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administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
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Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin: Scowcroft, Brent, Collection
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Media Articles Files
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April 1991
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April 1991
WHO'S WHO
When asked about the State Department instructions
tional Committee. Kaufman, Who's Who fans will recall,
that authorized Ambassador April Glaspie to give Sad-
was the Bush campaigner who staged the Boston Harbor
dam Hussein a wink as he prepared to invade Kuwait
and Massachusetts police embarrassments to Michael
last July, James Baker made clear he wanted the buck to
Dukakis in 1988
stop somewhere else: "What you want me to say is that
While congressional Democrats search for an issue to
instructions were sent specifically by me or on my specif-
awaken their moribund party, Republicans have been
ic orders. There are probably 312,000 or so cables that go
fighting tooth and nail over who will replace Rep. Robert
out under my name." Of course, insiders know that
Michel as head of the minority party. Newt Gingrich, the
311,000 of those cables are concerned with trivial house-
Republican whip, has engaged in trench warfare with
keeping details, such as when some minor-league bureau-
hopeful Rep. Vin Weber. Other would-be leaders who
crat is going to arrive in Lagos. By long-standing custom,
believe Michel may retire in 1992 include Reps. Jerry
they are all signed with the secretary of state's name, even
Lewis, Duncan Hunter, and Henry Hyde.
though he may never see them. The remainder, like the
Two people who will not be pleased by Opening Argu-
ones instructing Glaspie, are concerned with policy, and
ments, a book by a former lawyer in the Iran-contra special
they are not only signed with Baker's name but are
prosecution office, are Elliott Abrams and Robert "Bud"
cleared with him or his top aides. If, as Glaspie now
McFarlane. The author, Jeffrey Toobin, thinks Abrams
seems to maintain, such instructions were never sent, ob-
should have been indicted and that McFarlane, who some
servers wonder why Baker felt he had to deny responsi-
deem the guiltiest of the guilty, should not have been per-
bility for them
mitted to escape with a plea bargain and no jail time
We should have included Brent Scowcroft's name in
Conservative Sovietologists were thrilled that Con-
last month's list of administration figures whose careers
doleezza Rice, the president's assistant for Soviet affairs
were enhanced by Desert Storm. Scowcroft and Dick
and one of the most liberal policy voices in the adminis-
Cheney were consistently more hawkish about war in
tration, returned to Stanford University. But they were
the Gulf than James Baker and thus more finely attuned
less than thrilled by the decision of Brent Scowcroft to re-
to the biggest hawk of all, George Bush. Scowcroft is
place her with Brookings moderate Ed Hewett. The anti-
close to both Cheney and General Colin Powell. One in-
Gorbachev crowd suspects that James Baker had a hand
sider confided to Andrew Rosenthal of The New York
in the Hewett appointment- part of his continuing quest
Times, "He can play Cheney and Powell off against Bak-
to undermine Scowcroft's deputy, Robert Gates
er, which gives him a new boldness."
Washington's premier plum, the Commerce undersec-
White House aides are bracing for a power struggle
retary for travel and tourism, has gone to John Keller,
over who will emerge as the president's image king. Sig
the former director of presidential advance, one of the
Rogich, the president's assistant for public events, was
most grueling jobs around. Apparently Bush felt Keller
unhappy over the news that Dorrance Smith, a Bush
deserved a paid vacation. Meanwhile, the White House
family friend and creator of ABC's "This Week with
continues to lose top aides to the greener pastures of the
David Brinkley," would be joining the administration.
private sector. The three top deputies in the legislative af-
Smith is expected to be the gatekeeper of network appear-
fairs office-Robert Portman, Boyd Hollingsworth,
ances for senior aides, a job that Marlin Fitzwater large-
and Nick Calio-have moved on to better paying jobs,
ly controlled and Rogich wanted. Smith's arrival also
although some speculate that their departures were influ-
seems to further erode the modest power of David De-
enced less by money than by the fact that their prospects
marest, the White House communications director
at the White House weren't bright.
Vice President Dan Quayle's deputy chief of staff,
Spencer Abraham, replaces Ed Rollins as co-chairman
Ins-Commerce: Deputy Secretary-R. Anthony Schnabel,
of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Undersecretary for Travel and Tourism-John Keller. Housing
Rollins angered John Sununu by advising GOP lawmak-
and Urban Development: Assistant Secretary for Administra-
ers to disassociate themselves from George Bush's rever-
tion-James E. Tarro. Assistant Secretary for Housing-
sal on tax policy. Abraham's successor: Al Hubbard,
Arthur J. Hill. White House: Assistant to the President for Public
Quayle's counsel from Indiana and former fundraiser for
Affairs-Dorrance C. Smith, Chief Speechwriter-Tony Snow.
Political Director-Ronald Kaufman. Director of the Office of
Pierre DuPont's unsuccessful 1988 GOP bid.
Political Affairs-David Carney. Agencies and Commissions:
Ronald Kaufman has succeeded Ed Rogers as Su-
Governor, Federal Reserve Board-Lawrence B. Lindsey.
nunu's chief political aide. Some say Rogers walked the
gangplank to fend off criticism of his boss, while others
Outs-Housing and Urban Development: Assistant Secretary
suggest that Bush loyalists were upset because Rogers
for Legislation and Congressional Relations-Timothy L. Coyle.
seemed more committed to Sununu than to the president.
Treasury: Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs-J. Roger
Bolton. White House: National Security Advisor to the Vice Presi-
It certainly didn't help that Rogers had irritated the presi-
dent-Carnes Lord, Chief Speechwriter-Chriss Winston. Po-
dent by bad-mouthing Rich Bond, a friend of Bush's,
litical Director-Ed Rogers. Agencies and Commissions: Gover-
when Bond was up for chairman of the Republican Na-
nor. Federal Reserve Board-Martha R. Seger.
20 The Washington Monthly/April 1991
CAPITAL COMMENT
INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE
DID LEAKING GET STAFFER THE BOOT?
George Bush, who hates leakers. personally engineered the
firing of White House political operative Ed Rogers, one of chief
of staff John Sununu's closest aides. Rogers had been fingered as
being much too cozy with reporters, and reportedly leaked the
name of former Bush aide Rich Bond as a successor to Lee
Atwater as chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Bond complained about his name being kicked around, an inves-
tigation was made, and Rogers was called on the Oval Office
carpet. Ironically, one of Rogers's jobs had been to ferret out
White House leakers. He now plans to set up a law firm in
JOAN MARCUS
Washington.
Bush has been careful to dampen the rumors about National
Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft being more highly regarded than
Secretary of State Jim Baker: Both have recently received invita-
THE HARTSOCKS AND PETER
tions for weekends at Camp David. Scowcroft was invited to
Retiring to Good Life After Big Win
recuperate there from a bout with the flu: Baker's visit was on the
eve of the ground war and was cut short when the action began.
A plane chartered by the International Television Network to
POTOMAC PRODUCES PRIZED POODLE
ferry its reporters and other press people from Saudi Arabia to
London at the conclusion of the Persian Gulf war had to be diverted to
The "most poodley poodle" and best-in-show at New York's presti-
Rome. It seems that the press passengers. experiencing alcohol for the
gious Westminster Kennel Club in February was a gussied-up dog
first time in six months, got extremely rowdy-starting fights, getting
named Peter.
sick, and generally creating such turmoil that the pilot touched down
Known on the dog-show circuit as Champion Whis-
in Rome and threw the offending journalists off the plane.
perwind on a Carousel, Peter earned the 93rd best-in-
Kim Hoggard. assistant to State Department spokeswoman Mar-
show award of his career. His owners, Joan and
garet Tutwiler, is quitting to rejoin her husband in Australia. They
Frederick Hartsock of Potomac, retired
have had what must certainly be one of the longest-distance commuter
him to stud after his hundredth win a
marriages in history: two years between the US and Australia. He's a
few weeks later, but figure the bitches
reporter on the Australian equivalent of 60 Minutes.
will keep Peter busy. Before his retire-
The President has taken up power walking, setting such a pace
ment, Peter averaged one lady-caller each
that Secret Service agents are complaining of blisters. But even the
month, but he traveled to shows every
President is not immune to aches and pains. Some nights, after
SHRE PHOTOGRAPHY INC
weekend. Now he has more leisure time,
jogging on a hard surface, he sleeps with a pillow between his knees.
and the Hartsocks can make up some of
Bush's mispronunciation of the Iraqi leader's name as SAD-
the $100,000 they have spent on him.
dam was directed by the CIA. According to sources there, the word
-MEG EGAN
as Bush pronounces it means "a little boy who cleans out the shoes
of old men."
WALTER JOHNSON SLEPT HERE
Here's your chance to walk the
and served as a county commis-
same floorboards and sleep under
sioner. He also ran for Congress.
the same roof as one of the great-
But it was as one of the five origi-
est pitchers ever to throw a base-
nal members of baseball's Hall of
ball. Former Washington Sena-
Fame and as a 416-game winner
tors great Walter Johnson's old
that he will be remembered. He
house is for rent.
may well be Washington's great-
The classic five-bedroom
est sports hero.
wooden manse, at 9100 Old
And for $11 a square foot per
Georgetown Road, was built
year, the 3,200 square-foot
around 1906 as a summer home
house could be yours. The
in the wilderness of Bethesda. In
Montgomery County Council
1925, Johnson, then the premier
granted historical status to the
pitcher in the major leagues,
house in 1990, and some want to
bought the house, and it stayed in
make it into a museum, but it is
the Johnson family until 1936.
now available for commercial
Until recently it housed the
use or as a private home. Call
Teaching Team, a tutorial and
Noah & Cummings Property
academic-testing company.
Management, 301/258-9100, if
Johnson moved on to a farm in
you want to live in the shadow
WALTER JOHNSON'S BETHESDA HOUSE
northern Montgomery County
of greatness.
Available for Immediate Occupancy
April 1991/The Washingtonian 9
DATE:
4/1/9
The Washington Times
PAGE:
land chain - was lost for about an
Bush lets
A senior White House official said
there has been some progress dur-
hour. said White House Deputy
ing several exchanges between the
Press Secretary Steve Hart.
two leaders.
Mr. Bush and his entourage had
Mitchell's
In Iraq, American fighter jets
emergency generator power for
have shot down two Iraqi fixed-wing
communication but were left in the
aircraft in support of a ban imposed
dark.
by the Feb. 27 cease-fire. But Iraq
So, the president and Mrs. Bush
idea drop
has continued to launch helicopter
dined by candle light.
gunships against the rebels.
Mr. Bush has been making annual
Persian Gulf commander Gen.
spring trips to Islamorada. a resort
By J Murray
Norman Schwarzkopf admitted in
island in the Upper Keys, since 1979,
an interview last week that he was
fishing for bonefish and tarpon in
tricked by Iraqi negotiators into al-
the shallow waters He was joined on
ISLAMORADA, Fla. - President
lowing the helicopter flights. The
the trip by Treasury Secretary Nich
Bush yesterday brushed off Senate
general said he had been assured the
olas Brady, Deputy National Secu-
Majority Leader George Mitchell's
aircraft would only be employed for
suggestion that U.S. troops shoot
civilian purposes.
rity Adviser Robert M. Gates and
down Iraq: helicopters that attack
Administration officials have said
Deputy Chief of Staff Andrew Card.
civilians
the Schwarzkopf side-agreement
Mr. Bush does not plan to attend
He did? Always glad to have his
will not be reversed because of the
today's funeral in Columbia, S.C., for
opinion," Mr. Bush said of the Maine
difficulty in detecting low-flying he-
his former campaign manager and
Democrat as he flew here aboard
licopters and in discerning whether
Republican National Chairman Lee
Air Force One for his first vacation
the flights are military or civilian
Atwater, who died Friday Mr. Bush
since he called a halt to the war with
will attend a memorial service
Iraq on Feb. 27.
Thursday.
The administration in recent days
Asked if he agreed with Mr.
On the way back to Washington on
has been pressed to defend a post-
Mitchell and fellow Democrat Rep.
Wednesday, Mr. and Mrs. Bush will
war policy that calls on the Iraqi peo-
Lee Hamilton of Indiana, a senior
spend the day at the Palm Beach
ple to oust President Saddam Hus-
member of the House Foreign Af-
County winter home of his ailing
sein, yet withholds any support for
fairs Committee, the president
mother. Dorothy, who is 89.
the ongoing, two-front rebellion.
cracked. "Glad to hear from him."
Rowan Scarborough contributed
Mr. Mitchell said Mr. Bush's non-
Mr. Mitchell said he endorsed the
to this report.
intervention policy is correct.
Bush administration's general
"I don't think the United States
hands-off approach to the Iraqi civil
can intervene in every internal con-
war. but he said U.S. forces should
flict, however despicable the cir-
fire on Iraqi helicopters used to kill
cumstances may be," he said. "I
rebelling Kurds and Shi'ites.
think it is particularly so in this case
"The clear intent of American pol-
since, as I said, the Iraqi army in
icy at the outset was to prohibit the
effect didn't fight against a stronger
use of aircraft which might threaten
military force and now appears to
American forces - and that was
be, to some extent, taking it out on
both fixed-wing and helicopters -
their own civilians."
from operating. I think we should
The senator predicted Saddam
enforce that policy." he said on NBC-
eventually would be toppled, even
TV's "Meet The Press."
without direct U.S. intervention.
Mr. Hamilton, chairman of the
After gaining a clear victory in
Foreign Affairs subcommittee on
expelling Iraq from Kuwait, the ad-
Europe and the Middle East, said on
ministration does not want to be-
Cable News Network's "Newsmaker
come engaged in a potentially
Sunday": "I think those helicopters
drawn-out conflict that results in a
now are creating a blood bath there"
fractured Iraq.
and should be stopped.
White House spokesman Roman
Iran's U.N. ambassador said that
Popadiuk reiterated Mr. Bush's posi-
Iraq was using chemical weapons -
tion.
possibly fired from helicopters -
"The issue of internal unrest in
against rebels in both northern and
Iraq is an issue that has to be settled
southern Iraq. Kamal Kharrazi,
between the government and the
asked on CNN's "Newsmaker Satur-
people of Iraq," Mr. Popadiuk said
day" it he had evidence that Iraq was
Friday. "It's a decision for the people
using the chemical weapons, re-
of Iraq to make in terms of the lead-
plied. "Yes. they are, because among
ership."
the refugees in Iran. as well as the
Mr. Bush's Florida fishing vaca-
southern part of Iraq. there have
tion was prescribed by first lady
been many cases that they had been
Barbara Bush on Feb. 28, the day
injured by chemical weapons."
after the president ordered a halt to
the Persian Gulf war.
his was proved by American
IS as well." Mr. Kharrazi said, ap-
Perhaps in the spirit of her ad-
vice,- Mrs. Bush accompanied the
parently referring to a comment last
week by Col. Mike Deegan, the U.S.
president on this trip - a rare event
commander of Checkpoint Charlie
for an expedition that is traditionally
in southern Iraq, that he had re-
stag. They flew down after attending
ceived unverified reports of chem-
Easter services at Camp David.
ical-weapon use.
"We're going to have a good time
down there." Mr. Bush said. "It's Eas-
On his Florida fishing trip, Mr.
Bush also similarly dismissed all
ter. It's a day to, you know, count your
other policy questions. including
blessings."
queries about National Security Ad-
The president's first evening,
viser Brent Scowcroft's mysterious
however, was not so blessed. Power
mission to the Middle East last week.
to his Tarpon Flats condominium
"No. can't say anything about that
and 50,000 other locations in the is-
either." he said.
One White House official said that
even some National Security Coun-
cil officers were in the dark about
the trip. The purpose and destina-
tion were not revealed.
But. Mr. Bush did reveal. without
details. that Soviet President Mi-
khail Gorbachev had replied to his
letter calling for him to clear obsta-
cles to two arms treaties and a
planned superpower summit in the
next two months.
NEW REPUBLIC
April 1, 1991
Pg. 10
BRILLIANT PEBBLE
By Fred Barnes
he dates to remember are January 3 and Janu-
T
ary 18. On January 3 President Bush went to
the Situation Room in the White House base-
ment for his first full briefing on the Penta-
gon's scaled-back version of the Strategic Defense Ini-
tiative. The new SDI has a post-cold war mission.
Rather than deter a massive missile attack on the
United States by the Soviet Union, it's designed to
protect against limited missile strikes by countries
like Iraq. Bush asked a few small-bore questions,
such as whether mini-SDI would bust the budget. Bud-
get director Richard Darman interjected that it
wouldn't. Secretary of State James Baker wanted to
know how the Soviets would react. He was told they
might like the idea, since they face a greater threat
of a limited missile assault than the United States
does. Baker seemed pleased by the answer. Only
Brent Scowcroft, the national security adviser, was
skeptical. He asked if the new program-known as
GPALS, or Global Protection Against Limited Strikes-
could operate effectively from the ground alone.
Nope, Pentagon officials said, the space-based part is
critical.
Bush quickly approved GPALS. But its chances of gain-
ing congressional assent were poor. Then, on January
18, a Scud missile fired from Iraq was shot down over
Israel by a U.S.-made Patriot missile. "It was the first
destruction of an enemy ballistic missile in a combat
situation," says a Pentagon official. And it gave all mis-
sile defense programs an extraordinary political boost.
Now Bush stands a good chance of achieving what Ron-
ald Reagan never could: explicit approval by Congress
of SDI in its Star Wars configuration, a space-based anti-
missile system.
or two years SDI took big spending hits. For
F
1990 its funding was cut by Congress from the
$5.6 billion proposed by Reagan (and Bush) to
$3.9 billion. For 1991 SDI was shaved back to
$2.9 billion, and sharp restrictions were put on how
much could go for the space-based part. With the
end of the cold war, full-blown launching of Soviet
missiles against America became a remote possibility.
Full development, much less deployment, of SDI be-
came a remote possibility too.
There were other problems. The program lost its
greatest advocate when Reagan left office in 1989. Bush
supports SDI, but he's never been as emotionally com-
mitted to it as Reagan. Meanwhile, Congress denied
SUPPLEMENT: Wednesday, March 20, 1991
BRILLIANT PEBBLE.
CONTINUED
equivalent protection cannot be done from the
ground. Besides, you're better off environmentally and
the first SDI director, General James Abrahamson, a
politically having the stuff in space. In space, nobody
fourth star (Reagan had requested the promotion).
sees the things."
Abrahamson was forced to retire, and his replacement,
Lieutenant General George Monahan, ran the pro-
A
t the White House the noisiest proponent of
gram without championing it. Defense Secretary Dick
space-based missile defense is Vice President
Cheney, always an SDI backer, was obsessed with touting
Dan Quayle. If Bush's speech in February
the B-2 bomber. Bush, distracted by Soviet relations and
1990 was prophetic, Quayle's two months lat-
German reunification, took little interest. But his fleet-
er was clairvoyant. Quayle focused on Saddam, noting
ing reference to missile defense during a visit to Law-
that he'd moved Scud launchers to western Iraq, clos-
rence Livermore Laboratory in California in February
er to Israel. This, along with Saddam's threats to use
1990 was notable: SDI can defend against "attacks from
chemical weapons against the Israelis, touched off "a
the many other countries that, regrettably, are acquir-
new strategic era in the Middle East," he said. "Even
ing ballistic missile capabilities. In the 1990s strategic
if the Soviet 'new thinking' results in new, more re-
defense makes much more sense than ever before, in
sponsible behavior, I am afraid the Middle East could
my view."
well become a much more dangerous place over the
Civilian officials at the Pentagon had come to the
next few years."
same conclusion. (The military brass, in contrast, gen-
Once Bush endorsed GPALS, Quayle made sure the
erally look askance at SDI.) In March 1989 the National
president plugged it in his State of the Union address
Security Strategy Review reassessed all Pentagon poli-
on January 29. At his urging, Bush said that "with re-
cies. This led two months later to a request for an inde-
markable technological advances like the Patriot mis-
pendent review of SDI. Henry Cooper, who had been
sile, we can defend against ballistic missile attacks
the chief negotiator in the Defense and Space Talks
aimed at innocent civilians." Thus, he said, SDI was
with the Soviets, got the task. In the spring of 1990 he
being "refocused on providing protection from limit-
recommended that the program emphasize develop-
ed ballistic missile strikes, whatever their source."
ment of a defense against limited attacks. Cooper soon
Bush followed that on February 15 with a speech at
took over as SDI director, and the program began exam-
the Raytheon plant in Andover, Massachusetts, where
ining the architecture of what became GPALS. Cooper
Patriots are manufactured. As initially drafted, the
and his allies decided that Brilliant Pebbles, the box-
speech spelled out Bush's rejection of theories, such
shaped satellites that are supposed to orbit the Earth
as mutual assured destruction, that preclude defense
and attack offensive missiles in the launch phase,
against missile attacks. Scowcroft and his staff took
should be deployed. But fewer would be needed than
out some of this. But Bush did say: "Thank God that
in the original plan for Phase 1 of SDI.
when those Scuds came in, the people of Saudi Ara-
To combat a Soviet first strike, 4,600 to 6,000 Bril-
bia and Israel and the brave forces of our coalition
liant Pebbles were required. To cope with a limited
had more to protect their lives than some abstract
strike, approximately 1,000 are needed. Ground-based
theory of deterrence."
interceptors were cut back in GPALS to 500 to 1,000,
Bush now confronts an opportunity Reagan never
down from 2,000 to 3,000. And a battlefield (or "the-
had. He could push the program to the point where
ater") missile defense capability, a sophisticated up-
deployment is not only imminent but practically irre-
dating of the Patriot, was added. This would allow
sistible. "The pro-sdI political climate after Desert
ships to defend against ballistic missile attacks and
Storm will never again be duplicated with the intensi-
anti-missile systems to be deployed with American
ty it currently enjoys," says a senior White House offi-
troops overseas.
cial. Fifteen of the nineteen Democratic senators up
The land (and sea) parts aren't controversial. Sam
for re-election in 1992 voted against the use of force
Nunn, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services
in Desert Storm. They may be reluctant to oppose
Committee, and other Democrats look favorably on
any bill to protect American troops or civilians from
them. It's the space part-not only Brilliant Pebbles
missile attack. Still, the White House (but not
but also sensors known as Brilliant Eyes, which guide
Quayle) flinched when Republican Senator John
ground-based missile defenses-that draws criticism.
Warner of Virginia called for the fastest possible SDI
Why? Because if deployed, the space-based elements
development, even if tests in space violate the ABM
would violate the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty of
Treaty.
1972. So why are Bush and the Pentagon advocating
To understand White House trepidation, recall Janu-
them? "To have global protection, you've got to have
ary 3. Development of GPALS was sold as consistent with
space-based weapons," says a Pentagon official.
the treaty. Scowcroft was leery anyway of doing any-
"They're always in position. If Saddam had a 4,500-
thing in space. Baker worried about the Soviets. Bush
kilometer weapon, he couldn't reach the U.S., but he
didn't say so on January 3, but he isn't eager to break
could hit most of Western Europe. Where would you
the ABM Treaty, annoy Gorbachev, and give Soviet gen-
put your ground-based interceptors? You'd have to
erals an excuse for their own backsliding on arms re-
have them everywhere. The beauty of space-based in-
duction agreements. Putting SDI on the fastest track can
terceptors is they protect many targets at once. The
wait. Bush is happy just to have it alive and well.
A
18
SUPPLEMENT: Wednesday, March 20, 1991
SOVIET WEAPONS
CONTINUED
NEW REPUBLIC
April 1, 1991
Pg. 10
"it's only in the past one and a half
years that I've had an opportunity to
speak before groups like this. Until
BRILLIANT PEBBLE
then, the entire rocket and space pro-
gram was the deepest state secret."
Krunichev makes the Soviets'
workhorse Proton rocket-used to
launch planetary probes, communi-
By Fred Barnes
cations satellites, and the Mir space
station-and space station compo-
T
he dates to remember are January 3 and Janu-
nents. Conversion means reduction
ary 18. On January 3 President Bush went to
in space projects, and entry, for ex-
the Situation Room in the White House base-
ample, into three new areas: ecolo-
ment for his first full briefing on the Penta-
gy. cancer treatment, and emergen-
cy situations. In 1988, only 7% of
gon's scaled-back version of the Strategic Defense Ini-
output was for civilian use. This will
tiative. The new SDI has a post-cold war mission.
reach 40% this year, and 60% in
Rather than deter a massive missile attack on the
1993. A top priority is to maintain
United States by the Soviet Union, it's designed to
the enterprise's high technological
protect against limited missile strikes by countries
level, and to hold on to its skilled
like Iraq. Bush asked a few small-bore questions,
personnel.
Thus, the enterprise has applied
such as whether mini-SDI would bust the budget. Bud-
space technology to begin building
get director Richard Darman interjected that it
high-frequency ozone converters,
wouldn't. Secretary of State James Baker wanted to
used to treat drinking water and
know how the Soviets would react. He was told they
wastewater and to clean up smoke
might like the idea, since they face a greater threat
stacks. Krunichev engineers are
of a limited missile assault than the United States
working on hyperthermal equip-
does. Baker seemed pleased by the answer. Only
ment for localized treatment of tu-
Brent Scowcroft, the national security adviser, was
mors, applying exact temperature
regulation technology from the Mir
skeptical. He asked if the new program-known as
space station. And they are using lu-
GPALS, or Global Protection Against Limited Strikes-
nar vehicle technology to develop
could operate effectively from the ground alone.
two radio-controlled robots for emer-
Nope, Pentagon officials said, the space-based part is
gency situations where humans can't
critical.
go, such as the Chernobyl reactor.
Bush quickly approved GPALS. But its chances of gain-
Krunichev's activities exemplify
what Carter calls "taking advantage
ing congressional assent were poor. Then, on January
of the strengths" of military indus-
18, a Scud missile fired from Iraq was shot down over
try: "Using a systems approach, de-
Israel by a U.S.-made Patriot missile. "It was the first
veloping the ability to deal with
destruction of an enemy ballistic missile in a combat
complex problems." Indeed, says Al-
situation," says a Pentagon official. And it gave all mis-
bert Trifonov, vice chairman for sci-
sile defense programs an extraordinary political boost.
ence and technology of the Soviet
cabinet's State Commission for De-
Now Bush stands a good chance of achieving what Ron-
fense Production, the conversion
ald Reagan never could: explicit approval by Congress
program does emphasize "areas in
of SDI in its Star Wars configuration, a space-based anti-
which we're strongest," where the
missile system.
Soviets can cooperate with foreign
firms or even go it alone.
or two years SDI took big spending hits. For
These include aviation, space,
shipbuilding, communications, and
F
1990 its funding was cut by Congress from the
clean technologies for energy pro-
$5.6 billion proposed by Reagan (and Bush) to
duction. There are also programs in
$3.9 billion. For 1991 SDI was shaved back to
cooperation with the republics for
$2.9 billion, and sharp restrictions were put on how
production of consumer goods that
much could go for the space-based part. With the
are science-intensive, such as medical
end of the cold war, full-blown launching of Soviet
technology. And there is work to im-
missiles against America became a remote possibility.
prove the quality of Soviet life, in-
Full development, much less deployment, of SDI be-
cluding "technical equipment for
some sectors of our economy that are
came a remote possibility too.
in an absolutely horrendous state,
There were other problems. The program lost its
such as light industry, trade, public
greatest advocate when Reagan left office in 1989. Bush
food service, and food processing."
supports SDI, but he's never been as emotionally com-
Richard Seltzer
mitted to it as Reagan. Meanwhile, Congress denied
A
17
BOSTON GLOBE
Apr. 1, 1991
Pg. 13
Cheneys couple prominence with power
By John W. Mashek
cal as her husband's. "There are highly political
Cheney's career took a turn when John
GLOBE STAFF
fights in the academic world, too," she said in a
Tower, the former senator from Texas and
joint interview Friday. "Many educators have a
Bush's choice for defense secretary, was reject-
ASHINGTON - "We Win
policy of scorched earth and burn all the
ed by the Senate for his past drinking and wo-
W
War" reads the blaring news-
bridges."
manizing. Brent Scoweroft, now national securi-
paper headline hanging on
She has definite views on what government
ty adviser, who had worked with Cheney in the
the refrigerator of Defense
should do and not do. She said some people were
Ford era, was Cheney's chief advocate.
Secretary Richard Cheney
surprised when she opposed removing contro-
and his wife, Lynne, in their Virginia townhouse.
Cheney's relationship with Bush, friendly
versial photos by Robert Mapplethorpe from a
The headline explains in large measure why
but not close, is still developing. A senior White
Cincinnati exhibit.
Cheney, a former White House chief of staff and
House official said Bush respects Cheney "be-
"I am opposed to censorship, and I think
congressman from Wyoming, has risen to na-
cause he's a team player, knows how to play the
Dick is, too," Lynne Cheney said, and her hus-
tional prominence.
Washington political game and he's loyal."
band nodded his head.
In a recent Los Angeles Times national poll.
The Cheneys have come a long way from the
Many in the party consider Cheney a logical
Cheney's very favorable rating leaped from 3
sparsely populated range land of Wyoming. He
challenger to Vice President Dan Quayle when,
percent before the Gulf War to 33 percent after-
was the football captain, she the cheerleader and
and if, the two seek the Republican presidential
ward. And 69 percent recognized his name com-
baton twirler at their high school in Casper.
nomination after Bush leaves office. Cheney's
pared with only 26 percent before the war.
She went on to Colorado College to study
health would be a consideration. After a second
Cheney shares the spotlight with Lynne, his
English, while he took up political science at the
heart attack, he had a quadruple bypass oper-
wife of 27 years, who is chairwoman of the Na-
ation in 1988.
University of Wyoming. They both pursued
tional Endowment for the Humanities, part of
master's degrees at the University of Wisconsin.
"I quit smoking in 1978 (after the first at-
the federal agency that supports the humanities
Cheney began his career in Washington in
tack), I play some tennis, go skiing, take walks
and the arts. The Cheneys have taken over as
the Office of Economic Opportunity during the
with Lynne and watch what I eat," Cheney said.
the capital's No. 1 power couple since Elizabeth
Nixon administration. After Richard Nixon re-
"I laugh when people came up during the war
Dole, whose husband, Bob, is Senate minority
signed, Cheney, at age 34, became President
and told me how good I looked. I know what
leader, left the Bush cabinet to become chairwo-
Ford's chief of staff.
they were really thinking."
man of the American Red Cross.
When Ford lost to Jimmy Carter in 1976,
The war, along with his friendship with Gen.
Lynne Cheney, who considers herself more
Cheney returned to Wyoming and two years lat-
Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
politically conservative than her husband, "is the
er ran for Congress. That summer, he had a
Staff, and Secretary of State James A. Baker 3d,
same goal-oriented person he is. She's a perfec-
heart attack.
has given Cheney wide exposure for the last sev-
tionist who drives herself in everything she does,
"My cardiologist said hard work never killed
en months.
again just like him," said Vic Gold, a friend with
anybody, when the suggestion was made that I
That's had its pluses and minuses. "There
whom she wrote a political novel.
look to some less stress-filled job," Cheney said,
was some antiwar sentiment and dump Cheney
She was a writer for Washingtonian maga-
laughing. "Lynne became the candidate for the
talk," he said, referring to the invitation to deliv-
zine when former President Reagan named her
next six weeks."
er the commencement address at his daughter's
to the NEH in 1986. She was given another four-
Cheney won and immediately became a star
graduation from Colorado College this spring.
year term by President Bush last year.
in the GOP minority in the House. He was ree-
"But we won the war and I'm apparently okay
Lynne Cheney operates in a world as politi-
lected easily five times.
now."
White House News Summary
Monday, April 1, 1991 -- A-5
NATIONAL NEWS
PRESIDENT'S GONE FISHIN'
ISLAMORADA -- President Bush, heeding advice from his wife to
"get a little fishing and get a little rest," flew to the Florida
Keys for a four-day fishing vacation, his first since the Gulf War
ended. "We're going to have a good time down there," the president
told reporters on Air Force One.
The president declined to answer questions about U.S. policy
matters, including a recent unannounced trip to the Mideast by
Brent Scowcroft. Bush was bound for Islamorada, where White House
aides said he planned to do very little business and had no
meetings or public events scheduled.
(Tom Raum, AP)
MINIMUM WAGE UP 45 CENTS TODAY, UNIONS CALL IT INADEQUATE
Millions of Americans begin earning larger paychecks as the
federal minimum wage jumps by 45 cents an hour, but organized labor
says the boost falls well short of lifting many workers out of
poverty. "They can't support a family on this and in many cases
can't support themselves," said Rudy Oswald, chief economist of the
AFL-CIO, which wants the base wage increased to $5.75 an hour from
$4.25 by April 1994. Sen. Kennedy called the 45 cent raise an
"April Fool's increase, well below what low-wage workers deserve."
Business executives dismissed the need for another boost, and
the White House indicated it probably would oppose another
increase.
(Karen Ball, AP)
MITCHELL WON'T FOLLOW REAGAN ON GUN BILL
Sen. Mitchell said he was unswayed by former President
Reagan's support for establishing a seven-day national waiting
period to buy handguns and predicted the bill would fail. "I don't
think the Brady bill will pass in the form in which it now stands.
I don't support that bill. I think that we can make some changes
in it to have a waiting period that makes sense and accomplishes
something," he said on Face the Nation. "I don't oppose the
concept of a national waiting period, but it presupposes that
there's a waiting period so that a check can be made and there is
something to check. There is not now any central national register
with which to check," Mitchell said. He said he favored
establishing such a register, an approach similar to the Bush
administration's stated position of backing the creating of an
instant-check system to link gun shops with a national computer
system.
(J. Jennings Moss, washington Times, A3)
SCHWARZKOPF FACES REPUBLICAN DRAFT
A Florida Republican is raising money to draft Gen.
Schwarzkopf for a 1992 race against Sen. Graham. The organizer of
the drive, W.J. Latvala, is using his direct-mail company to raise
money for the "Draft General Schwarzkopf '92 Committee." Florida
GOP officials have said he would be an ideal candidate to challenge
Graham.
(Washington Times, A3)
-end of A-Section-
NETWORK NEWS SUMMARY
(Sunday evening, March 31 -- CBS News pre-empted by basketball.)
IRAQI UNREST
NBC's Garrick Utley: The war is not over in Iraq, not the
fighting, not the dying. Even as American troops come home at the
rate of 3,000 men and women a day, Saddam Hussein continues to
crush the rebellion against his rule there. The outcome is now
clear: Saddam will win. He is using helicopter gunships as well
as troops to defeat the Kurdish forces in the northern part of the
country. Today, more Kurds fled Iraq as refugees. And today the
Iraqi government allowed journalists to visit the city of Kirkuk,
which had been captured by the Kurds.
NBC's Tom Aspell reports from Kirkuk under Iraqi censorship. No
one knows how many Iraqis are dying in the uprising. Foreign
newsmen were escorted to Kirkuk to see for themselves that Saddam's
troops are now in full control of the city for the first time in
nearly two weeks. Civilians described the occupation by insurgents
as a nightmare.
(Civilian: "Many people died from Kirkuk, innocent people."
(Civilian: "They come inside the private house and broke and stole
everything.")
The damage indicated that the nine-hour (according to Iraq) battle
was no pushover. Offices of the ruling Baath Party and provincial
headquarters buildings were totally destroyed. The governor said
Kirkuk had been occupied by Kurds, Iranians, religious fanatics,
and deserters from the Iraqi army. He blamed most of the civilian
deaths on what he called groups of thugs. He said they had overrun
Kirkuk only to loot and kill. The fighting in Kirkuk has boosted
morale in the Iraqi army. Iraqi officials announced in Baghdad
this evening that the army has taken back two other important towns
in the north. As far as the government is concerned, the uprising
is all but over.
(NBC-Lead)
The BBC's Michael MacMillan reports from the Kurdish side in
Kirkuk, not subject to Iraqi censorship. This is the result of the
Iraqi offensive.
(TV Coverage: Children crying in hospital.)
No one can estimate the number of injuries. What's clear is that
the Kurds have no medical supplies. There's little chance of
survival for those with serious injuries, and with no food the
rebels will find it difficult to keep up the fight. In the
distance, we could see Iraqi helicopter gunships, which have,
according to the refugees, been firing quite indiscriminately at
anything which moves. This is the weapon the Kurds fear the most.
They can't understand why the U.S. is willing to shoot down fixed-
wing aircraft but are still allowing helicopters to fly. (NBC-2)
The ITN's Edward Storton reports on the unrest, cleared by Iraqi
censors. We journalists toured enough of Kirkuk to be able to say
with some confidence that the government's forces now control it
again. During the two-and-a-half hour visit we neither saw nor
heard anything to indicate the resistance is continuing.
-020M-
THE WASHINGTON POST
DATE: 4/2/91
PAGE: A/b
Scowcroft Talks With Saudi King
Officials Say Aide Discussed Sensitive Mideast Matters on Unannounced
By R. Jeffrey Smith and Ann Devroy
routine exchanges by lower-ranking
forces occupying Kuwait. One senior
Washington Post Staff Writers
officials or embassy staffs.
official said he understood that Scow-
Disclosed
White House deputy spokesman
croft's trip focused on questions in-
White House national security
Roman Popadiuk said yesterday he
volving the Middle East peace pro-
adviser Brent Scowcroft and a sen-
was not authorized to provide any
cess and was "a follow-up" to Secre-
ior White House aide flew to Saudi
information about the trip. Senior
tary of State James A. Baker III's
' Trip Last Week
Arabia last week for talks with Sau-
officials said last Friday that Scow-
March 8-14 trip to the region.
di King Fahd about sensitive Middle
croft and Richard Haass, the senior
The secrecy surrounding the trip
East matters, senior U.S. officials
director for Near East and South
comes as the Bush administration is
said yesterday.
Asian affairs, had departed Washing-
trying to ease Arab-Israeli tensions,
The disclosure by officials who
ton for the Middle East on March 26
invigorate negotiations on Palestin-
insisted on anonymity ended sev-
and returned two days later.
ian autonomy and reach agreement
eral days of speculation about
Officials said yesterday the visit
on new security arrangements for
where Scowcroft had gone, but not
was requested by Fahd to discuss
the Middle East. The administration
uncertainty about the topics dis-
certain matters about the future of
has been unusually cautious about
cussed. A source said the topics
the Middle East in the aftermath of
discussing its plans for the region
were considered too sensitive for
the allied victory over Iraqi military
prior to a United Nations vote ex-
pected this week on a resolution that
would set terms for a permanent
cease-fire with Iraqi forces.
Sources also disclosed yesterday
that President Bush wrote last
weekend to the emir of Kuwait,
Sheik Jabir Ahmed Sabah, but of-
ficials declined to elaborate. One
official said the letter was a reply to
a congratulatory note from the emir
on the conduct of the war and dealt
with "the political and economic
challenges in Kuwait."
Smith reported from Washington,
Devroy from Islamorada, Fla. Staff
writer Al Kamen contributed to this
report.
The Washington Post
The New York Times
A9
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
Scowcroft Went to Talk
Date 2 April 1991
With Saudis, U.S. Says
By PATRICK E. TYLER
Special to The New York Times
WASHINGTON, April 1 - President
Saudi Arabia, other Arab gulf states,
Bush's national security adviser, Brent
Egypt and Syria. This arrangement is
Scowcroft, traveled to Saudi Arabia
likely to include prepositioning enough
last week for high-level security con-
military equipment in Saudi Arabia to
'sultations requested by senior advisers
equip an American Army division, in-
to King Fahd, according to Administra-
creasing the frequency of joint exer-
tion officials.
cises and putting a United States mili-
The officials, who declined to reveal
tary headquarters in the region for the
'any further details about the talks, said
first time on Bahrain, which is con-
the trip took place after President
nected to Saudi Arabia by a causeway.
Bush decided last Tuesday not to inter-
vene further in the internal unrest in
Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouq al-
Traq, an issue that is of potentially vital
Sharaa, arrived in Saudi Arabia today
importance to the Saudi monarchy.
for talks on postwar security arrange-
One official sought to play down the
ments.
sensitivity of the trip and any reasons
for shrouding Mr. Scowcroft's agenda
Officials said that whatever the main
in secrecy. The official said the Saudis
focus of the consultations with Mr.
wanted to hold consultations before
Scowcroft, Saudi interest in the situa-
King Fahd and other members of the
tion in Iraq and future relations be-
royal court departed for Mecca for the
tween Saudi Arabia and Iraq under
final weeks of Ramadan, the Muslim
Saddam Hussein would be one impor-
month of fasting.
tant subject on the agenda for the talks.
after a three-year break, wanted to dis-
Another official said the Saudis have
been anxious to focus the Bush Admin-
Common Approach to Iran Sought
cuss an approach to Iran on regional
security issues and on the attempts tc
istration more intensely on its commit-
Mr. Scowcroft's trip may also have
free the American hostages held by
ment to making progress in the peace
been prompted by the temporary inca-
pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon.
process between Israel and its tradi-
pacitation of Saudi Arabia's ambassa-
tional Arab foes.
dor to Washington, Prince Bandar bin
Another likely issue on the agenda
Sultan, who last week was at Walter
was Saudi Arabia's harsh attitude to.
Talks on Regional Security
Reed Army Medical Center for treat-
ward King Hussein of Jordan, whose
In addition, major elements of the
ment of a back ailment. Prince Bandar.
historically good relations with the
United States military in Iraq or at
a nephew of King Fahd, is the primary
United States and with President Bush
rear areas in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
conduit for high-level communications
personally are expected to help the
are scheduled to begin withdrawing
between Washington and Riyadh.
King rehabilitate himself in Washing.
after a formal cease-fire agreement is
ton and continue to play a role in help-
reached at the United Nations.
Middle Eastern diplomats said they
ing to mediate the Arab-Israeli dispute:
United States officials are discussing
believed the Saudis, who just re-estab-
and its central question of Palestinian
a new regional security structure with
lished diplomatic relations with Iran
rule.
2.
Page
The Washington Post
A16
The New York Times
Scowcroft Talks With
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
Saudi King Disclosed
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
Date
2 April 1991
By R. Jeffrey Smith and Ann Devroy
pected this week on a resolution that
Washington Post Staff Writers
would set terms for a permanent
cease-fire with Iraqi forces.
White House national security
adviser Brent Scowcroft and a sen-
Sources also disclosed yesterday
that President Bush wrote last
ior White House aide flew to Saudi
weekend to the emir of Kuwait,
Arabia last week for talks with Sau-
Sheik Jabir Ahmed Sabah, but of-
di King Fahd about sensitive Middle
ficials declined to elaborate. One
East matters, senior U.S. officials
official said the letter was a reply to
said yesterday.
a congratulatory note from the emir
The disclosure by officials who
on the conduct of the war and dealt
insisted on anonymity ended sev-
with "the political and economic
eral days of speculation about
challenges in Kuwait."
where Scowcroft had gone, but not
uncertainty about the topics dis-
Smith reported from Washington,
cussed. A source said the topics
Devroy from Islamorada, Fla. Staff
writer Al Kamen contributed to this
were considered too sensitive for
report.
routine exchanges by lower-ranking
officials or embassy staffs.
White House deputy spokesman
Roman Popadiuk said yesterday he
was not authorized to provide any
information about the trip. Senior
officials said last Friday that Scow-
croft and Richard Haass, the senior
director for Near East and South
Asian affairs, had departed Washing-
ton for the Middle East on March 26
and returned two days later.
Officials said yesterday the visit
was requested by Fahd to discuss
certain matters about the future of
the Middle East in the aftermath of
the allied victory over Iraqi military
forces occupying Kuwait. One senior
official said he understood that Scow-
croft's trip focused on questions in-
volving the Middle East peace pro-
cess and was "a follow-up" to Secre-
tary of State James A. Baker III's
March 8-14 trip to the region.
The secrecy surrounding the trip
comes as the Bush administration is
trying to ease Arab-Israeli tensions,
invigorate negotiations on Palestin-
ian autonomy and reach agreement
on new security arrangements for
the Middle East. The administration
has been unusually cautious about
discussing its plans for the region
prior to a United Nations vote ex-
Page
3.
White House News Summary
Tuesday, April 2, 1991 -- A-2
U.S. TO MEET WITH KURDISH OPPOSITION FIGURES
Administration officials plan to meet this week with Kurdish
opposition figures who are trying to overthrow Saddam Hussein, a
State Department spokesman said Monday.
Spokesman Richard Boucher said the meeting is at the request
of Kurdish leaders and it does not signal a departure from U.S.
policy of staying away from Iraq's internal affairs.
"We received several meeting requests from Iraqi opposition
figures," Boucher said. "We're evaluating those requests. We
anticipate that some meetings probably will take place this week
and probably with officials of the (State Department's) Near East
Bureau.
"
(Frank Csongos, UPI)
SCOWCROFT TALKS WITH SAUDI KING DISCLOSED
Officials Say Aide Discussed Sensitive Mideast Matters
On Unannounced Trip Last Week
White House national security adviser Brent Scowcroft and a
senior White House aide flew to Saudi Arabia last week for talks
with Saudi King Fahd about sensitive Middle East matters, senior
U.S. officials said Monday.
The disclosure by officials who insisted on anonymity ended
several days of speculation about where Scowcroft had gone, but not
uncertainty about the topics discussed. A source said the topics
were considered too sensitive for routine exchanges by lower-
ranking officials or embassy staff
Sources also disclosed Monday that President Bush wrote last
weekend to the emir of Kuwait, Sheik Jaber Ahmed Sabah, but
officials declined to elaborate. One official said the letter was
a reply to a congratulatory note from the emir on the conduct of
the war and dealt with "the political and economic challenges in
Kuwait.
(R. Jeffrey Smith & Ann Devroy, Washington Post, A16)
Scowcroft Went To Talk With Saudis, U.S. Says
President Bush's national security adviser, Brent Scowcroft,
traveled to Saudi Arabia last week for high-level security
consultations requested by senior advisers to King Fahd, according
to administration officials
One official sought to downplay the sensitivity of the trip
and any reasons for shrouding Scowcroft's agenda in secrecy. The
official said the Saudis wanted to hold consultations before King
Fahd and other members of the royal court departed for Mecca for
the final weeks of Ramadan.
Another official said the Saudi have been anxious to focus the
Bush administration more intensely on its commitment to making
progress in the peace process between Israel and its traditional
Arab foes.
(Patrick Tyler, New York Times, A9)
-more-
4/3/91
THE WASHINGTON POST
DATE:
PAGE:
The Unsettling Calm
of Dick Cheney
1
he has a reputation among his oppo-
Defense's Civilian Chief and Seasoned
nents for getting a little nasty in the
clinches? Or is it simply that Cheney,
ever wary of the kind of verbal mis-
step that embarrassed Schwarzkopf
Washington Hand, Playing It Cool
last week, has pulled back, to watch
and await his opportunity? "I'm very
much a fatalist about the future." he
"And he played high school football," says her
says smoothly. "I don't spend a lot of
By Phil McCombs
husband.
time worrying about what I'm going
Washington Post Staff Writer
"And Lynne was homecoming queen," says
to do next."
S a regular matter, Dick Cheney
Marjorie.
