreign forces on its
territory to deter attack following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The
Qatar News Agency, monitored in Nicosia, said a joint cabinet and
consultative council meeting in Doha had approved the deployment
of friendly forces in the central Gulf emirate
The agency said
Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad al-Thani, briefed the
meeting on Gulf deployments which made it necessary "for' certain
fraternal and friendly states to deploy military forces in the
Gulf
to repulse any possible aggression."
(Doha, Qatar/AP) -- The state of Qatar joined other Arab
states in the Persian Gulf in agreeing to extend military
facilities to the multinational buildup confronting Iraq. An
official statement after a joint meeting of the government and the
Shura
Council
said Qatar "has agreed to extend military
facilities to some friendly countries at their request." It did
not specify which countries would be able to use the military
facilities.
IRAQI TANKERS (New York/Reuter) -- Iraqi vessels have been given
new orders by Baghdad not to defy the Western blockade in the Gulf,
CBS News reported Monday. CBS Pentagon correspondent David Martin
said captains have been told to allow U.S. Navy ships to stop their
vessels and board and search them
The CBS report gave no
source for its information and added there was no official
confirmation.
GULF CRISIS/PICKERING (George Gedda/AP) -- The Administration is
expressing hope the Persian Gulf crisis still can be resolved
without military conflict, if worldwide economic sanctions force
Saddam Hussein to withdraw his forces from Kuwait. "He's a classic
case of someone who is vulnerable to sanctions," Ambassador
Pickering said of Saddam
"We're watching if the sanctions are
going to bite and how rapidly," Pickering said on NBC's "Today"
Show
"It might be a month or two before it begins to bite."
OPEC PRODUCTION (Vienna/Sally Jacobsen, AP) -- OPEC ministers were
moving toward an agreement allowing for a temporary increase in oil
production to help fill the gap caused by the Persian Gulf crisis,
sources said. Ten of the 11 nations of OPEC meeting informally in
Vienna have agreed in principle to authorize an increase, said a
delegation source, who demanded anonymity. "They see the need for
some kind of OPEC sanction to increase production," he said. Only
Iran, which contends there is enough excess oil in the
industrialized world to meet any shortfall, was opposed, he
said
He said talks were continuing to work out the details.
(Vienna/Joby Warrick, UPI) -- OPEC Ministers huddled behind
closed doors for a second day Monday as Iran and other key members
resisted efforts to convene an extraordinary formal conference to
raise oil output quotas
"I think this is not the necessary
time to increase production -- maybe in the future, if we change
the situation, but not now," Iranian Minister of Petroleum
Gholamreza Aghazadeh said during a lunch recess. Earlier he told
reporters it was "not necessary to have formal meetings" to boost
output quotas.
-erom-
White House News Summary
Monday, August 27, 1990 -- 3
GAS PRICES (Los Angeles/AP) -- Gasoline rose more than a nickel a
gallon at the pump in the past two weeks as motorists continued to
feel the effects of the Persian Gulf crisis, according to a
national survey. The average prices for all grades of gasoline
rose 5.2 cents to $1.3316 a gallon, the Lundberg Survey of 3,500
gas stations reported Sunday.
BIG OIL (Oxford, Ohio/UPI) -- Big oil companies are falsely
pleading they are hostage to the crisis in the Middle East, a Miami
University economist who believes there really is no competitive
gasoline market said Monday
"This notion that OPEC appeared
on the scene and for the first time in its history supplies were
tightly controlled is a fiction," said James Brock And
contrary
to what oil companies argue, there is no consistent link between
the price of crude oil and the price of gasoline, Brock said.
SHEVARDNADZE/CHINA
(Beijing/Reuter)
:
Foreign
Minister
Shevardnadze will make a brief stop in China Saturday on his way
to Japan and will have talks with his Chinese counterpart on the
Persian Gulf crisis and Cambodia. He will meet Qian Qichen in the
northeastern city of Harbin, the official New China News Agency
said Monday
The New China News Agency gave no details of the
substance of the Soviet foreign minister's planned talks with Qian.
U.N./CAMBODIA (Bangkok/Angus MacSwan, Reuter) -- A U.N.
peacekeeping force envisaged for Cambodia could be empowered to
disarm combatants and control camps but would stop short of hunting
down guerrillas, the U.S. deputy permanent secretary to the U.N.
said Monday. THe military issue was one of five papers the
permanent members of the U.N. Security Council were finalizing in
New York over Monday and Tuesday to try to end 20 years of
bloodshed in Cambodia, Ambassador Watson told reporters during a
one-day visit to Bangkok. The U.S., the Soviet Union, China,
France and Britain were expected to agree on the papers, he said.
LEBANON BOMBING (Sidon/UPI) -- A car bomb exploded Monday in a
Moslem Shiite village in southern Lebanon, killing six people,
police said. They said the bomb in a Japanese-made car went off
in the village of Houmine, 11 miles east of the port city of Sidon,
24 miles south of Beirut. Six people in the car were killed.
EXISTING HOME SALES (John McClain, AP) -- Sales of existing homes
rose 3.3 percent in July, their second straight increase, as
mortgage rates dropped into the single digits, a real estate trade
group reported. The National Association of Realtors said house
resales totaled a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.44 million
units compared to June's rate of 3.33 million
But Realtor's
President Norman Flynn said the recent mortgage rate increases
[after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait] probably will push down sales
this month.
PERSONAL INCOME (Vincent Del Giudice, UPI) -- Personal income
increased 0.6 percent in July, while consumption slowed to 0.5
percent and the personal savings rate remained unchanged at 4.9
percent, the Commerce Department said Monday.
###
George Bush Presidential Library
Transfer Sheet
COLLECTION:
ACCESSION NUMBER:
Bush Presidential Records
1993.0001
FOIA/SYSTEMATIC
Office of the President
PROCESSING CASE
NUMBER (if app.):
Transferred During Accessioning
Transferred During Processing
2009-0166-S
The following material was transferred to:
Audiovisual Collection
Book Collection
Museum Collection
Other
Other (Specify):
DESCRIPTION:
White House Photographs: P15340-07 [Sam LeBlond plays with Mulroney boy]; P15336-17A [Barbara Bush
and Mrs. Mulroney]; P15333-17A [Fishing w/Raynor]; P15322-01 [President Bush and Brian Mulroney]
When transferring
Donor:
material to the
museum
Donor Org.:
collection,
complete the
Address:
following.
Telephone:
Book Location:
Map Case Location:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
Series:
Box Number:
Daily Files
59
Folder Title:
OA/ID Number:
Monday, August 27, 1990
90558-005
Transferred by:
Deborah Wheeler
Date of Transfer:
9/2/2010
Received by:
Mary Finch
Date Received:
9/2/2010
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Bush Presidentia Library Photocopy
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Bush Presidential, Library Photocopy
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OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPH 27 AUG 90 P15336-17A CP
Bush Presidential Library Photocopy
DAY
B
Bush Presidential Library Photocopy
OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPH 27 AUG 90 P15322-01 DV
Bush Presidential Library Photocopy