He just turned 50, yet seems al-
A
does much of the family grocery
ready to have been around Washing-
shopping, and the cooking too.
ton forever. Dick and Lynne moved
During the war he didn't do as much
Having moved to Defense from the number
here in 1968 when he took a congres-
of this, of course, because he was
two Republican spot in the House, that of party
sional internship, rented an apart-
busy. But the other day he and his wife, Lynne,
whip, Cheney was surefootedly political
ment in Annandale and settled in to
were back at the shopping center in McLean,
throughout the Persian Gulf crisis, massaging
write their doctoral dissertations (his:
just like any other suburban couple on a
congressional egos and delivering a barrage of
models of congressional roll call vot-
Saturday morning, and he was loading his shirts
speeches in support of the president's policies.
ing; hers: influence of Kant on the po-
in the car in front of the cleaner's when an old
Just before the ground offensive, he asked Hill
etry of Arnold). Six years later, at 34,
guy pulled up and said, "Are you who I think you
leaders in charge of defense issues-including
he became Gerald Ford's chief of
are?" "Well, I'm the secretary of defense,"
Sens. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) and John Warner
staff, and began working closely with
Cheney replied in his usual understated way.
(R-Va.)-to make a secret visit to the gulf and
Brent Scowcroft, who was then, as
And the old guy got out and said, "I just feel
report back, which they did. They were happy
now, the president's national security
really proud of what happened in the Persian
to be asked.
adviser. Pictures from the time show
Gulf."
"Believe me," said one participant, "there was
young Cheney with a worried, almost
The same sort of thing happened when he
a sigh of relief on Capitol Hill that John Tower
sour look on his face. "I'm SO proud of
went into Crown Books to stock up on the
wasn't there during the sensitive business of
him." Ford says today, "because I
histories and biographies he favors but hasn't
using these troops and balancing it with
knew him when he was a young man."
had time for. And in the Gourmet Giant the
Cheney "hired" Jim Baker, as he
diplomacy." (Humor among the big boys: After
guys behind the meat and fish counter even
Cheney was "inducted" into his Pentagon job in
puts it, to chair Ford's '76 campaign.
made up a "thank you" card for him with a little
and after the defeat ("White House
the spring of '89 following the Tower fiasco,
American flag pasted inside. Although, as Ken
Adelman offered him a beer. "Beer, hell,"
Chief of Staff Richard Cheney is
Adelman, the conservative arms control
blamed by Ford insiders for a succes-
Cheney said, "I'll have a double Scotch.") When
intellectual who is one of Cheney's old buddies
sion of campaign blunders," Evans
Saudi King Fahd was less than enthusiastic
and not a man to let any slight irony go
and Novak reported) began his mete-
about the proposed influx of U.S. forces last
unremarked, notes, "There was dried meat juice
onc career in the House. Lynne went
August, it was Cheney the president dispatched
on it."
on to the chairmanship, today, of the
to perform the delicate arm-twist.
While the warplanes were bombing Baghdad,
National Endowment for the Humani-
When the war was over, America
Cheney still managed to be home by 8 or 8:30
ties. Their friend Adelman, who be-
seemingly stood atop golden hours.
most nights, chatting about his day with Lynne
came chief of the Arms Control and
Bush basked in his 91 percent approv-
over dinner, hearing about hers. Weekends,
Disarmament Agency under Reagan,
al rating, Powell was being touted
they sometimes got in some tennis with Ken
now hangs his hat at the Institute for
for-at least-vice president, and
and Carol Adelman, and one Sunday the couples
Contemporary Studies, a conserva-
two publishing houses were schedul-
drove out to L'Auberge Chez Francois for a
tive think tank on K Street where-
ing instant books on Stormin' Norman
leisurely brunch, getting pleasantly lost in the
as he sits spinning yarns about Che-
Schwarzkopf, the growling, tender-
ney to a reporter-Vice President
Virginia countryside for a couple of hours on the
hearted commander of Desert Storm.
Quayle telephones him to shoot the
way back. All in all, though, he didn't get out
But where was Cheney?
breeze.
much, because people tended to worry: Lord,
"Wow, Cheney?" exclaimed an aide
who's running the war?
You start to get the picture of a
to former defense secretary Frank
Indeed, at the Pentagon. Cheney and Gen.
tight little group. Carol Adelman has
Carlucci, who with Cheney, Adelman
Colin Powell. chairman of the Joint Chiefs,
become a high official at the Agency
and Donald Rumsfeld had been a
seemed so unfailingly cool and competent when
for International Development and
bright young Nixonaut at the Office of
they appeared on television to explain the action
Elizabeth Cheney, Dick and Lynne's
Economic Opportunity, where they
oldest daughter, works for her. And
that a jittery nation was soothed. There was the
set about dismantling the poverty
so on.
immediate sense that here was no new
program. "We've had 500 requests
American Desert Screw-Up. Here, finally, was
The old Cheney-Scowcroft-Baker
for interviews about Powell. This is
ties are one reason the war was
some fahrvergnuegen you could get into, tanks
the first one for Cheney."
that worked, choppers that flew, bombs that
aged so seamlessly. Baker could:-
Talk about low profile.
bothered getting uptight when Che-
were smart.
Here's a man who's ambitious, re-
Even Cheney's mom and dad, back home in
ney did the Fahd thing. And Bush
spected by his party and whose name
Casper, Wyo., were impressed. "We had mixed
likes it this way-his own manage-
keeps popping up as a presidential
ment style tends toward the informal.
feelings on the whole thing when it started,"
possible for '96. So why hasn't he as-
admits Richard Cheney Sr., a retired U.S. soil
"There was never a time." Cheney
cended to hero status? Was he too
conservation official, "and were more than
says, "when I went to the president
cool on the tube, not human enough.
agreeably surprised at the progress. It seems
and said, you know. I need call-up au-
less than charismatic? Is it that it's
unbelievable they can run around that sandpile
thority. you've got to sign an execu-
tough to get a patriotic lump in your
like that."
tive order so I can call up 250,000 re-
throat about a desk-chair warrior who
"Be sure to put in there that he was senior
servists,' when the president
had so many draft deferments during
class president," adds Marjorie Cheney.
wouldn't do it. "Done! No problem!"
Vietnam that it takes all the fingers
on one hand to count them? Is it that
DATE:
4/3/91
THE WASHINGTON POST
certainly never call him beefy, but it's
PAGE:
clunt
Sure, friends say today, Dick would
suddenly clear how he could have
make a great president himself-if it
two men-at a time that may well be
captained the team at Natrona Coun-
weren't for those three heart attacks
remembered as a turning point in
ty High.
(the first at 37), and the quadruple by-
their careers, and perhaps in Ameri-
And how he could have had the by-
pass June of '88), or the fact that
can history-yet without pause he
pass surgery-so goes the spin-not
Wyoming has only three electoral
screeches verbally onward, like the
because his life was threatened by
votes.
political science professor he once
the repeated heart attacks or be-
Or, they say, he'd make a great
wanted to be, with his analysis: "It
cause he internalized stress or any-
was a very important moment for
House speaker, a job he always want-
thing, but so he could "safely engage
him because it meant the decision
in his rather vigorous lifestyle," as his
ed, except the Democrats seem to
he'd made-and ultimately it's his
physician, Allan M. Ross, put it to the
have it permanently locked.
decision, the rest of us only give ad-
Senate committee considering the
So Cheney is back cruising the
vice-we had been able, it looked
nomination: the six-day backpacking
aisles of the Gourmet Giant, taking
like we were going to pull off the
trips into the wilderness with Baker
morning walks with his wife, planning
ground campaign with minimal loss of
and Republican consultant Stu Spen-
his next fly-fishing trip to Wyoming.
life on our side, which is something
cer; the skiing out West last year,
And, at work, getting the boys and
that a president always thinks of."
"way too fast" according to one ob-
girls home, making postwar security
server, at 14,000 feet with the tem-
He sips, silently, from his glass of
arrangements in the gulf and hunker-
Diet Coke.
perature at 20 below.
ing down for the budget battle with
"You become very much aware of
What to make of all this? Perhaps
Congress.
your own mortality," he says of his
it's simply that, as Charles Levendos-
Part of the Eternal Government.
heart problem. "When you're 37
ky, editorial page editor of the Cas-
Heart and Mind
years old and you have a heart attack,
per Star-Tribune, puts it, "People out
it's a total surprise.
It leads you
here in Wyoming like the understated
Of all the president's close advis-
to question what you're doing and
rather than the overstated."
ers, Cheney was said to be the most
why you're doing it. It happened in
hawkish, prepared to ride the stallion
the middle of my first campaign for
Getting Serious
of battle all the way to the Apoca-
Congress, and I spent about six
Before the interview, there had
lypse. But suppose things hadn't gone
weeks recovering before I could go
been warnings not to attempt conver-
so well, and those 16,099 olive-drab,
back out on the campaign trail." He
sation with Cheney about his emo-
chloroprene-coated body bags the
had considered medical advice to
tions, that he's very private. "He's
Pentagon ordered had been needed?
change his lifestyle, but concluded
not going to respond to feeling-type
Would Dick Cheney still be cruising
questions," advised Pete Williams,
for Lean Cuisine, still defending pres-
that "it was really important to do
the Pentagon spokesman. "The Life
ident and policy?
what you wanted to be doing
that
magazine guys were in here and they
Absolutely.
coronary artery disease was some-
would hold up a picture from his trip
"The first obligation of the federal
thing you managed."
to Saudi Arabia and say, 'How did you
government," he says flatly, "is to
Like war.
feel at this time? and that just didn't
provide for the national security."
In his cavernous office, Cheney al-
work at all. The interview was going
This, he believes. In speeches during
lows himself to sink into a comfort-
nowhere."
the war, he'd joked about himself: the
able slouch for the 25-minute ap-
Nor will the Cheneys receive a re-
congressman who never saw a weap-
pointment. He sips caffeine-free Diet
porter in their McLean home, warns
ons system he didn't love. Now, in an
Coke, though not from the can. On a
another spokesman. Whatever his
interview in his Pentagon office, Che-
table is a football, somewhere off to
emotional landscape, Cheney has
ney presents his usual competent,
the side a silently flickering TV;
clearly decided not to reveal it a la
low-profile image, talking with amaz-
there's an aura of dark wood panel-
Stormin' Norman, the decorated,
ing speed, as if he were reading aloud
ing, deep leather. He's looking at you
wounded Vietnam veteran who
from an article in Foreign Affairs, his
squarely through gold-rimmed glass-
choked up publicly over the fate of his
head cocked to one side, then the
es, and it's impossible to discern the
troops and bemoaned the "profanity"
other, words spewing in a soft ma-
color of his eyes.
of war.
chine-gun monotone from a bunched
Asked to recount his worst mo-
Cheney's all there, his friends
spot somewhere toward the side of
ments during the gulf crisis, he men-
claim, he just doesn't gush. "What
his mouth. One is reluctant to break
tions a number of them, including the
you've seen on television is what I've
eye contact-perhaps the steady
terrible early weeks when Saddam
seen at home," says his wife. "He's
stream of words would suddenly
Hussein could simply have marched
calm, deliberate, not given to speech-
come to a stop like a phonograph
south and taken the Saudi oil fields
ifying in an old-fashioned way, just
when the plug is yanked.
and ports, but didn't. Then there was
"The, uhm, I think the value of
the ground war. "We planned for a
says what he thinks the situation is.
American commitments and our abili-
much worse eventuality than actually
He's an unusual politician, not a
ty to give meaning and substance to
back-slapping kind of guy.
He
occurred," he says of the action that
those commitments in terms of mili-
began at 8 p.m. (Washington time) on
works a room very well, by talking
tary capability is greater today than
Saturday, Feb. 23. Instead of going
about things that are real and seri-
at any time since the end of World
ous. He doesn't do small talk."
into why it was a "worst moment" for
War II," he says in one breath.
him, however, Cheney tells the story
Dick worries privately, she says,
"There can't be any doubt in the
this way: "Sunday morning we went
about how "it's an amazing thing to
minds of our allies around the world
to church with the president across
affect the lives of so many people,
about our capacity and willingness to
Lafayette Park, and in the church
and to send people in harm's way.
use force to keep our commitments,
service he asked me how things
I think the thing that affects him
to protect our interests, to protect
were going, and I passed him a note
most is actually talking to enlisted
those of our friends and allies."
saying they were going well.
people, and he makes a very great ef-
And this guy flunked out of Yale.
"He then invited me [back at the
fort, when he travels, to break out of
"Uhm," he continues, "the military
the envelope of generals and talk to
White House] to come upstairs. The
itself, as an institution in the United
people doing the hard, slogging work.
president had his wife and family with
States, stands higher today than it
Talking with those young people
him, and I took my wife and daughter
has at any time since World War II. A
(during a trip to Saudi Arabia] was a
upstairs and had coffee after the
lot of the criticism that was part and
particularly affecting experience-
church service, and then I went back
parcel of the '70s and '80s-uh, stu-
just what fine young people they are.
in the back room and I gave him a
pid generals, uh, equipment that
to shake their hand and feel their
read-out, the report I had at that
doesn't work, uh, idiots running the
pride."
point from Norm, which was that the
Pentagon who don't know what
Meet Dick Cheney: a People Per-
they're doing-clearly wasn't valid."
campaign was going extraordinarily
son.
well.
It was obviously a great re-
Cheney is wearing his accustomed
Adelman calls back at one point to
lief to the president to know that it
conservative suit, white shirt and
offer a delicate adjustment on this
striped tie over a pair of spit-shined
had gone that well, but also that the
theme: "Dick's always less geo-stra-
cost had been minimal in terms of
Luccheses that you don't notice till
U.S. casualties. As I recall, he said,
he crosses his legs. He's not quite a
'You know, that's great news.'
short man, and seems heftier up close
than the TV images of his abstracted
No kidding. Cheney has chosen to
talking head would suggest. You'd
reveal this private moment between
page
26
THE WASHINGTON POST
DATE:
4/3/91
PAGE:
Clcont
tegic, in that he would talk a lot more
So, he explains, "I left and went to
on the horrors of Kuwait. It was kind
work. Spent a couple years building
Cheney's relentless partisanship
of that, "This occupation is terrible.'
broke the surface when he issued a
power line transmission [towers] out
Kind of a moral crusade. He's a politi-
in the West, then got serious about
155-page minority report as a mem-
cian, a guy who relates to people
getting married, and it was clear that
ber of the congressional Iran-contra
rather than balancing triangles like
Lynne wasn't going to marry a line-
committee, rejecting the committee's
Schlesinger and Kissinger and some
man for the county. I had to go make
condemnation of the Reagan adminis-
of these guys in the field traditionally.
McNamara was one of those. With
something of myself if I was going to
tration and asserting that there had
been "no systematic disrespect for
consummate the relationship, and so
Dick the war was always on a very
the 'rule of law.'
I went back to school at the Universi-
personal level. 'This is the right thing
ty of Wyoming and finished up a BA
But always-in public at least-
to do. Real people are involved.'
and a master's there and then went
the flat, calm exterior.
Cheney's admiration for these fine
to [the University of] Wisconsin and
"Never loses his cool," says his
young Americans in uniform, howev-
did all the work for my doctorate ex-
buddy Carlucci.
er, can't quite burn with the same
cept the dissertation."
Never?
warmth one would feel from having
School records show that, while
Of their regular Sunday morning
been there. As a student, he enjoyed
tennis games, Adelman says, "We've
four 2-S draft deferments from 1963
Cheney may have spent a couple
beat them for 15 years solid. They
through '65, and a fifth in 1966 under
years on power line jobs, he also
get such a thrill out of winning a
the 3-A classification-"registrant
maintained an unbroken student sta-
point."
with a child or children; or registrant
tus from January '63, when he en-
deferred by reason of extreme hard-
"Adelman," says Cheney, "he lies
tered Casper Community College (he
ship to dependents."
about his tennis game."
didn't mention it in the interview,
Those were frightening times for
Adelman: "The only time Dick was
perhaps because he was there only
draft-eligible American men. Con-
really furious with me was on the
one semester), through January '67,
gress had approved the Tonkin Gulf
court. Dick's a little wild on the
when he turned 26 and was no longer
Resolution on Aug. 7. 1964 (coinci-
court, winds up like crazy. Well, one
eligible for the draft. He later aban-
dentally, Dick and Lynne married 22
time when he served, Carol got hit in
doned his dissertation when Rums-
days later), and in March of '65 U.S.
the stomach, got the wind knocked
Marines landed at Danang in the Re-
feld, impressed by a memo Cheney
out of her. And I said to her-it was
wrote while a congressional intern,
public of South Vietnam. After six
a joke-in hushed, worried tones,
hired him to come to the Office of
years of study at three colleges, Che-
'Does Dick know your condition?'
Economic Opportunity.
ney had just received his B.A. when
And he just about fainted. Then she
the troops went in, and was starting
"In terms of the qualification for
said to me, 'You jerk, why'd you do
on his master's when, along with his
the current job," he says now, "I'm
that?' And Dick turned to me and
brand-new diploma, he received a
the fourth civilian, the fourth secre-
said, "That really was not funny.' He
brand-new 1-A draft classification on
tary who has no prior military ser-
was really mad."
May 19-"available for military ser-
vice. It's a civilian job, and so I've
Usually the guy doesn't get mad,
vice."
never felt it a hindrance of any kind.
he just has heart attacks?
On July 28, President Johnson an-
"I get paid to go find people to give
Adelman: "Every time he's behind
nounced that draft calls would be
me military advice, not to be one of
in the polls, he pulls the heart attack
doubled, and toward the end of the
them that offers military advice."
trick. They're all in August or Sep-
year-on Oct. 26, 1965-the Selec-
tember, all in even years."
tive Service lifted the ban against
Losing and Winning
In 1983, the Cheneys coauthored a
drafting childless married men. Nine
During his decade on the Hill, Che-
book, "Kings of the Hill: Power and
months and two days later-on July
ney was also the congressman who
Personality in the House of Repre-
28, 1966-Elizabeth Cheney made
never saw a welfare program he
sentatives," a historical study of im-
her entrance into this world, the
didn't hate. He had a reputation
portant House leaders. They conclud-
first-born child of her joyful parents.
among Republicans as a go-along,
ed, among other things, that "a future
Times being what they were, the
get-along guy. With a 90 percent rat-
leader will identify aspects of the in-
new father hadn't hesitated in apply-
ing from the American Conservative
stitution that can be used as instru-
ing for his 3-A status-in fact, he had
Union and a 4 percent from Ameri-
ments of leadership, although their
already received it on Jan. 19, 1966,
cans for Democratic Action, he pre-
potential has heretofore gone unno-
when Lynne was about 10 weeks
sented a public persona as principled
ticed or been unrealized."
pregnant.
yet nonabrasive-what Andrew Mel-
As he faces a battle with Congress
"I had other priorities in the '60s
nykovych, who covered him for the
over the shape of the mandated 25
than military service," Cheney told a
Star-Tribune, calls "this image as a
percent cut in U.S. military forces
reporter two years ago.
pragmatic moderate. He wasn't aloof,
over the next several years, Cheney
In his Senate confirmation hearing,
but he kept his personal and profes-
says he's already identified one thing
he asserted that he "would have obvi-
sional life separate. What I always got
that will come in handy.
ously been happy to serve had I been
from him was a clear sense of pur-
"It helps," he says, grinning, "to
called."
pose."
have just won a war."
Early in his academic career, be-
Others, Democrats in particular.
fore the draft began breathing down
got something else. "He's able to ap-
his neck, he admits to having goofed
pear so cool and rational, but there's
off. "I flunked out" of Yale, he says.
this other side," says a former con-
Given a scholarship by the university,
gressional aide who witnessed pri-
he entered in the fall of '59 and with-
vate meetings between Cheney and
drew, according to a university
other members of Congress on aid to
spokesman, on June 14, 1962. Che-
the Nicaraguan contras. "There was
ney says his grades fell "too low for
a harshness, that sneer he'd get, sort
me to be able to sustain the economic
of attributing bad motives to his op-
assistance the school was providing."
ponents, that you were suspect, that
"I was not well organized in my
you were pro-Communist. There was
youth," he says.
I really didn't
venom-he made some very vicious
like it, I didn't like the East, I wasn't
remarks. He scares me." This former
a good student.
I don't like to
aide asked not to be identified. citing
blame the university. It wasn't their
Cheney's popularity and success in
fault. I just wasn't prepared to buckle
the war.
down."
page
27
(c) Copyright 1991, National Broadcasting Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
PLEASE CREDIT ANY QUOTES OR EXCERPTS FROM THIS NBC
TELEVISION PROGRAM TO "NBC NEWS' MEET THE PRESS."
NBC News
MEET THE PRESS
Sunday, April 7, 1991
GUEST:
BRENT SCOWCROFT
Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs
MODERATOR:
Garrick Utley - NBC News
PANEL:
Elizabeth Drew - The New Yorker
Tim Russert - NBC News
...
This is a rush transcript provided
for the information and convenience
of the press. Accuracy is not
guaranteed. In case of doubt,
please check with
MEET THE PRESS - NBC NEWS
(202) 885-4598
(Sundays: (202) 885-4200)
P.01
15:48 NNS
MEET THE PRESS - April 7, 1991
1
MR. UTLEY: Hello, again, and welcome to "Meet the Press." Today, war and responsibility.
What happens now that Iraq has accepted the formal end of the war? What does the United States owe
those who stood up to Saddam Hussein these past weeks and are now paying the price? Our guest
today is Brent Scowcroft, the president's national security adviser.
(Announcements)
MR. UTLEY: International politice and individual human tragedy, that is what we are
witnessing this weekend; hundreds of thousands of refugees continue to flee the rule and the repression
of Saddam Hussein Iraq has accepted the tough U.N. conditions of a permanent cease-fire; and
Secretary of State Baker is in the Middle East on a sudden new mission
A lot to talk about this morning with our guest, National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft, who
is in Houston with the president today. And with me here in Washington are Elizabeth Drew of The
New Yorker Magazine, and Tim Russert, Washington Bureau Chief of NBC News.
Good morning, General, thank you for being with us.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Good morning, Garrick
MR. UTLEY: General, Lraq yesterday, this weekend, has accepted the formal U.N. cease-fire,
in effect the terms of surrender, but expresses some reservations about that. Does this concern you or
do you take the Iraqi response to be an unequivocal acceptance of the cease-fire and the end of the war?
MR. SCOWCROFT: I think we really have to wait and see. We've looked at the very long
letter from the Iraqis; it was addressed, of course, to the secretary general, and it will be up to the
Security Council to decide whether it's acceptable. In the last paragraph, the letter does say that Iraq
has no choice but to accept. But whether or not some of the complaints up in the front are really
conditions will have to be worked out.
MR. UTLEY: Yesterday, the president said that he was encouraged by the Iraqi response.
Assuming that this is an acceptance and the U.N. accepts the Iraqi response, what does this mean in
terms of the American position on the ground in southern Iraq? The president says he wants to bring
the troops home more quickly. What's the time-table in your view?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, those troops in southern Iraq have been thinned out already; and
once the cease-fire is accepted, once the blue-helmeted troops from the United Nations observer force
are put in place, then the withdrawal of those troops can be completed. and I think, as the president
said yesterday, we're talking about days, not weeks or months.
MR. UTLEY: Elizabeth?
MS. DREW: General Scowcroft, when the president said on February 15th. the date of Saddam
Hussein's first peace feeler, that now is the time for the Iraqi people to take matters into their own
hands and replace their government, was he just specifically addressing the military and perhaps the
Ba'athist elite? And should the Kurds and Shi'ites have understood that he didn't mean them?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, I think one has to put this in the context of the overall policy,
Elizabeth. While the president has said that one way to solve the problem was for the--I think he said
NEWS TRANSCRIPTS, INC. (202) 682-9050
15:48
Nns
16-2
MEET THE PRESS- April 7, 1991
2
specifically the army and the people of Iraq to take matters into their own hands-he also said explicitly
it was not a goal of the United States or the coalition to remove Saddam Hussein from power. And
he constantly reiterated that, and also said that the United States supported the territorial integrity
of Iraq. So that on the one hand he said there can be no normal relations with Iraq as long as Saddam
Hussein is there, but it was not an objective of this operation to remove him from power.
MS. DREW: But he's explicitly-he made it clear that he would not mind at all, he would not
weep, and 80 on, if that happened. Were any positive steps taken to tell the Kurds: if you rise up,
that's fine, but don't expect us to give you any military help or protection?
MR. SCOWCROFT: I don't-I don't think that we said, no, don't rise up or you will get nothing
from us-but I think the president made that clear in all his public statements that we would not take
any steps to promote the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
MS. DREW: But were there not broadcasts and other activities to encourage them to rise up?
MR. SCOWCROFT: There may have been from Saudi Arabia and maybe Radio Cairo.
MR. RUSSERT: General, wasn't 1t the Voice of Free Iraq, which had been in part subsidized
by the C.I.A.?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, I'm not going to talk about any intelligence operations.
MR. RUSSERT: Well, did the president then not sign a finding in January encouraging
psychological warfare in attempts to overthrow Saddam Hussein?
MR. SCOWCROFT: I'm not going to talk about what the president did or did not do in
intelligence operations, but what I'm saying is that this policy was consistent in all its aspects.
MR. RUSSERT: Let me try this. What would you say this morning, as President Bush's
representative, to the million Kurds who are fleeing the country? What message would you send them
from the United States?
MR. SCOWCROFT: The message I would send them right now is that we will do our best to
help them (a) survive, and (b) to be able to return to their homes. Whether that will be possible will
depend on circumstances.
MR. UTLEY: General, these refugees are not really in our control, But the situation in
southern Iraq is totally different. There are thousands of Iraqis who have fled to the areas controlled
by American force because they're afraid of what will happen in terms of Saddam's reprisals.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Yes.
MR. UTLEY: When our forces move out, we're going to face a very difficult moral and ethical
situation and question. Do we turn these people back over to the Iraqis? Do we take-
MR. SCOWCROFT: We will not-excuse me.
NEWS TRANSCRIPTS, INC. (202) 682-9050
20'd
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MEET THE PRESS April 7, 1991
3
MR. UTLEY: Or do we take them with us? What will our policy be?
MR. SCOWCROFT: We will not abandon those people. My recollection is there's some 40,000
in the southern zone; and whether or not they would be moved down to the border in the demilitarized
zone, I don't know. But they will not be abandoned.
MR. UTLEY: So they will not be forced to go back under Iraqi control?
MR SCOWCROFT: No, they will not.
MR. UTLEY: Who will take care of them, then? Is it the Saudie, the Kuwaits, American
support-because they have their lives to lead, these 40,000?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, that still has to be worked out. You know, what we've done is
launch an emergency effort-this applies primarily to the Kurds. The U.S. forces are taking care of
those in the south. But for the long term we do have a major problem in dealing with all of the
refugees.
There are also very large numbers in Iran, and that is something for the United Nations,
certainly with our enthusiastic help, to sort out, We don't have all'the answers right now.
MR. UTLEY: As you, the president, then, your circle of top advisers look back on the events
of the past week, would you share the sentiment of many Americans in this country that the
administration has led more with its head rather than its heart-and that if you had to do it over again
you might have taken a different approach on this human crisis?
MR SCOWCROFT: Well, it's a real tragedy. There's no question about it, and it's horrible
to see the pictures of innocent people being savaged or even killed. But the policy has to be clear-and
for us to get involved in a civil war in Iraq means occupying it, means replacing the government,
means setting up a new government which undoubtedly would be overthrown as soon as the coalition
troops left. That's a horrible morass which to get in, and from a policy standpoint it's just
unacceptable.
MRS. DREW: Would you and the president like to see the emir of Kuwait set a date for
parliamentary elections soon?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well. I think what we're trying to do is have the Kuwaitis put their own
house in order rather than to have Uncle Sam stage-managing any kind of process. We hope that that
process gets under way. You have not only the problem of elections but the problem of forming a
government. And the timing of elections has a lot to do with who's prepared to serve in a government
and how that long that government would act. So it's a complicated situation, I would think.
MRS. DREW: But do we feel fairly strongly that they should have these elections?
MR. SCOWCROFT: They're under no doubt how we feel. But, as I say, I think it should not
be a managed-in-Washington operation. but managed from Kuwait City.
NEWS TRANSCRIPTS, INC. (202) 682-9050
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15:49 Nns 16-2 RPR-
MEET THE PRESS April 7, 1991
4
MRS. DREW: How do you feel about the behavior of the emir and his top people since the end
of the war?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Oh, I don't think it matters how I feel about it, Elizabeth I think the
important thing is that there's a tragic situation there, that they're trying to put their lives back in
order, they're trying to learn from the experiences that they've had and to shape a life which would
be better for all their people. And I think they should be allowed some time to sort that out for
themselves.
MR RUSSERT: General, let me follow up on Garrick's question about the events of the past
week. Watching these pictures of the Kurds, and they're chanting "Hajji Bush" and now feeling that
they had been betrayed, has all that dampened the after-glow of the military victory?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, it certainly is a terrible problem which has ensued, very likely as
a result of the military victory. But I think one has to remember that Iraq has had a turbulent
political history, at least since 1958 when the last king was overthrown and killed. And it has been-it
has had the surface of tranquility because of the brutal repression of Saddam Hussein.
MR. UTLEY: Well, I want to follow up on this point, though-Tim's point, too--because many
people look at what's happening there right now, our policy, our attitude towards Saddam Hussein.
It seems we're trying to accomplish two things. We want to maintain the territorial integrity of Iraq;
we don't want it to be come a new Lebanon-we've stated that many times. At the same time, we want
to have Saddam out of power. But in effect we're letting them guarantee the integrity of Iraq by
putting down this rebellion, and then hoping that one day he may be out of power.
Isn't the first in many ways sort of betrayal of those who've been rebelling, the second nothing
more than a distant hope?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, those policies are in some respect in contradiction. But I think you
could argue, Garrick, that as long as the internal turbulence continues, there is actually less chance
that Saddam Hussein would be replaced by those with actually the power to do it because neither the
army nor the Ba'athist Party nor the power elements in the country want to see Iraq split up. So
they're probably all joining together to deal with the insurgents.
MR. UTLEY: All right, General, there are many contradictions and problems to face in that
part of the world. We'll get to some of the other questions in just a moment. We'll continue here on
"Meet the Press," and we'll be right back.
(Announcements)
MR. UTLEY: We're back now on "Meet the Press." Elizabeth Drew, Tim Russert, and I are
talking with the National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft, who is with the president in Houston
today.
General Scoweroft, a week ago you made a secret trip to the Middle East, met with the Saudi
leaders. Today Secretary of State Baker is in Turkey and then going on to Israel and Arab countries
to talk about the crisis there. What's going on?
MR. SCOWCROFT: What's going on, Garrick, is an attempt to move on the problems of the
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5
Middle East, both those of security and development in the gulf area and dealing with the aftermath
of the war, and also moving on the peace process, where we feel that as a result of the upheavals in
the area there's probably as good a chance to make progress as there has been in the long and tragic
history of that conflict.
MR. UTLEY: All right, that sounds encouraging. Let's be more specific. You did take this trip
yourself under tight security wraps. The secretary's trip has been called on very short notice. What
specifically leads the secretary, Secretary Baker, to think that he can accomplish something on this
trip? Why the rush? There must be something going on that he has learned or heard.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, I think there's a general sense of rush, Garrick, in that we feel that
there is an opportunity now, that there have been changed attitudes as a result of the recent crisis, but
that this window of opportunity, if you will, will not stay open long; and if everyone doesn't move to
take advantage of it, attitudes will slip back into the old intransigent mode. So that's the general
reason for hurry.
MR. UTLEY: Well, two quick follow-up points, do you detect a change in the Israeli position?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, I think the Israelis realize the changed situation, they realize the
new elements: there are new voices in the Arab world, the position of the P.L.O. has changed
dramatically. And I think that the Israelis as well realize that now is the time to try to take
advantage of the situation.
MR. UTLEY: Did you detect any change in the Saudi position when you were there last week,
or a week before last, in terms of recognizing Israel as part of a settlement?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, I'm not going to say where I was, Garrick, but I think on the Arab
side, yes, there is a new recognition of the opportunities; there's also a recognition of the price that's
being paid by that 40-year-old dispute. So I think there is a willingness to entertain ideas. Whether
there is also the willingness to take the hard steps that are necessary on each side is what we have to
find out. And that's the reason that Secretary Baker has returned only such a short time after his first
trip.
MS. DREW: General Scowcroft, just before the break you yourself said that Iraq has had a very
turbulent history and has only been held together by brutality. So let us say that, as the president
wishes, the military takes over or somebody else from the ruling Ba'athist group, will they be able to
hold Iraq together other than through brutality?
MR. SCOWCROFT: I don't know the answer to that question, Elizabeth. The Iraqi political
history since 1958 has been one of being held together by brutality; the kingdom before that, however,
did not operate on that kind of a basis. And hopefully, hopefully, the Iraqi people themselves, all of
them, would have a greater opportunity to begin a political evolution in which they all might play a
constructive role in that country.
MS. DREW: As a matter of curiosity about the history of this period, what was foreseen by way
of an uprising on the part of the Kurds and Shi'ites? Did the administration see that one would
probably happen? What did they expect?
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MR. SCOWCROFT: Oh, I think we thought that was entirely possible with the breakdown of
the tight control by the military, because, as I say, that country had been held peaceful by repression.
The breakdown first came in the south with the destruction by the coalition forces of the military
elements down there. But Saddam Hussein still had over twenty divisions which had played no part
in the conflict in the north. He brought those down to repress the insurgency in the south, thus
withdrawing them from the Kurdish areas, which then rose up, and those forces are now back up in
the north putting down the Kurds.
MR. RUSSERT: General, let me ask you a little bit about your trip. Did you meet with King
Hussein of Jordan during your trip to the Middle East?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, Tim, Tm not going to say what I did, what I didn't do, on this trip.
There are some things which are important to do quietly, out of the eye of the camera. This was one
of them. I think you will probably never see any particular results from it. It was an important
mission. but it was not one of dramatic policy-making nature.
MR. RUSSERT: Can I ask, did you have any discussions regarding the hostages in Lebanon?
MR. SCOWCROFT: No.
MR. RUSSERT: No, you didn't.
MR. UTLEY: General, coming back to the situation now with the Iraqi acceptance of the U.N.
conditions. the formal end of the war, the cease-fire, Iraq has many war planes in neighboring Iran,
Iraq's having stationed them there since the start of the war. As far as we're concerned, they can come
back to Iraq now? And would we then let those fixed-wing aircraft be used in putting down any further
rebellion?
MR. SCOWCROFT: We have not come to any conclusions about the Iranian aircraft-the Iraqi
aircraft in Iran. That's a particular aspect of the general requirement of the cease-fire, which is no
military equipment of any kind should be shipped into Iraq. Now, they ostensibly do have title to it,
but we'll have to deal with that situation.
MR. UTLEY: Well. that's a very tough position we're taking on those Iraqi planes which are
flying the Iraqi flag. although they're today in Iran. Let's get to another specific point-those are the
gunships that have been used. Now, we know the dispute over that Do you have any second thoughts
about the wisdom of not going after the Iraqi gunships and shooting them down?
MR. SCOWCROFT: It would have been very self-satisfying to do BO. We grounded the aircraft,
especially the fixed-wing aircraft. 80 that there could not be the possibility of suicide missions and SO
on, which could harm the coalition forces in southern Iraq.
Now, how we grounded the helicopter gunships, it would have taken the Iraqi forces longer to
do what they've been doing. but it would not have changed the outcome in any respect.
MRS. DREW: General Scowcroft, about that famous interview by General Schwarzkopf, he said
that on the day that it was decided to end overt hostilities that he had recommended that we march
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on. And then later, when the flap grow up about that, he said it had been in the plans.
So I guess the question is..I think it's understood that he was agreed at the end, that everybody
was agreed at the end. And you said that. Did General Schwarzkopf at an earlier time that day or
the day before recommend that we keep going? Or when was this plan changed?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Not to my knowledge. As far as I recall, there was general unanimity
throughout; and that when the military commanders in the field said our mission had been
accomplished that we stopped the firing SQ that there would be no more unnecessary bloodshed.
MRS. DREW: But what did he mean that it had been in the plan?
MR. SCOWCROFT: You'll have to ask General Schwarzkopf.
MR. RUSSERT: In that same interview, General Schwarzkopf said that the United States had
been suckered by allowing the helicopters to continue to fly. In retrospect, wasn't General Schwarzkopf
correct?
MR. SCOWCROFT: I don't know that that's what he said.
MR. RUSSERT: Well, he did
MR. SCOWCROFT: Certainly, the reason they asked to have an exemption for the helicopters
was not the reason for which they subsequently primarily used the helicopters.
MR. RUSSERT: But they have used the helicopters against their own people?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Yes, yes, they have.
MR. UTLEY: All right. General Scowcroft, many more questions, but our time is up. Thank
you very much for being with us today from Houston, Texas.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Thank you, Garrick.
MR. UTLEY: Ln a moment, Elizabeth Drew, Tim Russert and I will be back with some personal
observations.
(Announcements)
MR. UTLEY: Back now-"Meet the Press." Tim, Elisabeth, as we sort out what's happening
after the war, we see the plight of the tragedy, really, of all the refugees; and yet something else is
happening.
We are really accelerating our effort to get the American forces out of there. We're rushing out.
We've won the war, but we know there's trap afterwards. We want to got out as quickly as possible.
This is the way you see it?
MR. RUSSERT: I do, and it's interesting in General Scowcroft's demeanor today-very
concerned, restrained almost. We had this enormous military victory, as you mentioned, and now, as
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we continue to see the destabilization of Iraq, our plan is to get the troops home-and yet what can we
celebrate when we see a million Kurd people in suffering?
MR. UTLEY: There's a problem just sort of letting the chips fall where they may in that
immediate region-even though he said today, interestingly enough, Elizabeth, that we will not turn
those refugees under the American-controlled area in southern Iraq back over to the Iraqis.
MRS. DREW: Well, yes, there's no question that even if the troops come home, there are many
complexities. I find it quite understandable, though, the reluctance to get involved in this civil war.
I mean, the military is very against it; the military is for declaring victory and getting out of there.
But even if we had somehow grounded the helicopters, what other steps could we have taken to keep
the Iraqis from still slaughtering those Kurds? We would have been in the middle of a civil war, and
then what? Responsible for setting up the next government, protecting it?
Horrible as it is to see--and I think there are questions about whether we did encourage the
Kurds--I find it understandable that they don't want to go further.
MR. UTLEY: But, Tim, President Bush knows what the American people want, and they want
the troops back, right?
MR. RUSSERT: They want them home.
MR. UTLEY: And that's why they're coming home?
MR. RUSSERT: Exactly right.
MR. UTLEY: All right. Tim, Elizabeth, thanks for being here this morning.
Finally. yes, there is a word for it, a word for the American decision not to support those
rebelling against Saddam Hussein, a word for what this war was in many ways really about. And that
word is "Realpolitik." policy based more on practical factors rather than moral objectives. There is no
single word for it in English, SO we use the German, which offers precision if not much human comfort.
Now, the fact is, George Bush is a master of "Realpolitik"-it's in his genes, in his fingertips.
That is how he was able to organize the coalition against Saddam Hussein and wage the war, That
is why he went easy, relatively speaking, on the communist leaders in China when they rolled over
the students in Tiananmen Square-and, yes, that is why he has been lukewarm in his support of the
legitimate aspirations of the Baltic republics seeking their freedom from the Soviet Union.
Now, history may show that the president's "Realpolitik" was the right, correct "Politik" in all
of these cases. But this rubs against the American grain: we like to have a moral imperative in our
foreign policy; and we cannot or do not, we are uncomfortable, as we are now.
Yes, Saddam Hussein should answer for crimes against humanity. Yes, we should do more to
provide food, shelter and comfort for the refugees. And, no, George Bush should not have gone off to
Florida, fishing and playing golf while this was all happening on the television screens. As they say
in the circle he grew up in, appearances count.
I'm Garrick Utley. I hope you'll join us this evening for "NBC Nightly News" and again next
week for "Sunday Today" and "Meet the Press."
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SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 1991
P.O. Box 12160, Silver Spring, Md. 20908
VOLUME 90
Moderator: GARRICK UTLEY, NBC News
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MEET THE PRESS
MR. UTLEY: Hello, again, and welcome to "Meet the Press."
Today, war and responsibility. What happens now that Iraq has
accepted the formal end of the war? What does the United States
owe those who stood up to Saddam Hussein these past weeks and
are now paying the price? Our guest today is Brent Scowcroft, the
president's national security adviser.
(Announcements)
MR. UTLEY: International politics and individual human
tragedy, that is what we are witnessing this weekend; hundreds of
thousands of refugees continue to flee the rule and the repression of
Saddam Hussein. Iraq has accepted the tough U.N. conditions of a
permanent cease-fire, and Secretary of State Baker is in the Middle
East on a sudden new mission.
A lot to talk about this morning with our guest, national security
adviser Brent Scowcroft, who is in Houston with the president today.
And with me here in Washington are Elizabeth Drew of The New
Yorker Magazine, and Tim Russert, Washington bureau chief of
NBC News.
Good morning, General, thank you for being with us.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Good morning, Garrick.
MR. UTLEY: General, Iraq yesterday, this weekend, has
accepted the formal U.N. cease-fire, in effect, the terms of
surrender, but expresses some reservations about that. Does
this concern you, or do you take the Iraqi response to be an
unequivocal acceptance of the cease-fire and the end of the
war?
MR. SCOWCROFT: I think we really have to wait and see. We've
looked at the very long letter from the Iraqis; it was addressed, of
course, to the secretary general, and it will be up to the Security
Council to decide whether it's acceptable. In the last paragraph, the
letter does say that Iraq has no choice but to accept. But whether or
1
not some of the complaints up in the front are really conditions will
than moral objectives. There is no single word for it in English, so we
have to be worked out.
use the German, which offers precision if not much human comfort.
MR. UTLEY: Yesterday, the president said that he was
Now, the fact is, George Bush is a master of "Realpolitik" - - it's
encouraged by the Iraqi response. Assuming that this is an
in his genes, in his fingertips. That is how he was able to organize
acceptance and the U.N. accepts the Iraqi response, what
the coalition against Saddam Hussein and wage the war. That is
does this mean in terms of the American position on the
why he went easy, relatively speaking, on the communist leaders in
ground in southern Iraq? The president says he wants to
China when they rolled over the students in Tiananmen Square-
bring the troops home more quickly. What's the timetable in
and, yes, that is why he has been lukewarm in his support of the
your view?
legitimate aspirations of the Baltic republics seeking their freedom
from the Soviet Union.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, those troops in southern Iraq have
been thinned out already; and once the cease-fire is accepted, once
Now, history may show that the president's "Realpolitik" was the
the blue-helmeted troops from the United Nations observer force are
right, correct "Politik" in all of these cases. But this rubs against the
put in place, then the withdrawal of those troops can be completed,
American grain: we like to have a moral imperative in our foreign
and I think, as the president said yesterday, we're talking about
policy; and we cannot or do not, we are uncomfortable, as we are
days, not weeks or months.
now.
Yes, Saddam Hussein should answer for crimes against human-
MR. UTLEY: Elizabeth?
ity. Yes, we should do more to provide food, shelter and comfort for
MS. DREW: General Scowcroft, when the president said on
the refugees. And, no, George Bush should not have gone off to
February 15, the date of Saddam Hussein's first peace feeler,
Florida, fishing and playing golf while this was all happening on the
that now is the time for the Iraqi people to take matters into
television screens. As they say in the circle he grew up in, appearan-
their own hands and replace their government, was he just
ces count.
specifically addressing the military and perhaps the
I'm Garrick Utley. I hope you'll join us this evening for "NBC
Ba'athist elite? And should the Kurds and Shi'ites have un-
Nightly News," and again next week for "Sunday Today" and "Meet
derstood that he didn't mean them?
the Press."
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, I think one has to put this in the
context of the overall policy, Elizabeth. While the president has said
that one way to solve the problem was for the - I think he said
specifically the army and the people of Iraq to take matters into their
own hands - - he also said explicitly it was not a goal of the United
States or the coalition to remove Saddam Hussein from power. And
he constantly reiterated that, and also said that the United States
supported the territorial integrity of Iraq. So that on the one hand he
said there can be no normal relations with Iraq as long as Saddam
Hussein is there, but it was not an objective of this operation to
remove him from power.
MS. DREW: But he's explicitly - - he made it clear that he
would not mind at all, he would not weep, and so on, if that
happened. Were any positive steps taken to tell the Kurds: if
you rise up, that's fine, but don't expect us to give you any
military help or protection?
MR. SCOWCROFT: I don't- - I don't think that we said, no,
don't rise up or you will get nothing from us - but I think the
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2
the tragedy, really, of all the refugees; and yet something else is
president made that clear in all his public statements, that we would
happening.
not take any steps to promote the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
We are really accelerating our effort to get the American forces
MS. DREW: But were there not broadcasts and other ac-
out of there. We're rushing out. We've won the war, but we know
tivities to encourage them to rise up?
there's a trap afterwards. We want to get out as quickly as possible.
This is the way you see it?
MR. SCOWCROFT: There may have been from Saudi Radio and
maybe Radio Cairo.
MR. RUSSERT: I do, and it's interesting in General Scowcroft's
demeanor today - very concerned, restrained almost. We had
MR. RUSSERT: General, wasn't it the Voice of Free Iraq,
this enormous military victory, as you mentioned, and now, as we
which had been in part subsidized by the C.I.A.?
continue to see the destabilization of Iraq, our plan is to get the
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, I'm not going to talk about any intel-
troops home - and yet what can we celebrate when we see a
ligence operations.
million Kurd people in suffering?
MR. RUSSERT: Well, did the president then not sign a
MR. UTLEY: There's a problem just sort of letting the chips fall
finding in January encouraging psychological warfare in at-
where they may in that immediate region even though he said
tempts to overthrow Saddam Hussein?
today, interestingly enough, Elizabeth, that we will not turn those
refugees under the American-controlled area in southern Iraq back
MR. SCOWCROFT: I'm not going to talk about what the presi-
over to the Iraqis.
dent did or did not do in intelligence operations, but what I'm saying
is that this policy was consistent in all its aspects.
MRS. DREW: Well, yes, there's no question that even if the
troops come home, there are many complexities. I find it quite
MR. RUSSERT: Let me try this. What would you say this
understandable, though, the reluctance to get involved in this civil
morning, as President Bush's representative, to the million
war. I mean, the military is very against it; the military is for
Kurds who are fleeing the country? What message would you
declaring victory and getting out of there. But even if we had some-
send them from the United States?
how grounded the helicopters, what other steps could we have taken
MR. SCOWCROFT: The message I would send them right now is
to keep the Iraqis from still slaughtering those Kurds? We would
that we will do our best to help them (a) survive, and (b) to be able to
have been in the middle of a civil war, and then what? Responsible
for setting up the next government, protecting it?
return to their homes. Whether that will be possible will depend on
circumstances.
Horrible as it is to see and I think there are questions about
whether we did encourage the Kurds - I find it understandable
MR. UTLEY: General, these refugees are not really in our
that they don't want to go further.
control. But the situation in southern Iraq is totally dif-
ferent. There are thousands of Iraqis who have fled to the
MR. UTLEY: But, Tim, President Bush knows what the
areas controlled by American force because they're afraid of
American people want, and they want the troops back, right?
what will happen in terms of Saddam's reprisals.
MR. RUSSERT: They want them home.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Yes.
MR. UTLEY: And that's why they're coming home?
MR. UTLEY: When our forces move out, we're going to face
MR. RUSSERT: Exactly right.
a very difficult moral and ethical situation and question. Do
we turn these people back over to the Iraqis? Do we take
MR. UTLEY: All right. Tim, Elizabeth, thanks for being here this
morning.
MR. SCOWCROFT: We will not excuse me.
Finally, yes, there is a word for it, a word for the American
MR. UTLEY: Or do we take them with us? What will our
decision not to support those rebelling against Saddam Hussein, a
policy be?
word for what this war was in many ways really about. And that
MR. SCOWCROFT: We will not abandon those people. My recol-
word is "Realpolitik," policy based more on practical factors rather
lection is there's some 40,000 in the southern zone; and whether or
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3
not they would be moved down to the border in the demilitarized
MRS. DREW: General Scowcroft - about that famous
zone, I don't know. But they will not be abandoned.
interview by General Schwarzkopf, he said that on the day
that it was decided to end overt hostilities that he had recom-
MR. UTLEY: So they will not be forced to go back under
mended that we march on. And then later, when the flap
Iraqi control?
grew up about that, he said it had been in the plans.
MR. SCOWCROFT: No, they will not.
So I guess the question is - - I think it's understood that
MR. UTLEY: Who will take care of them, then? Is it the
he was agreed at the end, that everybody was agreed at the
Saudis, the Kuwaits, American support - because they
end. And you said that. Did General Schwarzkopf at an ear-
have their lives to lead, these 40,000?
lier time that day or the day before recommend that we keep
going? Or when was this plan changed?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, that still has to be worked out. You
know, what we've done is launch an emergency effort - - this
MR. SCOWCROFT: Not to my knowledge. As far as I recall,
applies primarily to the Kurds. The U.S. forces are taking care of
there was general unanimity throughout, and that when the
those in the south. But for the long term we do have a major problem
military commanders in the field said our mission had been ac-
in dealing with all of the refugees.
complished that we stopped the firing so that there would be no more
unnecessary bloodshed.
There are also very large numbers in Iran, and that is something
MRS. DREW: But what did he mean that it had been in the
for the United Nations, certainly with our enthusiastic help, to sort
out. We don't have all the answers right now.
plan?
MR. SCOWCROFT: You'll have to ask General Schwarzkopf.
MR. UTLEY: As you, the president, then, your circle of top
advisers look back on the events of the past week, would you
MR. RUSSERT: In that same interview, General
share the sentiment of many Americans in this country that
Schwarzkopf said that the United States had been suckered
the administration has led more with its head rather than its
by allowing the helicopters to continue to fly. In retrospect,
heart - and that if you had to do it over again you might
wasn't General Schwarzkopf correct?
have taken a different approach on this human crisis?
MR. SCOWCROFT: I don't know that that's what he said.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, it's a real tragedy. There's no question
MR. RUSSERT: Well, he did.
about it, and it's horrible to see the pictures of innocent people being
MR. SCOWCROFT: Certainly, the reason they asked to have an
savaged or even killed. But the policy has to be clear - - and for us
exemption for the helicopters was not the reason for which they
to get involved in a civil war in Iraq means occupying it, means
subsequently primarily used the helicopters.
replacing the government, means setting up a new government
which undoubtedly would be overthrown as soon as the coalition
MR. RUSSERT: But they have used the helicopters against
troops left. That's a horrible morass which to get in, and from a
their own people?
policy standpoint it's just unacceptable.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Yes, yes, they have.
MRS. DREW: Would you and the president like to see the
MR. UTLEY: All right. General Scowcroft, many more questions,
emir of Kuwait set a date for parliamentary elections soon?
but our time is up. Thank you very much for being with us today
from Houston, Texas.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, I think what we're trying to do is have
the Kuwaitis put their own house in order rather than to have Uncle
MR. SCOWCROFT: Thank you, Garrick.
Sam stage-managing any kind of process. We hope that that process
MR. UTLEY: In a moment, Elizabeth Drew, Tim Russert and I
gets under way. You have not only the problem of elections but the
will be back with some personal observations.
problem of forming a government. And the timing of elections has a
(Announcements)
lot to do with who's prepared to serve in a government and how long
that government would act. So it's a complicated situation, I would
MR. UTLEY: Back now - - "Meet the Press." Tim, Elizabeth,
think.
as we sort out what's happening after the war, we see the plight of
4
9
MR. RUSSERT: General, let me ask you a little bit about
your trip. Did you meet with King Hussein of Jordan during
MRS. DREW: But do we feel fairly strongly that they
should have these elections?
your trip to the Middle East?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, Tim, I'm not going to say what I did,
MR. SCOWCROFT: They're under no doubt how we feel. But, as
what I didn't do, on this trip. There are some things which are
I say, I think it should not be a managed-in-Washington operation,
important to do quietly, out of the eye of the camera. This was one of
but managed from Kuwait City.
them. I think you will probably never see any particular results from
MRS. DREW: How do you feel about the behavior of the
it. It was an important mission, but it was not one of dramatic
emir and his top people since the end of the war?
policy-making nature.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Oh, I don't think it matters how I feel about
MR. RUSSERT: Can I ask, did you have any discussions
it, Elizabeth. I think the important thing is that there's a tragic
regarding the hostages in Lebanon?
situation there, that they're trying to put their lives back in order,
MR. SCOWCROFT: No.
they're trying to learn from the experiences that they've had and to
shape a life which would be better for all their people. And I think
MR. RUSSERT: No, you didn't.
they should be allowed some time to sort that out for themselves.
MR. UTLEY: General, coming back to the situation now
MR. RUSSERT: General, let me follow up on Garrick's
with the Iraqi acceptance of the U.N. conditions, the formal
question about the events of the past week. Watching these
end of the war, the cease-fire, Iraq has many war planes in
pictures of the Kurds, and they're chanting "Hajji Bush" and
neighboring Iran, Iraq's having stationed them there since
now feeling that they had been betrayed, has all that dam-
the start of the war. As far as we're concerned, they can come
pened the after-glow of the military victory?
back to Iraq now? And would we then let those fixed-wing
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, it certainly is a terrible problem which
aircraft be used in putting down any further rebellion?
has ensued, very likely as a result of the military victory. But I think
MR. SCOWCROFT: We have not come to any conclusions about
one has to remember that Iraq has had a turbulent political history,
the Iranian aircraft - the Iraqi aircraft in Iran. That's a par-
at least since 1958 when the last king was overthrown and killed.
ticular aspect of the general requirement of the cease-fire, which is,
And it has been - it has had the surface of tranquility because of
no military equipment of any kind should be shipped into Iraq. Now,
the brutal repression of Saddam Hussein.
they situation. ostensibly do have title to it, but we'll have to deal with that
MR. UTLEY: Well, I want to follow up on this point, though
- - Tim's point, too - because many people look at
MR. UTLEY: Well, that's a very tough position we're taking
what's happening there right now, our policy, our attitude
on those Iraqi planes which are flying the Iraqi flag, al-
towards Saddam Hussein. It seems we're trying to ac-
though they're today in Iran. Let's get to another specific
complish two things. We want to maintain the territorial
point - those are the gunships that have been used. Now,
integrity of Iraq; we don't want it to be come a new Lebanon
we know the dispute over that. Do you have any second
- - we've stated that many times. At the same time, we want
thoughts about the wisdom of not going after the Iraqi gun-
to have Saddam out of power. But in effect we're letting them
ships and shooting them down?
guarantee the integrity of Iraq by putting down this rebel-
lion, and then hoping that one day he may be out of power.
MR. SCOWCROFT: It would have been very self-satisfying to do
so. We grounded the aircraft, especially the fixed-wing aircraft, so
Isn't the first in many ways sort of betrayal of those who've
that there could not be the possibility of suicide missions and SO on,
been rebelling, the second nothing more than a distant hope?
which could harm the coalition forces in southern Iraq.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, those policies are in some respect in
Now, had we grounded the helicopter gunships, it would have
contradiction. But I think you could argue, Garrick, that as long as
taken the Iraqi forces longer to do what they've been doing, but it
the internal turbulence continues, there is actually less chance that
would not have changed the outcome in any respect.
Saddam Hussein would be replaced by those with actually the power
to do it because neither the army nor the Ba'athist Party nor the
8
5
power elements in the country want to see Iraq split up. So they're
dramatically. And I think that the Israelis as well realize that now is
probably all joining together to deal with the insurgents.
the time to try to take advantage of the situation.
MR. UTLEY: All right, General, there are many contradictions
MR. UTLEY: Did you detect any change in the Saudi posi-
and problems to face in that part of the world. We'll get to some of
tion when you were there last week, or a week before last, in
the other questions in just a moment. We'll continue here on "Meet
terms of recognizing Israel as part of a settlement?
the Press," and we'll be right back.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, I'm not going to say where I was,
(Announcements)
Garrick, but I think on the Arab side, yes, there is a new recognition
of the opportunities; there's also a recognition of the price that's
MR. UTLEY: We're back now on "Meet the Press." Elizabeth
being paid by that 40-year-old dispute. So I think there is a willing-
Drew, Tim Russert, and I are talking with the national security
ness to entertain ideas. Whether there is also the willingness to take
adviser Brent Scowcroft, who is with the president in Houston today.
the hard steps that are necessary on each side is what we have to
General Scowcroft, a week ago you made a secret trip to
find out. And that's the reason that Secretary Baker has returned
the Middle East, met with the Saudi leaders. Today Secretary
only such a short time after his first trip.
of State Baker is in Turkey and then going on to Israel and
MS. DREW: General Scowcroft, just before the break you
Arab countries to talk about the crisis there. What's going
yourself said that Iraq has had a very turbulent history and
on?
has only been held together by brutality. So let us say that, as
MR. SCOWCROFT: What's going on, Garrick, is an attempt to
the president wishes, the military takes over or somebody
move on the problems of the Middle East, both those of security and
else from the ruling Ba'athist group, will they be able to hold
development in the gulf area and dealing with the aftermath of the
Iraq together other than through brutality?
war, and also moving on the peace process, where we feel that as a
MR. SCOWCROFT: I don't know the answer to that question,
result of the upheavals in the area there's probably as good a chance
Elizabeth. The Iraqi political history since 1958 has been one of
to make progress as there has been in the long and tragic history of
being held together by brutality; the kingdom before that, however,
that conflict.
did not operate on that kind of a basis. And hopefully, hopefully, the
MR. UTLEY: All right, that sounds encouraging. Let's be
Iraqi people themselves, all of them, would have a greater oppor-
more specific. You did take this trip yourself under tight
tunity to begin a political evolution in which they all might play a
security wraps. The secretary's trip has been called on very
constructive role in that country.
short notice. What specifically leads the secretary, Secretary
MS. DREW: As a matter of curiosity about the history of
Baker, to think that he can accomplish something on this
this period, what was foreseen by way of an uprising on the
trip? Why the rush? There must be something going on that
part of the Kurds and Shi'ites? Did the administration see
he has learned or heard.
that one would probably happen? What did they expect?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, I think there's a general sense of rush,
MR. SCOWCROFT: Oh, I think we thought that was entirely
Garrick, in that we feel that there is an opportunity now, that there
possible with the breakdown of the tight control by the military,
have been changed attitudes as a result of the recent crisis, but that
because, as I say, that country had been held peaceful by repression.
this window of opportunity, if you will, will not stay open long; and if
The breakdown first came in the south with the destruction by the
everyone doesn't move to take advantage of it, attitudes will slip
coalition forces of the military elements down there. But Saddam
back into the old intransigent mode. So that's the general reason for
Hussein still had over twenty divisions which had played no part in
hurry.
the conflict in the north. He brought those down to repress the
MR. UTLEY: Well, two quick follow-up points, do you
insurgency in the south, thus withdrawing them from the Kurdish
detect a change in the Israeli position?
areas, which then rose up, and those forces are now back up in the
north putting down the Kurds.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, I think the Israelis realize the
changed situation, they realize the new elements: there are new
voices in the Arab world, the position of the P.L.O. has changed
7
6
1975: Background to
The Washington Post
D3
The New York Times
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
Betrayal
New York Daily News
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
Date
By Daniel Schorr
7 April 1991
"O
UR MOVEMENT and people
decided to keep Secretary of State William P.
are being destroyed in an unbe-
Rogers and the entire State Department in the
lievable way, with silence from
dark. Treasury Secretary John Connally, who
everyone. We feel, Your Excellency, that the
was assuming an important role in the Nixon
United States has a moral and political respon-
re-election campaign, was sent on a secret
sibility towards our people, who have com-
mission to Tehran to inform the shah that the
mitted themselves to your country's policy."
project had been approved.
That could have been written last week to
It carried a $16-million price tag and called
President Bush by Massoud Barzani, leader of
for supplying the Kurds mainly with Soviet
the devastated Kurds. It was, in fact, written
weapons provided by Israel, which was a part-
by his father, the legendary Mustafa Barzani,
ner in the enterprise. The shah could easily
to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger on
have financed the operation himself, but the
March 10, 1975.
Kurds, not trusting him, insisted that the Unit-
It was a cry of anguish to the United States
ed States be the "guarantor." Mustafa Barzani
government, which three years earlier had
was quoted as saying that he "trusted no other
organized a Kurdish insurrection against Sad-
major power," and that, if his cause succeeded,
dam Hussein as a favor by President Nixon to
he was ready for Kurdistan to "become the
the shah of Iran, only to abandon the Kurds to
51st state."
destruction when the Iranian and Iraqi leaders
Barzani expressed great admiration for
settled their border dispute.
Kissinger (who in 1973 asumed the additional
The letter will be found in the suppressed
position of secretary of state). Barzani sent
1976 report of the House Select Committee
Kissinger three rugs and, when he married
on Intelligence, headed by Rep. Otis Pike (D-
Nancy Maginnes, a gold and pearl necklace as
N.Y.), which had investigated the misdeeds of
a wedding gift. Kissinger wrote in a memo to
the CIA. The House, at the urging of Presi-
his assistant, Brent Scowcroft, that the gifts
dent Ford and the CIA, voted to suppress the
should be kept secret because the relationship
report, of which I had a draft. To this day, the
with the Kurds was "extremely sensitive."
draft in my possession contains the only public
For three years the Kurds fought the Iraqi
record of the betrayal of the Kurds and to this
forces, sustaining thousands of casualties.
day, the Pike Report has not been released,
Through the CIA, the U.S. government dis-
"although accounts of it have appeared in the
couraged the Kurds from negotiating a meas-
press.
ure of autonomy with the Iraqi central govern-
ment but also restrained them from undertak-
H
ere, with some deleted names supplied,
ing an all-out offensive. The policy was, says
is the narrative that emerges from the
the Pike report, "that the insurgents simply
Pike report:
continue a level of hostilities sufficient to sap
President Nixon and National Security Ad-
the resources of our ally's neighboring coun-
viser Henry Kissinger, visiting Tehran on May
try."
31, 1972, on their way home from a Moscow
summit, were asked by the shah to arm and
A
White House memo from Kissinger to
CIA Director William E. Colby in Oc-
finance an insurrection of the Iraqi Kurds as a
tober 1973 said that Nixon "concurs in
favor to the Iranian ruler, "who had cooperated
your judgment" that "we do not repeat NOT
with U.S. intelligence agencies and who had
consider it advisable" that the Kurds should
come to feel menaced by his neighbor."
"undertake the offensive military action" which
The covert-action project was put together
had been proposed by Israel. Israel, then at
within weeks by the White House and the CIA
war with the Arabs, had its own reasons to
(headed by Richard Helms, who, a year later,
want the Iraqi forces diverted.
would be observing the operation from the
But by that time, the shah had started mov-
other end as ambassador to Tehran). Kissinger
ing in a different direction. As early as October
CONTINUED
Page
75.
2.
1972, the CIA got wind of overtures towards a
settlement of the border dispute between Iran
and Iraq. But the agency was ordered not to
B
arzani, suffering from cancer, was even-
tually brought to the United States by
inform the Kurdish command and to keep the
the CIA and treated at the Mayo Clinic
Kurds fighting, thus providing the shah with "a
in Minnesota. He told me he had agreed not to
card to play" in his negotiations with Saddam
speak out publicly against the U.S. govern-
Hussein. The Pike report commented, "Even
ment. He also feared for his compatriots who
in the context of covert action, ours was a cyn-
had taken refuge in Iran.
ical enterprise."
His last days were spent in a modest house
On March 5, 1975, without advance word to
in McLean. Before his death. in March 1979;
either the United States government or the
he gave one interview-to New York Times
Kurds, the shah concluded his agreement with
columnist William Safire-in which Barzani
Iraq, which was announced the next day in
said:
Algiers during an OPEC session, and Iran
"We do not want to be anybody's pawns. We
abruptly pulled the plug on the Kurdish insur-
are an ancient people. We want our autonomy:
rection. The Pike report describes what fol-
We want sarbasti-freedom. I do not know
lowed:
who will take my place one day. But they can-
"The insurgents were clearly taken by sur-
not crush us."
prise. Their adversaries, knowing of the im-
Present during the interview was the gen-
pending aid cut-off, launched an all-out search-
eral's young son, Massoud. who, 12 years lat-
and-destroy campaign the day after the agree-
er, would be leading the Kurds into fruitless
ment was signed. The autonomy movement
battle again.
was over and our former clients scattered be-
Daniel Schorr, currently senior news analyst
fore the central government's superior
for National Public Radio, was threatened with
forces."
imprisonment in 1976 for contempt of
A message to the CIA from Kurdish head-
Congress for refusing to disclose how he had
quarters said, "There is confusion and dismay
obtained the suppressed Pike report.
among our people and forces. Our people's
fate in unprecedented danger. Complete de-
struction hanging over our head. No explana-
tion for all of this
The CIA station chief cabled Colby to warn
that if the U.S. government did not "handle
this situation deftly in a way which will avoid
giving the Kurds the impression that we are
abandoning them, they are likely to go public."
Some 200,000 Kurds escaped into Iran, of
whom 40,000 were forcibly. returned to Iraq.
Appeals for humanitarian assistance and for
political asylum in the United States were ig-
nored. The last message recorded in the re-
port was an April 10, 1975, cable from the
CIA station chief in Tehran to Colby, saying:
"If senior Americans like Kissinger who are
aware of their relationship do nothing to help
the Kurds in their present extremity, we may
be sure that they will not lie down quietly to be.
buried without telling their story to the world.
Hence, even if nobody in the State Depart-
ment or Dr. Kissinger cares what happens to
the Kurds, they had better do something to
help them, if only in USG and administration.
interest."
The report tells what happened next: "Help.
never arrived." It quotes a "high U.S. official"
as having remarked to the committee's staff,
"Covert action should not be confused with
missionary work."
Kissinger later denounced the Pike report
as "a collection of distortions and untruths."
76.
The Washington Post
The New York Times
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
Baker visits Iraq
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
USA Today IA
The Chicago Tribune
Date 8 APRIL 1991
refugees today
By Johanna Neuman
USA TODAY
President Bush repeated
he had not misled the rebels
ANKARA, Turkey - Secre-
about assisting them, saying he
tary of State James Baker to-
never implied U.S. use of force
day visits Iraqi refugees on the
"beyond the mandate of the
Turkish border after defending
United Nations."
the U.S. "hands off' policy to-
But Kurdistan Front spokes-
ward the rebels.
man Barham Salih, on ABC's
"We are not prepared to go
This Week With David Brink-
down the slippery slope into
ley, said Bush's "call for the
a civil war," said Baker. "How-
Iraqi people to rise" against
ever, we cannot be indifferent
Saddam was interpreted as
to human suffering in Iraq,
support for a rebellion.
and we haven't been."
In Kuwait, the emir
U.S. transport planes
pledged to hold parliamentary
dropped food, tents and blan-
elections within a year. Sheik
kets Sunday to refugees in
Jaber Ahmed Sabah also said
northern Iraq, primarily Kurd-
he would study giving women
ish rebels whose uprising
the right to vote.
against Saddam has fizzied.
More flights, including
French and British planes, are
planned today and Tuesday.
Baker warned Iraqi Presi-
dent Saddam Hussein not to in-
terfere "with this humanitar-
ian relief effort."
Turkish President Turgut
Ozal expects up to 1 million
Iraqis to seek refuge in Turkey.
Iran said almost 700,000
Iraqi refugees had reached its
territory by Sunday. Tehran is
urgently seeking international
help with the flood of refugees.
Said Outl Sunday: "I don't
think the refugees actually
want to leave their home-
land. They want to see only
Saddam" leave. Also Sunday:
Defense Secretary Dick
Cheney said the United States
may seek a buffer zone under
U.N. control for refugees in
northern Iraq.
A similiar zone will be set up
in the south, under a U.N.
cease-fire resolution Iraq has
indicated it would accept.
National security adviser
Brent Scowcroft said the Unit-
ed States will not abandon
40,000 refugees in southern
Iraq, soon to be vacated by U.S.
troops for U.N. peacekeepers.
Page
16.
U.N. Buffer Zones
The Washington Post
AI
The New York Times
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
In Iraq Suggested
New York Daily News
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
Cheney Offers Idea to Safeguard Refugees
Date
8 April 1991
By Bill McAllister
Washington Post Staff Writer
Bush administration officials, re-
every single one, and there was
Cheney said the administration
sponding to mounting concern
never an implication that the United
might return to secure another Se-
about the plight of Iraqi refugees,
States would use force beyond the
objectives which we so beautifully
curity Council resolution directing
suggested yesterday that the Unit-
Iraq to open its borders to human-
ed Nations could establish buffer
achieved," the president said at a
zones in northern and southern Iraq
Houston news conference.
itarian aid for the refugees.
U.S. officials expressed hope yes-
to protect the hundreds of thou-
Bush's remarks contrasted with a
terday that the Kurdish rebels in
sands of people fleeing from Pres-
statement by Barham Salih, a
northern Iraq will coalesce in areas
ident Saddam Hussein.
spokesman in London for the Iraqi-
where the United States began
Defense Secretary Richard B.
Kurdistan Front. On ABC's "This
dropping thousands of pounds of
Cheney raised the possibility of hav-
Week With David Brinkley," Salih
food and supplies. The officials said
ing U.N. peace-keeping forces es-
repeated the rebels' assertion that
they hope these would become
tablish the safe zones inside Iraq,
the Bush administration had implied
U.N.-guaranteed sanctuaries for
which has been torn by civil war
it would help them.
the refugees.
since shortly after Iraqi forces were
"When President Bush made his
Turkish President Turgut Ozal,
ousted from Kuwait by a U.S.-led
call for the Iraqi people to rise
interviewed on the ABC program,
coalition in February. But Cheney
against the tyranny of Saddam Hus-
said that U.N. troops should be pre-
conceded that U.S. officials have
sein, people interpreted that as a
pared to use force against Iraq, if
not addressed how such an area
policy statement by President Bush
necessary, to create a buffer area
could be created inside northern
that the Iraqi people were to be
for the Kurdish refugees near the
Iraq, where thousands of Kurdish
supported in their struggle for de-
border with his country.
rebels and their supporters were
mocracy and human rights against
Ozal, who meets today with Sec-
reported to be on the move.
the tyranny of Saddam Hussein,"
retary of State James A. Baker III,
Because U.S. forces still occupy a
Salih said.
said that Iraqi refugees heading
large section of southern Iraq,
"We are not going to expand the
north toward his country may num-
where an estimated 40,000 Shiite
use of U.S. forces," Bush said later.
ber 1 million, with entire cities be-
refugees have fled, American offi-
"Indeed, I want them to come out
ing emptied by the Iraqi forces. "All
cials have said the refugees could
of northern Iraq is on the move." he
and they will be coming out as soon
be easily protected by the U.N.
said. Bush administration officials
as.possible."
forces that are expected to replace
had no immediate comment on
"We're talking about days, not
Ozal's statement.
the U.S. troops there.
weeks or months," the president said
"But
"We will not abandon those peo-
at a joint news conference with Mex-
for us to get involved in
ple," said Brent Scowcroft, the
ican President Carlos Salinas de Gor-
a civil war in Iraq means occupying
president's national security advis-
tari on economic and trade issues.
it, means replacing the govern-
er, on NBC's "Meet the Press."
The problem of Iraqi refugees
ment, means setting up a new gov-
Scowcroft attacked Saddam for kill-
has become so big that the United
ernment which undoubtedly would
be ovesthrown -soon as the co-
ing the rebels and described their
Nations should address it, Bush
alition troops left," Scowcroft said.
plight as "a real tragedy. There's no
said. "When you have a refugee
"That's a horrible morass which to
question about it, and it's horrible
problem of this enormous conse-
to see the pictures of innocent peo-
quence, then that comes under the
get in, and from a policy standpoint
it's just unacceptable."
ple being savaged or even killed."
heading of United Nations busi-
Scowcroft said that the United
Both Scowcroft and President
ness," Bush said. "Through that,
States had anticipated that its mil-
Bush reiterated that the president
perhaps, we can try to enhance the
itary action ousting Iraq from Ku-
and U.S. officials have never sug-
peace, bring peace back to this
troubled land."
wait might lead to unrest in Iraq.
gested the United States would
Bush said the United States had
support a rebellion against Saddam.
Neither Bush nor his aides
flown 72,000 pounds of ready-to-
"I went back and reviewed every
spelled out what they expect the
United Nations to do. "We don't
eat meals and water to the refugees
statement I ever made about this,
in northern Iraq. The supplies were
have all the answers right now,"
Scowcroft said.
CONTINUED
Page
13.
2.
dropped from three Air Force C-
130s, which made two flights each
into the region.
More flights are planned today,
according to presidential spokesman
Marlin Fitzwater. The operation was
expected to last 10 days, but Fitz-
water said, "There's no duration."
U.S. officials notified Iraqi officials
in Washington of such intentions Sat-
urday night, Fitzwater said.
Staff writer John Yang in Houston
contributed to this report.
14.
Rowland Evans
After Tiananmen, Bush's critics de-
The Washington Post
A17
manded strong sanctions against the
The New York Times
And Robert Norak
Communist Chinese government that
would have terminated trade, cultural
The Washington Times
exchanges and normal diplomatic re-
The Wall Street Journal
Bush's
lations. Not even the most outraged
The Christian Science Monitor
friend of the persecuted Chinese asked
New York Daily News
Bush to overthrow the Beijing regime.
USA Today
But for Iraq, there is literally no fur-
Big Mistake
The Chicago Tribune
ther sanction Bush can impose today
short of military action; he has already
employed them all, from trade embar-
Date
8 April 1991
President Bush's military triumph
goes to demanded reparations.
in the gulf has been soiled and he has
In the Vietnam War, no president
The president could have explained
been exposed to political danger not
from John Kennedy to Gerald Ford
this a month ago. but then and now he
because he erred in refusing to insert
sought the overthrow of the Hanoi
labors under a burden of his own
U.S. troops into a bloody Mideast civil
regime despite the killings of tens of
making: his successful campaign to
war but because he failed to explain
thousands of South Vietnamese anti-
convince the American people that
this prudent policy to the American
Communists. In Nicaragua, no anti-
Saddam Hussein was worse than H:t-
people when the problem loomed a
Sandinista hard-liner pushed for the
ler. That kept up American morale on
full month ago.
United States to shoot down govern-
the war front and the home front. But
Administration policy makers as-
ment helicopters slaughtering pro-con-
it makes it more difficult now '()
sured us in early March, with the first
tra peasants. Not the staunchest sup-
explain that the cause of the Kurds.
signs of uprising against Saddam Hus-
porter of freedom for the Baltic states
however morally justifiable. is not the
sein by Kurdish nationalists and pro-
calls for U.S. military intervention.
reason to shed American blood.
Iranian Shiites, that there was little to
The crusade to save the Kurds with
worry about. "It's vastly exaggerat-
American arms is particularly strong
ed," a key official said privately, "even
among backers of Israel. That fits
if there is a stirring of the pot."
Israel's bedrock policy: widen Arab
Given that lack of alarm, the presi-
religious and cultural schisms, exploit
dent did not take seriously the por-
inter-Arab feuds and stimulate Arab
tent of all-out revolt. He failed then
wars. Breaking up Iraq, while certain-
and there to explain why U.S.
ly not U.S. policy, is inherent in Israe-
counter-action would perforce be se-
li strategy. Administration sources
verely limited and probably ineffec-
wondered whether Syria might be
tive. Having not made those prepara-
next after the American-Israel Public
tions, Bush ended up being seen
Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) Near
fishing and golfing in Florida while
East Report of March 18 headlined
Kurds were massacred in Iraq. A
"The Syrian Threat."
withering rhetorical assault was lev-
Only once has Israel embroiled its
ied against him. strongest from ar-
own army in the muck of a no-win
dent supporters of Israel who had
policy to attempt imposing a govern-
been Bush's original backers in con-
ment on a neighboring Arab state.
fronting Saddam Hussein.
The 1983 invasion of Lebanon did not
Even late last week, as criticism
work and in the process imposed
mounted that Bush had incited revolt
heavy political costs on Israel. But if
in Iraq and then ignored it, the presi-
the United States does the interven-
dent's men seemed reluctant to state
ing, to keep the Arab world in civil
in its simplest terms an obvious tenet
war would be a good policy for Israel.
of American foreign policy: The Unit-
However, that is not what Bush
ed States cannot be in the business of
wants or will accept for the United
using force to effect political change
States. In separate conversations in-
abroad, install democracies or satisfy
side the administration last week, as
aggrieved minorities, no matter how
the Kurdish tragedy reverberated in
compelling their case.
the media, both Secretary of State
Beijing's Tiananmen Square, the
James A. Baker III and national secu-
scene two years ago of government-
rity adviser Brent Scowcroft flatly
ordered slaughter of students and
ruled out any change in the presi-
dent's policy.
workers, is cited by Bush's detractors
To do otherwise would risk upheav-
as an earlier case of his insensitivity
al in Turkey, Syria and Iran and on
to the cause of democracy analogous
down to Saudi Arabia. It would stick
to his hands-off attitude to the Kurds.
the United States with the thorny
In fact, the Chinese case is the anti-
question of Saddam's successor gov-
thesis of Iraq.
ernment and launch that regime with
a made-in-Washington kiss of death.
Page
36.
The Presidency
Hugh Sidey
Getting Gorby on the Line
CAROL POWER THE WHITE HOUSE
Long-distance diplomacy: Bush chatting with Gorbachev last January
"J
ust decided. Just placed the call, and his phone rings. It works." That was
from George Bush. He was talking in the filtered sunlight of the Oval Office
about the three times he has reached out and touched Mikhail Gorbachev. The
first time was just after Bush took over the presidency. The second call came in Jan-
uary, when German unification was hot, the third in February, after the Nicaraguan
elections.
Last week, with the Lithuanian situation coming to a boil, Bush noted that Brit-
ain's Margaret Thatcher had phoned Gorbachev. Bush wondered aloud to aides if
he should call Gorbachev again. Bush was walking a high wire, supporting both
Lithuania's right to be independent and Gorbachev's leadership. His message had
been conveyed in public statements, diplomatic channels. But phoning is different.
"Just to call," Bush explains, "say, 'Look, how's it going? What do you think about
this?' I learn from it. I mean, it's a two-way street. It's better than a cable."
Bush has elevated the phone to new virtuosity. "Interesting diplomacy," he
says. "If there are going to be disagreements between the Soviet Union and the
U.S.-and there will be-I want to be sure they're real and they're based on fact,
not on misunderstanding. If [Gorbachev] knows the heartbeat a little bit from talk-
ing, there's less apt to be misunderstanding."
An echo from 30 years ago: John Kennedy held up Barbara Tuchman's book
The Guns of August, told visitors that its story of the start of World War I and the
modern age of slaughter was a tale of failed communication. Still, he never called.
"The President has a propensity for physical communication." says Brent Scow-
croft, his National Security Adviser. From a phone conversation, Bush gauges things
like Gorbachev's conviction and assuredness, which are beyond the printed word.
The Bush-Gorbachev phone relationship is not yet on a George-and-Mike basis,
but maybe next time, says Bush. Nor, despite the President's easy "just placed the
call and his phone rings," is it quite that simple yet. When Bush gets the urge to call,
he signals Scowcroft, who goes to Soviet Ambassador Yuri Dubinin, who checks out
Gorbachev's availability, which so far has been afternoon Moscow time and morn-
ing in Washington. The Kremlin insists on placing the call to the Signal Corps in the
White House. An interpreter and a notetaker listen in on extensions in the Situation
Room in the White House basement, and Bush pens personal notes on the talk.
There were no jokes, no patter in the three long-distance hookups. "It's more
serious, but very open, agreeable," says Bush. And private. "Part of the reason for
phone calls is that you build a relationship that is confidential, where you can speak
freely [and] frankly discuss differences,' he says.
Bush assesses the message and the emotion of the moment with aides. The
notetaker rushes through a memo. The President's secretary, Patty Presock, copies
Bush's own hand scratchings, and all of it is consigned to dark, barricaded cabinets,
silent records of the next best thing to a face-to-face conversation.
TIME, APRIL 9, 1990
39
David S. Broder
End of a War
WASHINGTON POST
April 10, 1991
Pg. 23
Iraq's acceptance of the formal
in Kuwait. All of the justifications added
cease-fire terms dictated by the United
States and the United Nations brings
Those who charge Bush with callousness
weight to a powerful case for U.S. and
international action against Saddam.
the Persian Gulf War to a close. The
end of the affair teaches lessons as
do not explain how we would have been on
But no one should have believed that
absent the national interest in the Per-
important as the beginning.
At the start, the miscalculations
a higher moral plane if we had massacred
sian Gulf and its precious resource, half
a million Americans would have been
were all on Saddam Hussein's side. He
did not believe that the United States
surrendering Iraqis.
fighting in the desert.
would respond to his aggression against
Principle alone simply doesn't cut it
Kuwait or his threat to Saudi Arabia.
with Bush. He kept 2,100 Marines
He did not believe that his Soviet
of international abuse. The president
have had to destroy those remaining
offshore of Liberia for two months in
patrons would abandon him. He did not
did encourage civil insurrection against
Iraqi divisions. We had the capacity to
1990, waiting to evacuate Americans
believe that Arab countries would join a
Saddam by his own words and-it is
do that, and Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf
and other foreign nationals, while vol-
coalition in which Israel was a silent
hinted-by covert actions as well. To
hinted in his interview with David Frost
unteer doctors pleaded that they come
partner. And he did not believe that his
say now that he also made it clear the
that he wished to do it. But destroying
ashore and protect civilians being
army and air force would crumble un-
United States would not intervene di-
those 20 divisions would have meant
slaughtered in the fighting between
der fire.
rectly in the struggle is at best a
slaughtering troops who had abandoned
rebels and the U.S.-backed govern-
All those miscalculations created a
mitigating claim against the moral re-
the fight and wanted only to surrender.
ment.
situation in which President Bush, as
sponsibility he accepted.
Those who charge Bush with moral
He sent Scowcroft to Beijing and
the creator and leader of the coalition,
If we wanted Saddam overthrown,
callousness toward the Kurds do not
recommended continued trade advan-
achieved as much for peace and the
without our participation, it behooved
explain how we would have been on a
tages for China even after the massa-
rule of law in the world as he did for his
us to strip him of the forces he needed
higher moral plane if we had massacred
cre of students in Tiananmen Square.
own political standing at home. It was a
to quash the threats to his rule. That
surrendering Iraqis.
He sent his secretary of state to Mos-
victory well won-and worth winning.
we did not do. White House national
Nonetheless, the disillusionment
But since Bush declared the hostili-
security adviser Brent Scowcroft said
cow and continued dealing with Mikhail
with Bush being expressed by many
ties suspended, the miscalculations
Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press"
Gorbachev even after the bloody re-
who supported his war policy tarnishes
have been on our side. The victims
that when we declared a halt to the
his victory. It also reveals something of
pression in the Baltics last winter. With
were the Kurds who believed the Unit-
battle, Saddam still had 20 unscarred
the character of this president, who has
both the Chinese and the Soviets, Bush
ed States would support their bid to
divisions.
demonstrated over and over again that
said it could not be "business as usual,"
overthrow Saddam, and the Bush back-
That fact-and not the subsequent
he is ready to "rise above principle"
then went back to business as usual.
ers who believed that morality and
U.S. decision to allow Iraqi helicopter
when it collides with power realities.
The American public seems to ac-
principle required him to do just that.
gunships to be used against the Kurds
Bush was in the fortunate position,
cept these compromises as necessary.
Their cries of disillusionment have
and the Shiite rebels in the south-de-
when Iraq invaded Kuwait, of being
Principle separated from a clear sense
filled the airwaves and the newspaper
termined the fate of the rebellion. Had
able to argue for intervention on a
of national interest led to such foreign
columns, given moral force by the
we grounded the 'copters, Scowcroft
hierarchy of causes, ranging from the
policy fiascos as Versailles and Viet-
heartbreaking television pictures of the
said, "it would have taken the Iraqi
American national interest in protect-
nam. So voters welcome a president
plight of the Kurdish refugees.
forces longer but it would not have
ing access to Persian Gulf oil, to inter-
who tempers principle with prudence.
The Kurds have reason to cry out
changed the outcome."
national law against aggression, to the
But others pay a high price for the
against the latest injustice in a history
To change the outcome, we would
moral revulsion against Iraqi atrocities
selectivity of our moral outrage.
SUPPLEMENT: Wednesday, April 10, 1991
Book Reviews
THE
ATIONAL
INTEREST
SPRING 1991
Pg. 101
How Gorbachev Saved Reagan, Bush,
and the World
William C. Bodie
politics to another large theme-in this case,
Sidney Blumenthal, Pledging Allegiance-The
no less than the history of the Cold War itself.
Last Campaign of the Cold War (New York:
Readers interested in the campaign's pro-
HarperCollins, 1990). 386 PP., $22.95.
saic details-primary results, campaign strat-
egies, vote counts-will be disappointed.
Such minutiae as the results of the Demo-
IN
MID-1989 a senior editor at a major
cratic primary in New York, for example, are
New York publishing house was
not mentioned. Instead, the dust jacket
asked about the relative merits of several
boasts that, "Blumenthal takes the reader
upcoming volumes on the 1988 U.S. presi-
behind the public facade of American poli-
dential election. His firm, which had pub-
tics." This is achieved, in the author's words,
lished political chronicles in the past, de-
by relating the election to "the largest event in
clined to bid on books about the Bush-
the world"-the end of the Cold War. Blu-
Dukakis contest. "Television coverage has
menthal is nothing if not a big thinker.
made the Teddy White approach to these
Blumenthal, who covered the 1984 cam-
campaigns obsolete," he remarked. "These
paign for the New Republic before serving as a
days, to sell an election book, you really need
Wasbington Post political reporter, is perhaps
a gimmick."
best known for his acerbic distaste for the
It is indeed hard to imagine today's pub-
conservative "counter-establishment" that
lishing barons, or journalism students, buy-
sprouted in Washington during the Reagan
ing into Theodore White's Making of the Pres-
years. But in his new book, the usually acidic
ident series, with its careful reportage, modest
Blumenthal reveals a decidedly warmer side
prose, and quaint respect for American polit-
with his near adolescent infatuation with
ical institutions. For some time, would-be
Mikhail Gorbachev-a figure variously cred-
campaign historians have sought other
ited by the author with "saving" Ronald
pegs-or gimmicks-on which to hang their
Reagan's presidency, sparing George Bush
tales. To the Nightline generation, even Joe
from exposure in the Iran-contra scandal, and
McGinniss' treatment of Republican "han-
"creating the preconditions for the revival of
dlers" in the 1968 Nixon-Humphrey race or
liberalism" in America (all this, and destroy-
Timothy Crouse's angle on press coverage of
ing communism in Russia and liberating
the 1972 election may seem archaic. With
Eastern Europe, too).
Pledging Allegiance, Sidney Blumenthal hopes
The thesis of Pledging Allegiance is that
to revive the genre by wedding electoral
while Gorbachev was remaking the world
and destroying old "shibboleths and taboos,"
William C. Bodie, a New York-based writer, is
the political class of the United States was
chairman of the Manhattan Institute Seminar
behaving like a dysfunctional family, playing
on International Affairs.
out destructively familiar roles, and unable to
B
28
SUPPLEMENT: Wednesday, April 10, 1991
problems in negotiations with So-
on exercising creative control
Soviet space station Mir is
SPACE NEWS
CONTINUED
viet space officials relating to ex-
over the final product, and nego-
marred by evidence of the
hibits at the museum.
tiations foundered, Harwit said.
Earth's damaged environment,
figure out when a program in the
For example, Soviet officials
NASA has carried such movie
said Georgy Grechko, a cosmo-
Soviet Union is funded and ap-
demanded millions of dollars in
cameras aboard its space shuttles
naut who now heads a laboratory
proved," he said.
fees to carry sophisticated movie
at no cost, recognizing the value
at the Institute of Atmospheric
On the other hand, the years-
cameras aboard the Soviet
of the publicity generated by the
Physics in Moscow.
long process of approving space
Union's Mir space station and
dramatic movie footage, Harwit
The Soviet Union's Ural Moun-
projects in the United States
aboard a Soyuz spacecraft flying
said.
tains are obscured by black, red
makes it difficult for U.S. officials
to the space station.
and yellow smoke, as is the U.S.
to respond quickly to offers of
Footage from the cameras
"The value of free publicity at
city of Chicago, Grechko said.
collaboration from the Soviet
would have been used to produce
the very least has not been recog-
The Soviet Institute of High
Union, Keller said.
a wide-screen Imax movie por-
nized by Glavkosmos and Ener-
Temperature, currently conduct-
traying Soviet activities in space.
giya as having the same impor-
ing studies of Soviet nation's en-
Soviet officials do not yet seem
Soviet officials demanded that
tance to them as it does to
ergy consumption, is seeking fi-
to have mastered the art of com-
a theater equipped to show such
NASA," Harwit said.
nancing for an international
mercial negotiations, said Martin
movies be built in Moscow. Pro-
Financing for new innovations
center to study the global con-
Harwit, director of the Smithsoni-
ject officials agreed. However,
in space technology, and promo-
sumption of fossil fuel and its
an Institution's National Air and
demands by the Soviet space
tional projects is only one area in
damaging results.
Space Museum in Washington.
agency Glavkosmos and NPO En-
which the Soviets are seeking
Harwit said he and his staff
ergiya continued to escalate. So-
aid.
Staff writer Renee Saunders
have encountered numerous
viet officials even came to insist
The view of the Earth from the
contributed to this story.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
March 25, 1991
Pg. 6
Ms. Stent noted: "It's a particularly diffi-
cult time to give up two islands."
Japan Softens on Reaching Pact
The islands, north of Hokkaido, make
up what Japan refers to as its Northern
With Soviets on Disputed Islands
Territories and what the Soviets consider
part of the Kuril Islands. The traditional
Soviet position has been that various
By URBAN C. LEHNER
prepare for the Soviet leader's scheduled
agreements and treaties gave it the right
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
visit to Japan next month. Besides being
to seize the islands at gunpoint in 1945, and
TOKYO-With the long-awaited visit of
willing to accept a delayed return of two of
therefore there is no "territorial" question
Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev only
the islands, Mr. Ozawa also hints he will
to discuss. Over the last couple of years
three weeks away, Japan is softening its
show a slightly more positive attitude on
Soviet diplomats have relented to the ex-
position on the biggest outstanding issue
economic cooperation.
tent of being willing to elaborate, in a
between the two countries.
"Japan has always said that the Soviets
series of working-level meetings, on why
It's an ever-so-slight softening, and an
should be the one to make the first move.
the islands are rightfully the Soviet Un
enormous gap remains between the Japa-
'You've done something bad so you should
ion's. But the Soviet government has other-
nese and Soviet posi-
solve this issue first.' But that doesn't
wise refused to give ground, even though
tions. Still, the
solve the problem," Mr. Ozawa said.
Soviet academics and the Soviet media
change has Tokyo
"That's why I'm saying we should sin-
have floated islands-for-aid proposals.
abuzz with talk of a
cerely talk with each other. In that sense,
Last week, the independent Interfax
deal that would give
this is a bit different from what the gov-
news agency in Moscow said the Soviet Un-
Japan sovereignty
ernment has been doing. We will also be-
ion would revive a 1956 pledge to return
over four disputed
come a little [more ] flexible is what we're
the two islands closest to Japan, Shikotan
islands in return for
saying."
and the Habomais. That offer was part of a
extending aid to the
Although Mr. Ozawa dodges specifics on
Japanese-Soyiet joint statement that was
struggling Soviet
the economic aid question, the Japanese
supposed to lead to a peace treaty offi-
economy. Tradition-
press abounds with speculative articles
cially ending World War II between the
ally, the Japanese
putting huge price tags on the islands. Ja-
two countries. The peace treaty and the is-
government has in-
pan's largest-circulation daily, the Yomiuri
lands offer eventually fell through as rela-
sisted that the Soviet
Shimbun, recently quoted unidentified So-
tions worsened between the Soviet Union
Union return all four
Ichiro Ozawa
viet officials as saying Japan was offering
and Japan's major ally, the U.S., in the
islands simulta-
$28 billion in credits and loans for various
late 1950s.
neously and has said it won't talk about ex-
Soviet projects, from car factories to pet-
Japanese officials take a wait-and-see
tending credits or loan guarantees to So-
rochemical plants. Nihon Keizai Shimbun,
attitude towards the Interfax and other So-
viet development projects until the islands
Japan's leading financial daily, said Japan
viet media reports. "There's no one else
issue is resolved. Now top political leaders
is considering extending as much as $7 bil-
than Gorbachev who can make decisions
are beginning to say that all four islands
lion over 10 years in development assis-
there, so I won't know until I actually talk
don't have to be returned simultaneously-
tance.
with him," Mr. Ozawa said in the inter-
Japan would take two now and two later as
An islands-for-aid deal would have ma-
view Friday.
long as the Soviets "recognized" Japan's
jor implications for the Soviet economy
While a return to the 1956 formulation
sovereignty over all four now.
and for the security of East Asia. But the
would be a sign of progress, it probably
Japanese officials insist they aren't
Japanese press reports are all premised on
wouldn't be enough to satisfy Japan. Se-
making concessions or changing their fun-
the assumption that the Soviets are pre-
nior Japanese diplomats have repeatedly
damental position. They paint the softening
pared to give Japan from two to four is-
stressed that Japan's bargaining position
as a mere recognition of the difficult logisi-
lands. With conservatives gaining increas-
has improved since 1956. After waiting four
tics of transferring territory. "Since as
ing power in Moscow, the assumption that
decades, they expect more from Mr. Gor-
many as 20,000 Russians live there [on two
Mr. Gorbachev is prepared to give any is-
bachev than they were offered then.
of the islands I, there is a question of what
lands is at least open to question.
But with the first visit to Japan by So-
these people will do," Ichiro Ozawa, secre-
"You may think, 'If he can give up
viet ruler fast approaching, both sides are
tary-general of the ruling Liberal Demo-
Eastern Europe, why should he have so
also aware that there may never be an-
cratic Party, said in an interview. "It will
many qualms about these four islands,
other opportunity as favorable for cutting
take them time to seek new jobs and build
which never had the-strategic significance
a deal. "I think that now is the biggest
new houses. We understand that it will
of Czechoslovakia.' But it's not that easy,"
chance for Japan and the Soviet Union,"
take some time. And that is all right."
said Angela Stent, an expert on the Soviet
said Mr. Ozawa. "If we let this chance go,
Today, Mr. Ozawa begins two days of
Union at Georgetown University. Speaking
the ties of both countries will recede once
talks with Mr. Gorbachev in Moscow to
to a group of foreign reporters in Tokyo,
more."
B
27
SUPPLEMENT: Wednesday, April 10, 1991
SAVED
CONTINUED
deal with new therapies. Blumenthal believes
revised history of the Institute of the United
the Cold War-which he alternately refers to
States and Canada, an organization that
as a "metaphysical system" and an "epistemo-
serves the propaganda interests of the Polit-
logical system"-has shaped and deformed
buro. For Blumenthal, however, "The task of
American political life for the past four dec-
the institute's experts was to comprehend
ades. Anyone who challenges the comfort-
America and to communicate their views to
able mantras of "Cold War Conservatism" is
the Central Committee and the Soviet presi-
"speaking the unspeakable" and banished
dent." For such purposes they "had been
from the political mainstream. In an ironic
granted a remarkable freedom," even though
Cold War coda, Blumenthal presents Ronald
"some of them were lying, perhaps even
Reagan, whose "politics involved a massive
without knowing they were doing so." Under
misapplication of memory," as the one voice
Gorbachev, though, "These Soviets, who
of "reality" in the political vacuum of 1988
formerly thought of themselves only as ex-
(though only after Gorbachev helped him
perts or Communists, have taken on the
shed all the vestiges of Reaganism).
mentality of citizens."
Although Chapter One is entitled "A
As for the leader and his works, Blumen-
Long Twilight Struggle" after the JFK speech
thal is likewise tolerant: "Though Gorbachev
which marked the "zenith" of the Cold War,
did not immediately bring dishwashers into
Blumenthal shows little interest in examining
the average Russian's kitchen, his policies did
the U.S.-Soviet rivalry as anything other
something more important. The heart of to-
than an exercise in psychotherapy. On Wash-
talitarianism was now stone dead." In its
ington's reaction to the emerging competition
place there appeared an order we might even
in the 1940s, for example, he is satisfied to
learn from. A Soviet official is quoted approv-
recount Walter Lippmann's rationalization of
ingly: "We are only just coming to democ-
the Red Army's occupation of Eastern Eu-
racy, just discovering its virtues. But, in some
rope. We read nothing of Stalin's imposition
ways, Russia might be more liberal, in terms
of communist regimes throughout Eastern
of discussing alternatives." And when Ronald
Europe, his "two camp" thesis, the infiltra-
Reagan himself was wounded by scandal, his
tion of labor movements in the West, or
"deliverance came through a deus ex machina,
Soviet involvement in the Greek civil war.
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev, who was
The Baltic states may exist in the paranoid
determined to end the Cold War." Dissenting
celebration of Captive Nations Day, but no-
views-say, from citizens of Lithuania, or
where else. The Korean War, it appears, was
any of the republics-are absent from this
important only because it created an "over-
account.
heated political atmosphere" in which liberals
"obscured their inherent realism even from
I
NDEED, Blumenthal's primary focus
themselves."
is how the U.S. political culture
One does find the occasional hasty cri-
was found wanting when it came to purging
tique of Moscow-"the Soviets provoked
itself of Cold War demons. In the Reagan era,
voyages to the brink over Berlin and Cuba,"
of course, these demons were ascendant, es-
"there was a Soviet buildup in the 1970s"-
pecially as conservatives "raised tens of mil-
but they are few, and always followed by an
lions of dollars and achieved control over a
exculpatory "but." "Cold War" is used exclu-
host of foundations." He postulates some-
sively to identify all manner of American ills
thing called the Movement State, in which
and malefactors, with Richard Nixon as the
conservative zealots "embedded" in Washing-
archetypal figure. "The Cold War," Blumen-
ton prevent us from recognizing our prob-
thal asserts with a confident flourish, "was
lems. This Movement State led to the Iran-
Nixon's reason for being."
contra scandal and the establishment's
Pledging Allegiance begins with a neatly
whitewash of it, abetted by the cowed press
B
29
SUPPLEMENT: Wednesday, April 10, 1991
SAVED
CONTINUED
corps. The Tower Board was composed of
dler." After Iran-contra broke, "When Reagan
the Washington "establishment. The powers
sank to his lowest point, Gorbachev, with an
that were, are and will be.
Power, as
eye cocked to the ticking clock, began furi-
they understood it, neither began with [Rea-
ously rewriting." Even Reagan's mind is open
gan's] election nor would end with it." How-
to Blumenthal's reading, as in this novel
ard Baker, brought in to clean up the mess in
interpretation of the 1985 Geneva summit:
the White House, had "been the ranking
Republican on the Watergate committee,
He explained that he had glimpsed a new age in
where his job was to protect the party from
which nuclear weapons were banished and the
scandal." Nowhere do we learn the identity
two superpowers truly cooperated. He had
of his employers. Nor is the "Iran" end of the
seen, perhaps, the 1951 movie The Day the Earth
scandal. considered, since the lesser "contra"
Stood Still, in which an alien threatens destruc-
end fits far more neatly into Blumenthal's
tion of the planet if all nuclear weapons are not
Cold War matrix.
done away with. Perhaps Reagan did not have
His views on the press during this period
the movie in mind-who knows?
may surprise some readers, for he was a
member of Washington's elite press at the
Who, indeed? One suspects that this refer-
time. He paints his colleagues as more com-
ence tells us more about how Blumenthal's
pliant than vigilant, more confused than en-
mind works than Reagan's.
lightened, ratifiers rather than inquisitors.
As for the campaign itself, we learn
During the Iran-contra hearings, our "politi-
almost nothing new about Bush or Dukakis.
cal press corps were like critics who did not
Bush is portrayed as the dutiful establish-
know if they were reviewing Samuel Beckett,
mentarian son of a series of demanding Dads:
David Mamet, or Neil Simon." Little im-
father Prescott Bush, mentor Richard Nixon,
provement is detected on the campaign trail;
and benefactor Ronald Reagan. Dukakis is
of the candidacy of Richard Gephardt, Blu-
sketched predictably as the bloodless techno-
menthal notes that "the press, reflecting the
crat whose refusal to adopt a full-throated
Washington opinion making elites, refused to
liberalism in the campaign made him "Bush's
accept his candidacy as genuine." A cam-
chief co-conspirator in perpetuating the Cold
paign book by a team of Newsweek scribes is
War drama." The only figures who seem to
dismissed as "less a book than a corporate
engage his sympathies are Gary Hart and
product-Teddy White as an assembly line."
Mario Cuomo. Yet here, too, consistency is
He is especially critical of those "objectivist"
not one of the author's virtues. Thus Hart,
reporters who disavowed any conscious bi-
whose windy perorations comparing himself
ases: "In an election notable for its manipula-
to Gorbachev are fondly received by Blumen-
tiveness, the reporters who believed their
thal, "set up a think tank, The Center for
'straight' craft insulated them were the most
New Democracy," which "became a policy
manipulated figures in political society. Thus
and speechwriting shop, in the service of his
the press, too, played its role in the Cold War
immediate political needs." But woe unto
drama of 1988." Again, the reader is left to
conservative Pierre duPont, whose " 'new
wonder about the identity of this drama's
ideas' had been gleaned by his staffers, who
producer.
raced through the conservative think tanks in
As with so many works of contemporary
Washington, picking up the most extreme
non-fiction, Pledging Allegiance takes leap after
economic proposals." Governor Cuomo,
speculative leap into the minds of its princi-
praised for going mano a mano with Richard
pals. Thus Gorbachev, listening to Ronald
Perle and Elliott Abrams, "brought a physi-
Reagan's utopian view of nuclear disarma-
cal audacity to politics." Bush adviser Roger
ment, "came to understand this vision.
Ailes, however, is taken to task for similarly
[and] emerged as Reagan's ultimate han-
instructing "his candidates to invade the men-
B
30
SUPPLEMENT: Wednesday, April 10, 1991
SAVED
CONTINUED
tal and, if possible, the physical space of their
relations between the superpowers. This the-
opponents."
sis has not stood the test of rigorous scholar-
The book's most intriguing pages are
ship or the release of archival evidence from
those devoted to the curious schisms among
Soviet sources. But even the revisionists tried
the foreign policy advisers in the two cam-
to explain what the "Cold War" was about:
paigns. On the Democratic side, the dispar-
the division of Europe, strategic competition,
ate forces for good (and sources for the au-
alternate views of social relations, and so on.
thor) are portrayed as underdogs struggling
Blumenthal has no such explanation; nor does
against the cabal of "Cold War mandarins" at
he seem to feel the need for one.
Harvard's Kennedy School. This group, Blu-
Certainly the 1988 election was not
menthal charges-save the "influential" pro-
among this country's most edifying. Neither
fessor Robert Reich-kept Dukakis from ac-
candidate will be remembered for his orator-
cepting the wisdom contained in Paul
ical resonance or strategic vision. Both were
Kennedy's The Rise and Fall of the Great Pow-
negative campaigners. Neither expressed cer-
ers. On the GOP side, Blumenthal discovers
tainty about the permanence of Gorbachev's
an alleged split between former Henry Kiss-
reforms, a decision which now appears to be
inger aides such as Brent Scowcroft, always
quite sensible. However one judges their
"following the latest Kissinger ukase," and
competing foreign policy views, it is unfair to
Bush's wily political partner, James Baker,
adduce, as Blumenthal does, psychological
himself slow to counter the Kissingerians
impediments for a reticence that was actually
until his eyes were opened by-whom
the product of a cautious and careful reading
else?-Eduard Shevardnadze.
of available evidence.
In a 386-page book about the 1988 pres-
Because of the author's selective ap-
idential election, this is all the author has to
proach to a conceptually daunting topic, this
say about the result: "On election day, No-
book fails as an account of either the 1988
vember 8, George Bush won the presidency,
election or the end of the Cold War. What
54 to 46 percent, with 426 votes in the
interest it has derives from its illumination of
Electoral College to 112. The degradation of
how certain leftist polemicists have coped
political debate produced the lowest voter
with communism's collapse. Behind the
turnout since 1924." There is nothing on
foggy musings on metaphysics and world
such mundane things as how close the vote
historical events that are meant to elevate
was in key states, on how the tickets fared in
"mere" political reportage, there is the same
various regions, on how the vice presidential
readiness to see events in the Soviet Union
candidates helped or hurt the tickets. It is not
from the point of view of the ruler rather than
merely that Blumenthal is bored with the
the ruled that has often stained much left-of-
election (though he is); more than that, he is
center thinking in the past. But once that has
anxious to describe the events of 1989 as
become clear, the book is tedious going,
Gorbachev's triumph and Bush's awkward
leaving one yearning for the appearance of a
acquiescence. The intimidation of the Baltic
new Teddy White-or even the old Hunter
by Moscow in 1989 is absent, as is any other
S. Thompson.
fact embarrassing to Gorbachev. And why
not? As Blumenthal explains, "After Tianan-
'Blumenthal plugs Kennedy's book repeatedly, a
men Square, the course of repression, if it
favor returned by Professor Kennedy with a
were ever a real option for Gorbachev, was
blurb in the publisher's advertisement for
decisively ruled out."
Pledging Allegiance: "Beautifully done, ironic,
This book proudly repackages the "revi-
learned, and with a strong argument." Similar
sionist" view of the origins of the Cold War,
logrolling occurs with James Chace, who is
which holds that the U.S. bears the brunt of
flattered in the Acknowledgments and flat-
the historical blame for the onset of hostile
tering on the back cover.
B
31
SUPPLEMENT: Wednesday, April 10, 1991
COMMONWEAL
March 10, 1991
Pg. 202
EVERY FIFTEEN YEARS
an official visit to Saigon and sat in on a
National Security Council session attended
by Dean Rusk, Robert McNamara,
Maxwell Taylor, Roger Hilsman, Bobby
Kennedy, and LBJ. Years later Kattenberg
in her illuminating and riveting synthesis.
described the meeting:
THE VIETNAM WARS, 1945-1990
I listened for about an hour or an
Her book opens by noting that, two months
Marilyn B. Young
hour and a half There was not a
after the surrender of Japan, twelve U.S.
HarperCollins, $25, 386 pp.
troop ships were ordered to ferry thirteen
single person there that knew what
thousand French soldiers to Saigon to fight
he was talking about They were
Murray Polner
the Vietnamese seeking independence, the
all great men. It was appalling to
same Vietnamese who had cooperated with
watch They didn't know Vietnam.
the Allies in resisting the Japanese occu-
They didn't know the past. They had
Γ. President,"
HEW Sec-
pation. The pattern was repeated in the
forgotten history The more this
retary Wilbur
Philippines where General Douglas
meeting went on, the more I sat there
MacArthur had installed as head of state
and thought, "God, we're walking
Cohen asked
Manuel Roxas, "a collaborator closely
into a major disaster."
Lyndon B.
associated with the most exploitative
Finally, he spoke up, questioning their
Johnson at a cabinet meeting in early 1968,
Japanese occupation policies," writes the
judgment. "They all just disregarded it or
"why are we in Vietnam?"
author.
said it was not backed by anything."
Cohen had prefaced his question by say-
Where foreign policy was concerned,
ing that his fourteen-year-old son and
an uncritical generation of Americans pas-
Then, as now, Washington policy makers
friends had posed the very same question
of him. "How would you answer it?" he
sively accepted increasing military inter-
drew a tight circle about themselves and
vention in Southeast Asia. It was a gen-
rendered life and death decisions without
asked LBJ.
eration deeply affected by Munich and ter-
benefit of naysayers. Then, as now, a few
Years later Cohen described Johnson's
rified-with some reason-of Stalin's
experts were allowed in to confirm their wis-
explanation: "The president took half an
Soviet Union and Communists. Still, a
dom; and Young reminds us of their flawed
hour to answer, and the answer didn't make
nation born of revolution had now become
advice. Then, as now, Undersecretary of
any sense whatsoever If he had given
the world's leading counterrevolutionary
State George Ball was alone in trying to
that answer publicly, he would have been
force, opposing virtually every regime it
talk sense but was overwhelmed by those
laughed out of court."
chose to define as Communist.
like the New York Times's influential military
Yet until 1968 the overwhelming major-
With little or no understanding of the
correspondent, Hanson Baldwin, who wrote
ity of Americans stood behind the war in
consequences, Truman, Eisenhower,
that, while "Vietnam is a nasty place to
Vietnam. Then, as now, ordinary Americans
Kennedy (harshly criticized by Young) and
fight. there are no neat and tidy battlefields
embraced the emotional patriotic appeals
their successors plunged into a region they
in the struggle for freedom [my italics]."
while the elites-in Washington, in cor-
barely understood, determined, as they
And then as now, the rationale for the war
porations and unions, and in the
repeated endlessly, to stop communism and
kept changing-from the Soviet and
media-backed the war with few questions
resist aggression. The old dictum, that what
Chinese threat, to the "domino theory," to
or challenges. Only two senators, Wayne
was good for General Motors was good
America's burden in defending freedom, a
Morse and Ernest Gruening, voted against
for America, was stood on its head. Young
burden (then, as now) never shared by our
the Tonkin Gulf resolution. And every pres-
ident, from Truman to Eisenhower and
points out that we had once again assumed
war party's children and grandchildren, let
a responsibility grounded on the conven-
alone themselves.
Kennedy to LBJ and Nixon, set in motion
the events that led to the deaths of fifty-
tional premise that, "a world ordered by
Framed in terms of "the struggle for free-
the principles and practices of the liberal
dom," a generation of trusting Americans
eight thousand Americans and hundreds
of thousands of Laotians, Vietnamese, and
capitalist system that governed America
could hardly be expected to envision any
was good for America and good for the
alternatives to so massive a military inter-
Cambodians.
world."
vention. Hanoi was portrayed as a
Marilyn Young, an Asian history scholar
The absurdity of applying this sweeping
Moscow-Beijing puppet and Ho as an easy-
at New York University, painstakingly dis-
formula to Southeast Asia escaped most
to-hate tyrant. But when the human toll
closes the mistakes and lies of those years
people in Washington. But, notes Young,
began to mount, LBJ himself became a vic-
there were exceptions like Paul Kattenberg,
tim, as Gabriel Kolko has written, "not sim-
MURRAY POLNER wrote No Victory
then the State Department coordinator of
ply of his own political errors but also of
Parades: The Return of the Vietnam Veteran
(Holt, Rinehart & Winston) and edited When
an interdepartmental group on Vietnam.
the failure of an entire class in pursuing
Can I Come Home? (Doubleday Anchor).
In August 1963 Kattenberg returned from
the war and the hegemonic goals of
B
32
White House News Summary
Friday, April 12, 1991 -- A-11
BUSH BACKS ARMS TREATY COMPROMISE
President Bush has proposed to skirt a dispute with Moscow
over arms levels in Europe with a compromise that requires partial
Soviet compliance with the initial U.S. reading of the Conventional
Forces in Europe accord, U.S. officials said Thursday.
Bush's view, developed after consultants this week with U.S.
allies and conveyed in a letter to President Gorbachev, is aimed
at overcoming a deadlock and moving the arms treaty toward
legislative approval by the 22 nations that signed it last year,
officials said. The treaty "is on its way to resolution,' one
official predicted in disclosing the new U.S. plan
Six
Democratic senators, led by Sen. Biden, wrote Gorbachev Thursday
to back the U.S. position
National Security Adviser Scowcroft
Thursday told a Washington forum sponsored by the French army chief
of staff college that the dispute is holding up completion of a
separate U.S.-Soviet treaty on strategic nuclear arms.
(R. Jeffrey Smith, Washington Post, A16)
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
The Blashington Times
stoned. in Caracas
meister.
the then-x ice.prez's limo-was
wasin the car with with Mr. Nixon when
attend Gen. Walters by the way,
And Richard Richard Nixon d Nixon is hoping to
Colby and Count Wilhelm Wacht-
Rumsfeld Richard Helms, William
patrick, Brent Scowcroft, Donald
Regan, Clark Clifford Jeane Kirk-
John Sununu, Alexander Haig, Don
Among the expected guests
sador to the United Nations
rector of the CIA and U.S. ambas
Jimmy Carter, has been deputy di-
Roosevelt. with the exception of
served every prez prez-since since Franklin
The three star general, who's
to Uncl Sam.
diplomat's half- half-century of of.service
A celebration of the soldier
col ol Joseph Verner Reed. Occasion:
House-today! House today! Host: Chief of Proto
many Vernon A. Walters at Blair
honor of U.S. Ambassador to Ger-
Quite a guest list assembled.in in
Ultimate power lunch!
The Washington Post
A16
The New York Times
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
Date
12 ApRil 1991
Bush Backs Arms Treaty Compromise
Bv R. Jeffrey Smith
country, that about 3,700 tanks, ar-
weapons associated with coastal de-
Washington Post Staff Writer
tillery and armored personnel car-
tenses, or about half of the total
riers assigned to Soviet land-based,
number of disputed Soviet weapons.
President Bush has proposed to
coastal-defense and naval-infantry
These arms would be substituted
skirt a dispute with Moscow over
units are exempt from an accord
for older weapons to be destroved
arms levels in Europe with a com-
that generally covers only army and
east of the Soviet Ural mountains.
promise that requires partial Soviet
air forces.
This area is outside the European
compliance with the initial U.S.
The United States and other na-
region covered by the ace rd.
reading of the Conventional Forces
tions had maintained instead that
which extends westward from the
in Europe accord, U.S. officials said
this Soviet equipment, plus another
Urals to the Atlantic Ocean.
yesterday.
1,700 weapons associated with So-
The initial U.S. position had been
Bush's view, developed after con-
viet strategic rocket forces and civ-
that all of the disputed Soviet arms
sultations this week with U.S. allies
il-defense units, is subject to de-
would be subject to destruction
and conveyed in a letter to Soviet
struction under treaty provisions
approved sites in Europe. But Bush
President Mikhail Gorbachev, is
aimed at producing military parity
said in his letter that Washington
aimed at overcoming a deadlock and
on both sides of the former East-
accepted Gorbachev's plan for The
moving the arms treaty toward leg-
West border in Europe.
coastal-defense weapons and asked
islative approval by the 22 nations
Six Democratic senators, led by
for the additional withdrawal trom
that signed it last year, officials said.
Senate Foreign Relations subcom-
Europe of the same number of
The treaty "is on its way to res-
mittee Chairman Joseph R. Biden
weapons as are held by naval-intan-
olution," one official predicted in
Jr. (Del.), wrote Gorbachev yester-
try units.
disclosing the new U.S. plan.
day to back the U.S. position and
Bush's plan would accept the de-
White House national security
urge reconsideration of the con-
struction of some equipment out-
adviser Brent Scowcroft yesterday
trary Soviet claim.
side Europe but states that it should
told a Washington forum sponsored
In a letter to Bush last week, Gor-
occur only under U.S. and allied in-
by the French army staff college
bachev did not accept the U.S. treaty
spection. In exchange, Moscow
that the dispute is holding up com-
interpretation but proposed a com-
would not be required to destrov
pletion of a separate U.S.-Soviet
plicated formula for partial compli-
the 1,700 weapons associated with
treaty on strategic nuclear arms.
ance with it "as a gesture of good-
its rocket forces and civil-defense
Progress has been blocked for
will." a U.S. official said.
units; it also would not have to at-
months chiefly due to a Soviet
Gorbachev specifically promised
firm the treaty interpretation ac-
claim. not shared by any other
to withdraw from Europe those
cepted by others.
Page
17.
WASHINGTON POST
Apr. 14, 1991
Pg. 1
Winning the War and Struggling With Peace
U.S. Unprepared for Iraqi Retribution, Extent of Exodus in Conflict's Aftermath
Army Gen. Colin L. Powell, chairman of
eye to the massacres of Iraqi rebels and
By Ann Devroy and Molly Moore
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recited a "precise
civilians.
Washington Post Staff Writers
military case against" intervening, accord-
In less than a month, the euphoria of
Reports of Iraqi combat helicopters
ing to the source. With little debate, the
February's military triumph had become
raining death on rebels and fleeing civil-
case was quickly closed, and White House
the anguish of March's civil war as nearly
ians filled the news on the morning of
press secretary Marlin Fitzwater told re-
2 million destitute, hungry and scared
March 26, but helicopters were not on
porters soon afterward that the civil war
men, women and children fled for their
President Bush's mind when he sum-
in Iraq, then entering its final throes,
lives. How the United States dealt with
moned to the Oval Office the seven senior
would proceed without intervention by the
that unfolding crisis is a story not so much
advisers who had guided his policy
United States.
of a failed policy as an administration un-
through months of Persian Gulf diplomacy
Within days, forces loyal to President
prepared for the aftermath of a war-an
and war.
Saddam Hussein moved from crushing
administration that remained virtually "in-
Bush requested a timetable for "getting
Shiite Muslim rebels in southern Iraq to
ert," as one official put it, until the horror
our kids out" of the gulf, according to of-
methodically suppressing a Kurdish rebel-
and sheer magnitude of what was happen-
ficials present. Only late in the meeting,
lion in the north, and a cacophony of
ing in Iraq compelled it to act.
according to one source, did the issue
voices began asking how Bush, who had
It also is a story of how a president, who
arise of whether to intervene militarily in
suggested the people of Iraq rise up
boldly led the international community in
Iraq at least to stop the helicopter attacks.
against Saddam, could have turned a blind
STRUGGLE
Pg. 2
STRUGGLE
from Pg. 1
debate," Bush decided that the
official said. Recalled another, "The
Panamanian leader. Senior Amer-
confronting Saddam, later became
United States would not target Sad-
more we shook that bowl of jelly,
ican diplomats too had little enthu-
fixated on getting U.S. troops out of
dam and would not make as one of
the more it kept coming out in the
siasm for the prospect of trying to
the region as quickly as possible and
its military or political goals the
same shape: Don't do it."
help establish a new government in
had to be nudged by allies-and
Iraqi president's overthrow.
Last month, when the question of
Baghdad, which would then make
critics at home-to confront the
helping the rebellious Shiites and
the United States essentially re-
The reasons, according to a sen-
tragic aftermath of the war.
Kurds to oust Saddam confronted
sponsible for that government and
ior official, "covered the gamut
Today, the United States is
from international political imper-
Bush, "he had already decided, no,
for the postwar reconstruction of
the nation.
spearheading a massive relief effort
atives to practicality." Foreign na-
for substantial policy reasons, we
for the refugees. It also has joined
tions allied with the United States
should not," a senior official said.
What resulted was a policy, af-
firmed often since then by Bush,
the international community in try-
in opposing Iraq's occupation of Ku-
Bush signed at least one intelli-
that U.S. goals in the conflict with
ing to establish an informal safe ha-
wait did not want to see the United
gence "finding" early in the gulf
Iraq were to restore Kuwait's gov-
ven in northern Iraq to protect the
States toppling governments in the
conflict authorizing the government
ernment and eliminate Iraq's mil-
Kurds from Saddam's forces, a
Middle East, and the public sales
to undertake covert action in Iraq,
itary ability to threaten its neigh-
move bound to create a whole new
job that would be needed for an ef-
but a senior official firmly denied
bors, but not to take a hand in re-
set of conditions with still unpre-
fort extending beyond the liberation
that the United States has been in-
placing the government in Baghdad.
dictable consequences for Iraq, its
of Kuwait was seen by administra-
volved in any "operational" efforts
neighbors and American aims for
tion officials as virtually impossible.
to assassinate Saddam or directly
Decision to End the War
the region.
Most compelling of all for Bush,
help the rebels do so. Still unclear is
On Feb. 26, Powell walked into
officials said, was that his military
whether Bush ever authorized oth-
the Oval Office with good news for
'Devil's Advocate Debate'
advisers were demanding a definite
er forms of clandestine assistance
Bush. The ground war was entering
Senior officials at the White
military goal with a definite time-
for the rebels or psychological op-
its third day, but already a rout was
House, State Department and Pen-
table, a demand that fit precisely
erations such as radio broadcasts
in progress and only a couple of
with the president's passion to
inciting Iraqis to rise up against
tagon said in interviews last week
days more at most would be needed
avoid another Vietnam. "The thing
Saddam.
that the decision to withhold mil-
to finish the job. To go much be-
that could make it like Vietnam was
U.S. military commanders in par-
yond that, Powell said according to
itary support for Iraq's rebels was
ticular were loath to set Saddam's
rooted in policy debates last autumn
to go into Iraq and get bogged
two officials present, would be "un-
demise as one of their goals, with
when the United States was prepar-
down, establishing a new govern-
chivalrous."
Powell reminding Bush how difficult
ing to go to war over the August
ment, protecting a new government
The next day, Feb. 27, Powell
it had been in Panama in December
invasion of Kuwait. After what one
against a hostile population. That
produced charts and graphs to il-
1989 to locate and eventually cap-
official called a "devil's advocate
would be a recipe for disaster," one
ture Manuel Antonio Noriega, the
STRUGGLE. Pg. 10
had destroyed Saddam's ability to
units, never became involved in the
take offensive action while keeping
war, officials said.
enough of his army intact to allow
While continuing the war for an-
him some defensive capability
other few days would have per-
against covetous neighbors; the
mitted allied forces to destroy more
continuing carnage on the battle-
Iraqi weaponry and kill or capture
field began to make senior officials
more troops, many senior military
uncomfortable.
officials believe this would not have
"The scope of the slaughter was
lessened Saddam's ability ultimately
so great that we would have come
to suppress the rebels. "It just may
off as bloodthirsty murderers," a
have taken him a little bit longer,"
senior military official said last
one military official said.
week. Explained another, "The
whole law of war is based on the
Tent Meetings
concept of chivalry-that the de-
feated enemy is to be treated with
Schwarzkopf met Iraqi officials
honor."
in a tent at the Iraqi-Kuwaiti bor-
What had been a decision moti-
der town of Safwan on March 3
vated largely to prevent, in the
essentially to dictate the terms of
words of national security adviser
a provisional cease-fire. The out-
Brent Scowcroft, "more unneces-
lines of the Shiite uprising against
sary bloodshed," ironically allowed
Saddam in southern Iraq were only
new bloodshed as Saddam used
then emerging, and in northern
some of the same troops that es-
Iraq Kurdish forces were just be-
caped from the allies to massacre
ginning to launch their rebellion.
rebels and fleeing refugees. U.S.
Officials in Washington predicted
intelligence sources originally un-
derestimated how much Iraqi mil-
Saddam would easily put down the
itary equipment and men survived
revolts.
the allied attacks.
"Our minds were on cleanly end-
"The intelligence picture was
ing the war," one administration
very ambiguous," one official said.
official said. "We were not thinking
"In the end, more had survived than
at all-the thought was on no one's
we thought."
mind-about starting some other
Military officials said that much
military action inside Iraq."
of the Iraqi theater was "a jumbled
At the tent meeting, after the
mess," making it difficult to inter-
official business had concluded, the
pret aerial intelligence data, and
Iraqi officers asked Schwarzkopf if
little of Iraq's command and control
helicopters could be used to trans-
system remained to even tap. As a
port administrative personnel. Sev-
result, the administration received
eral other senior officials confirm
little "real time" intelligence in the
this account, adding that the issue
days immediately following the war.
of helicopters had not been ad-
"After the war, we thought we
dressed in the formal cease-fire
had sufficiently devastated the Iraqi
document, which banned flights of
military capability and thought Sad-
Iraqi fixed-wing aircraft as potential
dam Hussein's days in power were
threats to U.S. forces.
tenuous at best," one Defense De-
"Norm was on his own" to con-
partment official said. "What we
sider the helicopter request, said an
TRUGGLE
from Pg. 2
by Bush, Secretary of Defense
didn't realize was that Saddam Hus-
official, and granted permission.
ustrate to the president how little
Richard B. Cheney and numerous
sein retained a significant military
The general later said in the PBS
of Iraq's forces in Kuwait and south-
other officials. Interviews with doz-
capability and was able to recoup
television interview that he "was
ern Iraq remained. That Oval Office
ens of officials found none who re-
and regroup.
suckered because
they intended
session was followed by a later one
called a Schwarzkopf suggestion or
"He did not pose a threat to us,
to use those helicopters against
that day in which it was decided to
recommendation at that time to
the official added. "We didn't factor
the insurrections that were going
end the fighting at midnight that
keep the war going, and the general
in the threat to his own people."
on."
night Washington time after 100
has apologized to Bush for what he
On the day Bush ended the fight-
Ten days after the tent meeting,
hours of ground war. Gen. H. Nor-
termed a "poor choice of words."
ing, U.S. officials estimated that
Bush was asked at a press confer-
man Schwarzkopf, commander of
The concern in the two Oval Of-
580 Iraqi tanks, about 1,000
ence in Ottawa about the status of
U.S. forces in the gulf, was con-
fice meetings on Feb. 27 was not
armored personnel carriers and 970
the cease-fire and American troop
sulted by phone and concurred in
about possibly ending the war too
artillery pieces had escaped de-
pullout. "I must confess to some
the decision.
soon, but allowing it to go on too
struction in the war zone. Military
concern about the use of Iraqi hel-
Bush now is accused by some of
long.
officials now believe that about 700
ending the war too soon by allowing
Officials were receiving reports
icopters in violation of what our
tanks, 1,400 armored personnel
that characterized the U.S. pum-
understanding was,* he said.
too much of Iraq's military to es-
carriers and 340 artillery pieces
cape for use against the rebels, a
meling of retreating Iraqi forces as
The follow-up question was not
a "turkey shoot" or likened it to
moved back to Iraq, along with sur-
about the helicopters but whether
charge fueled by Schwarzkopf him-
self who, in a PBS television inter-
"shooting fish in a barrel." U.S.
viving members of three Republi-
Bush was satisfied with progress on
view last month, said "my recom-
forces had achieved their major ob-
can Guard armored divisions: the
the cease-fire. Bush, however,
jectives of evicting Iraqi troops
Tawalkana, Medina and Hammu-
mendation had been, you know,
brought up the helicopters again.
continue the march." The general's
from Kuwait and decimating sup-
rabi. In addition, 20 Iraqi divisions,
These helicopters should not
statement was quickly contradicted
porting units in southern Iraq; they
including some Republican Guard
STRUGGLE
Pa.
15
STRUGGLE
from Pg. 15
running discussion.
Bush, committed to a quick exit
time came to pull out, none of the
Powell, officials said, made the
from the war and horrified at the
relief organizations would have ar-
be used for combat purposes inside
basic case against going after Iraq's
prospect of a messy reengagement,
rived to take over, and the military
Iraq," he said. The next day, Bush
helicopters. Downing the helicop-
had no problem reaffirming his orig-
mission would be modified for a hu-
was asked to clarify what he meant
ters, he reportedly argued, would
inal decision to keep the United
manitarian assistance mission," one
about the helicopters. "My answer
not help the rebels all that much
States out militarily, his aides said.
Defense Department official said.
on the helicopters is that was not
and would be the first toe into a sea
U.S. government agencies also
our understanding that they'd be
of endless commitment. Intelli-
Refugee Response
argued with international relief
used to quash their own citizens,"
gence data, Powell told Bush, indi-
he said.
By then, hundreds of thousands
groups about how much general aid
cated that heavy artillery and tanks
should be allotted for humanitarian
Bush was literally correct. But
of panic-stricken Iraqi Kurds were
were causing more severe prob-
officially, the United States had not
beginning a strenuous mountain
relief in Iraq, how the funds should
lems for the rebels; he said shooting
march to the borders of Turkey and
be distributed and what agencies
banned Iraqi helicopter flights as it
down helicopters would amount
Iran to escape Saddam's forces.
should be responsible. "It took a
had fixed-wing aircraft. The pres-
only to "empty symbolism."
Their stories of death and depriva-
long time to move," said one Pen-
ident hoped that by raising the is-
According to a senior official,
tion and heart-wrenching photos of
tagon official.
sue, the Iraqis would hear a threat
Bush's principal advisers were
A senior official said the admin-
their suffering dominated interna-
and keep their helicopters on the
unanimously against entering the
istration had an even more funda-
tional press coverage and presented
ground, officials said.
civil war, although Vice President
governments with a new and urgent
mental reason for failing to show up
One official close to Bush said the
Quayle reportedly expressed some
crisis.
early with humanitarian aid.
president had not been briefed thor-
concern about whether the United
The Bush administration had
"Frankly, we wanted to wait for the
oughly on the helicopter issue. Bush
States had a moral obligation to get
been prepared for war refugees,
civil war to be over 80 our involve-
had seen intelligence reports that
involved.
but not this. "Some of our war-end
ment would be seen not as a deci-
day suggesting the Iraqis were pre-
At the March 26 meeting in the
scenarios predicted civil unrest,"
sion to help the rebels overthrow
pared to use chemical weapons
Oval Office, Powell told Bush the
one official said, "but I can assure
Saddam, but as a decision to pro-
against the rebels, and helicopters
United States "could almost get in-
you that none of the policy papers
vide humanitarian help," one source
were the way those chemicals were
exorably drawn into a mighty mess
or briefings I was involved in sug-
said.
to be delivered. "His answer was
just protecting yourself' if Iraqi hel-
gested that the whole northern part
"The bottom line was that the
given in that context," the official
icopters were targeted, according
of Iraq would rise up and move out."
administration was portrayed as
said.
to an official present. Because the
"When the war started, everyone
doing nothing or not doing enough,"
In any case, administration offi-
helicopters were then operating
geared up to take up to 100,000
acknowledged a Pentagon official.
cials, pressed on whether U.S.
largely in northern Iraq, far from
refugees at different locations," one
U.S. officials concede they were
forces intended to shoot down Iraqi
U.S. forces in southern Iraq and
Pentagon official said. After the war
overwhelmed by the extent of the
helicopters, deliberately kept the
Kuwait, and because the aircraft
ended and the rebellions erupted,
Kurdish catastrophe. Satellite and
U.S. position ambiguous.
are largely undetectable by AWACS
military officials concede they
aerial surveillance failed to detect
In the days following, as troops
surveillance planes, U.S. aircraft
learned the extent of the refugee
the magnitude of the disaster be-
loyal to Saddam consolidated their
would have to be sent to find the
problem from news reports.
cause of the constant movement of
hold over southern Iraq and then
helicopters if a decision were made
Initial attempts to organize an
the refugees, the mountainous ter-
moved north to crush the Kurds
to shoot them down. Protecting
emergency relief effort became
rain and poor weather, according to
with a vengeance, the issue of
those planes would involve further
mired in bureaucratic disorganiza-
military. officials.
whether the United States should
engagement, Powell said, as would
tion, interagency struggles and the
As the French appealed to the
intervene to forestall more massa-
potential rescue operations.
United Nations to act on the Kurds'
U.N. trade embargo against Iraq.
cres was raised inside the admin-
"He portrayed for the president
"There has been a reluctance to
plight, the Bush administration con-
istration, but only in what officials
how the process of getting drawn in
be drawn into the humanitarian as-
tinued to hesitate, and Turkish au-
described as a sort of tangential,
would be so easy," the official said.
sistance role for fear that when the
STRUGGLE
Pq.
18
STRUGGLE
viet Union, China and many Third
from Pg. 15
World countries, sensitive to intru-
thorities sought to keep the refu-
sions on sovereignty, would ap-
gees in border zones pending guar-
prove the formal establishment of
antees of international assistance.
such a sanctuary over Iraq's oppo-
When U.S., French and British
sition to it. But the Bush adminis-
planes finally began last weekend
tration appeared to settle on an in-
dropping foodstuffs and other sup-
formal route to the same end, Issu-
plies on some refugee areas, one
ing firm warnings last week to Iraq
military official compared the lim-
not to interfere with humanitarian
ited move to "throwing popcorn at
efforts north of the 36th parallel.
pigeons," with no coordinated dis-
Concerned that the refugee
tribution method on the ground.
camps not become permanent sites
Later in the week, U.S. officials
of squalor and misery for the Kurds
announced plans for a much larger
as well as potential breeding
land-and-air relief effort dubbed
grounds for terrorists, U.S. officials
"Operation Provide Comfort," but
hope to see the refugees eventually
stressed their intention to turn the
reintegrated into Iraq. But a senior
operation over to international
official said Friday this "will be a
agencies by next month and com-
big, big problem" and can only occur
plete the withdrawal of U.S. forces
if Saddam leaves power. And the
from the region as soon as possible.
likelihood of that, he said, remains
With a U.N. observer force pres-
as uncertain as ever.
ently assuming control of a demil-
Staff writers Bob Woodward, David
itarized zone in southern Iraq
Hoffman, R. Jeffrey Smith and
where Shiite refugees are being
George Lardner Jr. in Washington,
sheltered, Turkish and British au-
correspondents David B. Ottaway in
thorities proposed last week to pro-
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and William
tect the Kurds with a U.N.-sanc-
Drozdiah in Paris, and researcher
tioned enclave in northern Iraq.
Mark Stanced contributed to this
U.S. officials doubted that the So-
report.
PLEASE CREDIT ANY QUOTES OR EXCERPTS FROM THIS ABC NE/S TELEVISION
PROGRAM TO "ABC NEWS' THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY."
ABC NEWS
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY
Sunday, April 14, 1991
GUESTS:
FORREST SAWYER
ABC News Correspondent
BRENT SCOWCROFT
National Security Adviser
ARIEL SHARON
Israeli Minister of Housing,
HOSHYAR ZEBARI
Spokesman, Kurdistan Front
INTERVIEWED BY:
David Brinkley - ABC News
George F. Will - ABC News Analyst
Sam Donaldson - ABC News
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
David Glodt
(c) Copyright 1991, American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Transcript by:
NEWS TRANSCRIPTS, INC.
1333 H Street, N.W., Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 682-9050
ABC NEWS PRESS CONTACT: Julie Vecchione (212) 456-6464
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - April 14, 1991
1
MR. BRINKLEY: Forrest Sawyer of ABC News, as you have seen since the gulf war started,
has been in the Persian Gulf from the beginning, months ago, and has been there and seen it all until
now. Now he has been on the Iran-Iraq border, and today now he is in Paris where we will talk with
him. And here in studio are George Will and Sam Donaldson, both of ABC News.
Forrest, how are you?
MR. SAWYER: I'm just fine, David.
MR. BRINKLEY: Good, tell us what's happening. Is the food getting there?
MR. SAWYER: Well, to my knowledge. I left the border a couple of days ago. We just talked
with some people who are in touch with what's going on at the border as of this morning, and the
answer is no. Inside Iran, international food is not arriving at all, nor is any other kind of help. The
only help that is being provided to those refugees at this point is by local villagers, who have organized
themselves--school teachers, shopkeepers, clerks, working day and night to try to get them food. The
farthest distance that I know that relief is coming from is the regional capital of Bahktaran, about
three hours drive. And that, frankly, is all that's getting there.
MR. WILL: Forrest, what can you tell us about the motives that were causing these hundreds
of thousands of people to start moving on foot? Is it fear of the 'army or is it fear of life in Iraq
generally? That is, what hope can we have that these people will become either reconciled to or feel
safe about life in Iraq?
MR. SAWYER: Well, I would say it's more than fear; it's abject terror, George. These people
have seen people killed in front of them; they have seen helicopters drop napalm; they claim that
chemical weapons have been used against them. I have seen myself children that have been badly
injured. I saw one die in front of me from the injuries caused by the Iraqi army. They simply feel they
cannot be safe. If they go back, as Saddam has invited them, they're convinced there will be yet
another massacre. And I believe that history is likely on their side. They just don't believe anything
that Saddam has to say; they believe it's genocide and that he's not going to stop until they are all out
or they're dead.
MR. WILL: So your understanding from watching these people and seeing the palpable fear
at work among them is that they're going to continue across the border and the world is going to have,
for the foreseeable future, then, a sizeable refugee problem in neighboring countries?
MR. SAWYER: Unquestionably. I don't see any reason for them, given what they believe, to
turn back from an escape to some kind of refuge.
MR. DONALDSON: Well, Forrest, if they don't want to turn back, what's the situation in Iran,
where you have been just a couple of days ago? Does Iran have any capability of feeding these people,
of housing them? Does it have any desire to?
MR. SAWYER: Well, there's a dispute that appears to be going on right now, Sam, between
the international agencies from the west and Iran--this we're being told by those international agencies
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THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - April 14, 1991
2
themselves. Iran wants the west not to have the kind of propaganda windfall they believe that would
come if they were to control the delivery of the goods from beginning to end. Now, quite obviously,
the agencies themselves are concerned that the supplies reach the people they are trying to help and
not wind up in the black market, as they have in the past in many countries. So that dispute is
stalling a lot of supplies from actually reaching there.
In addition, there's a tremendous bureaucratic problem inside Iran. I know that a lot of
supplies didn't move simply because they were on holiday for Ramadan. And finally there's the
logistical problem, Sam: they are so far up in the mountains, and these roadways are so clogged, as
they cling right along the sides of those mountains, that for the goods to actually get there is very, very
difficult indeed. And only a lit bit is going.
MR. BRINKLEY: So vanity, ego, and bureaucratic infighting are stopping the food from
reaching people who are starving. Slightly disgusting, isn't it?
MR. SAWYER: It's terrible to actually see it because every day, David, as I watched, the
conditions grew worse and the panic and fear on these people's faces grew worse. When they'd see a
bread truck, they'd gather around it and begin fighting among each other. It is an awful thing to have
to watch, and, of course, far more awful to live through.
MR. BRINKLEY: Forrest, thank you. Come on home now and get some dry socks, will you?
Now, in London, Hoshyar Zebari, who is a spokesman for the Kurdish Democratic Party.
Mr. Zebari, thanks for coming, we're pleased to have you with us. Now, you were staying in
communication with your--you're in London--staying in communication with your people by short wave
radio, is that right?
MR. ZEBARI: That's right, yes.
MR. BRINKLEY: Tell us, what are they telling you this morning?
MR. ZEBARI: Well, the situation is desperate in many ways. This human tragedy is still
unfolding; it's an epic tragedy, I mean, by all standards. And relief aid is not getting through. There
are a number of obstacles-bureaucracy, logistic, and terrain, are all hampering this relief operation.
And what has been arriving is too little and too late. People are dying every single day. Yesterday,
we had an estimate of 1,000 people are dying a day.
So the situation is very desperate, and it has been described by some aid workers as apocalyptic.
And more aid is needed and more concerted international effort is needed. And it's not time to worry
and to concern oneself about legal niceties. People are desperately in need of immediate food,
medicine, doctors, and the air drop operation has not been going well. In fact, we know that many of
the drops have fallen on the Turkish side; the Turkish soldiers are preventing people from getting
them; and it has caused a number of fatal deaths by people when they are dropped on them. We hope
that this new operation to drop things by helicopters--
MR. DONALDSON: Well, let me--may I just interrupt you for a moment and ask you whether
you have any word of continued attacks by Saddam Hussein? He came yesterday to the north, as you
know, and promised that there would be no armed assault and he invited all the Kurds to come back
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THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - April 14, 1991
3
and said--except for the ones who were killers, in his words-they would be safe.
MR. ZEBARI: Well, last night, we had a report that there has been heavy fighting just north
of Sulaimaniya to control a mountain range called Guyaja (phonetic); and they heavily bombarded and
shelled the mountain range and also convoys of refugees who are fleeing toward the Iranian borders
in Shwarta and Penguin (phonetic).
MR. DONALDSON: May I ask you to just--
MR. ZEBARI: The day before also there was heavy fighting and it was reported by independent
correspondents who were on the scene just north of Erbil.
MR. DONALDSON: May I ask you, sir--may I just ask you how certain you are of that? As you
know, the United States has now laid down a marker, in a sense, by saying to Saddam Hussein that
he must not do that. If he were doing that, then the United States did not move--our marker would
be worthless.
MR. ZEBARI: Well, I'm afraid the United States are not abiding by this promise. I mean, a
number of operations have been carried out north of the 36th parallel, and the latest was in Salah al-
Din, the day--yesterday, where there was heavy fighting and also north--further north in Zukho, they
have used six helicopter gunships. So in fact our people back in Iraqi Kurdistan, I mean, tell us that
the United States threat are not serious at all and the argument has been put in a confused way that
either military intervention or nothing. I think there is a great deal in between which the United
States could do. The argument which has been put forward by President Bush that he want to get the
kids back home-- we want them to go back as soon as possible--but in fact there is a moral
responsibility the United States should take as these people--
MR. WILL: Sir, if I may interrupt, one of the proposals for overriding what you call the "legal
niceties" in this case is for the international community, perhaps the U.N., to establish and enforce
within Iraq a safe haven for the Kurds. Is that what the Kurdish community wants? And, if so, can
you tell us how long U.N. and other forces would have to be there in order to guarantee the safety of
the Kurds against the central government of Iraq?
MR. ZEBARI: Well, this proposal is welcomed by our leadership, by the Front leadership, in
fact, and we have expressed our cooperation to the prime minister, when he received us a few days ago
at 10 Downing Street. This is a temporary solution to protect people and to feed them for now, but,
in fact, longer solutions are needed for these people. Our people have no faith whatsoever to go back
to Saddam Hussein's--
MR. WILL: But, sir, if I may interrupt, isn't that--that's the point that worries a lot of people:
for the long term that wouldn't be satisfactory; you say yourself you have no faith in the Baghdad
government. Isn't the logic of any intervention that sets up an independent safe haven, eventual
secession, autonomy, and essentially the splintering of the territorial integrity of Iraq?
MR. ZEBARI: Well, I don't think so because, in fact, never it has been our intention to set up
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THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - April 14, 1991
4
an independent Kurdish state in northern Iraq. Our policy has been very clear from the beginning,
that we are calling for a democratic change in which we would be part of it. I am for the Kurdish
people to be--to enjoy regional autonomy. This has been our objective. I don't think that will
encourage the Kurds, you see, to have an independent entity. I'm afraid the U.S. policymakers have
been putting things upside down; I mean, never, never the Kurdish intention has been to set up an
independent Kurdish state in northern Iraq because that is not viable and could not be possible
politically, economically, and geographically. What these people need is protection, international
protection, basically, which the United Nations has the mandate in fact to go that far.
MR. BRINKLEY: Mr. Zebari, thank you. Thank you very much for being with us and giving
us your thoughts on this. We'll be back with a background report on the Middle East peace conference,
if any, and, shortly, Ariel Sharon, Housing Minister of Israel, and General Brent Scowcroft, assistant
to President Bush for national security--in a moment.
(Announcements)
MR. BRINKLEY: Nothing is settled, nothing, between Israel and the Palestinians, but at least
the conversations have gone further than ever before, including an agreement to have a peace
conference under a long list of preconditions. Before we ask about it, here's some back ground from
Jack Smith.
(Video backgrounder.)
MR. BRINKLEY: Coming next, Ariel Sharon, who is Israel's Housing Minister; and, shortly,
General Brent Scowcroft, assistant to President Bush for national security, in a moment.
(Announcements)
MR. BRINKLEY: General Sharon, in Israel, thank you very much for coming in today.
MINISTER SHARON: Thank you.
MR. BRINKLEY: We're glad to have you with us. You know everyone here, George Will and
Sam Donaldson. Now, General, your policy is to go ahead with Jewish settlements in the occupied
territories, as we hear all the time? What do you say about this to Secretary Baker when he is there
visiting and discussing it with you? What do you tell him?
MINISTER SHARON: I never had a chance to meet with Secretary Baker personally. If I
would have had a chance, of course, I would have explained the purpose, why the government of Israel
decided to build Jewish communities in Samaria, Judea, Gaza in the past; it's a government decision,
it's a government policy. And I would say the government, with any prime minister, are full partners
in this process. I'm only the member of the government who is in charge of execution, but that is a
decision, a government decision. The reason for the decision that we took years ago was in order to
keep in our hands the most vital terrain for our existence.
We were never interested not in agricultural land, we were interested in the high controlling
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5
hills and mountains in order that our overlooking our coastal plain where two-thirds of our population
live there, and mostly now after the last war, maybe we understand even better the importance of
strategic depths. Therefore, the purpose of it--nothing to do with the peace process. I personally
believe that it will not harm the peace process, it may only contribute. Because one must understand
when we talk about confidence-building measures, confidence-building measures should give Israel the
feelings of security, that we are secure; and these settlements or communities gives us these--a feeling
of security. Therefore, they will only contribute to peace.
MR. WILL: Mr. Sharon, let me ask you about that. There are those in the American
government who argue as follows: They say that the real lesson of the gulf war, and particularly the
lesson the Scud attacks on Israel, is that there is no connection any longer between land and security,
between what you call "strategic depth" and the security of Israel. What do you say to the people who
say that recent developments in war in the gulf indicate that there is no connection between the West
Bank and the security needs of Israel?
MINISTER SHARON: Of course, I will not accept it. The situation in the Middle East now,
when there is a new arms race now--and, first of all, Syria now is getting arms and ground-to-ground
missiles. The missiles are not replacing the conventional arms--they are not replacing tanks; they are
not replacing artillery; they are above and beyond all the conventional weapons which exist there in
thousands of numbers. Syria itself is having at the present time 4;600 tanks, so that is in addition.
Beside that, if you would have been here during those days of the Scud attacks and you would
have seen tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of people leaving in long convoy the center
of the country, rushing to the south, rushing to the east; and when the Scud started to hit the southern
part of the country, rushing back to the north. Israel is a tiny, small country and you cannot live
without having the depths, and to that I will add, I would say our warning systems--all which I would
say we need in order to know in advance what's happening--is based upon those mountains.
MR. WILL: Can I ask you very quickly if that means--this need for strategic depth means that
in your judgment it is impossible for Israel to consider yielding back to Syria the Golan Heights?
MINISTER SHARON: I think that we made it thoroughly clear in the past. The Israeli
parliament, the Knesset, received a resolution in December, 1981, that the Golan Heights are integral
part of the state of Israel. And when we talk about the Syrians, one must understand that with Syria
we have many problems. I mean, the immediate one, of course, is the purchasing, acquisition of
tremendous amount of weapons. But beside that we have the problem that Syria is occupying most
of Lebanon and endangering us from the northern part.
MR. DONALDSON: All right, General, if I may ask you, if you're not going to entertain any
possibility of returning occupied territories, what are you going to give the Arabs? If you sit down at
a peace conference or in any way direct face-to-face talks, what do they get out of making peace with
Israel?
MINISTER SHARON: I think that the time arrived that the Arabs should be asked, what are
you going to give for peace? Peace is important for the Arabs not less than for ourselves. And I
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THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - April 14, 1991
6
believe that many things can be done.
MR. DONALDSON: But what do they get out of a peace? What do they get out of a peace?
MINISTER SHARON: What they will get out of the peace will be first of all, a possibility to
use their financial means, their budget, for development, for education, for industrializing their
countries, for many other things; I mean, there are many things that should be solved in the Middle
East that I believe that we can do together with the Arab countries.
MR. DONALDSON: Mr. Minister, could I just ask you a quick--almost a yes-or-no answer: Was
the United States right to stop when it did in Iraq? Or should the coalition forces have gone in and
actually deposed Saddam Hussein?
MINISTER SHARON: I think that Saddam Hussein had to be removed. We are speaking
about a war criminal that controls again Iraq, having still now almost 3,000 tanks that are massacring
the Kurds, doing the most terrible things. And when I see the way that he controls Iraq now, I am
very much afraid that it will be very short time until he will become again the main danger to the
Middle East.
MR. BRINKLEY: General, thank you. Thank you very much for giving us your views today.
Pleasure to hear from you, good luck.
MINISTER SHARON: Thank you.
MR. BRINKLEY: Coming next, General Brent Scowcroft, who is assistant to President Bush
for national security. In a moment.
(Announcements)
MR. BRINKLEY: General Scowcroft, thanks for coming, pleased to have you.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Good morning, David.
MR. BRINKLEY: The perception is around that the Bush administration did not anticipate and
was surprised by the aftermath of the gulf war, the blood and the killings and SO on. Is that true?
MR. SCOWCROFT: I don't think that's true. We did anticipate that there would be a lot of
chaos and that the winning of the war would not solve the problems of that region by any stretch of
the imagination. Indeed, we had relief supplies positioned at the various exits from Iraq. One of the
things I think we perhaps did not anticipate was the severity of Saddam Hussein's attack with the
Kurds with possibly the intention of solving his Kurdish problem by driving them out.
MR. BRINKLEY: Had we been able to anticipate it, which would perhaps be superhuman, but
had we been able to, what might we have done about it? Removed him from office?
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MR. SCOWCROFT: No, I don't think SO.
MR. BRINKLEY: I know you didn't want to do that, but--could we have done it?
MR. SCOWCROFT: No, no, we didn't want to do that. That would have changed the whole
character of the situation. What we could have done is perhaps preposition more supplies in Turkey;
that's a very difficult border and it is hard to get supplies in; it is hard for the people to survive now
at those altitudes; we perhaps could marginally have improved that, but only marginally.
MR. BRINKLEY: Well, we've just heard from Forrest Sawyer, as maybe you've heard, that this
stuff is simply not getting there because of the difficulty of the terrain, and there are no railroads, no
roads, no nothing.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, it's my understanding that Forrest was talking primarily about the
Iran border in his discussion. The supplies are getting to the Turkish border refugees now by air; the
real problem there now is organization on the ground. There's nobody there to control the distribution
and SO on; big problem still.
MR. WILL: There seem to be three alternatives, not one of which is very attractive. One is
that Saddam Hussein succeeds in causing such panic that the Kurds' flee the country and he solves his
problem that way. The other is that they are left to his tender mercies, blocked from leaving, and we
stand in the outside world and watch this. The third is that there be some kind of safe haven created.
How does the U.N. or the U.N. with the coalition partners create a safe haven within Iraq without
becoming permanently involved in organizing the internal arrangements, perhaps federalism, a
confederation, and all these complicated matters that it took our country two centuries to straighten
out? How do you avoid doing that without becoming enmeshed for decades?
MR. SCOWCROFT: That's a very-that's a very difficult issue, George, and you've described
it accurately. What we are de facto creating now is a kind of safe haven, simply to protect the
refugees; that is, in our view, a short-term solution. The longer term solution, absent the departure
of Saddam Hussein, which we would still like to see, is some kind of protection which would allow them
to return to Iraq; and we have not solved that problem.
MR. WILL: Isn't a safe haven an instant West Bank? That is, no one's happy with it?
MR. SCOWCROFT: I think that's fair enough, yes.
MR. WILL: Let me ask you another question going back to the West Bank and the Middle
East. We just heard Mr. Sharon talking in terms of Israel's need for strategic depths. That sounds as
though once the Sinai was given up, which was, I guess, 95 percent of all the land captured in the '67
war, that Israel now feels it has reached the limit of its ability to yield land for peace contingent on
keeping its own security. Do you think that the lessons of the war confirm, refute, or are neutral on
that position?
MR. SCOWCROFT: I think they tend to refute it. Indeed, I think history tends to refute it.
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8
What Israel did with Egypt is give up territory for a piece of paper, for a peace treaty; and they've
given up all the Sinai now. They don't have strategic depth there against the largest force in the
Middle East and they are quite secure on that border because they have an agreement with Egypt.
Minister Sharon, for example, talked about the need for strategic depth on the ground, but when he
discussed the last war, the only--and Syria--the only thing he talked about was the terror of the Scud
missiles and the Syrians now having Scuds. It seems to me that the lesson of this war is that Israel's
security does not solely depend on the--
MR. WILL: But he did also talk about the tanks and the number of tanks the Syrians have that
were last seen in Israel pouring down the Golan Heights. Is that not a legitimate concern?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Yes, it's a legitimate concern, but I would argue that the same thing can
be done and needs to be done in that area that was done in Egypt with the added condition that one
has to get rid of the possibility of Scuds or more modern missiles out of the range of Israel's strategic
capability.
MR. DONALDSON: General Scowcroft, as I understand it, the United States has warned
Saddam Hussein twice now, last weekend and in the middle of the week, not to conduct offensive
ground or air operations against the Kurdish refugees in the north. Yet we've just heard a Kurdish
spokesman maintain that Saddam is doing that. What is the fact?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, what we have done is warn him against interfering with refugee
operations. So far as I know, there--we don't have any confirmation that he is. There have been some
battles going on north of al-Sulaimaniya--
MR. DONALDSON: Well, let me see if I--
MR. SCOWCROFT: Those are between, as I understand it, between Kurdish armed forces and
Iraqi armed forces.
MR. DONALDSON: Kurdish armed forces?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Yes.
MR. DONALDSON: Who are they? You mean guerrilla fighters?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Yes, of course.
MR. DONALDSON: What do they have, small arms?
MR. SCOWCROFT: What I'm trying to say is what we're saying is we will not countenance
interference in refugee operations. We are not going to intervene as we had in the performance of the
war.
MR. DONALDSON: Well, I think, General, the president's policy must have been widely
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9
misunderstood, at least in some quarters. I think some people believed that what the administration
was saying to Saddam was that he was not to kill Kurds anymore. But you are saying that he can kill
Kurds as long as it's not an interference with an on-the-place refugee relief operation.
MR. SCOWCROFT: In fact, there are not great hostilities going on now, but what we did--I'm
talking about the specific warning we gave him, was not to interfere with the refugee operations.
MR. DONALDSON: So, in your view, he has not been interfering with the refugee operation?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Not to any significant extent that we're able to--
MR. DONALDSON: General, let me ask you about the enclave idea that you and George were
discussing, as well as the buffer zone in the south that I understand the president has now said U.S.
troops are to withdraw from--is that correct? How long will U.S. troops stay to guarantee safety within
either the buffer zone in the south or any enclaves in the north.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, by buffer zone I think you mean the part of Iraq that we have been
occupying?
MR. DONALDSON: Yes.
MR. SCOWCROFT: And from which we are now beginning to withdraw. The actual buffer
zone is along the border, 10 kilometers north of the border into Iraq and five kilometers south--
MR. DONALDSON: Well, the U.N. buffer zone, I understand.
MR. SCOWCROFT: That's the U.N. buffer zone.
MR. DONALDSON: No, I'm talking about U.S. troops that are currently in Iraq. When will
they be withdrawn completely?
MR. SCOWCROFT: They are being withdrawn now; they'll be out probably in a few days.
MR. BRINKLEY: Isn't there something strange, General, in the fact that we have won the war
but Saddam Hussein is still in office?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, it's certainly disappointing, yes, but we decided early on last fall
what our objectives were and to stick to those objectives. And in the past, when the United States--
MR. BRINKLEY: Are you glad, are you sorry? Do you feel good about having him there?
MR. SCOWCROFT: I don't feel good about what has happened, but I feel good about our
decisions and about sticking to them.
MR. BRINKLEY: George, you've got a few seconds.
NEWS TRANSCRIPTS, INC. (202) 682-9050
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - April 14, 1991
10
MR. WILL: The Saudis particularly might be expected to feel a certain gratitude toward the
United States over its actions since last August 2nd. Can you tell us, in the sign of that gratitude on
the part of the Saudis, for example, are they reconsidering their support of the P.L.O.? Are they
considering abandoning the boycott of nations that do business with Israel? Any sign at all of
moderation?
MR. SCOWCROFT: Well, I don't want to get out ahead of what Secretary Baker is doing right
now. Let me just say, George, that there are signs from Saudi Arabia, from the rest of the Arab world,
and from Israel, that we now do have what one could call a narrow window of opportunity where there
is, at least temporarily, a changed attitude. Whether it will result in people taking steps which they
heretofore have found painful, we're still exploring.
MR. BRINKLEY: General, thank you; thanks very much for coming; pleased to have you.
MR. SCOWCROFT: Thank you, David.
NEWS TRANSCRIPTS, INC. - (202) 682-9050
WASHINGTON POST
April 14, 1991
Pg. B7
Jim Hoagland
Here's a New One:
The Beirut Syndrome
Like Mark Twain, the Soviet and Ameri-
can military establishments can now muse
pleasurably over premature obituaries about
In Moscow, chief of staff Moiseyev manip-
them last year. Instead of fading away,
ulates failure the way Powell has used suc-
these soldiers rebound, taking charge of
cess to gain political ascendancy. Smarting
global security issues that the politicians
over the retreat from Germany and the loss
of its Arab clients in the Middle East, the
seemed to control only a few months ago.
Soviet military has clawed back the policy
Events have invested Gen. Colin Powell,
ground it lost in the early days of perestroi-
the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and
ka and glasnost.
his Soviet counterpart, Gen. Mikhail Moisey-
ev, with authority to rein in the freewheeling
At a high-level U.S.-Soviet meeting in
Moscow last month, Moiseyev made it clear
restructuring of international relations that
George Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev prom-
to U.S. negotiators that the Soviet military
now controls the fate of the deadlocked CFE
ised at the Washington summit last June.
Vienna arms control accord. He offered a
After five years of hectic change, playing it
grudging concession, subsequently endorsed
safe becomes the order of the day.
by Gorbachev, but he refused to discuss
In Washington, the military command de-
modifying it in any way. Moiseyev was
ploys the credibility and clout gained by the
contemptuous of the Soviet Foreign Minis-
Desert Storm victory to get its way and get
try participants as well as the members of
out of Iraq quickly. The Bush administration
Secretary of State Jim Baker's team, ac-
also cold shoulders requests from the new
cording to a U.S. account of the meeting.
democracies of Eastern Europe for Western
Powell's strengthened clout was evident
commitments to defend them and tones
in his success in watering down the "You fly,
down bold ideas on reorganizing NATO to
you die" warning Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf
give Western Europe defense autonomy.
gave to the Iraqi military at the beginning of
This does not mean that Powell and his
the cease-fire. That warning was intended
colleagues want to see Saddam survive and
to cover Iraqi combat helicopters as well as
Lech Walesa and Vaclav Havel fall. They
fixed-wing aircraft, as President Bush said
don't. But their reluctance to consider new
on March 13 in Ottawa.
commitments as circumstances change limits
But the policy was undone at a March 26
America's ability to prevent such unwelcome
White House meeting, where it was decided
results. In Iraq and in the new Europe forming
to announce publicly that the United States
in the twilight of the Cold War, the Joint Chiefs
would not shoot down Iraqi helicopters at-
seem to be demanding a clarity and tidiness
tacking Kurdish and Shiite rebels. The an-
that could exist only if they had completely
nouncement had the political effect of giving
vanquished the enemy on the battlefield.
Saddam carte blanche for massacre.
"The press and the public underestimate
Throughout the meeting, Powell pressed
the role the U.S. military is playing in
Bush, Baker and national security adviser
driving policy right now," a senior adminis-
Brent Scowcroft to define what mission U.S.
tration official said of the messy aftermath
troops would be pursuing if they "reen-
in Iraq. "People who wear uniforms have a
gaged" the Iraqi army. The fuzzy answers
great deal of credibility in this town," of-
he got allowed Powell to push for and get a
fered another senior policy maker in a
preliminary decision on total immediate
conversation about Europe.
Doctrine to use force to protect the new demo-
BEIRUT
cratic system taking root in Eastern Europe.
But a Beirut syndrome emerges to re-
place the Vietnam syndrome President Bush
CONTINUED
says America has kicked. The military's
reluctance to live in and work with uncer-
U.S. withdrawal from the Iraqi-Kuwaiti the-
tainty inhibits U.S. policy in the gulf and in
ater.
Europe in a crucial moment of change.
"The debate in the administration had to be
The tragic flight of the Kurds has re-
settled," one White House official said. "The
opened the debate in Washington and gained
president felt it had gone on long enough.
the Kurds some protection in the areas
The announcement about the helicopters was
where U.S. relief supplies are distributed.
made to show that it was over." The crucial
The Bush administration repairs some of
decision was to withdraw as quickly as possi-
the damage by putting the U.S. military in
ble, which fits Bush's main political problem:
charge of the emergency relief effort in
How can he resume fighting when he had
northern Iraq. But more must be done.
already declared total victory?
Improvising as the situation changes-in
"Powell recalls constantly that we left
this case, making it clear to Saddam that
Marines sitting in Beirut without a mission,
U.S. forces will stay there as long as his
and they got bombed" in 1983, says one
regime is in power and slaughters its citi-
official. "He uses that effectively to chal-
"zens-will avoid even greater tragedy and
lenge his civilian superiors to be very clear
instability for the future. The need for a
about committing U.S. force. He argued we
force on the ground to make sure Iraq lives
would use assemble massive force, use it
up to the strict terms of the United Nations
ruthlessly and then get out immediately.
cease-fire also argues against a headlong
That is still his program. We won 100-0.
rush out of Iraq.
Why reopen the game?"
Saddam bet that the United States would "run
The Joint Chiefs' determination to avoid
out of breath" in the confrontation with Iraq and
American casualties and imprecise goals in Iraq
quit rather than achieve victory. His massacres
is admirable in itself. So is their reluctance to
extend the finish line. This is a challenge the
replace the Brezhnev Doctrine with a Bush
U.S. military's new influence and power should
be employed to meet, not to duck.
TIME INSIDER (SUPPLEMENT)
April 15, 1991
Pg. 1
Insights on Desert Storm
was not like JFK, saying where the tanks could go in Berlin, or
LBJ, picking bombing targets, and people like to work for him.
INSIDE KUWAIT: Anger and Chaos
Bruce van Voorst, TIME's Senior Correspondent
Q. How did you feel about the news blackout that was an-
TIME
for National Security Affairs, is a veteran foreign
nounced at the outset of the ground attack in Desert Storm?
correspondent who has served stints in Bonn, Brus-
A Moment To Savor
A. I couldn't fight it, to be honest. As much as it runs counter to
sels, Buenos Aires, Beirut and Tehran. He has also
And the lessons
my professional interest, I think the refusal to give briefings in
victory
covered the worlds of high tech and business, re-
the first phase was perfectly reasonable. Saddam's only eyes
porting cover stories for TIME on subjects as
were our press reports. We had total intelligence, and he knew
diverse as IBM and the breakup of AT&T. With a
virtually nothing about us. The U.S. was involved in two major
heat that takes him to Capitol Hill, the State
feints that, if detected, would have left American troops vulner-
Department, the CIA and the Pentagon, van Voorst
able. Saddam's information network consisted of a few
had one of the best perches in Washington from
Bedouins wandering across the border. I interpreted his forays
which to watch the nation and its leadership cope with the stress of
war. Recently TIME INSIDER asked van Voorst for his impressions
like the one at
Q. How do you think
of two key figures in the winning of that war.
Khafji as intelli-
the Pentagon's pool
Q. Talk for a minute about the relationship between Secretary Cheney
gence-gathering
policy worked?
and General Powell. How do they interact when they're together?
missions. It was
A. It didn't work
A. Cheney is Mr. Outside; he states the policy. On the plane coming back
imperative that no
very well. During a
from the Middle East a couple of weeks ago, Cheney sat in the Secre-
one [in the news
visit in early January,
tary's chair, very much in command, and Powell had to scramble for a
media] help him by
I was able to wander
seat just like the rest of us. But every once in a while, Cheney will defer
divulging tactical
around the front rela-
to Powell. He'll say, 'General Powell has to tutor the Secretary of De-
information. No-
tively unhindered,
tice that Cheney
fense' on this or that. Powell is enormously gregarious, but he is
but by the time the
killed this after two
also a no-nonsense administrator. And remember that the Gold-
war began on Jan-
water-Nichols Act of 1986 made the Chairman of the Joint
days when the
uary 17, the military
military situation
Chiefs the real leader of the armed forces. It's a job that's tailor-
pool system was in
made for someone like Powell. The service chiefs have been
permitted.
effect and dampened
downgraded, almost to the point where they now just supply the
all initiative. To be sure, the campaign at that point was largely
men and matériel. The real power is Powell's, and he uses it.
an air war, with little for American correspondents to do but in-
Q. Are the two close personal friends?
terview returning pilots after a mission. The basic problem was
A. No. They meet every afternoon at 5:00 when they're in the
that the system prevented correspondents from talking with the
city for an update on the situation, but then Powell retires to re-
troops, which after all is their chief mission and has been in ev-
pair Volvos, and Cheney reads about fly-fishing.
ery conflict since the Civil War. It's true that a lot of the corre-
spondents who were sent to the gulf should have been home
Q. Volvos?
covering city council. They weren't war correspondents. Cover-
A. Yes, Powell loves Volvos. I asked him once, as a sort of test
ing a war is a specialized kind of reporting. You wouldn't send
of the legend, about the firing order on a 4-cylinder Volvo, and
your music correspondent to cover a war; why would you send
he shot the answer right back at me. He often has grease under
your city council man? Many of them sat in their hotel rooms
his fingernails, and he laughs that his secretary lectures him
and yelled that they weren't being given any information. The
about it. Cheney subscribes to six magazines about fly-fishing,
irony is that because of the constraints, the Pentagon will not
and he reads them instead of murder mysteries.
have a video record of much of the combat.
Q. How have relations been among the top men in the Adminis-
Q. Who was responsible for the policy?
tration during this crisis? The public hears very little backbit-
A. Cheney, of course, but also Pete Williams, his spokesman as
ing among the White House, DoD and State.
well. I will say a lot of nice things about him, but I would still
A. Given the egos involved, it's incredible. There's nothing like
object strongly to the pool. Pete was brought in by Cheney. He
the struggle between Weinberger and Shultz. There's been al-
knew virtually nothing about military affairs. He learned [about]
most no rancor. Partly, that may be because the U.S. was on the
the Pentagon very quickly, and he's emerged as the most effec-
march toward victory. But there are other reasons, too. [Nation-
tive guy in that slot in my memory. He runs a big operation: the
al Security Adviser] Brent Scowcroft is a straight arrow. He's
Pentagon spends $2 on public information for every dollar we
66, and he doesn't have his own agenda. Also, Bill Webster, the
and the networks spend covering defense affairs. He's an articu-
director of the CIA, is a lovely person but is a relatively weak
late, relaxed and funny man. But the pool was a bad idea.
figure in the inner councils. And Cheney and Baker are friends.
Q. Do you think the policy really hurt coverage?
Cheney's the reason Baker bought his ranch in Wyoming, and
A. I don't believe it hurt TIME. Our problem was not really too
Cheney introduced him to fly-fishing. But also, the President in-
little information. I think what our readers wanted were judg-
sists on loyalty, and the President has turned out to be a pretty
ments that made use of the information we had to put the action
hard-nosed guy. He defers to the people he trusts, and most im-
portant, he deferred to the on-site commander, Norman
in some perspective.
Schwarzkopf, who happens to be a very good general. Bush
Q. Can you give us some perspective on the military lessons?
INSIGHTS CONTINUED
appears to have performed well, but that's against a second rate
Iraqi air defense, which proves little about how the B-2 would
A. Yes. First, I think the success we had in destroying SCUDS
fare against sophisticated Soviet systems. Third, the accuracy of
will stimulate development of SDI- the antimissile system. Pa-
the Tomahawks may make us reappraise the need for another
triots can't destroy an ICBM, and people saw what a difference
generation of manned bombers. And finally, the call up of the
being able to shoot down a missile makes to a country's de-
Reserves and National Guard showed gross deficiencies that
fense. Second, the inability to find many of the mobile SCUD
call into question the whole total force concept that requires ear-
launchers will force another look at the B-2 bomber. Seeking
ly use of Guard and Reserve units. Those are the most immedi-
out Soviet mobile missiles had been one of the Air Force's justi-
ate questions that will be addressed, I think. There are plenty of
fications for the bomber, which costs as much as if it were built
other, more general issues, but those are some of the purely
of gold. The F-117A fighter, also a stealth-technology aircraft,
technical ones that occur to me.
White House News Summary
Monday, April 15, 1991 -- A-5
KUWAIT INVITES NON-U.S. COMPANIES TO BATTLE OIL WELLS INFERNO
KUWAIT -- Kuwait Saturday set a target of seven months to
extinguish all its 500 blazing oil wells and planned to bring in
non-U.S. companies because U.S. experts were not working fast
enough.
Oil Minister Rashid al-Ameeri said non-American companies
would be invited in with the aim of cutting by nearly two-thirds
the American experts' two-year timetable to put out all the
fires
"I'm very much concerned about the pace, it's relatively
slow,' Ameeri told a news conference. Bringing in non-U.S.
companies would surprise the American firefighters, he added. "It
will make them work faster."
(John Rogers, Reuter)
ISRAEL SENDS MIXED MESSAGE TO PALESTINIANS ON PEACE
JERUSALEM -- Israeli leaders have sent mixed signals to
Palestinians -- offering them limited self-rule in the occupied
territories while pledging to expand Jewish settlement there.
Prime Minister Shamir told reporters Sunday that Palestinians
could control their internal affairs except foreign relations and
defense, as outlined in the 1978 Camp David accords for peace
between Israel and Egypt.
" In the negotiations for Camp David Accords, we spoke of
full autonomy. And there was an impressive list of the powers
(Palestinians) will receive in all areas of life except for some
things which make the difference between the type of rule they will
receive and an independent state, Shamir said
Shamir and his advisers said the proposal was not new but
based on an agreement between Egypt and Israel to grant the
Palestinians an interim period of self-rule followed by
negotiations for a permanent solution
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Levy told reporters after the
weekly cabinet meeting Sunday, "No one promised to stop
construction in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Our right cannot be
challenged.
Housing Minister Sharon defended Israel's decision
to build more housing in the occupied territories in an interview
Sunday on ABC's "This Week with David Brinkley." Sharon said the
West Bank had to be settled to provide military "strategic depth"
for Israel.
National Security Adviser Scowcroft, appearing later on the
same program, disagreed. Citing Egypt as an example, Scowcroft
said that land for peace was the only real solution for Israel for
protection from missiles from nearby countries.
Shamir, speaking at an airport news conference before flying
to London, said his government's policy was to expand development
in the West Bank and Gaza.
(Marjorie Olster, Reuter)
WASHINGTON POST
MONDAY, APRIL 15,1991 A17
Scowcroft Hits Israeli Housing Plan
Reuter
Scowcroft, interviewed later on the
Israeli Housing Minister Ariel
same program, disagreed. Citing
Sharon yesterday defended his
Egypt as an example, he said that
country's decision to build more
land for peace is the only real so-
housing in the occupied territories
lution for Israel to protect it from
drawing criticism from White
missiles from nearby countries.
House national security adviser
What Israel did with Egypt was
Brent Scowcroft.
give up territory for a prece of pa-
Sharon a hard-liner in Israel's
per, for a peace treaty, he said
ruling Likud party, said the West
"They ve given up all of Sinai now
Bank had to be settled to provide
They don't have strategic depth
imilitary strategic depth" for Israel.
there against the largest force in
We were never interested in
the Middle East and they re quite
a gricultural land, we were interest
secure on that border."
ed in the high controlling hills and
During the Persian Gulf War, the
mountains overlooking our
Israeh population was under attack
coastal plain where two-thirds of
from Scud missiles fired by Iraqi
our population lives, the said from
forces but the inaccurate missiles
Israel on ABC's This Week With
caused few deaths.
David Brinkley."
The Likud is committed to settle
Sharon said the land is vital to
ment in the territories although the
protect Israel from attack. But
policy has been widely condemned.
4A
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
USA TODAY
CAPITAL LINE
USA TODAY'S BRIEFING ON WASHINGTON
Bush aide, Israeli
spar over territories
Israeli Housing Minister Ariel
Sharon and U.S. national security
adviser Brent Scowcroft wrangled
Sunday on U.S. TV over settle-
ments in Israel's occupied territo-
ries. Sharon, a hard-liner in Israel's
ruling Likud Party, said the settle-
ments provide "strategic depth"
for Israel, overlooking our
coastal plain where two-thirds of
our population lives," he said from
Israel on ABC's This Week with
AP
David Brinkley. Sharon said the
SCOWCROFT: Isra-
land was vital to protect Israel
el 'secure on border'
from attack. Scowcroft disagreed,
arguing that Israel had already
traded land for peace. "What Israel did with Egypt was give
up territory for a piece of paper, for a peace treaty," Scow-
croft said. "They' ve given up all of Sinal now. They don't
have strategic depth there against the largest force in the
Middle East and they're quite secure on that border." The
Likud has sponsored Jewish settlements in the occupied ter-
ritories, captured in 1967. The settlements have been criti-
cized by the United States and other countries.
2A
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
USA TODAY
NEWSMAKERS
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH PEOPLE IN THE HEADLINES
President
weighs in
as charity
fisherman
By Richard Benedetto
USA TODAY
PINTLALLA, Ala. - President
Bush lifted the weight of world af-
fairs from his shoulders this week-
end and weighed fish instead.
He spent Saturday competing in
Reuters
an Alabama bass tournament.
'BAMA BASS: President Bush - or
It was the kind of down-home
'Coach,' as the tournament host
event local politicians show up at in
called him - displays his best bass
election years. This tournament,
before officiating at the weighing-in.
which raised $100,000 for the Pint-
lalla Baptist Church building fund,
pulled in, he held up his biggest bass.
drew the leader of the free world.
"It's as big as Brent," quipped
Bush spent five hours on a 55-acre
Bush, who often jokes about Scow-
private lake casting for bass from a
croft's height.
three-seat boat. He said he caught six
One contestant, Bill Shrader, said
fish, but threw back all but one in
he went by Bush's boat and shouted,
hopes of hooking bigger ones.
"Mr. President, we love you!"
The professional bass anglers in
Bush replied, "Why don't you let
the tournament paid $5,000 to com-
some bass come by my way?"
pete for the $50,000 prize money and
"I don't love you that much!"
to fish alongside the president.
Shrader yelled back.
Roland Martin of Clewiston, Fla.,
Bush found an excuse to be in Ala-
and Orlando Wilson of Woodstock,
bama on tournament day by giving a
Ga., won the right to fish in Bush's
9 a.m. speech on Europe and the So-
boat by throwing darts at a picture of
viet Union at Maxwell Air Force
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Base in nearby Montgomery.
After fishing, Bush spent another
He appeared touched when the
hour officiating at the weighing-in,
congregation of Pintlalla Baptist
doubling up in laughter as a bass
made him an honorary lifetime
slithered off the scale and landed on
member, but deadpanned, "Thanks
a Secret Service agent's shiny black
a lot, Ray," when Scott handed him
shoes. The agent hardly blinked.
52 weekly contribution envelopes.
Things were so informal that Ray
Bush's team finished well down in
Scott, tournament host and Bush's
the pack of anglers, weighing in with
fishing pal, kept referring to the pres-
a seven-fish catch of 15 pounds, 8
ident as "Coach," as in, "How much
ounces. The winning catch was eight
does that weigh, Coach?"
fish at 34 pounds, 14 ounces, by Char-
When Bush's diminutive national
ley Ingram of Spring Hill, Tenn., and
security adviser, Brent Scowcroft,
Guy Eaker of Cherryville, N.C.
WASHINGTON POST
Apr. 15, 1991
Pg. 1
Remaining U.S. Forces in Iraq Pulling Back
By Molly Moore
Command chief, Army Gen. H. Nor-
at Safwan."
United States ordered Iraq to ob-
Washington Post Staff Writer
man Schwarzkopf, was told "to
Central Command officials also
serve as a safe region for fleeing
The remaining U.S. military
withdraw U.S. forces from the Eu-
said other refugees in the region
Kurds.
forces inside Iraq began withdraw-
phrates [River] area
to the buff-
now occupied by allied troops will
White House national security
ing from occupied territory yester-
er zone that's specified in the cease-
be invited to move into the demil-
adviser Brent Scowcroft, appearing
day to a thin buffer zone along the
fire resolution" signed Thursday.
itarized zone for assistance and pro-
on ABC's "This Week With David
country's border with Kuwait, ac-
While the Army will pull most of
tection. About 30,000 Iraqi refu-
Brinkley," said that as he under-
cording to U.S. military officials.
its remaining 75,000 troops out of
gees are now in the Safwan area
stood it, the military action in the
Defense Secretary Richard B.
the occupied region south of the Eu-
about three miles inside Iraq from
north involved Kurdish guerrilla
Cheney said yesterday that most of
phrates within the next few days,
the Kuwaiti border, officials said.
fighters and Iraqi armed forces and
the troops will be out of Iraq within
Pentagon officials said the effort
Another 13,000 refugees remain at
the next few days-about seven
will not increase the pace at which
did not involve attacks on refugees.
a camp in the town of Fafha, which
weeks after the war against Iraqi
forces return to their home bases in
is outside the demilitarized zone,
BACK Pg. 17
forces ended. Army officials said
the United States and Europe.
authorities said.
they expect that between 3,000 and
Most of the Army forces with-
The refugee problems in south-
5,000 troops will remain in a demil-
drawing from Iraq-which are from
ern Iraq, however, pale in compar-
itarized zone that extends 10 kilo-
the Kansas-based 1st Infantry Di-
ison to the hundreds of thousands of
meters (6.2 miles) inside Iraq until
vision and the European-based 3rd
Kurdish refugees suffering in squal-
a U.N. observer force can assume
Armored Division-will remain at
its duties there. Cheney also said
temporary transit camps inside Sau-
id camps along Iraq's border with
that Iraqi refugees in the area, most
di Arabia with other U.S. forces
Turkey. Cheney said that the camps
of them Shiite Muslims, would be
awaiting return home.
on the Iraqi side of the border re-
Cheney, who like most military
main chaotic, while those in Turkey
protected and not left "to the tender
officials has pushed hard to with-
are somewhat better organized and
mercies of the Iraqis."
"We are getting out of that part
draw American forces as quickly as
controlled. He said the U.S. military
of Iraq that we previously have oc-
possible, said U.S. forces in Iraq
will continue airdropping food and
cupied," Cheney said yesterday on
will not abandon their aid to refu-
supplies to the refugees until inter-
NBC's "Meet the Press." The re-
gees in the southern region. The
national relief organizations begin
gion occupied by U.S. forces cov-
U.S. Central Command, in a state-
operating effectively in the region.
ered about 15 percent of Iraq's na-
ment released yesterday, said allied
Cheney said that the Pentagon
tional territory.
forces would "continue to protect
has been unable to confirm press
President Bush ordered the pull-
and provide humanitarian assist-
reports that Iraqi forces have at-
out on Saturday, according to
ance to refugees in the demilita-
tacked Kurdish refugees north of
Cheney. He said the U.S. Central
rized zone to include the refugees
the 36th parallel-the line the
various "exits from Iraq," the sever-
agreement established a demilita-
equipment prepositioned in Saudi
ity of the attack by Iraqi President
rized zone along 120 miles of the
Arabia in the event of a future cri-
BACK
from Pg. 4
Saddam Hussein's forces on the
Iraq-Kuwait border, extending 10
sis. The equipment, which accord-
He also said the clashes were lim-
Kurds was not anticipated.
kilometers into Iraq on one side of
ing to tentative plans will be located
ited and did not interfere with ref-
Had the Kurdish situation been
the border and five kilometers into
at King Khalid Military City in
ugee operations.
anticipated, he- said, the United
Kuwait on the other. The first con-
northern Saudi Arabia, would in-
Scowcroft was asked whether the
States might have put more relief
tingents of a 1,440-member U.N.
clude 400 tanks, 400 armored per-
president's warning against carry-
supplies at the Iraq-Turkey border,
peace-keeping force arrived in Ku-
sonnel carriers and other support
ing out military activity in a wide
but said such an effort would have
wait Saturday. The unit will even-
equipment. The U.S. military is also
swath of northern Iraq, delivered to
helped only marginally.
tually assume control of the patrol-
discussing plans for significant
Iraqi diplomats in Washington and
More than half of the 540,000
ling of the demilitarized zone.
ground combat exercises in Saudi
at the United Nations, could not
U.S. forces sent to the Middle East
Cheney said yesterday, "I do not
Arabia in coming years, much like
have been construed as applying to
region during the Persian Gulf con-
foresee any set of circumstances in
those it conducts in other regions of
attacks on all Kurds, not just ref-
flict are still waiting to return
which we want to leave U.S. ground
the world.
ugees.
home. According to Central Com-
divisions in that part of the world."
Scowcroft replied, "The specific
mand officials, about 295,000
He said that while the U.S. military
Cheney also noted yesterday that
warning we gave him was not to in-
American military men and women
likely will maintain larger naval and
in the aftermath of the war, the
terfere with the refugee opera-
remain on the Arabian peninsula
air presences in the region, "Our
U.S. military has received an in-
tions."
and aboard ships in the surrounding
basic, fundamental policy right now
crease in requests for arms sales
Scowcoft also said that although
waters.
is to bring our boys home."
from Middle Eastern nations, par-
the United States expected chaos
The withdrawal from Iraq follows
Military sources said the U.S.
tially because "Soviet equipment
after the Persian Gulf War was over
the formal approval Thursday of the
Army plans to leave about one di-
fared so poorly." The Soviet Union
and had relief supplies in place at
permanent U.N. cease-fire. The
vision's worth of heavy armor
was Iraq's main arms supplier.
CRK POST
Aprls...
INSIDE REPORT
Big biz angers White House
by seeking rights-bill deal
P
RESIDENT Bush's top
aides angrily de-
manded that big busi-
ness stop its quest for a com-
promise civil rights bill after
learning that the Business
Roundtable had been pri-
vately negotiating for
months with the Leadership
Conference on Civil Rights.
"I think you'll find this is
going to be shut off," a senior
Bush aide told us.
White House Chief of Staff
ROWLAND EVANS &
John Sununu, who tried and
ROBERT NOVAK
failed to agree on a compro-
mise bill last year, was furi-
ous over the backdoor ap-
period of relative quiet with
proach by business. While
an explosive decision to give
both the White House and
late-model air-to-air missiles
conservatives are deter-
to El Salvador's communist
mined to prevent a quota
insurgents, his first major
system from being imbed-
operation outside Cuba since
ded into law, corporate
Mikhail Gorbachev's pere-
America is more interested
stroika reform began run-
in an agreement that will
ning into serious trouble last
prevent lawsuits.
year.
The Bush administration is
Cuba's communist master
sensitive to a public percep-
surprised the Bush adminis-
tion that the Business
tration by sending the
Roundtable, composed of
FMLN Salvadoran insur-
CEOs of major American
gency both SAM-14s and
corporations, can speak for
later-model 16a. That ren-
the Republican Party. The
ders meaningless the
word from the White House
FMLN's agreement several
is that whatever the business
months ago to return its
leaders do, the new civil
store of older anti-aircraft
rights bill likely to be passed
missiles to the Sandinista-
by Congress will be vetoed
controlled
Nicaraguan
by the president, as last
army.
year's was.
Castro's ties to Moscow
have steadily weakened
CONGRESSIONAL intelli-
since Gorbachev took power
gence insiders privately pre-
seven years ago and began
dict that Deputy National Se-
to cut Soviet arms aid and
curity Adviser Robert Gates
reduce a huge subsidy in the
will soon replace Judge Will-
Soviet price for Cuban sugar.
liam Webster as head of the
Central Intelligence Agency,
CONSERVATIVE Republi-
even though Gates withdrew
can House members, noting
his 1986 nomination to be CLA
a leadership void on the par-
director because of Iran-Con-
ty's right wing, are privately
tra questions.
urging Sen. Trent Lott of
Gates has been given unu-
Mississippi to start moving
sual operational control of
around the country to posi-
the NSC bureaucracy by his
tion himself for a possible
boss, National Security Ad-
run for president in 1996.
viser Brent Scowcroft, who
That follows frustration
spends most of his time with
over Housing Secretary Jack
President Bush.
Kemp's apparent decision
Webster, whom Bush re-
not to build a new political
tained at the CIA two years
base by running for the Sen-
ago when he became presi-
ate from California. Sen. Phil
dent, has now run the agency
Gramm of Texas has
longer than all but three
clashed with House conser-
predecessors.
vatives over tax policy, and
they doubt Vice President
FIDEL Castro has ended a
Dan Quayle can make it.
Press Clips Doug Ireland
The Washington Post
The New York Times
Black Mass
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
The arrant iniquity of George Butch's Middle East policy is
The Christian Science Monitor
no longer denied. George was bleating on Sunday about
New York Daily News
"the objectives so beautifully achieved" by his unnecessary
war on Iraq, a locution rendered obscene by the mounting
USA Today
accumulations of human carrion that are now strewn about
The Chicago Tribune
that country's landscape. Sights and sounds of unbearable
VILLAGE VOICE Pq.8
human suffering, beamed to us by satellite, made a mock-
Date
16 APRIL 1991
ery of the crocodile tears shed from the pulpit by Preacher
Bush on what he, in an excess of dominical public rela-
tions, had proclaimed a national day of prayerful
thanksgiving.
realpolitik to the Machiavellian imperatives of an unholy
While Bush was mouthing his poll-prompted orisons, his
trio: Fahd, Assad, and Mossad. The Wahabite monarch
petrovicar. James Baker. was holding hands in Ankara with
was scarcely less terrorized than Saddam by an Iraqi Shiite
the repulsively autarchic Turgut Ozal and proclaiming to
revolt with even the most tenuous Iranian ties-it might be
the press that "the border, as far as we know, is open"
contagious-and has convinced Bush that America's petro-
between Turkey and Iraq. At that very moment, Ozal's
clients in the gulf have more to fear from Teheran than
army was driving tens of thousands of starving, ill, and
from a defanged Saddam. Having transferred to the san-
wounded Kurds-those who had survived Saddam Hus-
guineous ruler of Damascus the most-favored-tyrant status
sein's phosphorous. napalm, and cluster bombs to risk the
his administration once accorded to Saddam, Bush wants
mortally arduous trek to safety in subfreezing weather-to
to keep this skittish coalition partner in the U.S. orbit, and
slog through the mud and back up the mountains whence
Syria's ruler would be discomfited by anything too closely
they came. according to Sunday's ABC World News To-
resembling a successful democratic revolt from below in his
night. Turkey is our heavily subsidized ally, and the forced
next-deor neighbor. As for the Israeli secret service. which
march of those exhausted refugees back to the frontier,
can be, said to form that country's permanent government
within range of Saddam's Western-supplied weaponry, is
where foreign policy matters in the region are concerned. it
just one more crime of conscience for which Bush will have
shares Assad's horror of a possibly autonomous Kurdistan:
to atone when he goes to that great Groton-in-the-Sky
if the Kurds must be permitted, at long last. their own
(there to rejoin the idol of his youthful matins, Henry
state, how can one be denied to the Palestinians?
Stimson. the U.S. secretary of war who refused to save the
Jews by bombing the railroad lines to Auschwitz).
If, as Bush claimed, Saddam really was the "new Hitler."
There is a pornographic cynicism about the way in which
and the need to emasculate him the most important moral
Bush. Scowcroft, Cheney & Co. have allowed whole peo-
issue since World War II, the logic of the administration's
ples to be consumed in the fiery furnace that is Saddam's
policy would have dictated some form of intervention at
Iraq. Any TV war potato would have to have been trans-
the first signs of revolt, when it could have aided those who
formed into a pillar of salt by his staring not to know by
responded to America's call with a minimum of direct
now that the massive rising of the Kurds and Shiites
military involvement-keeping Saddam's air arm from the
against the Herod of Baghdad was prompted by Bush's
skies, for example, while offering weapons, training. mili-
strident calls to revolt.
tary counsel, and food and medical aid to the rebel coali-
In the early '70s, the U.S. put into effect a Henry Kissin-
tion, through client states if necessary (a long-standing U.S.
ger plot which, as Daniel Schorr reminded us in Sunday's
practice around the world in other, less urgent circum-
Washington Post, "organized a Kurdish insurrection
stances). Bush's failure to do so reveals that the administra-
against Saddam Hussein as a favor by President Nixon to
tion's rationale for his bloody war-with its hundreds of
the shah of Iran, only to abandon the Kurds to destruction
thousands of casualties, most of them morally innocent
when the Iranian and Iraqi leaders settled their border
conscripts or civilians-was a lie from the gitgo.
dispute." Surely, then, we can believe the wary Kurd lead-
Sadly, the debate currently raging in the U.S. over aid to
ers when they tell us that, without Bush's unequivocal
the Kurdish rebellion-help for the already annihilated
encouragements, they would never have summoned their
Shiites, now picking through the rubble of Basra and their
masses to arms (weekend revelations about a CIA-spon-
other destroyed cities, is scarcely mentioned these days-
sored radio station that for months beamed appeals for
has come too late. Tom Wicker is right when he wrote in
rebellion into Iraq seem almost superfluous, since Bush's
Saturday's Times that "the turmoil now convulsing Iraq
verbal bugle calls were uplinked to the entire attentive
was predictable before a single smart bomb was launched
world).
at Baghdad." The military situation on the ground means
Why, under the tutelage of General Scowcroft-Kissin-
that, for the moment, the U.S. can do little more than care
ger's former factotum-did Bush decide that a Ba'athist
for the refugees that our firestorm and its political after-
military dictatorship was his government of preference for
math created-not only the displaced Kurds and Shiites,
Iraq? This administration's seesawing foreign policy, ahis-
but the stateless gastarbeiters being chased from Kuwait by
torical and visionless, has in no small part pinned its
the antidemocratic and anti-Palestinian pogroms of the al-
Sabah family.
Since Pentagon talent so speedily found a way to refur-
bish in gold the bathrooms of the Emir of Kuwait, it ought
to be able to do more than dump six paltry planeloads of
CONTINUE
Page
30.
ready-to-eat chicken à la king (complete with napkins) on
the millions of Kurds now trying to make their way to
Turkey (that's the sum total of the Bush-ordered relief aid
that had reached their vicinity by press time). The odious
Ozal, who has tents and food galore, is the creature of our
largess. and should be ordered to make them available.
Restoration of full relations with Iran. and massive help for
the refugees both there and in Jordan, must be high on the
agenda. And all the borders around Iraq should be opened
for the transitory flight of those escaping this new
Cambodia.
If the U.S. can spend $100 billion for a war that didn't
have to be. surely America and its wealthy noncombatant
bankers among the world's richest nations can find the
10th part of that sum to relieve and relocate that war's
most innocent victims. But this administration's inclemen-
cy up to now means you shouldn't hold your breath. And
every time George opens his mouth. we can only growl. as
Tennessee's Big Daddy once did. that there's too much
mendacity in the world.
31.
4/17/91
THE WASHINGTON POST
DATE:
PAGE:
No Quick Exit From Gulf
President's Commitment Seems Open-Ended
By Ann Devroy
tion began waking up to only after
basis and it's 'ad hocery.' But you
Washington Post Staff Writer
Secretary of State James A. Baker
can't crucify us for doing nothing
III visited Turkey last week. The
and then crucify us for not laying
President Bush yesterday put to
situation there was so chaotic that
out a plan for a crisis no one saw
rest his dream of a quick, clean U.S.
"every system is short-circuited,
coming down the pike."
exit from the Persian Gulf and put
every system is overloaded," the
Yesterday's announcement also
aside some of the policies underly-
official said. "You have to put aside
amounts to a public acknowledge-
ing that dream.
the medium problems and the
ment that Bush's dream of a quick
Only last week, the White House
long-term problems and deal with
overthrow of Saddam remains that,
rejected the formal establishment
today and the fact [that] 1,000
a dream. The president was re-
of zones of safety for Kurdish ref-
people a day, a day, are dying and
duced to wishing aloud that some
ugees as anathema to some U.S.
we are being held responsible."
"broker" would arrange a deal to
allies and at odds with
NEWS
Officials said Bush faced pressure
carry Saddam into exile in some
the policy that Iraq
ANALYSIS
from France, Britain and particu-
third country.
should not be split and
larly Turkey as well as other allies
Privately, some senior policy-
turned into another Lebanon. Only
to take a more active role in relief
makers are saying that crushing
days ago, White House officials said
efforts and to acknowledge that the
the uprisings in Iraq have made
Bush/was so intent on getting U.S.
United States, not international
Saddam stronger and more likely
forces out of Iraq that he was op-
agencies, would have to carry the
to hold on to power, a view at odds
posed to any additional troops
major humanitarian burden or the
with previous administration pre-
crossing the Turkish border into
effort would fail.
dictions that he would quickly fall
Iraq to help with relief efforts.
From Turkey, Baker laid out the
and the refugees would return to
When Bush announced the orig-
case for greater U.S. involvement
their homes.
in telephone conversations with De-
Bush and his advisers had to
inal humanitarian aid airdrops into
fense Secretary Richard B. Cheney
swallow a lot of their old rhetoric
Iraq less than two weeks ago, the
and Bush as well as in a long tele-
yesterday, especially about the ne-
effort was portrayed as the U.S.
gram to the president, officials said.
cessity of avoiding any move that
contribution to an operation that
"This is an instant education
would segment Iraq, even tempo-
would be organized and run by the
process for us," said one official.
rarily, so that Iraq would be able to
United Nations and international
"Every day that went by, the more
remain a counterweight to Iran in
relief agencies. Officials estimated
we got educated-educated on
the region. And they had spoken
10 days of airlifts would be needed,
what the international organiza-
passionately in the past 10 days of
and later White House spokesman
tions can't do, how much the
the significant, long-term problems
Marlin Fitzwater said the president
Kurds fear going back, how hard it
associated with formally establish-
expected that within 30 days the
is to get aid in there. Sure we're
ing, under U.S. protection, zones in
relief agencies would be in place to
reacting on a minute-to-minute
Iraq barred to Saddam.
supervise and run the effort.
Yesterday, Bush, who seemed to
Last Sunday, national security
be struggling to contain what aides
adviser Brent Scowcroft agreed
say is his anger with critics who
that a safe haven for the Kurds
accused him of acting too slowly to
could in the future result in an in-
help the Kurds, committed the
stant West Bank, a collection of ref-
United States to an effort in Iraq
ugees once considered temporary
whose timetable he could not de-
that becomes permanent. As anoth-
lineate.
er official put it, the establishment
Nor could he say how many
"all but invites" more refugees to
forces would be involved, although
flock into the area and makes the
he spoke of "relatively small num-
United States responsible for them.
This week these officials outlined
bers" of troops.
Bush said the administration is
some of the pitfalls of the move that
Bush took yesterday.
working under the assumption that
They said the U.S. commitment
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein
to maintaining the refugee camps
will not attack the Kurds and the
would have to be open-ended be-
Americans protecting them, but the
cause neither the size of the occu-
administration's predictions of how
pying force necessary nor the
Saddam and his nation would be-
length of time it will be needed is
have have been off the mark in ma-
predictable.
jor ways since the end of the Per-
In addition, the United States
sian Gulf War.
would have to assume responsibil-
According to senior administra-
ity, in effect, for tens of thousands
tion officials, Bush's action yester-
of Kurds-moving them, feeding
day represented an acknowledge-
them, protecting them and arrang-
ment that the refugee problem is
ing their future. Some moves, they
far larger and more difficult to
said, might take United Nations
solve than he had anticipated, and
authorization that could be extraor-
that action is necessary, whatever
dinarily difficult to obtain.
the long-term consequences of
And finally, they added, the U.S.
establishing refugee camps.
involvement would be based on an
"Every day [that] we looked at it
"assumption" that Saddam would
and said, 'We'll do this,' it
not interfere-and there are no
was worse the next day, and the
guarantees of that.
things we rejected the day before
seemed less objectionable," an of-
ficial said.
Another official described the
unfolding tragedy of the refugees
as "a nightmare" the administra-
4/18/91
THE WASHINGTON POST
DATE:
Jim Hoagland
Back on Track in Iraq
Like Gregor Samsa, the Bush administration
awoke from the Persian Gulf War to find it had
been turned into a cockroach, or the moral
Bush knows that the United States has the resources
equivalent thereof. A change as mysterious and
hideous as the opening scene in Kafka's "The
and the responsibility to stop Iraq from becoming a
Metamorphosis" had come over the gang that
shot so straight and fast in getting Saddam
giant death camp.
Hussein out of Kuwait.
Now comes another amazing turn in charac-
Otherwise he will risk repeating the error the
worked. But for nearly a month, the United
ter that not even Kafka would have dared.
United States made in leaving Europe in 1919
States had misread that lesson and neglected in
President Bush has taken on the responsibility
and leaving a half-defeated, vengeful German
the Middle East and in most of Eastern Europe
for protecting the lives of Kurdish refugees
nation to its own devices.
what Gaddis calls "the problems of reconstruc-
inside northern Iraq, despite renewed frothing
Iraq is not Germany. But the Middle East is
tion and reintegration" the world faces in the
at the mouth and threats by Saddam.
the Middle East. That is, oil, Israel and the
post-Cold War era.
Welcome back, Gregor. But don't stop the
fragile, unfinished nature of the Arab nation-
Congressional leaders meeting with Bush and
re-metamorphosis too soon.
state system make regional turmoil a global
national security adviser Brent Scowcroft at the
The president's press conference Tuesday
problem. Already the administration's failure to
White House last week peppered the two men
leaves him half-pregnant. He recognizes that
anticipate the backlash and pressures the Kurd-
with questions about the U.S. flip-flop on
the United States has a responsibility and the
ish death march would create in Turkey endan-
grounding and then ungrounding Iraqi helicop-
resources to stop Iraq from becoming a giant
gers the government of Turkish President Tur-
ters. It was a case the president knew intimate-
death camp. But he still flirts with overstating
gut Ozal, a key American ally.
ly. But he repeatedly turned to Scowcroft with a
the difficulties involved in forcing the Iraqis to
Military victories "produce power imbalances,"
puzzled look on his face, as if he were hearing of
abandon their campaign of slaughter, while he
the historian John Lewis Gaddis notes in the
the matter for the first time. The discussion
minimizes what is at stake in this cruel after-
spring issue of Foreign Affairs. "It was precisely
went nowhere as Scowcroft explained how diffi-
math of Operation Desert Storm.
to avoid this danger that the peacemakers of
cult and dangerous it would be for U.S. forces to
The president has usefully brought back to
1815 and 1945, who designed the two most
risk re-engaging Iraqi forces.
life the ambiguity of what the United States will
durable peace settlements of modern times,
But has the Iraqi army staged a deathbed
or will not do militarily to stop the threat
moved quickly after their respective triumphs to
recovery in the past six weeks while 100,000 U.S.
Saddam's regime poses to its own citizens. But
rehabilitate defeated adversaries and to invite
troops sat on Iraqi soil? If so, why so and how so?
he must be prepared to follow through on
them back into the international state system."
And why did the United States take a back seat in
forcing Saddam to back down if it comes to that,
In other words, they did exactly the opposite
the war's aftermath. as the European Community
as he was in Kuwait.
of what Bush is doing in the Persian Gulf. And it
called for safety zones for the Kurds, a war crimes
trial for Saddam and United Nations involvement
in stopping the Kurdish massacre? Why choose
cockroach status in the wake of victory?
Rep. Stephen J. Solarz played a vital role in
getting House approval for the U.S. war on Iraq.
The New York Democrat now urges that Sad-
dam be ordered to resign or face a new U.N.
military campaign. Edward Mortimer of the
Financial Times proposes that the United Na-
tions simply appoint a new government for Iraq
and empower it to hold democratic elections.
These bold suggestions go beyond the presi-
dent's own barely veiled offer to Saddam on
Tuesday of safe passage out of Iraq if he quits.
They respond to the totally new situation Oper-
ation Desert Storm has created. Until Tuesday,
Bush seemed ready to deny that a new situation
demanding new responses existed.
The dying and endangered Kurds and Shiites
said otherwise. The need for Ozal to keep
control over a restive Turkish military said
otherwise. The need for Iraq to mend and rejoin
the international community as quickly as possi-
ble said otherwise.
Bush did the right thing in Kuwait. Then by
transforming himself overnight from bold war-
rior to passive observer, he let his policies
contribute to the present tragedy in Iraq. With
the 90-degree turn in policy-it is still not a
complete reversal of course-Bush has given
himself a second chance to save Iraqi lives and
American honor.
The Washington Times
7/18/41
PAGE:
A1
DATE:
U.N. chief,
Gen. Brandtner said the first two
locations selected were at Zakhu and
Dahuk in Iraq.
The forces providing humanitar-
Bush differ
ian aid, as well as air and ground
units guarding camps, refugees and
U.S. troops are directed by Army Lt.
Gen. John M. Shalikashvili. deputy
commander in chief of U.S. Army
Europe and the 7th Army. The units
on relief role
carrying out Operation Provide
Comfort are virtually all from the
U.S. European Command rather
than from Central Command units
that fought Iraq in the south.
That's all," he said.
The few exceptions would be a
By Frank J Murray
Mr. Bush did not address the legal
very few linguists, medical teams
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
issue yesterday but said, "The prior-
and engineers. but their assistance
President Bush was sharply at
ity is get the relief to these people
would not stall deployment of Opera-
tion Desert Storm units to bases in
odds with U.N. Secretary-General
that are suffering."
Javier Perez de Cuellar yesterday
Some 60 U.S. helicopters contin-
Germany and the United States, Mr.
over the legality of the emergency
ued to deliver food and blankets to
Williams said.
U.S. military rescue of Kurdish ref-
remote highlands yesterday as an es-
Mr. Williams said psychological
timated 1,000 refugees a day were
operations units would begin drop-
ugees.
Mr. Perez de Cuellar questioned
dying.
ping leaflets and using sound sys-
Mr. Bush's authority to act under
Mr. Bush also rebuffed Iraqi Pres-
tems on trucks or helicopters to in-
United Nations authority as the first
ident Saddam Hussein's request to
vite refugees to move toward the
American troops scouted locations
ship $900 million worth of oil so his
camps.
for refugee camps and U.S. diplo-
country can feed its own people.
"We would like first to be in con-
mats warned Iraqi authorities not to
"Let them be fed. let medicine get
tact with the Iraqi authorities to see
interfere.
in there. And then when that is done
their reaction to such a military
Bush administration officials con-
and everything's done peacefully
presence on their territory," Mr.
tinued to say the force in Iraq would
and harmoniously, then I might be
Perez de Cuellar told reporters in
be less than 10,000 troops, but there
willing to consider something else,"
Paris as reports circulated Iraq
were signs of a large support com-
Mr. Bush said.
might approve a U.N. relief effort.
National Security Adviser Brent
He said the effort would be viewed
mitment.
Pentagon spokesman Pete Wil-
Scowcroft informed the Cabinet at a
differently if countries were going in
liams said some limited reserve call-
closed-door meeting that Mr. Perez
on their own and not under U.N aus
ups might be needed. The force also
de Cuellar had called for "special
pices.
will draw on military specialists
consultation" by the Security Coun-
Mr. Bush says he wants to turn the
from commands around the world.
cil on the mercy mission during yes-
camps over to the U.N. as soon as
Air combat cover was increased, and
terday's one-hour meeting with
possible and Iraq indicated to U.N.
dozens of huge air transports were
French President Francois Mitter-
officials it would welcome U.N. ad-
earmarked for use in northern Iraq.
rand.
ministration.
"We will cover it. whatever it
A senior White House official said
"Once we get the centers up and
costs." said White House Press Sec-
Mr. Scowcroft's report to the Cabinet
running and get the refugees down
contradicted news reports quoting
to them, then the administration and
retary Marlin Fitzwater, who had no
Mr. Perez de Cuellar as saying the
security of the temporary refugee
estimates but claimed the action had
centers will be turned over to the
unanimous support in Congress. "I
operation needed Security Council
United Nations and humanitarian
have not heard anyone suggest oth-
approval in a new resolution.
organizations as soon as is practi-
erwise."
The administration fears China
cal." Mr. Williams said.
Lt. Gen. Martin Brandtner, direc-
would veto such a resolution.
Gen. Brandtner said there are
tor of operations for the Joint Chiefs
U.S. Secretary of State James A.
about 30,000 Iraqi soldiers, mostly
of Staff. said seven to 10 teams of
Baker III told reporters in Luxem-
infantry with little armor, in the area
U.S. soldiers. totaling about 100
bourg that the United States was act-
declared a "safe haven" by Mr. Bush.
troops. were flown into northern
ing under an existing U.N. resolution
"We are telling the Iraqis
to
Iraq.
to save "hundreds of thousands of
just cease and desist, and to evac-
The White House said Tuesday
those poor souls on those mountain-
uate that area or to be in a position
that U.S. forces in the operation total
tops."
not to interfere in any way with this
7,776. including a 3,000-man am-
Pentagon and White House
operation." Gen. Brandtner said,
phibious landing force of Marines,
spokesmen, still vague on logistics,
later amending his statement to say
sailors at a nearby port and some
insisted Mr. Bush already has full
the Iraqi army had not been ordered
special forces. Britain will add 90
authority under Security Council
out of the area.
troops and France 121. but those
Resolution 688, passed April 5,
"And remember, we're going in
numbers may also increase.
which guarantees Iraq's sovereignty
there in a humanitarian mode, and
Mr. Fitzwater also explained yes-
and allots relief roles to the U.N. and
not in a combat mode," he said, add-
terday why the president changed
"international humanitarian organi-
ing that highly mobile air and
his mind since Easter Sunday, when
zations."
ground Army and Marine forces
he first objected to the concept of
Mr. Fitzwater declined to claim
were "tailored to be able to respond
enclaves for refugees.
that status for the soldiers and Ma-
to the threat that we perceive, if in
"The answer is simply that the
rines sent by the European Com-
fact it does materialize."
problem grew beyond our ability to
mand to protect a flow of some
Mr. Williams said the "quick
handle it under the other scheme.
800,000 Kurdish refugees along the
reaction force" of soldiers and Ma-
Turkish border.
rines will establish a base at an un-
"Our forces are simply there op-
disclosed spot inside Turkey.
erating to carry out the U.N. refugee
operations," Mr. Fitzwater said.
Mr. Williams said about six relief
villages surrounded by smaller sat-
ellite camps would be ready within
15 days to receive tens of thousands
of refugees each. The camps, to be
built along roads leading south from
mountainous areas, will provide
food, shelter and medical care until
the refugees can return home safely.
4/18/91
THE WASHINGTON POST
DATE:
PAGE:
A)
Allies Urged
Instead, the United States was
attempting to meet the needs of the
from Ozal and Secretary of State
refugees, congregated along the
James A. Baker III, who had just
Bush to Use
mountainous Turkish-Iraqi border,
returned from the region-was
by dropping supplies to them from
prepared to accelerate the aid ef-
Land Forces
the air.
fort.
But in the last four or five days,
According to informed officials.
officials said pressure mounted for
the plan drawn up by the Deputies
deeper U.S. involvement. Despite
Committee basically accepted the
By David Hoffman
the American air drops of food and
French plan, and envisioned some
and Ann Devroy
tents. the refugee exodus was
U.S. engineering help on the
Washington Post Staff Writers
growing, along with the number of
ground and combat air patrols over
When senior policy-mak-
casualties from extreme cold, hun-
the "way station" area in northern
ers met at the White House
ger and deprivation in the moun-
Iraq. But a sizable commitment of
Monday afternoon to discuss
tains.
U.S. troops inside the country was
accelerating aid to the Iraqi
"The size of the problem grew
not contemplated.
Kurdish refugees, the plan
into the millions," said a White
Later that afternoon, on the patio
they developed envisioned
House official. "By Monday, it was
outside the Oval Office, Bush met
U.S. air support and engi-
clear to the president that our
with Defense Secretary Richard B.
neering help to an interna-
hopes of doing it through airdrops
Cheney, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair-
tional relief effort inside
or other ways was just not going to
man Gen. Colin L. Powell, national
northern Iraq. But there was
work."
security adviser Brent Scowcroft
no provision for the use of
and Gates to hear a report on
American troops to protect
The French plan outlined during
where the planning stood. Baker
the refugee camps.
the weekend addressed one of the
also had a separate meeting with
A day later, President
U.S. problems with the British en-
the president.
Bush announced that the
clave idea-it would create only
Officials said it was not clear pre-
United States would con-
temporary shelter for refugees as
cisely when Bush decided to make
tribute between 5,000 and
they headed home. "In no case a
the deployment, but there were
10,000 troops to an ex-
permanent shelter is to be provid-
discussions about a U.S. military
panded and open-ended al-
ed," said the French proposal. Rath-
role. Powell reassured the presi-
lied effort to create and pro-
er, it envisioned "simple transit cen-
dent that whatever commitments
tect the camps inside Iraq's
ters" in Iraq "as a first step before a
were needed for the refugees would
northern border.
final return."
not slow the planned withdrawal of
According to administra-
tion officials, the decision to
The plan also proposed a U.N.
troops from the guif war. The mil-
add troops, and to endorse
presence "within cities and villages
itary presence would be supported
the creation of a network of
in order to protect civilians coming
by the U.S. European Command.
refugee encampments in-
back home and to provide them
headquartered in Germany, rather
side Iraq, came in response
with necessary assistance."
than the Central Command that ran
to repeated appeals to the
A diplomat familiar with the
the gulf war.
Bush administration from
French plan said "our main concern"
One administration official said
France, Britain and Turkey.
was that the refugee concentrations
the key impetus was the desire of
These appeals propelled
French President Francois Mitter-
Bush into a new commit-
rand and Major that any troop com-
ment of American military
forces despite his oft-stated
"The British and
mitment on their part would be
joined by a U.S. military presence.
reluctance to leave U.S.
French said, 'If
"The British and French said, 'If
troops inside Iraq.
we're going to have our forces on
Turkish President Turgut
we going to have
the ground, so should you,' the
Ozal, for example, tele-
official said. The decision to involve
phoned Bush twice last weekend.
our forces on the
the American military was made
Officials said Ozal told Bush Turkey
"mind-bogglingly fast," said another
could not handle the exodus any
ground, so should
U.S. official.
Bush devoted most of Tuesday to
longer and the international com-
munity needed to find a way to per-
you."
consulting with both Mitterrand and
suade the refugees to come down
Major before making the announce-
-senior U.S. official
out of the mountains, where they
ment. "It was clearly a political de-
cision made at the highest level,"
are suffering from starvation and
exposure, and return to Iraq.
in Turkey were threatening to be-
said a European diplomat.
Also last weekend, senior French
come semi-permanent locations for
diplomats here visited the State
the Kurds that could spell political
Department to appeal to U.S. offi-
and economic headaches for Ankara
cials to support a plan for the cre-
for years to come. Moreover, it was
ation, under U.N. auspices, of hu-
getting more and more difficult to
manitarian "way stations" that
feed and assist the refugees in the
would provide food, aid and med-
mountains and officials wanted to at
icine to refugees and guide them
least find better terrain on which to
back to their homes deeper inside
aid them.
Iraq. The French plan envisioned a
But this diplomat said that as of
military contingent to protect the
last weekend, U.S. policy-makers
humanitarian workers and refugees.
were still cautious about a large-
When British Prime Minister
scale commitment of American
John Major first suggested the idea
troops on Iraqi soil.
of such protected enclaves inside
On Monday afternoon, the Dep-
Iraq for the Kurds, he found little
uties Committee, a group of high-
enthusiasm in Washington. Officials
level U.S. officials chaired by Rob-
said they were concerned Major's
ert M. Gates, the president's dep-
idea could lead to a long-term allied
uty national security adviser, met at
presence in Iraq, perhaps contrib-
the White House. Gates told the
uting to further tension and splin-
others that Bush-after hearing
tering of the country. Senior U.S.
WORLD REPORT
Fighting the
postwar battles
The end of the gulf war has not brought peace
to the Kurds, the Shiites, the Arabs or Israel
T
he gulf war ended without even a
says Dr. Francis Charhon of Doctors
whimper in an office in New York
Without Borders, a French relief group
last Thursday when United Na-
that has sent almost 40 doctors and
tions Security Council Resolution 687
nurses into Turkey and Iran to help the
went into effect, establishing a perma-
refugees. "The Kurds are dying."
nent cease-fire between Iraq and the al-
President Bush finally came up with
lied forces. But even before the first
the idea of an emergency relief airlift for
chapter of the gulf crisis ended, a new,
the Kurds while in Newport Beach,
more troubling one had begun.
Calif., after watching scenes of Kurdish
The unforeseen consequences of Op-
suffering on the evening news. Calling
eration Desert Storm are multiplying
National Security Adviser Brent Scow-
daily, leaving the Bush administration
croft and presidential spokesman Marlin
with an array of half measures for con-
Fitzwater to his suite, he said, "Have you
trolling the bloody aftermath and mak-
seen the pictures? This is just terrible.
ing good on its promise to restore sta-
We've got to do something, and we've got
bility to the region. Even Gen. H.
to do it now. I want an airlift." Last week,
Norman Schwarzkopf, the commander
the United States warned Iraq not to
of U.S. forces in the gulf, felt compelled
carry out "any kind of military activity"
to defend what was undeniably a mag-
north of the 36th parallel, where the
nificent feat of arms. "I have a great
Kurdish refugees are concentrated.
THE KURDS
feeling of a great victory," said
The crucial issue, however, is not sim-
Across a narrow rope br
Schwarzkopf during a visit to liberated
ply how to help the Kurds, but where to
Kurds have come across
Kuwait last week. "Anyone who dares
help them. If they leave Iraq, they may
even imply that we did not achieve a
never be allowed to return, even if, as
great victory obviously doesn't know
the Bush administration wishes, mem-
what the hell he's talking about."
bers of the Iraqi military overthrow Sad-
As American troops in southern Iraq
dam Hussein. "You will solve the Kurd-
savored the prospect of returning home,
ish problem in Iraq, and create it in
some 27,000 Iraqi refugees huddled un-
Turkey and Iran," says Charhon.
der American protection near the Ku-
Ethnic sensitivities. The Bush adminis-
waiti border. Many of them are Shiite
tration sidestepped the political quag-
Muslims who fled Hussein's Republican
mire that would result from formally es-
Guard and fear slaughter by the Iraqi
tablishing U.N.-supervised enclaves for
Army once the Americans are replaced
Kurdish refugees, relying instead on the
by a lightly armed, 1,440-member U.N.
presence of international relief workers
peacekeeping force. United Nations of-
to deter Hussein from attacking the refu-
ficials worry that fear-crazed refugees
gees. Administration officials say China
will riot or sit in front of American tanks
and the Soviet Union, because of sensi-
to prevent them from leaving.
tivity about their own ethnic problems,
On the Turkish and Iranian borders,
could have blocked or delayed interna-
almost 2 million Kurdish refugees are
tional efforts to help the Kurds if the
freezing and starving in icy, ankle-deep
United States and its European allies
mud. French doctors who traveled
had insisted on formal "enclaves" that
through the Kurdish areas report seeing
might be seen as a prelude to the dis-
many victims of napalm and phospho-
memberment of Iraq.
rous bombs dropped by Hussein's Air
A senior U.S. official also warned that
Force that left their faces blistered with
the enclave idea "might force Saddam to
black and white scabs and doctors
react with force, however suicidal that
THE PALESTINIA
sponging off hemorrhages with dirty
might be," heating up the gulf war all
The PLO has now lost t
rags. "We need a massive mobilization,"
over again. So the world has decided to
States and the Saudis ar
34
GEORGE R. SIMPSON BLACK STAR
U.S.NEWS & WORLD RI
treat the Kurdish question
as a purely humanitarian
problem and to ignore the
political grievances that
created the Kurdish trage-
dy in the first place.
While Saddam Hussein
fought the Kurds and the
Shiites by his own rules,
the United States, Israel,
Egypt and Syria scrambled
to write new ones for an-
other round of Mideast di-
plomacy. Secretary of
State James Baker toured
the region last week in an
attempt to use the admin-
istration's enhanced pres-
tige to "break the taboos"
of mistrust and hate that
divide Arabs and Jews and
revive peace negotiations
between Israel and its
neighbors.
Baker is hoping that if
he can bring Israel and its
Arab neighbors face to
face at a negotiating table,
such a historic meeting will
generate its own momen-
tum. "Don't call this a con-
ference," said one of Bak-
er's aides. "What we're
looking for is a mind-alter-
ing event."
In an attempt to set the
stage for such a mystical
between Iraq and Turkey, thousands of Kurds flee Iraqi troops. Turkish officials estimate that 500,000
event, Bush and Baker are
country. Hundreds of the refugees already may have died from cold and hunger.
searching for threads of
RINA CASTELNUOVO-CONTACT
ROMEO GACAD-AFP
agreement to weave into
some sort of progress. After listening po-
litely to visiting European officials argue
for an international Middle East peace
conference last week, Bush frowned and
replied, "We're looking at something
list
less. We've got to do what works."
As Baker made his Mideast rounds,
Israel, Egypt and Syria all accepted in
theory the idea of a peace conference.
But that was about all they agreed on,
and Baker's tour sometimes resembled
nothing so much as the comic-strip
game of "Calvinball," in which a boy
and his stuffed tiger make up rules of
convenience as they go along. Accord-
ing to Israeli officials, Prime Minister
Yitzhak Shamir's government and the
United States reached nine "points of
agreement" to guide the negotiations.
But the nine points leaked by the Israe-
lis restrict which Palestinians could par-
ticipate in a conference and give Israel
THE SHIITES
veto power over the negotiating pro-
Iraqi Shiite Muslims fleeing Hussein's
cess. For example, according to Israeli
killing machine seek protection behind
officials, the Palestinian delegation may
it of
Saudi Arabia and other gulf states. The United
American lines. They do not want U.S.
include no members of the Palestine
lew
leadership might emerge.
troops to leave.
Liberation Organization, no Palestinian
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, APRIL 22, 1991
35
WORLD REPORT
Mideast peace efforts for almost two de-
willing to consider the conference "very
cades. Arab nations insist that these res-
seriously with an open mind," but the
who formally advocates the creation of
olutions require Israel to trade the occu-
semiofficial newspaper al Ahram pub-
an independent Palestinian state and no
pied West, Bank and Gaza for peace;
lished five conditions for participating in
members from East Jerusalem, which
Israel claims it has already fulfilled that
any Mideast peace conference, including
Israel annexed in 1967.
land-for-peace requirement by return-
demands that Israel stop building settle-
Israel also insisted that it would come
ing the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.
ments in the occupied territories and that
to any conference with its own interpre-
The Egyptians also wrote their own
Arab countries negotiate collectively,
tation of U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338,
ground rules. A smiling Foreign Minister
not individually, as Israel would like. In
which have formed the backbone of
Esmat Abdel Meguid said Egypt was
Damascus, Syria's President Hafez As-
ISRAEL'S SUCCESSION SCUFFLE
because he believes Arabs will never
accept Israel's right to exist. Standing
Is peace good politics?
on a West Bank hilltop overlooking
some Jewish settlements, Sharon
pointed to a crumpled map covered
After only 90 min-
reasons that are cited by other Israeli
with dots marking proposed settle
utes of talks at the
leaders. MIT educated, reserved and
ments. "I presented this plan to the
start of Secretary of
monotone where the Moroccan born
government in 1977 he boasted.
State James Baker's
Levy is alternately expansive and in
Then it was a dream, now it is real
visit to Jerusalem last
dignant, Arens is Shamir's closest as-
Still the differences between Levy,
week, Israeli Foreign
sociate in Israel's coalition govern-
Arens and Sharon may be mostly a
LETTER FROM
Minister David Levy
ment; and he represents the more
sideshow because Shamir retains the
JERUSALEM
stood at the micro-
MILNER
phone alongside
Baker and told reporters that Israel
and the United States had reached a
sweeping understanding onconvening
a Middle East peace conference:
Speaking in the grand rhetorical style
that is his trademark, Levy proclaimed
that all the "minefields have been re-
moved. Baker, however, was more re-
strained. He has learned the hard way
that septuagenarian, hawkish Prime
Minister Yitzhak Shamir is the only
one who counts in Jerusalem Re
sponding to Levy, Baker hinted he pre
ferred to withhold judgment "until I
speak to the prime minister."
The critical fight. In fact, the battle
to succeed the 75 -year-old Shamir
within Israel's conservative Likud
Party could have as much impact on
the prospects for peace negotiations
between Israel and its Arab neighbors
Jewish settlement. Sharon says his West Bank dream has been fulfilled.
as either Baker's high-profile diplo-
macy or the gulf war.
Western and middle-class element
real power, and it remains unclear
Foreign Minister Levy, who
within the party
whether he wants to drive a hard bar-
staunchly opposed the peace process
But now Levy and Arens who did
gain with the Arabs or to ensure that
last year, when it was the province of
not even talk to each other during the
there is no bargain at all. His critics
his predecessor and rival, Defense
first month of the gulf crisis appear
say Shamir's only vision is of the past,
Minister Moshe Arens, is now its big-
to be uniting against a common nem-
and many Israelis think he is too pas
gest booster. A diplomatic, success
esis intent on thwarting any peace
sive to cope with the massive chal
would transform Levy, a taught
movement Housing Minister Ariel
lenge of absorbing hundreds of thou-
former construction worker whose ca-
Sharon. If Levy wants a diplomatic
sands of Soviet immigrants. But the
reer is rooted in the politics of resent
success, Arens knows that without
prime minister may have more energy
ment into a bona fide statesman
some meaningful effort at negotia-
than his would be successors think
Arens, who as defense minister is
tions, the occupied territories may
Officials in his office are letting it be
now in charge of administering the
erupt into violence again
known that when elections roll
occupied West Bank and Gaza, ar-
Sharon is unlikely to back down. He
around next year, Shamir will proba-
gues for Israeli retention of the West
is staking his claim to Likud leadership
bly run for another four years
Bank, although for security reasons
on his true-believer credentials, and he
rather than the traditional biblical
thinks diplomacy is a waste of time
BY DAVID MAKOVSKY
36
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT; APRIL 22, 1991
sad agreed in principle to a conference,
13,000 new units in the territories in the
While Secretary Baker gamely told
then piled on his own conditions.
next two years. That is a troubling issue
reporters after his round of talks in the
The small delegation of West Bank
for the Bush administration, which has
Middle East that he saw "some prog-
Palestinians that met with Baker was
agreed to help Israel build new housing
ress," the political problems facing the
crestfallen that he had failed to extract
for tens of thousands of Soviet Jews
region now may make Operation Des-
any Israeli commitment to halt Jewish
pouring into the country and which re-
ert Storm look remarkably easy.
settlement in the West Bank and Gaza
leased $400 million in housing-loan
or a promise to trade land for peace.
guarantees last week- under the condi-
BY LOUISE LIEF WITH CARLA ANNE ROBBINS IN BAKER'S
Last week, Israeli Housing Minister Ar-
tion that none of the units be in the oc-
PARTY, DAVID MAKOVSKY IN JERUSALEM, KENNETH T. WALSH,
iel Sharon reiterated plans to build
cupied territories.
AND EVA POMICE AT THE UNITED NATIONS
FEEDING THE HAND THAT BITES YOU
should look carefully at getting in-
volved," Pilzer says. Another top Ex-
How America appeased Iraq
Im official recalls it differently: "We
were constantly fighting about it.
There was pressure from everywhere."
W
hile Secretary of State James
a simple idea," says John Bohn, then
In 1987, the bank bowed to the pres-
Baker struggled with the post-
Ex-Im Bank chairman. "If you don't
sure and agreed to extend $200 million
war chaos in the Middle East last
pay me back, there is not a lot of incen-
in short-term credits. After Iraq ended
week, inquisitors on Capitol Hill be-
tive for me to give you more money."
its war with Iran, "There was a lot of
gan examining whether a decade of
The bank, which promotes trade by
pressure on us to open up medium-
misguided foreign policy led to the
making loans and credit guarantees on
term credit, especially from the State
gulf war in the first place.
exports, considered Hussein a dead-
Department," says one Ex-Im Bank of-
A tougher U.S. policy toward Iraq
JIM BORGMAN CINCINNATI ENQUIRER
probably wouldn't have derailed Sad-
dam Hussein's designs on Kuwait: The
French, Soviets, Germans and others
sold Baghdad more weapons and tech-
Middle East
SMART BOMB,
nology than did American firms. And
DUMB SALESMAN
there are some political motives in re-
assessing U.S. policy in the gulf-Re-
publicans blame it on embarrassed,
antiwar Democrats grasping at straws.
But the Bush administration never
even tried to confront Hussein. In-
stead, a growing body of evidence sug-
MAN, YOU
NEVERLEARN,
gests it tried to appease him.
DOYOU...?
Fired or not? Last week, Under Sec-
retary of Commerce Dennis Kloske
was dismissed the day after he testified
REARM
in the House that he had urged tighter
REARM
INC.
controls on exports of U.S. technology
to Iraq. The White House denied firing
Kloske, insisting he was leaving any-
way. Another House committee is ex-
amining $2 billion in U.S. commodity
Peacemaker? As Hussein armed for war, the U.S. tried to sway him with exports.
credits extended to Iraq and $4 billion
more issued by the Atlanta branch of
beat. During its war with Iran, Iraq
ficer. Four months before Iraq invaded
Italy's Banca Nazionale del Lavoro.
made only sporadic payments on the
Kuwait, Assistant Secretary of State
One U.S. agency, however, worried
billions of dollars it borrowed from
John Kelly told Congress that sanc-
that Iraq was a bad risk, both economi-
European credit agencies, and the Ex-
tions against Iraq "would hurt U.S. ex-
cally and politically. In reports pre-
Im Bank saw no point in joining the
porters and worsen our trade deficit."
pared for three 1989 Export-Import
parade of lenders. But staffers at the
In the end, it was Iraq's creditors
Bank board meetings, which were at-
bank say they came under intense
that got hurt. European credit agen-
tended by officials from the State and
pressure from Iraqi officials, business-
cies may be out more than $20 billion.
Treasury departments and the CIA,
es and the State Department to back
The U.S. lost $347 million in com-
Ex-Im Bank risk analyst Clement
U.S. exports to Baghdad. At one point,
modity credits. And Iraq still owes the
Miller explained the bank's view:
the bank had requests for more than
Ex-Im Bank $58 million. That is a siz-
"Iraq is expanding its purchases of for-
$12 billion in Iraqi export credits.
able sum, but only a fraction of what
eign military equipment and technical
Arthur Pilzer, an Ex-Im vice presi-
it would have been if the bank had
assistance in order to beef up its forces
dent, says the State Department ad-
given more weight to foreign policy
for possible future combat." Miller
vised, but didn't coerce, the bank.
and less to sound banking principles.
also predicted "renewed war" be-
"Their advice was that Iraq was going
tween Iraq and its neighbors. "We had
to buy a lot of equipment, and we
BY STEPHENJ HEDGES
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, APRIL 22, 1991
37
DATE: 4/23/91
THE NEW YORK TIMES
PAGE: A14
Sununu Travel Records to Be Opened
By ANDREW ROSENTHAL
cally sensitive trips like Mr. Scow-
Special to The New York Times
croft's secret mission to the Middle
WASHINGTON, April 22 Hoping to
Trying to quell a
East last month.
stop a run of embarrassing publicity,
President Bush today authorized the
Bush Affirms Policy
storm over an
disclosure of the travel records of his
Mr. Fitzwater said that Mr. Sununu
chief of staff, John H. Sununu. A
official's flying.
makes his own decisions about travel
spokesman said the records would
and that the President had affirmed a
show that Mr. Sununu paid for personal
policy started in 1987 that allows the
and political trips taken aboard mili-
chief of staff and the national security
tary airplanes.
do so, as officials had asserted over the
adviser to use military aircraft on offi-
Marlin Fitzwater, Mr. Bush's press
weekend.
cial and nonofficial trips alike.
secretary, said the information would
He seemed hard-pressed to provide a
The chief of staff, Mr. Fitzwater said,
be made public as soon as possible, but
clear explanation for why Mr. Sununu
needs a secure telephone link to the
the White House later said it would not
must travel aboard Government air-
White House at all times in case of
be available until Tuesday at the earli-
craft. He said the chief of staff uses
emergency, "the most extreme" of
est.
military planes because they can carry
which would be if the President died
"We don't think there's anything
electronically secure communications
and Mr. Sununu needed to help make
wrong," Mr. Fitzwater said at his daily
systems, but he could not say whether
new arrangements for "putting to-
news briefing, during which he was
Mr. Sununu might be able to use a port-
gether the government and making
asked more questions about Mr. Sunu-
able communication system that could
sure things flow well."
nu's travels than about the Kurdish
be carried aboard a commercial air-
"I don't use that example as the jus-
refugees in Iraq.
craft.
tification for this," he said, "but I use it
Still, concerned that there might
Mr. Sununu is also not in constant
because it's the one that is most easy to
even be the appearance of impropriety,
contact with the White House during
describe and one you're most familiar
White House officials were considering
with."
his holidays, which often include skiing.
having an outside lawyer or other kind
Mr. Fitzwater said the White House
Mr. Fitzwater was referring to a
of consultant review Mr. Sununu's
would also provide a list of trips by
White House policy of making arrange-
travel schedule after it is made public.
Brent Scowcroft, the national security
ments for the press to travel with Mr.
The White House normally refuses to
adviser, who is also authorized to use
Bush, and of having the White House
make travel records public; it has con-
military aircraft. But Mr. Fitzwater in-
press secretary fly aboard Air Force
sistently refused to disclose the cost of
dicated the list would not include politi-
One, in case something happens to the
the President's travels or document
President.
how his political trips are paid for.
White House Anxiety
But the Administration's anxiety
about the spate of news reports of Mr.
Sununu's use of military aircraft was
clear. The reports began over the
weekend in U.S. News & World Report
and The Washington Post, and Mr.
Fitzwater. said the President and Mr.
Sununu discussed the issue by tele-
phone on Sunday and again this morn-
ing.
Democratic members of Congress,
many of whom harbor ill will toward
Mr. Sununu from the bitter negotations
over the Federal budget in 1990, re-
sponded to the reports by demanding a
Congressional audit of his travels.
Flying on an Air Force executive jet,
Mr. Sununu returned today to Washing-
ton from New Hampshire, where he
was Governor before joining the White
House staff in 1989. He used a military
plane 27 times last year for trips to
New Hampshire, and in all took about
60 flights aboard military planes.
Mr. Fitzwater said the President and
Mr. Sununu were satisfied there was
"no ethical impropriety" in the chief of
staff's use of the planes, which can cost
10 times as much to operate as a com-
mercial airline ticket would cost for a
particular route.
He said the records would show that
in keeping with Federal policy, Mr.
Sununu paid the Government the cost
of a commercial, coach-class ticket
whenever he used a military airplane
for private business. When Mr. Sununu
travels as a Republican official, the
party pays for the flight.
Mr. Fitzwater said Federal policy
authorizes Mr. Sununu to use the mili-
tary planes but does not require him to
WASHINGTON POST
Apr. 23, 1991
Pg. 1
"wasn't convinced it was necessary"
for him to fly military aircraft with
President Authorizes Accounting of Sununu Travel
secure voice communications.
After Bush could not reach him
while he was on the way back to
By John E. Yang
1987 "requires the use of [military]
leased as soon as today, would show
Washington from New Hampshire
and Charles R. Babcock
aircraft" because "a number of com-
the nature of each trip and how
on a commercial flight in early
Washington Post Staff Writers
munications and national security
much Sununu paid the government
reasons requires them to have im-
for personal trips. Details of nation-
1989, she said, she told Sununu
President Bush yesterday author-
mediate voice contact with the
al security adviser Brent Scow-
about the policy from the previous
ized a full public accounting of
White House at all times."
administration. After that, Sununu
croft's use of military planes would
White House Chief of Staff John H.
Whether to use a military plane,
also be disclosed, Fitzwater said.
flew the military jets "about 99 per-
Sununu's travel on military jets as
Fitzwater said yesterday, "does re-
"The governor indicates it's all
cent of the time," she said.
administration officials defended
quire discretion and decision on the
been reimbursed," Fitzwater said.
Newman said written requests
Sununu's use of the aircraft for nu-
part of the chief of staff, and he
"There's no evidence that there's
for planes would come from
merous apparently personal and
makes that whenever he travels."
any ethical impropriety here.
It's
Sununu's office stating whether the
political trips over two years.
Pentagon travel records indicate
all operated according to policy."
trip was official, personal or polit-
White House spokesman Marlin
that over the last two years Sununu
Fitzwater said Bush discussed
ical, and indicating where the bill
made more than 60 trips by military
Fitzwater said Bush supports a
the trips with Sununu over the
should be sent. The White House
jet, including many that appeared to
weekend and again yesterday morn-
military office would send the bills,
four-year-old policy allowing both
be personal or political. He went
ing after the former New Hamp-
she said, and "I was never made
the chief of staff and the national
skiing in Colorado twice, traveled to
security adviser to use government
shire governor returned from a trip
aware of any billing difficulties."
New England, where he maintains a
aircraft so they can remain in touch
home, 27 times and made numerous
to his home state-where he spoke
Sununu made at least one trip
last year on which he did not take a
with the White House.
appearances for Republican candi-
Friday night to the Manchester Re-
publican Committee-aboard an Air
military jet. He and his wife, Nancy,
However, Fitzwater yesterday
dates around the country.
changed his description of the 1987
Government policy requires re-
Force C-20 twin-engine jet.
were among the guests Treasury
directive, saying that it authorized
Bonnie Newman, former assist-
Secretary Nicholas F. Brady flew to
imbursement for personal trips, but
the two officials to use military air-
that rate covers only a fraction of
ant to the president for manage-
Louisville on a chartered private jet
craft, but does not require it. Last
the flights' actual cost to the mil-
ment and administration, said yes-
for the Kentucky Derby May 5, ac-
week, responding to an inquiry from
terday that Sununu had to be per-
cording to a Treasury spokeswom-
itary, more than a half-million dol-
The Washington Post, Fitzwater
suaded to use the military jets early
an, Desiree Tucker-Sorini.
lars in Sununu's case.
said that a memorandum President
Fitzwater said Sununu's detailed
in the administration. Newman said
She said Brady paid for the trip
Ronald Reagan signed in August
travel records, which could be re-
in an interview that Sununu at first
with personal funds because it had
nothing to do with his official duties.
She said she did not know what kind
of communications facilities were
aboard the plane.
Newman and James C. McKin-
ney, director of the White House
military office during the last 1½
years of the Reagan administration,
said when the president makes a
purely political trip, the sponsoring
political organization is supposed to
pay the entire cost of flying the mil-
itary jet-currently $3,945 an hour
for the C-20, the military version of
the Gulfstream III corporate jet.
White House aides have said
Sununu's political trips were reim-
bursed at coach commercial fares,
which would be much lower.
Congressional Democrats yester-
day seized on the reports of the
flights by Sununu, who as chief of
staff has been a frequent and vocal
critic of what he considers wasteful
congressional spending. "When John
Sununu isn't breaking up negotia-
tions on the civil rights bill, appar-
ently he's flying out to Vail to ski at
the taxpayers' expense," said Rep.
Vic Fazio (Calif.), chairman of the
Democratic Congressional Cam-
paign Committee.
Chairman John Conyers (D-
Mich.) of the House Government
Operations Committee asked the
General Accounting Office to look
into Sununu's use of military air-
craft.
Staff researcher Lucy Shackelford
contributed to this report.
THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1991
U.S. Aides Hold Talks
With Premier of Russia
Special to The New York Times
WASHINGTON, April 22 - Display-
ing their readiness to expand ties with
reformist leaders of the Soviet repub-
lics, senior Administration officials
met today with the Prime Minister of
Russia, Ivan S. Silayev, to discuss how
to improve the investment climate
there for American business.
The officials emphasized that their
meetings with Mr. Silayev, an ally of
Boris N. Yeltsin, the Russian republic's
leader, was not intended as a slap at
President Mikhail S. Gorbachev.
American officials last year cau-
tiously began to meet with leaders of
the Russian republic, who have de-
manded increasing autonomy from the
Kremlin. These meetings have become
more open and frequent.
Today, after meeting at the White
House with the national security advis-
er, Brent Scowcroft, Mr. Silayev said:
"We feel the readiness of the American
Administration to conduct a relation-
ship with the Soviet republics. We had
very interesting meetings."
The session coincided with a growing
Administration realization that Mr.
Gorbachev faces severe political trou-
bles and that Washington must there-
fore widen its relations with Soviet
leaders.
Former President Richard M. Nixon,
though an admirer of Mr. Gorbachev,
is believed to have driven home the
same point at a lunch today with Presi-
dent Bush and other officials, during
which he briefed them on his recent
trip to the Soviet Union.
4/23/91
The Washington Times
DATE:
A3
PAGE:
Bush orders
Sununu's trip
ledger released
By Frank J. Murray
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
President Bush moved yesterday
to spike charges that Chief of Staff
John Sununu abused his perks with
bargain joy rides on military planes.
After consulting with Mr. Sununu,
the president ordered information
released on each flight taken by his
chief of staff and National Security
Adviser Brent Scowcroft.
"He [the president] said release
it, put it all out," White House Press
Secretary Marlin Fitzwater told re-
porters yesterday.
Mr. Fitzwater said the use of mili-
tary planes with secure com-
munications was important for "any
number of activities that require
constant contact" but the most ex-
treme need would arise if the pres-
ident died.
Mr. Sununu "has responsibilities
under the various rules and reg-
ulations for putting together the gov-
ernment and making sure things
flow well and that sort of thing," Mr.
John Sununu
Fitzwater said.
He said the need for secure com-
munications would be "of para-
administration." even though offi-
mount importance if you're trying to
cials said Mr. Sununu spent at least
maintain stability in the world dur-
$45,000 of his own money on the
ing a time of crisis."
trips. The Republican Party paid for
Mr. Bush ordered the White
some travel, and some was official
House staff to release destinations,
business at government expense.
purposes of travel, and repayments
Mr. Scowcroft has made about 20
made by Mr. Sununu and political
trips on military planes in the past
sponsors.
two years, a senior White House of-
The information was not released
ficial said yesterday.
last night, but Mr. Fitzwater said it
Government Operations Commit-
might be available today.
tee Chairman John Conyers, Mich-
He said Mr. Sununu and Mr. Scow-
igan Democrat, has asked the Gen-
croft are authorized to use military
eral Accounting Office to confirm
jets for political and personal travel
that all regulations were followed in
as well as official business under a
the use of military planes by White
policy set by President Reagan in
House officials.
1987. Mr. Bush supports that policy,
Mr. Rudman called press reports
and it is not being re-examined.
about Mr. Sununu's trips yellow jour-
"The chief of staff decides which
nalism. "They can't nail the presi-
trips he takes, and, of course, they're
dent. They are trying to nail the
all subject to the rules and reg-
president through the chief of staff.
ulations with regard to reim-
I know he knows right from wrong,"
bursement," Mr. Fitzwater said. "We
he said.
don't think there's anything wrong."
Like all travelers on Air Force
Mr. Sununu returned yesterday
planes who are not on government
from a weekend in New Hampshire.
business - including reporters and
He traveled by military jet Friday
families of officials - Mr. Sununu is
with Sen. Warren Rudman, New
charged the unrestricted coach fare
Hampshire Republican, who said
for each person in his party. That
yesterday he would pay his own fare.
normally is far less than the $2,780-
Both men spoke Friday night to
per-hour cost of operating the C-20
the Manchester Republican City
Gulfstream jet provided to travelers
Committee. Mr. Sununu attended an
of Mr. Sununu's rank.
awards ceremony Sunday.
"The president called up twice 01
While he was governor of New
the trip up," said Mr. Rudman, who
Hampshire, Mr. Sununu was crit-
added that he asked to accompany
icized by state legislators and mem-
bers of the Executive Council for re-
Mr. Sununu on the flight.
fusing to maintain flight logs on his
U.S. News & World Report, in its
use of a 12-passenger state police
current issue, reported 63 trips by
plane. The $210,000 Piper Cheyenne
Mr. Sununu on military planes, in-
II was purchased in 1987, and Mr.
volving 148 takeoffs and landings.
Sununu traveled widely in it while
The magazine said the travel was
chairman of the National Governors
"raising eyebrows around the Bush
Association.
White House News Summary
Tuesday, April 23, 1991 -- A-10
Bush Orders Sununu's Trip Ledger Released
President Bush moved Monday to spike charges that Chief of
Staff Sununu abused his perks with bargain joy rides on military
planes. After consulting with Sununu, the President ordered
information released on each flight taken by his chief of staff and
national security adviser.
"He said release it, put it all out," White House Press
Secretary Fitzwater told reporters.
(Frank Murray, Washington Times, A3)
Support For Sununu Is Tempered
The White House on Monday issued a qualified defense of Chief
of Staff Sununu's extensive use of government planes for travel to
ski resorts and political appearances -- making clear that the
taxpayer-subsidized travel was something that Sununu chose, not
something President Bush required
At the same time, Republicans on Capitol Hill were slow to
rush to Sununu's defense, reflecting the poor relations between
Bush's congressional supporters and his pugnacious chief of staff.
"There's a feeling that he stuck it to us, and now he's getting it
back, " said an aide to a senior Republican congressman
While they await review of the records, Bush's top aides took
a cautious approach to defending the irascible and often
controversial chief of staff.
"Only John and Ed know what those records show," said one
senior White House official
"If it shows he took a trip to
Vail and called it official because he gave someone an award, we
could be in trouble. "
While they qualified their own responses,
Bush aides expressed concern about the notable lack of support for
Sununu among Republicans on Capitol Hill
Virtually no questions have been raised about use of military
planes by National Security Adviser Scowcroft, who travels less
often than Sununu but who is widely respected in Washington. "If
he was a beloved figure, there might be some people speaking up for
him," said an aide to a congressional Republican leader. Sununu,
the aide added, "is not beloved."
(David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, A1)
WASHINGTON TIMES
Apr. 23, 1991 Pg. 2
Nixon briefs Bush
on Soviet trip
Former President Richard Nixon
lunched with President Bush at the
White House
yesterday to re-
at a time when
port on his re-
Washington and
cent trip to the
Moscow are at
Soviet Union.
loggerheads
The visit came
over disarma-
ment talks and
a planned summit meeting
awaiting an agreement.
The White House released no in-
formation on the luncheon except
to say it also was attended by Vice
President Dan Quayle, Defense
Secretary Richard Cheney, Chief of
Staff John Sununu, Deputy Secre-
tary of State Lawrence Eaglebur-
ger, National Security Adviser
Brent Scowcroft and his deputy,
Robert Gates.
Bush Should Clip Sununu's Wings -- " What's most galling is the
arrogance and the attitude of self-importance that [the Sununu
affair] reflects on the part of one of the President's closest
advisers. Someone needs to pull Sununu aside and teach him that
he is the public's servant, not its master
Why did Sununu do
it so often when, for example, Brent Scowcroft did not? One
suspects that someone insecure in his office is more likely to
flaunt its perks than someone who is secure. Scowcroft, an old
Washington hand, has learned to wear his importance easily and
modestly; Sununu, a Washington parvenu, wears his like an imperial
robe. If he is wise, the President will curtail his chief of
staff's flying privileges and bring him down to earth."
(Chicago Tribune, 4/24)
WASHINGTON POST
Apr. 24, 1991
Pg. 1
Sununu Deems Only 4 Plane Trips 'Personal'
By Charles R. Babcock and Ann Devroy
Of the four trips Sununu designated as
staff."
Washington Post Staff Writers
personal, two were to visit his dentist in
Yesterday, White House officials told
Boston, according to the records. None of
reporters that Fitzwater was in error and
White House Chief of Staff John H.
the 27 trips he made to New Hampshire,
that the policy "requires" the use of such
Sununu designated only four of the more
where the former three-term governor
planes. Asked to explain a trip last year to
than 70 trips he took on military aircraft
maintains a home and a strong political
the Kentucky Derby when Sununu did not
the last two years as "personal" trips, de-
base, was listed as personal.
fly aboard a Pentagon plane with secure
scribing the others, including two ski trips
The White House, which released the
communications, an official said Sununu
to Colorado, as "official" or "political" busi-
records yesterday, has offered differing
"had control of the plane" and could have
ness, according to records released yes-
explanations for whether Sununu could
ordered it back to Washington or else-
terday.
have flown commercial aircraft on any of
where if President Bush needed him.
As chief of staff, Sununu has the sole
the trips. Last week, in response to ques-
The release of documents was the first
authority to determine whether he, the
tions from The Washington Post, a
White House effort to deal with questions
government or Republican Party groups
spokesman said Sununu was required to
about Sununu's travel raised on Sunday by
pay for such trips. On trips he designated
take the Pentagon planes because security
stories in The Post and U.S. News &
as official, such as those he and his wife
concerns made it necessary that he have
World Report.
made to Aspen and Vail in Colorado, the
"immediate voice contact" with the White
White House officials had refused for
government pays his hotel and meal ex-
House at all times.
days to respond to questions from The
penses as well as the cost of the plane.
On Monday, White House press secre-
Post on Sununu's travel, but on Monday
On personal or political trips, the gov-
tary Marlin Fitzwater said a 1987 mem-
Fitzwater announced that Bush had au-
ernment is reimbursed at rates for full
orandum President Ronald Reagan signed
thorized the release of the records for
commercial coach air fare, but this covers
on the use of Pentagon planes authorized
both Sununu and national security adviser
only a fraction of real costs. The Pentagon
the chief of staff and national security ad-
Brent Scowcroft.
estimates that it now costs $3,945 an hour
viser to use them but did not require such
Fitzwater said at the time: "There's no
to fly the twin-engine C-20 Air Force jet
use. Whether to use a military plane, Fitz-
evidence that there's any ethical impro-
that Sununu usually uses, not counting
water said Monday, "does require discre-
salaries of the usual five-member crew.
tion and decision on the part of the chief of
SUNUNU Pg. 14
made at least 22 official trips in
whether the difference in value be-
1989 and 1990. The list did not
tween what was paid for Sununu's
include "classified" travel.
trips and their real cost to the gov-
Many of the official trips, accord-
ernment could be counted as per-
ing to the records, were to brief
sonal income and subject to taxes.
former presidents, or to update
An official said yesterday that
Bush when he was out of town dur-
Sununu has on a number of occasions
ing the Persian Gulf crisis. Scow-
driven to New Hampshire and car-
croft reimbursed the government
ried with him secure phone equip-
$1,052 for a ski trip to Utah he took
ment in a small suitcase. The official,
with his daughter in March 1990.
asked why Sununu could not just rou-
The records show that Sununu
tinely carry this equipment aboard
reimbursed the government $1,267
commercial planes to save the large
for the four personal trips he took.
costs of Pentagon aircraft, said, "The
Besides the trips to Boston in April
policy requires that when he flies, he
and December 1990, for which he
flies on a Pentagon plane."
reimbursed the government a total
On Monday, Fitzwater said Bush
of $900, he went to New Jersey in
"believes that those planes and that
January 1990 for a farewell to Re-
travel was authorized in the last ad-
publican Gov. Tom Kean and a foot-
ministration and continued in this
ball game ($200 reimbursed), and
one for a reason, and that is so that
to see his parents in West Palm
they can maintain voice contact and
Beach, Fla., ($167) in April 1990.
secure contact with the president
A Sununu aide said the chief of
and White House whenever they
staff went to Boston for dental work
travel."
because it was important to go to
But documents from the Reagan
the same dentist who did the orig-
administration authorizing use of the
inal work. The round-trip flying
planes, which were released along
time to Boston is about 2½ hours.
with the travel records, did not men-
At the Air Force flight costs used at
tion the necessity of "secure con-
the time, this meant the trips cost
tact." A memorandum to Howard H.
the government more than
Baker Jr., then chief of staff, stated
$14,000.
that planes would be available but
Another $16,058 was reim-
that most of them "will not be
bursed for flights in which Sununu's
equipped with the highly sophisticat-
wife, Nancy, or other family mem-
ed secure voice communications."
political office. In response to ques-
bers accompanied him on travel he
An administration official said the
tions, a White House official ac-
designated as official or political. A
planes Sununu now flies are so
knowledged that Sununu and his
Sununu aide said yesterday he
equipped.
party had attended the reception.
didn't know how much of this
The two ski trips to Colorado
Asked if the party event was ar-
amount was reimbursed by Sununu
that Sununu took with his wife were
ranged so that Sununu could attend
personally and how much by GOP
designated official trips because
the wedding festivities, an official
political groups. He did say that
Sununu had been invited to speak to
said, "I am not aware of which in-
$8,198 of the reimbursements
members of the ski industry, a
vitation came first."
came from leftover money in a
Sununu aide said. Each trip cost the
The official said a billing error
Sununu campaign committee ac-
government about $30,000. Sununu
accounted for the records failing to
count in New Hampshire.
reimbursed the government $2,022
show reimbursement for Nancy
The White House list did not in-
for his wife's travel expenses.
Sununu and that the government
dicate when the reimbursements
Dick Needham,, editor of Ski mag-
would be reimbursed for the cost of
were made, but a Sununu aide said
azine, which sponsored both of the
a a coach ticket.
the chief of staff's payments were
gatherings, told The Post last week
The White House declined to iden-
made soon after invoices were sent
that "he comes for the pure enjoy-
tify passengers who traveled with
for the trips.
ment of skiing with us." He added
Sununu on any of his trips, unless a
In addition, GOP candidates and
that the group did not pay any ex-
family member was aboard. But of-
party organizations have reim-
penses of Sununu and his wife. "He
ficials said that Edward M. Rogers,
bursed the government or been
was doing it on his own nickel."
executive assistant to Sununu, was
billed for an additional $45,597 of
Contacted yesterday, Needham
on most of the trips, and that Sununu
Sununu's travel.
said Sununu had been invited be-
never traveled without Rogers or
For example, Sununu flew from
cause of his high position in the ad-
some other personal aide.
here to New Hampshire on Oct. 31,
ministration. He referred other
On all the trips, Rogers or the
1990, for a fund-raiser for Rep.
questions to a spokeswoman who
designated aide was traveling offi-
SUNUNU
from Pg.
7
Robert C. Smith (R-N.H.), then en-
didn't return a reporter's call.
cially, White House aides said, 'so
gaged in an ultimately successful
In a trip in March 1990 described
their expenses, including hotel
priety here.
It's all operated
campaign for the Senate. The trip
as "political," Sununu flew to Chi-
rooms and meals, were paid by the
according to policy."
cost the Pentagon more than
cago for what the White House
government. An official said Rogers
Congressional Democrats, how-
$8,000 for the two hours and 15
listed as an Illinois State/County
traveled "in his official capacity and
ever, have called on the General
minutes of flight time, based on
GOP fund-raising event, with the
solely to assist the chief of staff in
Accounting Office to examine the
flight costs at that time. The cam-
government being reimbursed
performing his duties."
Sununu records and trável prac-
paign was billed for $1,168.
$642. The three-hour, 25-minute
Asked what Rogers did, exactly,
tices. Rep. Vic Fazio (D-Calif.),
Asked yesterday whether this
round trip cost $6,464 at the Pen-
on trips such as the ski excursions,
chairman of the Democratic Con-
amounted to a taxpayer subsidy of
tagon rate for operating the plane.
an official said he carried the secure
gressional Campaign Committee,
Republican campaign activities, ad-
The White House list did not say
phone.
said yesterday that the documents
ministration spokesmen referred
that Sununu, his wife and others
do not resolve "all the questions
questions to White House counsel
attended the wedding reception in
Staff writer John E. Yang and
that have been raised surrounding"
C. Boyden Gray, who did not return
Chicago that night of David Carney,
researchers Ralph Gaillard Jr., Lucy
Sununu's travel.
a reporter's call.
a longtime political aide of Sununu
Shackelford and Mark Stencel
The records show that Scowcroft
Another unanswered question is
who now serves in the White House
contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON TIMES
Apr. 24, 1991
Pg. 1
said the policy memo written by
of the Democratic Congressional
then-Secretary of State George
Campaign Committee, were not re-
Hill not eager
Shultz.
turned. Mr. Fazio had joined Mr.
Mr. Foley said in an interview yes-
Conyers in calling for the GAO
terday that a GAO investigation
probe.
might be useful from a public policy
Rep. Steve Gunderson of Michi-
standpoint. "The question has been
gan, chief deputy GOP whip, said he
to reveal travel
raised [in the Sununu] case as to the
wasn't surprised by the Conyers and
use of military aircraft for what are
Fazio silence.
clearly more private purposes," he
"One of the things I've learned in
said.
public office is that when you can't
Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, who
attack on substance you attack per-
craft, with a quarter of the flights
also is chairman of the House Demo-
sonally," Mr. Gunderson said. "And if
By Paul M. Rodriguez
designated as personal or political
and Paul Bedard
cratic Caucus, said that a GAO probe
the greatest criticism of this admin-
use.
of White House travel would be use-
istration is the chief of staff's travel,
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The documents show that Mr.
Sununu took 77 trips on military jets
ful, but not necessarily of the legis-
then I think the Bush administration
The two House Democrats who
lative branch.
is doing a pretty good job."
over the past 27 months; 24 were po-
launched a probe of John Sununu's
litical, and four were personal. Mr.
"What's being missed here is not
When asked about expanding the
travel as White House chief of staff
Sununu reimbursed the government
whether this [use of military planes]
probe for public policy purposes,
ducked reporters' questions yester-
a total of $47,044.
is legal, but
whether we want to
Mr. Gunderson said: "Sure, I don't
day about expanding the investiga-
Mr. Scowcroft took 23 trips on
fund this type of activity," Mr. Hoyer
think that that's unfair. If we're go-
tion to include Congress.
said.
ing to investigate travel for the ad-
government aircraft between March
Democratic Party leaders said
In his request for a GAO probe,
ministration to determine political
7, 1989, and Oct. 26, 1990. Only one
they have no objection but made no
Rep. John Conyers, Michigan Demo-
and personal use, we ought to also
was listed as unofficial - a ski vaca-
formal request on their own.
crat and chairman of the Govern-
scrutinize the Congress."
tion with his daughter to Utah on
"I have no problem with the GAO
March 10, 1990. The records show he
mental Affairs Committee, limited
Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, Pennsyl-
[General Accounting Office] looking
reimbursed the government $1,052.
the investigation to Mr. Sununu.
vania Democrat, also supported an
into the private use of military or
Mr. Sununu's official flights in-
John Gorman, deputy press sec-
expanded GAO probe. "The focus
government planes by the executive
retary for Mr. Conyers' committee,
ought to be all high-level officials
cluded two ski resort destinations
branch or the Congress," said
where he gave speeches. Mr. Sununu
said yesterday that "there are no
who use military or government air-
plans to expand the probe at this
craft," he said.
Speaker Thomas S. Foley, Washing-
also took 16 flights to New Hamp-
time."
Mr. Kanjorski, who has sponsored
ton Democrat.
shire, where he was governor before
When informed of the statements
a bill for several years to make ex-
Meanwhile yesterday, the White
coming to Washington. None of the
House released six pages of doc-
trips were listed as "personal."
by Mr. Foley and Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Gor-
ecutive and judicial branch travels
umentation on travel by Mr. Sununu
A 1987 policy signed by then-
man said: "Really, they said that on
and expenses a matter of public rec-
and National Security Adviser
the record? That's great. But you
ord, said that Congress currently is
President Reagan orders the chief
know, it's up to my superiors to make
required to detail all aspects of its
Brent Scowcroft. Published reports
of staff and national security ad-
had suggested that Mr. Sununu
viser to fly on military aircraft.
those decisions. I'll have to get back
expenditures, including its annual
abused his right to use military
"They must be reachable at all
with you about what they think."
$25 million travel budget.
planes by frequently flying home to
times.
No chances at all can be
By publishing time yesterday, Mr.
"There are public records detail-
taken that they might be on a hi-
Gorman did not respond. Nor did Mr.
ing each and every member's travel
his native New Hampsire and jetting
to ski resorts.
jacked plane somewhere because of
Conyers or any of his aides, despite
expenses," Mr. Kanjorski said. But
repeated phone calls.
the $55 million spent annually by the
President Bush's two top aides
the immense amount of sensitive,
have taken 100 trips on military air-
current information they possess,"
Several calls to Rep. Vic Fazio,
federal judiciary and the $50 million
California Democrat and chairman
spent by the White House excluding
presidential travel, are not revealed.
"They ought to be and that's what I'm
advocating," he said.
According to the documents re-
leased by the White House yester-
day, many of Mr. Sununu's costs were
paid by the Republican Party. Politi-
cal organizations, for example, paid
for more than $53,400 of his trips.
The political trips included Mr.
Sununu's April 1 flight to Colombia,
S.C., to attend the funeral of Repub-
lican National Committee General
Chairman Lee Atwater. The RNC
has promised to pay $17,568 for the
trip, which included 31 guests.
Among the personal trips: a Jan-
uary 1990 trip to Newark for a foot-
ball game, costing $200; an April
1990 trip to Boston for a dentist ap-
pointment, $480; an April 1990 trip
to Florida to visit his parents, $167;
and a December 1990 trip back to his
dentist, $420.
Many of Mr. Scowcroft's trips
were not listed for national security
reasons, according to White House
spokesman Marlin Fitzwater.
Among those not listed: Mr. Scow-
croft's flight to China in the summer
of 1989 following the Red Army
crackdown on pro-democracy dem-
onstrators in Tiananmen Square.
WASHINGTON TIMES
Apr.
24,
1991
Pg.
3
Schwarzkopf, Bush make
peace at White House lunch
By Frank J. Murray
chef as well as the rowdy White
Chairman Gen. Colin Powell, White
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
House press corps. But he wouldn't
House Chief of Staff John Sununu,
say whether his 240-pound frame
Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence
A hungry Gen. Norman Schwarz-
felt comfortable in the Oval Office.
Eagleburger substituting for travel-
kopf lunched at the White House yes-
"What I'd really like to say is, if
ing Secretary James A. Baker III,
terday and, like the card-carrying
the president's not going to answer
National Security Adviser Brent
magician he once was, graciously
any questions, I damn sure am not
Scowcroft and his deputy, Robert
made the debate on capturing Bagh-
going to answer any," Gen. Schwarz-
Gates.
dad disappear behind a veil of laugh-
kopf said after listening to President
Both generals wore dress greens
ter.
Bush praise his victory in Iraq.
instead of "cammies." As he strolled
Even without his trademark des-
"What I'll say to him," Mr. Bush
along the Colonnade with Mr. Bush,
ert camouflage, Gen. Schwarzkopf
told reporters, "is welcome, well-
Gen. Schwarzkopf said, "First time I
made a four-star impression on the
done, and what he and his troops did
had this on in eight months."
in terms of fulfilling our objectives
The twice-wounded 56-year-old
is fantastic, and what he and his
general, who began his teen-age
troops did for the morale of the
years living in Iran with his Army-
United States of America is unbe-
general father, will enter civilian life
lievable."
with far more than his master's de-
The president then led the way to
gree in missile engineering and the
his family dining room on the second
union card from his days with the
floor of the White House for a feast
International Brotherhood of Magi-
of chicken soup, mixed grill with
cians when he put on magic shows
bearnaise sauce, broiled tomatoes
for youth groups and birthday par-
and mushrooms, fried potatoes,
ties.
salad, fruit, and cookies.
Among the tools he is armed with:
Later, out of Gen. Schwarzkopf's
a rumored $4 million book contract,
earshot, Mr. Bush also praised the
speaking invitations at $60,000 per
appetite of the soldier known as
talk, a sarcastic wit, an IQ of 170,
"The Bear" in apologizing to 4,500
fluency in French and German, and
Naval Academy midshipmen for be-
the thirst for "another cause."
ing late after the lunch.
"He hasn't had a good meal in a
long time. You should have seen the
guy eat," Mr. Bush said, drawing
howls of laughter from the Annap-
olis crowd of 5,000. "I'll tell you we
can't afford to invite him over there
anymore."
Gen. Schwarzkopf has given no
hint of his plans beyond retiring this
summer after 35 years as a much-
decorated officer and four years as
a West Point cadet. He declined the
chance to be Army chief of staff.
Florida Republicans have invited
him to run for the Senate, and in
giddy moments there have been sug-
gestions he could emulate Dwight
Eisenhower and run for president.
Corporate and academic possibili-
ties also have been mentioned.
Mr. Bush and Gen. Schwarzkopf
- who share magic as a hobby -
walked together to the Rose Garden
at noon after meeting for 30 minutes,
their first conversation since the
general said Mr. Bush ignored his
recommendation to continue the
ground war for another 24 hours.
Attending yesterday's largely jo.
vial session were Vice President
Dan Quayle, Defense Secretary
Richard Cheney, Joint Chiefs of Staff
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
VOL.CXL
No. 48,580
Copyright © 1991 The New York Times
Jose R. Lopez/The New York Times
Bush to Schwarzkopf: 'Don't Change Your Style'
President Bush welcomed Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf to the White
House yesterday and referred inquisitive reporters to the gulf war com-
mander. saying, "C'mon Norm, and don't change your style."
THE NEW YORK TIMES
DATE: 4/24/9)
PAGE: A12
White House Details Sununu's Trips
By ANDREW ROSENTHAL
yielding management techniques and
ty's Robert Frost Award Dinner and
Special to The New York Times
abrasive negotiating style have left
spent the weekend, returning to Wash-
WASHINGTON, April 23 - Under
him with a stock of ill will and without
ington on Monday.
pressure to account for John H. Sunu-
many willing defenders on the White
At the $3,945 hourly rate that the Air
nu's use of Government airplanes, the
House staff and on Capitol Hill.
Force assigns to the modified Gul-
White House today released documents
Nationally, interviews on television
stream jet that Mr. Sununu uses, and
showing that it paid for 49 flights by the
in recent days suggest that it has hit a
figuring flying time of two and a half
Chief of Staff over the last two years,
nerve with ordinary travelers who
hours, that trip was worth $9,862.50.
including four trips to mountain re-
have been forced to deal with delays
The party organization was billed $519,
sorts where he made speeches and also
caused by congestions, travel disrup-
the going rate for a coach-class ticket
went skiing.
tions from failing airlines and security
on that route.
But the documents also showed that
measures prompted by the Persian
The White House argued that such
Mr. Sununu or Republican Party or-
Gulf war.
comparisons are distorted. Officials
ganizations were charged for 28 of the
So far, the documents showed that
said the far larger sum does not actu-
other trips by Mr. Sununu that were
Mr. Sununu has paid $14,391 for non-of-
ally leave the Federal coffers at that
listed as political or personal business.
ficial flights, including the four listed
rate since the airplanes are rarely
The White House released the docu-
as personal, and tickets for his family
idle; they carry other officials and dig-
ments at President Bush's personal or-
on political and official trips. Partý or-
nitaries and go on training and mainte-
der in an effort to back up its assertions
ganizations have paid $32,653 more and
nance flights.
that Mr. Sununu had followed Federal
still owe the Federal Government
The documents showed that Mr.
policy on using military airplanes.
nearly $21,000 for airplane trips in the
Sununu and his wife, Nancy, traveled to
That policy allows him the use of a
past six weeks, the documents show.
Vail, Colo., in December 1989. Mr.
military plane so he can be in constant,
The documents do not say when the
Sununu flew at Government expense to
secure voice contact with the White
payments were made. Mr. Sununu's of-
address a Ski Magazine conference
House, but that payment must be made
fice said there has "never been a back-
and The Times-Mirror newspaper or-
for all non-official flights at the going
log" and that none of the payments
ganization. He also went skiing.
commercial rate for a coach-class tick-
Last December, he made a similar
et, plus $1.
trip to Aspen and flew to New Hamp-
In one case, Mr. Sununu paid $167 for
Bush's aides try
shire in February 1990 and February
a flight on April 20, 1990, from Key
1991 for a fund-raiser at a ski resort for
Largo, Fla., where Mr. Bush was stay-
to fend off a hint
a foundation named for Christa McAu-
ing, to West Palm Beach, to visit Mr.
liffe, one of the Challenger crew. Mr.
Sununu's parents. The airplane had to
of impropriety.
Sununu spoke at both events, and went
be flown from Washington to pick him
skiing, his office said.
up. From West Palm Beach, the plane
According to the documents, Mr.
flew him to New York, where he was in-
Sununu went to Boston to visit his den-
terviewed by CBS News and spoke at a
were made after the articles on his
tist twice. His office said they were fol-
police breakfast, and then flew him
traveling first appeared.
low-up visits to continue work started
back to Washington. The price tag for
The White House also documented
earlier.
the trip, at the rate the Air Force calcu-
about 45 flights by Brent Scowcroft, the
Official explanations of the policy on
lates the cost of his airplane: $23,670.
national security adviser, who has
military flights have been contradicto-
Mr. Sununu is not expected under
made classified trips that were not list-
ry.
Government regulations to make up
ed. The list included missions abroad,
At first, the White House said Mr.
the full cost of his flights. But the ex-
trips to brief former Presidents and an
Sununu and Mr. Scowcroft were re-
pense has stirred strong criticism on
official trip to New York for a dinner at
quired to use military aircraft at all
Capitol Hill and has vexed Mr. Bush be-
which the host was Henry A. Kissinger,
times. On Monday, Marlin Fitzwater,
cause it involves the head of a Presi-
the former Secretary of State and a for-
the White House spokesman, said they
dential staff that is under strict orders
mer colleague of Mr. Scowcroft.
were "authorized" to do so.
to avoid even the suggestion of impro-
There was one personal trip, an
The documents today include an Aug.
priety.
eight-day skiing vacation in March
4, 1987 memorandum from then Secre-
Inquiry Begun by Democrats
with his daughter, for which Mr. Scow-
tary of State George P. Shultz to Presi-
croft paid $1,052.
dent Ronald Reagan in which he said
Democratic lawmakers have begun
Mr. Scowcroft's office said he was in-
the national security adviser and chief
an investigation to review, on economic
volved in negotiations on the unifica-
of staff "should always travel on Air
and security grounds, the practice of
tion of Germany and preparations for a
Force planes."
having the White House chief of staff
NATO summit at the time and needed
"I agreed with your reaction that
and the national security adviser fly on
to stay in contact with Mr. Bush during
they should be told to do it this way and
Government planes. From an ethical
his flights.
not to be given an option," Mr. Shultz
standpoint, lawmakers want to know
The Federal policy, as released to-
wrote.
whether Mr. Sununu has billed Wash-
day by the White House, says that when
Accompanying documents spelling
ington for trips whose official function
an official plans a vacation "for a
out the policy do not say whether the of-
might be debatable.
period of time which makes their im-
ficials should or must use military air-
"I don't think that anybody inside or
mediate return unlikely, the travelers
craft.
outside of the White House can help but
should evaluate the use of military air
be distressed at the use of Government
transportation on the basis of appear-
equipment in this fashion," said Repre-
ance or impropriety."
sentative John Conyers Jr., the Michi-
Mr. Scowcroft's trips have not been
gan Democrat who is chairman of the
at issue, but the White House released
House Committee on Government
a list of them because he is the only
Operations, which asked for the in-
other official authorized to use military
quiry.
planes on non-government business.
"On the face of it, it raises serious
According to the documents, Mr.
questions of judgment," Mr. Conyers
Sununu has not paid for any of several
said, citing among other things the
trips to his home state of New Hamp-
trips to ski resorts.
shire, all of which were billed as offi-
Mr. Sununu's flights have become
cial or party business. Most recently,
especially controversial in Washington
Mr. Sununu flew up on Friday to ad-
because they involve a man whose un-
dress the Manchester Republican Par-
DATE:
4/24/91
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Critique of Sununu's Plane Use Draws
Audience From Among Many Enemies
By MICHEL MCQUEEN
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
The reimbursements at normal com-
loyalty and returns it. in part for Mr. Sun-
WASHINGTON - After White House
mercial travel rates are far below the ac-
unu's strong performance in helping him
Chief of Staff John Sununu nixed former
tual cost of operating military aircraft on
win the New Hampshire primary when Mr.
Indiana Rep. John Hiler for a job in the
those trips-by some estimates as high as
Sununu was governor.
housing department, Rep. Thomas Bliley,
$500,000. But the White House has defended
Finally, aides and Bush watchers have
a Virginia Republican, got SO upset he be-
Mr. Sununu's use of military jets by saying
long noted, Mr. Bush likes having a contro-
gan threatening to vote against one of the
the trips are in accord with a Reagan-era
versial, somewhat hard-edged figure in his
administration's top legislative priorities.
White House policy of keeping the chief of
employ to compensate for Mr. Bush's own
"Let's just say the White House looks
staff in "immediate voice contact" with
preference for conciliation over confronta-
for our support every week on a variety of
the president. The policy also applies to
tions. During the last presidential cam-
issues," says Rep. Bliley. "Life is a two-
National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft,
paign, the hard guy was Lee Atwater.
way street."
who made far fewer trips than Mr. Sun-
Since Mr. Bush won the White House. it
Even within the administration. Mr.
unu. The White House said it didn't release
has been John Sununu.
Sununu is a controversial figure. Treasury
a complete list of Mr. Scowcroft's trips be-
"The fact is, he's performed the job the
Secretary Nicholas
cause some are classified.
President wanted him to do-and the con-
Brady, for instance,
The White House directive on travel for
sequence is that rather than the president
complained directly
the chief of staff and national security ad-
being the object of anger, John Sununu is,"
to President Bush
viser was initiated in August 1987 when
says Mr. Bailey.
when Mr. Sununu
Howard Baker was chief of staff and
Mr. Sununu still has a way to go before
told a banking group
Frank Carlucci was national security ad-
he has to worry about finding a new job.
that the Treasury's
viser. According to White House docu-
"If I were a betting man-and I am-one
banking overhaul
ments, the policy resulted from concerns
person I'd put my money on to survive in
plan
probably
that the two men would be impossible to
this town is Sununu," says Craig Shirley, a
wouldn't pass Con-
reach on commercial flights and might be
Republican consultant. "He's smart, he's
gress this year. And
vulnerable to terrorism or harassment.
tough, he's capable."
other cabinet mem-
But other White House sources said the
But the flap over his travel might leave
bers complain pri-
true purpose of the 1987 directive was to
him a bit humbler, at least temporarily.
vately that the chief
enable chief of staff Howard Baker to reg-
Only a few weeks ago he blocked former
of staff bars them
ularly visit his ailing wife in Tennessee.
Rep. Hiler, who had opposed the deficit re-
from seeing the
John Sununu
The directive also advised both men that
duction increase compromise that Mr.
president.
they should evaluate their use of military
Sununu helped fashion last fall. But yester-
Mr. Sununu's penchant for making ene-
aircraft for "vacations and similar travel"
day afternoon the White House chief of
mies is well-known in Washington: but it is
"on the basis of appearance or impropri-
staff met with Mr. Hiler to discuss a possi-
taking on new meaning these days as the
ety."
ble job in the administration.
powerful chief of staff faces scrutiny for
Even Democrats who have been critical
-Jackie Calmes contributed to this ar-
his extensive use of government planes for
of Mr. Sununu's extensive travels and
ticle.
political and personal trips, as well as offi-
called for a congressional audit concede
cial travel. Yesterday, the White House re-
there is no evidence that the law or ethical
leased details of Mr. Sununu's trips and re-
guidelines were violated. But other ana-
imbursements made on his behalf.
lysts note that there is an issue of appear-
For popular chiefs of staff-such as
ance that Democrats could be quick to ex-
James Baker and Howard Baker who
ploit.
served in the job under Ronald Reagan-
"It's a Johnny Carson story-there'll be
such disclosures might have been dis-
too much fun made of it," says Doug Bai-
missed as a tempest in a teapot. But for
ley, a GOP political consultant and the
Mr. Sununu, whose abrasive personality
publisher of a political news digest based
has long grated on sensitive egos inside the
here.
Washington beltway, the issue could make
But the story could just as easily go
him an even bigger lightning rod for Re-
away. It holds little interest outside Wash-
publican dissatisfaction, and a weapon for
ington, Mr. Bailey and other analysts say.
Democrats trying to gain political advan-
Also, there haven't been stories about the
tage against Mr. Bush.
Bush administration suggesting a pattern
"He's famous for being a difficult per-
of ethical lapses or abuses of perquisites
son to get along with," says William
and power, such as those that dogged the
Schneider, a political analyst with the con-
Reagan administration. And, notes former
servative American Enterprise Institute.
Reagan administration political director
Members of Congress don't like him" and
Mitchell Daniels, "It's a staff story and
neither do members of the Washington
people don't pay much attention," espe-
press corp, he says. As a result, "when
cially when there's no evidence of clearcut
something like this happens there's an au-
abuse.
dience for it in this town."
However many enemies Mr. Sununu
The travel documents were released by
may have made, there's no evidence to
the White House in response to stories pub-
suggest that he has alienated his most im-
lished over the weekend in the Washington
portant friend. President Bush. For one
Post and U.S. News & World Report giving
thing, Mr. Sununu remains a strong link to
details of some of Mr. Sununu's trips, in-
the GOP's conservative wing, which has
cluding numerous political trips to his
never fully embraced Mr. Bush for very
home state of New Hampshire, where he
long. Secondly. Mr. Bush prizes his aide's
served as governor.
The documents show the chief of staff
made 77 trips on government planes since
April 1989. Of those, 49 were designated as
official and 24 as political in nature, and
four were listed as personal. (Of the 49 of-
ficial trips, however, four were for
speeches at ski resorts. The White House
documents show that the government was
reimbursed more than $47,000 for Mr. Sun-
unu's nonofficial travel and for the cost of
family members who accompanied him.
The White House didn't specify whether
Mr. Sununu or someone else made those
payments.
DATE:
4/24/91
The Washington Times
Congress wary
of travel probe
Several calls to Rep. Vic Fazio,
By Paul M. Rodriguez
California Democrat and chairman
7, 1989, and Oct. 26, 1990. Only one
and Paul Bedard
of the Democratic Congressional
was listed as unofficial - a ski vaca-
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Campaign Committee, were not re-
tion with his daughter to Utah on
turned. Mr. Fazio had joined Mr.
March 10, 1990. The records show he
The two House Democrats who
Conyers in calling for the GAO
reimbursed the government $1,052.
launched a probe of John Sununu's
probe.
Mr. Sununu's official flights in-
travel as White House chief of staff
Rep. Steve Gunderson of Michi-
cluded two ski resort destinations
ducked reporters' questions yester-
gan, chief deputy GOP whip, said he
where he gave speeches. Mr. Sununu
day about expanding the investiga-
wasn't surprised by the Conyers and
also took 16 flights to New Hamp-
tion to include Congress.
Fazio silence.
shire, where he was governor before
Democratic Party leaders said
"One of the things I've learned in
coming to Washington. None of the
they have no objection but made no
public office is that when you can't
trips were listed as "personal."
formal request on their own.
attack on substance you attack per-
The political trips included Mr.
"I have no problem with the GAO
sonally," Mr. Gunderson said. "And if
Sununu's April 1 flight to Columbia,
[General Accounting Office] looking
the greatest criticism of this admin-
S.C., to attend the funeral of Repub-
into the private use of military or
istration is the chief of staff's travel,
lican National Committee General
government planes by the executive
then I think the Bush administration
Chairman Lee Atwater. The RNC
branch or the Congress," said
is doing a pretty good job."
has promised to pay $17,568 for the
When asked about expanding the
trip, which included 31 guests.
Speaker Thomas S. Foley, Washing-
ton Democrat.
probe for public policy purposes,
Among the personal trips: a Jan-
Meanwhile yesterday, the White
Mr. Gunderson said: "Sure, I don't
uary 1990 trip to Newark for a foot-
House released six pages of doc-
think that that's unfair. If we're go-
ball game, costing $200; an April
umentation on travel by Mr. Sununu
ing to investigate travel for the ad-
1990 trip to Boston for a dentist ap-
and National Security Adviser
ministration to determine political
pointment, $480; an April 1990 trip
Brent Scowcroft. Published reports
and personal use, we ought to also
to Florida to visit his parents, $167;
had suggested that Mr. Sununu
scrutinize the Congress."
and a December 1990 trip back to his
abused his right to use military
Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, Pennsyl-
dentist, $420.
planes by frequently flying home to
vania Democrat, also supported an
As Democrats assailed Mr. Sunu-
his native New Hampsire and jetting
expanded GAO probe. "The focus
nu's travel, however, only one Repub-
to ski resorts.
ought to be all high-level officials
lican, Rep. Bob McEwen of Ohio,
who use military or government air-
took the House floor yesterday in his
President Bush's two top aides
craft," he said.
defense.
have taken 100 trips on military air-
Mr. Kanjorski, who has sponsored
Many of Mr. Scowcroft's trips
craft, with a quarter of the flights
a bill for several years to make ex-
were not listed for national security
designated as personal or political
ecutive and judicial branch travels
reasons, according to White House
and expenses a matter of public rec-
use.
spokesman Marlin Fitzwater.
Mr. Foley said in an interview yes-
ord, said that Congress currently is
Among those not listed: Mr. Scow-
terday that a GAO investigation
required to detail all aspects of its
croft's flight to China in the summer
might be useful from a public policy
expenditures, including its annual
of 1989 after the Red Army crack-
standpoint. "The question has been
$25 million travel budget.
down on pro-democracy demonstra-
raised [in the Sununu] case as to the
"There are public records detail-
tors in Tiananmen Square.
use of military aircraft for what are
ing each and every member's travel
A 1987 policy signed by then-
clearly more private purposes," he
expenses," Mr. Kanjorski said. But
President Reagan orders the chief
said.
the $55 million spent annually by the
of staff and national security ad-
Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, who
viser to fly on military aircraft.
also is chairman of the House Demo-
federal judiciary and the $50 million
cratic Caucus, said that a GAO probe
spent by the White House excluding
of White House travel would be use-
presidential travel, are not revealed.
ful, but not necessarily of the legis-
"They ought to be and that's what I'm
lative branch.
advocating," he said.
"What's being missed here is not
According to the documents re-
whether this [use of military planes]
leased by the White House yester-
is legal, but
whether we want to
day, many of Mr. Sununu's costs were
fund this type of activity," Mr. Hoyer
paid by the Republican Party. Politi-
said.
cal organizations, for example, paid
In his request for a GAO probe,
for more than $53,400 of his trips.
Rep. John Conyers, Michigan Demo-
The White House documents
crat and chairman of the Govern-
show that Mr. Sununu took 77 trips
mental Affairs Committee, limited
on military jets over the past 27
the investigation to Mr. Sununu.
months; 24 were political, and four
John Gorman, deputy press sec-
were personal. Mr. Sununu reim-
retary for Mr. Conyers' committee,
bursed the government a total of
said yesterday that "there are no
$47,044.
plans to expand the probe at this
Mr. Scowcroft took 23 trips on
time."
government aircraft between March
When informed of the statements
by Mr. Foley and Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Gor-
man said: "Really, they said that on
the record? That's great. But you
know, it's up to my superiors to make
those decisions. I'll have to get back
with you about what they think."
By publishing time yesterday, Mr.
Gorman did not respond. Nor did Mr.
Conyers or any of his aides, despite
repeated phone calls.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
April 24, 1991
Pg. 20
Bush'should clip Sununu's wings
The Bush White House busied itself Tuesday with a
personal. The Republican National Committee report-
giant exercise in missing the point.
edly made the reimbursement for political travel.
Stung by disclosures of extravagant use of military
In neither case, however, did the reimbursement ap-
aircraft by chief of staff John Sununu, the administra-
proach the actual cost of $3,945 an hour (not in-
tion hastened to lay out the dollars and cents of the
cluding crew members' salaries) to operate the military
matter and assure the public that the Treasury was
aircraft. And the categorizing of some trips-like a
reimbursed for any personal or political trips.
three-day visit to Aspen, Colo.-seemed questionable.
But the dollars and cents, while not unimportant, are
Why did he do it? Well, said White House press
not what is most galling in the Sununu affair. What's
secretary Marlin Fitzwater, commercial flights aren't
most galling is the arrogance and the attitude of self-
always readily available and such a key adviser needs
importance that it reflects on the part of one of the
access to secure phone links with the White House.
president's closest advisers. Someone needs to pull
But why did Sununu do it so often when, for exam-
Sununu aside and teach him that he is the public's
ple, Brent Scowcroft, who as national security adviser
servant, not its master.
could have exercised the same privilege, did not? One
According to U.S. News & World Report and the
suspects that someone insecure in his office is more
Washington Post, Sununu took advantage of a direc-
likely to flaunt its perks than someone who is secure.
tive issued by President Reagan to commandeer mili-
Scowcroft, an old Washington hand, has learned to
tary aircraft for more than 75 trips in two years. The
wear his importance easily and modestly; Sununu, a
total cost was estimated at more than $500,000.
Washington parvenu, wears his like an imperial robe.
Sununu reportedly reimbursed the government at
If he is wise, the president will curtail his chief of
first-class commercial airline rates when the travel was
staff's flying privileges and bring him down to earth.
The Washington Times
DATE:
4/25/m
PAGE:
A
the probe to include congressional
GOP:
use of military or government
planes, no such calls have been forth-
coming from Capitol Hill.
there are abuses, and if so, by
"I don't like this jumping all over
whom."
Add Hill
Gov. Sununu when he has complied
Mr. Walker said he would have
with the policy and has made full
filed his own request sooner, but his-
disclosure. What more can you ask
torically, "GAO doesn't seem to com-
of a man?" Mr. Bush said in a three-
ply with requests from the minority
minute gathering with reporters
to probe
side unless [senior] Democrats also
after an Oval Office meeting with
sign on.
This has been a running
Djibouti President Hassan Gouled.
battle for a long time. GAO will com-
ply with a single Democrat's request
of travel
but not a Republican's without a
committee chairman's signature."
"The president
Mr. McEwen said, "I think we
supports that policy,
should know what the costs are of
By Paul M. Rodriguez
operating an Air Force wing used
yes."
- Marlin Fitzwater
and Paul Bedard
exclusively for government travel
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
and determine if that's something we
want."
Asked if Mr. Sununu had abused
House Republicans said yester-
A senior Republican aide said
his use of military jets by taking sev-
day they want the General Ac-
GOP leaders had considered the risk
eral "official" trips to ski resorts, Mr.
counting Office to broaden its probe
of losing all travel privileges on mili-
Bush said, "I think he complied with
of White House Chief of Staff John
tary aircraft.
the existing policy
so
how
can
it
Sununu's travel on military aircraft
"We may lose a good thing, but if
be abuse."
to encompass trips by all senior gov-
that's the price of the investigation,
The president's announcement of
ernment officials, including mem-
that's the price," said the aide.
the policy review reversed the Bush
bers of Congress.
Rep. John Conyers, Michigan
administration's steadfast support
Rep. Frank Horton, New York Re-
Democrat and chairman of the Gov-
of the policy earlier in the week.
publican and ranking minority
ernment Operations Committee, and
The review, ordered four days
member of the Government Oper-
Rep. Vic Fazio, California Democrat,
after news reports detailed the trips
ations Committee, is to deliver the
asked the GAO to determine if any of
of Mr. Sununu and Mr. Scowcroft,
formal request today in a letter to the
the Sununu flights were improper.
will determine if the 4-year-old pol-
GAO. The letter was drafted after
But those same congressmen
icy should be changed.
committee Democrats refused to
have been noticeably silent on the
"We'll get our best people to re-
join the GOP in a call for an ex-
sensitive political issue of taxpayer-
view it in the light of practice and
panded inquiry.
funded congressional travel.
see whether it should be altered in
Mr. Horton said other officials
Although Democratic leaders
any way," Mr. Bush said.
should be put under the same "mag-
said they had no problem expanding
The president said he would have
nifying glasses" being used on Mr.
Sununu.
his counsel, C. Boyden Gray, review
the policy.
"I have read the newspapers, seen
On Monday, however, when asked
the news reports and am convinced
if the policy was under review, White
that the Congress, the executive
House Press Secretary Marlin Fitz-
branch and the American taxapyer
water said: "Not to my knowledge
would benefit from a broad inves-
The president supports that policy,
tigation of the use of military air-
yes. There should be no question
craft by senior government officials,
about that."
not just in the executive branch but
The policy was drawn up in 1987
in the Congress as well." he said in a
to make sure that the White House
draft of the letter.
chief of staff and national security
Meanwhile. President Bush, em-
adviser are kept in constant contact
phatic about maintaining high ethi-
with the White House and out of the
cal standards, yesterday ordered a
hands of hijackers.
review of a policy forcing Mr.
Mr. Bush went out of his way yes-
Sununu and National Security Ad-
terday to demonstrate that he is not
viser Brent Scowcroft to fly on mili-
upset with his chief of staff even
tary aircraft - even on personal or
though the Sununu flights may con-
political trips.
flict with the intent of the president's
"As one who's vowed to stay above
orders demanding that all his staff
even the appearances of impropri-
adhere to high ethical standards.
ety. perhaps it is appropriate to re-
The White House on Tuesday re-
view the policy," he told reporters.
leased a detailed explanation for
Rep. Bob McEwen, Ohio Repub-
each of his 77 trips and said that the
lican, joined other top GOP officials
chief of staff reimbursed the gov-
in the House in calling for the GAO
ernment $47,044 for those deemed
to expand the Democratic request to
political or personal.
investigate Mr. Sununu's travel be-
The policy requires that Mr.
yond a focus on the White House.
Sununu and Mr. Scowcroft pay com-
"I am certainly concerned about
mercial coach fare plus $1 to use the
this matter," Mr. McEwen said yes-
military C-20 Gulfstream jets when
terday in an interview. "If the Demo-
on a personal trip. The Air Force
crats won't ask for it, I certainly plan
estimates that it costs $3,945 an hour
to ask for such an investigation so
to operate the 12-passenger plane.
that it doesn't become just a partisan
When all of Mr. Sununu's trips are
probe of the White House."
added up and his reimbursements
Rep. Robert Walker, Pennsylvania
placed against the actual costs of op-
Republican, said that House GOP
eration, taxpayers appear to have
leaders are considering making a
provided some $500,000 in subsi-
formal leadership request to the
dies.
GAO for such a probe in the event
that the congressional watchdog
agency refuses to honor Mr. Hor-
ton's letter.
"This should be looked at not from
a political aspect, but as a policy is-
sue," Mr. Walker said. "It ought not
to be singular [and focus only on Mr.
Sununu]; it ought to be a general in-
vestigation to determine whether
4/25/91
THE WASHINGTON POST
DATE:
PAGE:
A1
Bush Says Counsel Will Review Policy
Covering Military Flights by Sununu
military aircraft from April 1989
sponded to various inquiries about
By John E. Yang
through last weekend. Sununu des-
the matter by saying: "The policy is
and Charles R. Babcock
ignated four of them, including two
there. It's been complied with."
Washington Post Staff Writers
trips to Boston to visit his dentist,
Other administration officials fol-
President Bush said yesterday he
as "personal" and reimbursed the
lowed his lead. "You can put us
would order White House counsel
government at rates based on com-
down as 'no comment' on all ques-
C. Boyden Gray to review the trav-
mercial air fares.
tions," said a Sununu aide.
el policy that authorizes Chief of
He classified the other trips, in-
The record of Sununu's travel
Staff John H. Sununu to use military
cluding two three-day visits to Col-
noted that three of the trips had
airplanes for all his trips to deter-
orado ski resorts, as "official" or
been incorrectly characterized for
mine whether the practice creates
"political." The official trips were
billing purposes. For example, a
the appearance of impropriety.
paid for by the government, the
University of Florida student group
Bush was described as surprised
political ones by Republican Party
was billed $2,124 for a "political"
by the extent of Sununu's use of
organizations.
speech that the White House now
military planes but uncertain how to
Sununu or others paid the govern-
calls "official." And a fund-raising
handle the matter without publicly
ment $17,578 for his personal trips
and trips his family took with him.
appearance two months later for
undercutting his chief of staff.
Almost half that sum came from
then-Rep. Bill Grant (R-Fla.) was
Speaking with reporters outside
the White House, Bush said Sununu
funds left over from his New Hamp-
mistakenly listed as "official."
I don't
shire campaigns for governor.
In addition, a Sununu appearance
"has my full confidence.
GOP candidates and organiza-
at a National Governors Association
like this jumping all over Governor
tions were billed about $45,000 for
meeting in Mobile, Ala., last sum-
mer was billed as a political appear-
Sununu when he has complied with
the political trips.
ance and the group was incorrectly
the policy and has made full disclo-
The total reimbursements made
charged $2,576.
sure."
by or for Sununu amount to a frac-
The president said he would ask
tion of the trips' actual cost to the
Gray and other officials to examine
government-more than $600,000,
a policy dating from the Reagan
using Air Force cost figures.
administration that authorizes
Sununu, who has canceled inter-
Sununu and national security advis-
views and declined to take ques-
er Brent Scowcroft to use military
planes so Bush can more easily con-
tions about his travels, laughed off
tact them when they are traveling
the controversy yesterday. Asked if
and as a security precaution.
he thought he was being unfairly
In the past week White House
criticized, the often-combative for-
officials have offered differing in-
mer governor said with a grin:
terpretations of the policy and
"Anybody with a nice, warm person-
whether it requires Sununu and
ality like I have has to go through
Scowcroft to travel on military air-
these in public life."
craft rather than simply giving
Bush said he believes Sununu had
them the option.
made "full disclosure. And if people
"I want our administration to be
say it's not full, we'll ask for what-
above even a perception of impropri-
ever else is."
White House officials yesterday
ety," said Bush, who earlier ordered
seemed intent on avoiding discus-
that Sununu's travel records be re-
sion of the issue. During his daily
leased. "If that policy leads to a per-
briefing for reporters, presidential
ception problem, then I'll take a look
spokesman Marlin Fitzwater re-
at it.
We'll get our best people to
review it in light of practice and see
if it should be altered in any way."
Asked if Sununu's travel under
that policy has been excessive, Bush
replied, "You make that judgment."
Bush's comments, his first since
stories last weekend described the
chief of staff's travels, came after
he, Sununu, Gray and other admin-
istration officials met in the Oval
Office early yesterday morning,
officials said.
On Tuesday, the White House
released records showing that
Sununu took more than 70 trips on
WASHINGTON TIMES
Apr. 26, 1991 Pg. 1
Congressmen digging up
their own travel records
sight of the GAO, a congressional
we can have honest government," he
By Paul M. Rodriguez
watchdog agency.
said while the Senate was consider-
and J. Jennings Moss
As news spread about the GAO
ing an amendment to kill the public
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
probe, congressional members and
financing system for presidential
Worried members of Congress
aides in both political camps began
elections.
are deluging the Pentagon with re-
worrying about the effects the inves-
Sen. Hank Brown, Colorado Re-
quests for information about their
tigation will have on congressional
publican, countered, "Would you be
own use of military aircraft as ques-
use of military aircraft.
willing to extend the same rule to
tions continue about White House
And because of the bipartisan na-
members of Congress and also pro-
flights.
ture of congressional travel on mili-
vide that when they take a corporate
Capitol Hill lawmakers and their
tary aircraft, including those sta-
jet to campaign fund-raising
top aides did not want to be quoted
tioned all over the country and
[events] that we have a similar rule
by name when asked if they were
overseas, few of those interviewed
for all?"
among the ones making the re-
wanted to be quoted by name.
"I would have no problem with
quests, but they acknowledged
"This is really going to tar-baby
that," Mr. Bradley said.
many in Congress are seeking travel
the institution," commented one
The proposal was never formally
logs and other data.
senior Democratic official.
offered as an amendment to the bud-
"I think you are going to see a
get resolution.
The congressional concerns were
marked decline in the number of
On the broader question of the
spurred largely by reporters' ques-
flights taken by the members," said
need for a federal review of congres-
tions about travel related to Con-
a second high-level Democratic offi-
sional travel, several lawmakers said
gress.
cial in the House.
in interviews they would have no
The flurry of requests comes in
"There's no question that this is
problem with a probe. But they also
the aftermath of published reports
going to hurt some members and
doubted it would do much good.
about the use of military aircraft-
there's no question that it's going to
"If it's proper to review the execu-
for official and personal purposes -
help some members," said a third
tive branch, it's certainly proper to
by White House Chief of Staff John
Democratic aide, who noted that
review the legislative branch," said
Sununu.
partisan jockeying on the issue al-
Sen. Mitch McConnell, Kentucky
"We have received a number of
ready has begun on what one senator
Republican.
requests in the last couple of days,
has called the "Air Sununu" contro-
Senate Minority Leader Robert
yes sir," a Pentagon spokesman, who
Dole said a thorough review was fine
asked not to be identified, said yes-
versy.
Sen. Bill Bradley, New Jersey
but he defended the use of military
terday. "I can't say how many [mem-
Democrat, spoke up during a debate
planes to ferry officials. The Kansas
bers or their aides] have called, but
on the 1992 budget resolution and
Republican said the planes provided
there certainly seems to be a lot of
"security, safety, efficiency and get-
pointed to the difference in costs be-
calls coming in."
ting there without wasting a lot of
tween using a military plane and a
As the requests flooded the Pen-
time."
commercial carrier.
tagon, the General Accounting Of-
Democrats were more circum-
"There is a big gap. One might
fice confirmed yesterday that it will
spect when asked about the probe.
cost a couple hundred dollars, the
investigate not only Mr. Sununu's
"It's hard for Congress to be ob-
travels, but also those of other senior
other might cost 17 or 15 thousand
jective about it because the public
government officials and members
dollars. The taxpayer has to pay. It
perceives that travel is junkets and
of Congress.
seems to me what we ought to do is
boondoggles. Some may be, some
Initially, the GAO was asked by
think about [changing the law] not to
may not be," said Sen. Dennis
Rep. John Conyers, Michigan Demo-
only have honest campaigns, but so
DeConcini, Arizona Democrat.
crat and chairman of the Govern-
Sen. John Glenn, Ohio Democrat
ment Operations Committee, to
and chairman of the Governmental
probe only Mr. Sununu's use of the
Affairs Committee, shook his head
aircraft and determine whether the
when asked if there should be a com-
policy allowing such flights should
plete investigation of all travel. He
be changed.
said the first step should be to see
what President Bush decides related
At the request of Rep. Frank Hor-
ton, New York Republican and the
to the White House policy.
ranking minority member on the
"It's easy to write that every bit of
Government Operations Committee,
congressional travel is wrong, but I
think it [the travel] serves a useful
the GAO agreed to expand the inves-
purpose," he said.
tigation to all high-level government
In the past 22 months, Mr. Sununu
officials and members of Congress
has taken 148 trips on Air Force
who use military planes stationed at
planes for official and personal pur-
Andrews Air Force Base, home of
poses. White House policy requires
the 89th Military Airlift Wing, which
also operates and maintains the
him and National Security Adviser
presidential air fleet.
Brent Scowcroft to use the planes,
"We will be having a meeting with
apparently to maintain communica-
them [the congressmen who asked
tions and avoid danger. But Presi-
for the probe] sometime next week
dent Bush has ordered a policy re-
and we will work out the details of
view in light of the revelations about
the job," said a GAO spokesman. The
personal and political trips.
Government Operations Committee
Although Mr. Sununu has reim-
is the panel responsible for over-
bursed the government in all cases
involving personal or partisan politi-
cal travel, Democratic critics have
complained that Air Force travel
costs the taxpayer substantially
more than the commercial flying
rate Mr. Sununu has been using to
reimburse taxpayers.
SPECIALREPORT
A Quagmire After All
How the Bush administration trapped itself while trying to wage the peace
he Kurds have no friends." In the
failed to predict a bloody civil war. No one
return his call. Later that week, when
T
mountains of northern Iraq, the
anticipated those images on television: the
Schifter was testifying before the Senate
old maxim is the stuff of common
burned, blood-streaked faces, the chil-
Foreign Relations Committee on another
sense. When the gulf war began, it
dren's graves that marked the path of the
matter, chairman Claiborne Pell asked
also held true in the corridors of
Kurdish exodus from Iraq. Trying to elimi-
why he was ducking the Kurds. "A misun-
Washington. Last August, within a few
nate Saddam even as it needed him to pre-
derstanding," the diplomat replied bland-
days after Saddam Hussein in-
ly. He agreed to see them.
vaded Kuwait, Jalal Talabani,
Encouraged, Galbraith then
exiled leader of the Patriotic
tried to score a meeting at the
Union of Kurdistan, phoned
National Security Council, too.
Peter Galbraith, a staffer for
With delphic evasiveness, a top
the Senate Foreign Relations
Mideast hand told him, "Our
Committee. "Peter," he said.
policy is not to overthrow the
"Should I come to Washing-
regime, it's to get rid of Saddam
ton?" "Absolutely," Galbraith
Hussein." And when the hap-
replied. "If there was ever a
less Kurds arrived at the State
time that the U.S. government
Department, Schifter was "re-
needs to know what is going on
grettably" busy. Two junior
with the Kurds in Iraq, this is
aides met them in the C Street
it." But when Galbraith called
lobby and hustled them out
to arrange an appointment
of the building to a corner cof-
with the assistant secretary of
fee shop.
state for human rights, he got
Gawky puppet: The president
nowhere. Word had come down
had his reasons for being elu-
from the seventh floor. No
sive; many were well consid-
meeting.
ered. His mandate from the
Eight months later Secre-
United Nations was to liberate
tary of State James Baker
GAD GROSS-JB PICTURES
Kuwait, not to occupy Iraq. Vic-
stepped out of a helicopter at
A Kurd shoulders his weapons and heads for battle
torious Kurds might demand a
Cukurca, a military base in
country of their own, a prospect
Turkey. He hopped into a jeep
President Bush wanted to
that appalled the Turks and
and set off on a twisting moun-
Iranians, which have sizable
tain road that led to Iraq. As he
avoid being 'sucked into'
Kurdish minorities of their
came around a bend, he sudden-
own. To meddle in the civil war,
ly saw 50,000 Kurds clinging to
the United States would have
the mountain and a valley be-
a civil war
to create a gawky puppet gov-
low. Pushing through the re-
ernment. There was the danger
porters and photographers, a
of Lebanonization. Bush had
haggard Kurd begged for help
promised the Saudis and the
against Saddam. Baker lis-
Egyptians a quick withdrawal.
tened impassively. He stayed for only sev-
serve Iraq's territorial integrity, the ad-
In the United States, there were yellow
en minutes. But when he got back to Diyar-
ministration lurched from high principle to
ribbons on every other front porch. Ameri-
bakir, he called his aides to the forward
low expediency.
ca wanted its sons and daughters home.
cabin of his plane. "We can't let this go on,"
The contradictions of Bush's policy
Although the president had called on
he said. "We've got to do something-and
emerged the moment the ground war
Iraqis to revolt, he never believed civil-
we've got to do it now."
against Saddam ended. "We thought there
ian dissidents would be able to topple Sad-
The epiphany on the mountain was long
would be a political revolt by the Army and
dam. His scenarists had spun a different
overdue. If the president showed strategic
the power structure," one top White House
plot: the Iraqi Army, embittered after its
courage and imagination in prosecuting
aide recalls. "No one expected the Kurds to
drubbing, would march back to Baghdad
the war, he tumbled into flip-flops and
rise up." That was because no one was lis-
and dump Saddam. To encourage such a
errors in waging the peace. His hope that
tening. That same week in late February,
putsch, CentCom salted the first 20,000
a palace coup would rid the world of
Talabani returned to Washington with a
POWs to be sent home with senior officers,
Saddam-"the 7.62-millimeter retirement
group of Iraqi opposition leaders to make
those thought most likely to lead a revolt.
plan," in the gallows humor around the
the rounds of the think tanks and talk to
But in the end, the Army chose to stand by
Pentagon-went aglimmering. The White
senators. Once again Galbraith phoned the
its dictator. "When you get the crap kicked
House underestimated the dictator's stay-
State Department. Richard Schifter, as-
out of you, the way you recover is to kick
ing power and the loyalty of his Army. It
sistant secretary for human rights, didn't
the crap out of someone lower than you,
NEWSWEEK APRIL 29, 1991 23
SPECIALREPORT
one of the president's men now concedes.
ite revolt in Basra came on March 1; within
trous attack that killed more than 400 civil-
Obsessed by Vietnam, the president
a week the Kurds were rising up in the
ians in a bunker near Baghdad. One of the
wanted to avoid being "sucked into" a civil
north. The administration was still smart-
raid's planners now says, "We bombed it
war. He sought to get out cleanly and quick-
ing from the criticism it took for failing to
that night because we thought Saddam was
ly. The cease-fire he declared only 100
warn Saddam forcefully enough to keep
sleeping there."
hours after the ground war began took even
him out of Kuwait; it knew it could not
The Kurds believed mistakenly that the
his own field commanders by surprise. "We
stand by and do nothing.
token gestures foreshadowed more mili-
were shocked," a CentCom aide told NEWS-
When intelligence intercepts showed
tary help from the United States. For a
WEEK last week. "Another two days and we
Saddam was authorizing the use of poison
time they pummeled Saddam. In mid-
would have taken out everything the Iraqis
gas, the State Department warned Iraq's
March the CIA confirmed Kurdish claims
had in the south." Gen. Norman Schwarz-
representative in Washington to stop it.
that the rebels held most of northern Iraq.
kopf knew Saddam could use escaping
After the president warned against the use
By March 20, Kurdish leaders in Damascus
troops to suppress the Kurds and Shiites.
of fixed-wing aircraft to attack rebels, the
said virtually all of Iraqi Kurdistan had
Stormin' Norman seethed.
Air Force destroyed an Iraqi fighter over
been liberated. On March 26 Talabani re-
Slamming on the brakes was the idea of
the northern part of the country.
turned from three years of exile to his
Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint
The president had encouraged the insur-
hometown in Iraq. At the peak of the
Chiefs of Staff. From the outset of the
gents in other ways. From Saudi Arabia,
Kurds' success, Saddam struck back hard
gulf crisis, Powell was leery of
and the course of battle re-
landing the United States in
versed. The White House froze.
another Vietnam War that
Not wanting to tip the balance,
would cost lives and reopen old
the president decided to do
domestic wounds. His political
nothing.
instincts told him he had no
Not everyone within the ad-
choice but to go along with his
ministration agreed with the
commander in chief's desire to
policy; younger officials, less
get Saddam. But he set the mili-
spooked by Vietnam, called for
tary requirements for inter-
tougher action. They wanted to
vention extremely high. His
warn Iraqi soldiers to stay in
calculation was that the build-
their barracks. Anything that
up would take so long that di-
moved-choppers, tanks, artil-
plomacy would have time to re-
lery or troops-would be at-
solve the crisis, according to a
tacked. They thought they had
critic high up in the Army. It
the support of Secretary of De-
didn't work out that way.
fense Dick Cheney and Vice
Then, when the Iraqis crum-
President Dan Quayle.
pled, Powell worried about the
On March 26 the president
impression the United States
convened a White House meet-
would make on television if it
ing of his Big Eight: Quayle,
shed too much blood in cutting
LARRY DOWNING-NEWSWEEK
Cheney, Baker, Powell, White
up Saddam's retreating forces.
Advice from the vice president to the commander in chief
House chief of staff John Sunu-
He didn't worry much about
nu, national-security adviser
the Kurds or the consequences
We should take a 'less
Brent Scowcroft and NSCdepu-
of a quick cease-fire on a civil
ty Robert Gates. Among other
war. "He was thinking in White
neutral' stand toward rebels
things, they considered shoot-
House terms," recalls the sen-
ing down Iraqi helicopter gun-
ior military critic. "What we
ships. Powell argued that the
needed perhaps was a military
willing to fight Saddam
job was complex and would
voice saying, 'Mr. President,
take too many men and weap-
the job has not been done yet'."
ons. Not everyone in the Penta-
Given another 24 hours,
gon agreed. "Of course we had
American and allied armored
the assets," says one senior offi-
units swinging eastward out of Kuwait
Radio Free Iraq urged Iraqis, specifically
cer. "Don't get me wrong-there may be
would have sealed the trap. As it was, at
the Kurds, to rise against Saddam. The
decisive political arguments against get-
least three heavy divisions of Iraqis es-
Saudis paid for the station, but sources
ting involved in Iraq. All I'm saying is that
caped. Saddam used these to suppress Shi-
close to them say the CIA helped to supply
the idea that taking on a bunch of Iraqi
ite rebels in the south. Even before the
the transmitters and other equipment and
helicopters posed some kind of big military
cease-fire, he issued a secret general order
to recruit broadcasters. British special
challenge is bullshit, and whoever says
that whisked senior officers and head-
forces worked with the Kurds to foment an
that is playing politics."
quarters personnel out of harm's way. To
uprising. And while Bush said last week
Quayle argued mildly that it might be a
boost morale, he gave a pay bonus to
that his object had never been "the demise
good idea for the United States to take a
troops straggling in from Kuwait. Within
and destruction of Saddam personally,"
"less neutral stand" toward rebels willing
a week he rebuilt badly scarred units like
that was not entirely true. "We didn't send
to fight Saddam. Cheney kept his counsel.
the Hammurabi Division of the Republi-
in hit teams against Saddam because we
Powell offered another tempting prospect
can Guards. Even in defeat, he wound up
didn't think they would succeed," says one
to the president. He said it would be possi-
with perhaps 300,000 combat-ready troops
allied source. "But we certainly targeted
ble to get all American troops out of south-
and 2,000 tanks-enough to savage the
anywhere we thought he might be." The
ern Iraq in four days.
Shiites and Kurds.
list included every leadership bunker the
By March 31, Saddam's advancing
The first intelligence reports of the Shi-
targeters could find, including one disas-
troops forced Kurdish guerrillas to stage
24 NEWSWEEK: APRIL 29, 1991
what they called "a strategic retreat" in
is no political downside to our policy."
protect Kuwait from Iraq, quite another to
the north. Knowing what would happen
The president still hoped international
send them to protect a people from its own
when Saddam arrived with his enforcers,
relief agencies could handle the problem.
government. The Soviets, who have their
panic-stricken Kurdish civilians headed
But mounting pressure from Turkey's
own problems with restless ethnic minor-
for the hills. Short of using military power
President Ozal forced a compromise. On
ities, didn't like the idea; and China would
to remove Saddam, the administration
April 6 Bush authorized Operation Provide
probably veto it.
could not have prevented the flight of the
Comfort, a limited relief effort confined to
The next day, as Baker made his trip to
Kurds, but it could have done a good deal
airdrops of food to the starving Kurds.
the mountains, British Prime Minister
more to anticipate the exodus and to miti-
Fearing that they might become staging
John Major weighed in with the idea of
gate its human suffering. "The moment the
areas for guerrillas, the president would
setting up enclaves to protect the Kurds.
Kurds and Shiites picked up guns, we
not support relief camps.
The American reaction was tepid. No one
should have seen their defeat as imminent
Ozal said it was not enough. At Bush's
wanted to create a new West Bank or Gaza
and planned for relief operations," says
order, Secretary of State Baker went to
Strip in Iraq. But by now, the Baker team
Court Robinson of the U.S. Committee for
Ankara on Sunday, April 7. He went imme-
knew it had to devise some way of moving
Refugees, a private monitoring group. In
diately to the presidential palace. Over din-
the Kurds back down from the mountains
fact, the Pentagon did begin in late March
ner Ozal told him, "Turkey is being over-
and of keeping Saddam from massacring
discreetly planning a major relief opera-
whelmed." The president said the only way
them. The question was how to do it with-
tion. It had already stockpiled
out creating an embryonic
supplies for perhaps 100,000
Kurdish state. On the way back
refugees. But planners had be-
to Washington Baker stopped
lieved they would be mostly
in Geneva. After spending half
Shiites, not Kurds, and that
an hour with the grumbling
they would leave through the
heads of the largest interna-
south and by way of Jordan.
tional relief agencies, he knew
Plastic sheets for tents were in
one thing for certain: they were
Saudi Arabia. There were only
not up to the job.
modest supplies at a British
At about the same time, Bush
base on Cyprus. "Nobody had
convened another meeting at
warned us to expect a tidal
the White House. "Let's go out
wave into Turkey," recalls one
on the patio," he said, and ev-
Pentagon topsider.
eryone trooped into a patio by
Stop shooting: On April 2 Tur-
the Rose Garden. Colin Powell
key's President Turgut Ozal
set up an easel and reviewed
alerted the U.N. Security Coun-
the airdrop. The only decision
cil that 30,000 Iraqi Kurds had
was to order CentCom to issue
entered Turkey in two days and
a statement over the weekend
that an additional 220,000 were
accelerating the pace of the
on the way. France proposed a
American troop withdrawal.
resolution that would have or-
FRANCOISE DEMULDER-SIPA
The Sunday talk shows went
dered Saddam to stop shooting.
Iraqi troops roll in to suppress the rebellion
badly for the administration.
The rest of the world was still
By Monday the morning intelli-
more interested in getting the
The defeated Army was in
gence reports put the Kurdish
United States out of the gulf
body count at 1,000 a day.
than in helping the Kurds.
Washington, London and Mos-
no mood to turn on its leader,
No real friends: Then Ozal
called the president. "I'm be-
cow all wanted the United
ing overwhelmed," he said
Nations' permanent cease-fire
but the Kurds were easy prey
once again, and he pleaded for
resolution passed before at-
help. He appealed to Bush to
tending to the Kurds' plight.
send large numbers of Ameri-
Then the TV evening news
can troops deep inside Iraq to
began to run footage of desper-
persuade the Kurds to return
ate Kurds, ragged men and women
to stop the flood toward Turkey was to
to their villages. His plea was backed by
and blood-spattered children trekking
install a United Nations peacekeeping
similar pressure from the French and
through the mountains. Conservative col-
force inside Iraq. Baker was noncommit-
British. On April 16, after 10 days of dith-
umnist William Safire attacked the presi-
tal. After dinner Ozal pointed toward a
ering, Bush committed U.S. ground forces
dent for a "loss of nerve and sense
television and VCR at the end of the room.
to set up relief camps inside Iraq. "It's
of purpose" and the "worst humilia-
"Now, Mr. Secretary, there's something I
hard to have a lot of hope for this," said
tion" since Desert One, Jimmy Carter's
want to show you," he said and flicked on
one gloomy administration topsider. "The
hostage-rescue fiasco, and JFK's disas-
the VCR. Baker found himself looking at
truth is that everyone was opposed to it,
trous Bay of Pigs. "People like the too
pictures of Kurds trudging barefoot
but everyone realized it had to be done."
trusting Kurds now know they can get
through ice and snow, and a mother weep-
Huge numbers and searing images had
killed by relying on Mr. Bush," he sniped.
ing over the body of her child, a 3-year-old
overwhelmed the cold calculations of poli-
Stung, Bush launched a $10 million relief
who had died of exposure. The images were
cy. Temporarily. The Kurds still had no
program. Otherwise, he refused to inter-
of total chaos. When Baker got back to his
real friends.
fere. "There are no gives, takes, ifs, ands
hotel he ordered soundings on the pros-
ToM MATHEWS with
or buts whatsoever," said one top White
pects for getting the Security Council to
MARGARET GARRARD WARNER
House aide. "A hundred Safire columns
launch a peacekeeping force. They were
in the Middle East and
THOMAS M. DEFRANK, DOUGLAS WALLER and
will not change the public's mind. There
bleak. It was one thing to send troops to
JOHN BARRY in Washington
NEWSWEEK APRIL 29, 1991 25
Newsweek
Time p.40
Mission of Mercy
U.S. News & World Report
Date APRIL 1991
Bush undertakes a humane but risky endeavor
By dispatching U.S. troops to set up camps for the Kurds in northern Iraq,
By GEORGE J. CHURCH
tion Haven will become enmeshed in a
U.S., British and French sol-
diers will leave in a month or
T
he Kurds were dying. Starvation, ex-
long-running battle between Baghdad and
posure and disease were killing as
the Kurds. Few think Saddam would be so
so. If so. many Kurds believe.
Saddam's forces will massa-
many as 1.000 a day. And that brute
mad as to order a deliberate attack on the
cre them all. U.N. observers
fact overcame the nervousness about being
camps and their allied protectors. That
would expose what remains of his army to
or no. Enticing the Kurds to
sucked into an endless political and perhaps
return to Kirkuk. Sulaymani-
military quagmire. Prodded by distressed
more of the allied bombing that proved so
allies. by outraged U.S. and European
devastating during the gulf war. But the al-
yah or the other cities from
public opinion, and not least by his own
lied soldiers could easily get into unplanned
which they fled looks impos-
conscience, George Bush last week finally
and escalating shooting incidents with the
sible as long as Saddam is in
did what he should have done long before:
30,000 or more Iraqi troops in the area.
power. Already Administra-
tion officials assume that the
set in motion an unprecedented and bold
U.S. Army Lieut. General John Shali-
U.S. and allied forces will
operation that might at last
kashvili, commander of the relief effort, met
have to stay until the dictator
bring effective succor to the
with Iraqi officers near the border town of
Zakhu to warn them to keep their troops
goes. But since Washington has no strategy
Kurds-at least to the
for forcing Saddam out, that could mean
850,000 or so squatting along
away from the camps; at further meetings
maintaining garrisons for years in a country
the Iraq-Turkey border and
Americans and Iraqis will try to work out
possibly to the 1.5 million
some ground rules to keep the two forces
perpetually on the brink of explosion. "Go-
ing in is easy," sums up a high-ranking offi-
who are seeking asylum in
apart. But it is by no means certain that they
cer attached to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Iran.
can succeed, especially if allied soldiers de-
"Getting out may be the problem."
To that end, American,
cide to seize Iraqi military airstrips to land
It was exactly this fear of an open-
British and French troops
construction materials and relief supplies
ended commitment that for weeks kept
over the weekend began
for the camps. The Operation Haven troops
Bush from organizing any effective relief ef-
moving into northern Iraq,
could also get caught in cross fire between
fort. As late as Saturday. April 13-only
an area the allies had largely
Iraqi soldiers and Kurdish guerrillas using
three days before he finally ordered Opera-
left alone throughout the
the camps as bases from which to stage
tion Haven-the President declared in a
gulf war. Over the next two
raids. The allies say they will not allow guer-
speech at Maxwell Air Force Base in Ala-
weeks or so, these soldiers
rilla activity in the tent cities, but are not at
bama: "I do not want one single soldier or
will build on relatively flat
all clear about how they intend to stop it.
airman shoved into a civil war in Iraq that's
land as many as seven tent
It is also difficult to see when and how
cities, each housing up to
the allies can wind up Operation Haven.
been going on for ages." But while Bush was
still in Alabama. where he had gone to fish
100,000 Kurds. The idea is to
The U.S. and its friends insist they do not in-
tend to let the tent cities become a second
for largemouth bass. Secretary of State
bring the refugees down
James Baker phoned to report growing
from the barren, freezing
Gaza Strip, home to generations of embit-
and almost inaccessible
tered, stateless and disruptive exiles. Wash-
pressure from Congress and allies to save
the Kurds. British Prime Minister John Ma-
mountain slopes where they are perched
ington and London hope to turn over pro-
jor had already publicly proposed several
and relocate them where they can be given
tection of the refugee settlements to a
adequate food, water, shelter, sanitation
United Nations peacekeeping force in one
versions of a plan to establish "safe havens"
and medical care. And. of paramount im-
to three months. and eventually to resettle
for the Kurds inside Iraq, and France had
portance, safety: the camps will be protect-
the Kurds in their old homes under the eye
sent senior diplomats to the State Depart-
ed by as many as 10,000 soldiers from the
ment to plead for U.S. participation in some
of U.N. observers.
U.S., 5,000 from Britain, 1,300 from France
But that may be wishful thinking. U.N.
such effort.
and 1,000 each from the Netherlands and It-
Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar
The Turkish government, Baker report-
aly. from any attempt by Saddam Hussein to
insists that a new Security Council resolu-
ed, was especially agitated. Turkish Presi-
exact bloody vengeance for the Kurds'
tion would be required to empower the or-
dent Turgut Ozal confirmed as much in a
failed revolt.
ganization to take part in Operation Haven.
phone call to Bush on Monday morning.
But for how long? And what follows the
Any such resolution might well be vetoed by
Turkey could not take in the refugees, said
supposedly temporary relocation? Nobody
the Soviet Union or China. They would be
Ozal, and American efforts to get aid to
can say, but at minimum it seems that Bush
afraid of setting a precedent for interven-
them in the mountains by airdrop or heli-
will have to bid farewell to his hopes for a
tion that one day could be
copter were insufficient; more were dying
quick and clean American military with-
applied to the Baltic repub-
every day.
drawal from the Middle East. The risks of
lics or Tibet.
Bush reported this to his top national-
the new effort, dubbed Operation Haven,
Even getting the Kurds to
security advisers at their regular Monday
may not have justified the President's long
come down from the moun-
morning meeting, and the group assigned
dithering in providing effective relief. But
tains in the first place may
Deputy National Security Adviser Robert
those risks are real. not chimerical.
not be easy. Some Kurds fear
Gates to devise a plan. Gates convened
Immediately, there is a danger that U.S.
precisely what the allied gov-
deputies committee" of the second-
and other allied troops involved in Opera-
ernments the
CONTINUED
Page
74.
2.
ranking officials at State, the Pentagon. the
worth of oil and use the money to buy badly
Joint Chiefs and the CIA By Monday after-
needed food, medicine and other necessi-
noon they sought their chiefs' approval for
ties for the populace still under Saddam's
Operation Haven, which Bush announced
control. The U.S. and its allies, which have
Tuesday afternoon after telephoning Ma-
veto power in the council, are in a position
jor, French President François Mitterrand
to trade consent for some satisfactory ar-
and Turkey's Ozal.
rangement bringing relief to the refugees.
Some advisers were unenthusiastic to
Even then, the long-term stationing of
the end. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney
military forces inside Iraq entails very genu-
and Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell
ine risks. Bush's worries about a Vietnam-
"were not crazy about this idea" of sending
style "quagmire" are not at all unrealistic.
troops into Iraq, says one high official. (A
But the risks will just have to be borne.
Pentagon source puts it more forcefully:
The alternative would be to abandon the
"Colin got steamrollered.") National Se-
Kurds to their fate, and no humane nation
curity Adviser Brent Scowcroft had argued
can do that.
-Reported by Dan Goodgame
since long before the gulf war that the U.S.
and Bruce van Voorst/Washington and William
should set two limited objectives-drive
Mader/London
Iraq out of Kuwait and break Saddam Hus-
sein's offensive military power-and once
they were accomplished, get out quickly.
But Bush, says a senior official, decided
that "we simply could not allow 500,000 to
a million people to die up there in the
mountains. And that's precisely what
might have happened."
The Administration has also decided to
come to the aid of the Kurds who are
stranded near the Iran-Iraq border. Initial-
ly, Bush suggested that the strain in Ameri-
can relations with Iran would limit U.S. as-
sistance for the refugees. But late last week
Iran made a formal plea for U.S. help
through Swiss intermediaries. The Admin-
istration replied that it was prepared to
send relief supplies once the Iranians de-
tailed exactly what they needed. Said an
Administration official: "We are comfort-
able doing it for humanitarian reasons."
The relief operations for the Kurds,
however, do nothing for 50,000 Shi'ites who
have taken refuge in the occupation zone of
southern Iraq, from which coalition troops
are rapidly withdrawing. The allies plan to
place these refugees in camps within a nine-
mile-wide demilitarized zone along the
Iraq-Kuwait border that will be patrolled by
a U.N. force.
Seen in this light, Operation Haven
looks less like a bold venture and more like
a minimum effort that is long overdue.
Certainly the U.S. could, and should, orga-
nize a major relief effort for the Kurds flee-
ing toward Iran and try to ensure the safety
of the southern Shi'ites. And it has bar-
gaining levers to use with Saddam. Follow-
ing the requirements of the cease-fire that
ended the gulf war, Baghdad last week
meekly asked the U.N. Security Council
for permission to sell almost $1 billion
75.
THE NEW YORK TIMES
DATE: 4/29/91
PAGE: Aly
Another Official May Determine
When Sununu Uses Military Craft
By MARTIN TOLCHIN
Special to The New York Times
WASHINGTON, April 27 - White
rated payment for flights that combine
House lawyers are likely to recom-
official business with personal or politi-
cal matters. When Mr. Bush and Mr.
mend that an official other than John
H. Sununu, the chief of staff, determine
Quayle mix business with politics, for
whether his use of military aircraft is
example, the Republican Party or a
for personal, political or official busi-
specific candidate's campaign fund
must reimburse the Government for
ness, a Bush Administration official
said Saturday.
the political portion of the trip.
Under existing procedures, Mr.
The White House policy on the use of
Sununu makes this determination him-
military planes for the chief of staff
self when he travels by military plane,
and national security adviser was initi-
ated in 1987 to enable the two officials
as he is authorized to do by a White
to maintain constant contact with the
House policy adopted in 1987. Of the
White House. President Bush last week
more than 70 trips he has made over
the last two years in Air Force planes,
ordered C. Boyden Gray, the White
only four were designated personal, ac-
House counsel, to review the policy
cording to a list released earlier this
after a furor erupted on Capitol Hill
week by the White House.
and in the news media concerning Mr.
Sununu's use of military aircraft for
Although the military aircraft cost
nearly $4,000 an hour to operate, Mr.
personal business, including visits to
ski resorts in Colorado. The records re-
Sununu pays a nominal fee for his per-
sonal trips, reimbursing the Govern-
leased by the White House list those
ment, as the policy requires, at the
trips as official.
commercial rate of coach fare plus $1.
Questions on Ski Trip
The White House legal staff is also
The May 6 issue of Time magazine
considering tightening the rules on the
asserts that Mr. Sununu may have vio-
use of military aircraft for political
lated Federal ethics law by accepting
business, said the Administration offi-
free lift tickets, lodging and meals in
cial, who spoke only on the condition of
return for speaking at an annual ski in-
anonymity. The policy authorizing Mr.
dustry conference. The magazine said
Sununu and Brent Scowcroft, the Presi-
the American Ski Federation, a Wash-
dent's national security adviser, to use
ington-based lobbying group for the ski
military aircraft distinguishes only be-
industry, also paid $802 for the round-
tween official and unofficial business.
trip flight to Aspen for Mr. Sununu's
It does not require that political travel
wife, Nancy.
be billed to the appropriate party, as is
In the documents released by the
done when President Bush or Vice
White House this week, the ski federa-
President Dan Quayle make trips
tion was identified as a not-for-profit
deemed to be political rather than Gov-
educational group. The distinction is
ernment business.
critical, because Federal law prohibits
All Trips Reviewed
officials from accepting such pay-
Although some Republican groups
ments from any groups other than
have, in fact, made such payments for
charitable or educational organiza-
tions.
Mr. Sununu's flights to attend fund-
raising events and other party activi-
And the May 6 issue of U.S. News &
ties, the official said the legal office
World Report said the White House
was reviewing all the Sununu trips to
was likely to rewrite ethics rules to re-
determine if some political groups
quire the Republican Party to reim-
burse the Government for the full cost
should be billed for travel for which the
taxpayers have paid.
of Mr. Sununu's political trips, a cost
that is often 10 times the amount of
of think you're going to see a sharply
commercial fares.
revised policy," Senator Bob Dole of
Kansas, the Senate Republican leader,
said today on the ABC News program
"This Week." "I think you're going to
seta tighter policy on the part of White
House staff. It would be my guess the
President is going to insist on that."
The new rules could require a pro-
White House News Summary
Monday, April 29, 1991 -- C-10
Kondracke: I have a solution to this problem. The solution is
that when they are on official business that they should fly --
these are aides to somebody who's involved in an important
enterprise -- they do need to be in voice contact with the White
House
When he's on a political trip the RNC should reimburse
the Air Force
Page: The problem is this is the same chief of staff who's been
cutting the money to libraries and to social programs. When people
see him flying off to the golf course on Air Force planes, --
Barnes: We had a budget agreement. All of the Democrats, or most
of them, signed on to it too. They're cutting the same libraries
and social programs. The flap over this is because John Sununu is
a conservative and he's unpopular with the establishment in
Washington
Buchanan: Nobody went after Brent Scowcroft. It was John Sununu,
and everybody in town knows why. Because they're out to get the
chief of staff. One dog bites him and then all the dogs pile
on
I think he gets an 'A' performance, he has been loyal to
Bush, he has swallowed stuff I guess he doesn't agree with, and I
think he's been loyal down the line
McLaughlin: This is a cheap political demagogic trick
Will
Sununu weather this storm? Buchanan: Easily, but the President
will change the policy McLaughlin: If he does it will show
pusillanimity. Barnes: More to come. The guy is going to get a
full frisk from the press, every dime he spent in the last 10
years
Page: I think he will. I predict he will weather it,
but after a week of damage control next week. You just watch.
Kondracke: He's got the President behind him and he will weather
it. McLaughlin: He's got the regulation completely behind him.
He's fulfilling the language of the regulation. of course he'll
weather the storm.
On whether the Kurdish-Iraqi accord, if it materializes, means that
George Bush is off the hook:
Barnes: It does not mean that George Bush is off the hook no
matter what he thinks, because the only way this thing can be
guaranteed is by U.S. troops
Page: If Saddam Hussein makes it, and I think he will, George Bush
is not off the hook. He's off the hook in so far as the current
pictures we see on the evening news are not of Kurdish suffering,
perhaps. But Saddam Hussein is still in power. He's like a Timex
watch. He still keeps on ticking.
Kondracke: To his credit, Bush is going to protect the Kurds. We
are not going to get out of here and leave him to the tender mercy
of Saddam Hussein. This deal with the devil sealed with a kiss is
just empty
-
THE McLAUGHLIN GROUP
Moderator: John McLaughlin. Panel: Pat Buchanan, Fred Barnes,
Clarence Page and Morton Kondracke.
On Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin:
Buchanan: that is utterly contradicted by what happened in Lithuania,
If Yeltsin and Gorbachev are moving to loosen up,
so
let's wait and see what these guys are up to [with their
agreement last week on Soviet reforms].
McLaughlin: On a scale of zero to ten
tell me whether or not
this reform coalition of Gorbachev and Yeltsin, dramatic as it is,
will arrest the chaos in the Soviet Union. Buchanan: Zero.
Barnes: Only Gorbachev now follows through and moves toward a free
market. Page: Ditto. I'll give them an eight if the communists
learn to become capitalists. It's asking a lot at this point.
Kondracke: One. McLaughlin: I'm giving them a five.
On whether the White House travel controversy is a tempest in a
teapot or a legitimate rap:
Page: More like a time bomb than a tempest in a teapot. I think
that this will not bring Sununu down, but it puts him on the brink.
It is true that it's his own unpopularity going back to his
relationship with Capitol Hill that has made this into a major
controversy. However, the other aspect that people aren't talking
about is that George Bush has tried very hard to separate himself
from the sleaze factor in this Administration. He has tried very
hard to preach ethics and good government, and this looks like a
blot on his record
Barnes: I suspect there's sleaze everywhere, but this isn't an
example of it. When Sununu came to office as White House chief of
staff, he started flying commercially. That's what he expected he
had to do. Then the White House military liaison came to his
office and said you can't do that. You have to fly, no matter
where you go -- political, private, official, whatever -- you have
to take an Air Force plane. Now it looks bad for him, I admit
But he's been required to do exactly that
Here's the problem
for him. He doesn't really have many friends around Washington
outside of the Oval Office
And now you have the press doing
a full strip search on him
McLaughlin: You know why he's not popular. He's the long-lost
twin of Roseanne Barr.
Buchanan:
Air Sununu is going to be merged out of existence
[President Bush] is very, very sensitive to this type of thing,
some of which went on in the Reagan White House and shouldn't have
gone on
He is being hammered right now because he is John
Sununu. But let me tell you, when they turn this focus up there
on the congressional airlines, a lot of guys are going to be
terribly unhappy about it and I think there's a lot there
-
DATE: 4/30/91
THE WASHINGTON POST
PAGE:
A5
Ski Industry Lobby Paid Expenses
for Sununu, Wife in Aspen
By Charles R. Babcock
terviews with officials of former
The White House list showed
and John E. Yang
administrations to assess why the
that the government was paid $338
Washington Post Staff Writers
original policy was put in effect,
to cover Nancy Sununu's travel, but
according to a senior administration
A ski industry lobbying group
does not indicate who paid it. Rea-
official.
said yesterday that it paid the ex-
Luthin did not know whether Wo-
New questions, however, contin-
penses for White House Chief of
men Who Affirm Life made any pay-
ue to arise over the Sununu trips.
Staff John H. Sununu and his wife,
ment; officials of the Genesis Fund
For example, the records re-
Nancy, during a three-day trip to
could not be reached.
leased last week by the White
Aspen, Colo., last December for a
House showed Sununu as making an
Yesterday's statement by the
speech, a practice that was not per-
American Ski Federation did not
mitted by government ethics rules.
official trip to Lawrence, Mass., last
say how much of the Sununus' ex-
The American Ski Federation
June to speak at a dinner sponsored
penses were paid for on the Aspen
said the payment was a mistake.
by the Lawrence Eagle Tribune.
trip. A senior White House official
The group had "agreed in advance"
Newspaper officials said the pa-
said last week the group may have
to pay the Sununus' expenses out of
per had paid for some of Sununu's
paid the Sununus' lodging, food and
a charitable foundation, but "inad-
family members to travel with him
ski lift tickets, as well as $802 to
vertently" made the payment from
on a military plane to the dinner. It
the government for Nancy
the trade association account, ac-
is not clear whether federal ethics
Sununu's travel on the Air Force
cording to a statement by federa-
regulations permit corporations to
C-20 that she and her husband
tion president Joseph Prendergast.
pay expenses of officials' families.
used.
Federal ethics rules state that
The ski group said it is "taking
the government should pay the ex-
On another trip, to Boston in Jan-
immediate action" to make a new
penses of White House aides on of-
uary 1990, Sununu accompanied his
payment from the foundation ac-
ficial business. The only non-gov-
wife to an event in which she had
count. Time magazine reported in
ernment groups allowed to make
been invited to participate. In the
this week's issue that the founda-
reimbursements are non-profit ed-
White House records, Sununu de-
tion has been inactive for years and
ucational or philanthropic organi-
scribed the trip as "official" and
has less than $100 in its bank ac-
listed its purpose as "Card Law
zations.
count. Prendergast did not return
Bfast w/ Family Values Group/-
The Aspen trip was one of more
several calls for comment and by
Speech Camp David/Multiple Scle-
than 70 that John Sununu made on
mid-afternoon, the office number
rosis Event."
military aircraft over the past two
Schedules for Cardinal Bernard
was being answered by a machine.
years. In an accounting released by
F. Law, archbishop of Boston, show
the White House last week, Sununu
Staff writer Ann Devroy contributed
no record of him having breakfast
to this report.
described the trip as official busi-
with Sununu on any of the dates
ness because he gave a speech in
listed, according to a spokesman for
Aspen in connection with the 20th
the archbishop. Law and Sununu
annual Ski magazine week. Because
both attended a reception for Wo-
it was an official trip, the govern-
men Who Affirm Life Inc., an anti-
ment paid for his flight on a military
abortion group, at the Sheraton-
plane to the Colorado resort. The
Tara Hotel in Braintree, Mass., the
ski federation paid for Nancy
night of Jan. 18.
Sununu's travel on the plane, as
The invited guest that night was
well as both her and John Sununu's
Nancy Sununu, not the chief of
expenses while in Aspen.
staff, according to Marianne Rea-
Sununu has refused to discuss his
Luthin, the group's treasurer.
Sununu accompanied his wife to the
trips on military aircraft, and the
White House press office said yes-
reception and made impromptu re-
marks that lasted less than five
terday it would provide no further
information on them. Spokesman
minutes, Rea-Luthin said yesterday.
Marlin Fitzwater said there are no
On Jan. 19, the Sununus partic-
plans to review the trips to see if
ipated in a celebrity ski race in
the reimbursements violate ethics
Bartlett, N.H., to benefit the Gen-
rules.
esis Fund, a charity that raises
"What's done is done," said an-
money for the care and treatment
other senior White House official.
of children with birth defects.
"What we are trying to do now is
put in place the right policy and go
from there."
White House counsel C. Boyden
Gray is reviewing the policy that
permits Sununu and national secu-
rity adviser Brent Scowcroft to
travel in military planes so they can
remain in immediate contact with
the president.
The review is expected to be
completed in several days, Fitzwa-
ter said yesterday. It includes in-