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428081361
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Telephone Conversation with President Carlos Menem of Argentina, January 19, 1991
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doc
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document
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1
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id
428081361
contentType
document
title
Telephone Conversation with President Carlos Menem of Argentina, January 19, 1991
citationUrl
collections
Records of the National Security Council (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Presidential Telcon Files
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Argentina
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428081361
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19
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1991-01-19
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1
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1991
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nara-archive
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98ddcf5a088c316d
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CONFIDENTIAL
511
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
SUBJECT:
Telephone conversation with President Carlos
Menem of Argentina (U)
PARTICIPANTS:
The President
Carlos Menem, President of Argentina
Interpreter: Patsy Arizu
Notetaker: Donald C. Johnson
DATE, TIME
January 19, 1991, 10:14 - 10:28 am EST
AND PLACE:
Camp David
President Menem telephoned the President concerning the situation
in the situation in the Gulf. (U)
The President: Hello, Carlos? (U)
President Menem: Yes, George. (U)
The President: (in Spanish) Como esta? (U)
President Menem: Very well, and you? (U)
The President: (in Spanish) Muy bien. Things are going
reasonably well.
(2)
President Menem: I was calling on that and also to tell you
George that you can count on the support of the Argentine people.
(&)
The President: That's important to me. Things are going as well
if not better than we had hoped at this point in the battle. It
is gratifying to the whole world that casualties seem to be kept
to a minimum -- not only on our side of the coalition, but also
among innocent civilians in Iraq. (2)
The coalition air forces have been superb. Our sophisticated
weaponry has been more accurate than I would have dared to hope.
I think that Saddam's brutal use of city-busting SCUD missiles
shows a sign of desperation, and his desire to undo our
coalition. But my friend, Mr. President, Carlos, tell me -- the
worry I have now is about that point. Israel may or may not
respond to these attacks. With your knowledge of the Middle
East, I want to know if you have any advice on that point. (&)
DECLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassify on: OADR
CONFIDENTIAL
PER E.O. 12958,
AS AMENDED
CONFIDENTIAL
2
President Menem: I think, George, that Israel should not get
involved in this conflict. Israel should wait to the limit of
its patience. We've been sending a message of this type to the
Israeli Government. The best way for things to finish is with
this incredible weaponry. If Israel comes to the end of its
patience, and attacks, I don't think that Syria will fight
against the coalition. (2)
The President: We're trying to cool the passions in the area.
Israel showed great restraint after the first SCUD missile
attack. But it's increasingly difficult to get Israel to keep
showing restraint, because their people are asking what the
government there is going to do to protect its own people.
(f)
President Menem: I believe, George, that we have to avoid
another attack on Israel. Of course the Israelis have the right
to defend themselves. After all, Israel is a country which has
been attacked by Iraq. The Arab allies have also been attacked
by Iraq. I don't think it will be so difficult to control other
countries in the Arab world. We'll do everything possible to
help you out -- to finish this conflict. We'll back any
resolution to stop the war. If the UN asks us to do more, we
want to do so. (f)
The President: Well, I appreciate this very much. The coalition
will hold together. Things are going better than we had hoped.
I pray that Saddam will throw down his arms, that we can stop the
bloodshed, and start working on what we call the New World Order.
(f)
President Menem: This seems very good to me. I too, in the name
of the Argentine people, want to thank you for all you are doing
for the cause of peace. War is not good. If you want, I could
call the President of Syria to talk to him, and tell him to stay
in the coalition. (f)
The President: I don't see anything now, but it might be very
useful, if we wake up to see that Israel has responded, that you
call Assad and tell him that he should view this as self-defense,
and that he should stay in the coalition. This would be
extremely useful coming from you. (2)
President Menem: I agree, George. If such a situation takes
place, I'll immediately call Assad. (&)
The President: Thanks, my friend, for calling. I can't begin
to tell you how much this means to me, not only for the
friendship -- and my gratitude for the help of the Argentine
people. (U)
President Menem: Thanks for everything, my friend George. My
love to your wife Barbara and your family. (U)
The President: Well, over and out, and thanks again. (U)
President Menem: Goodbye. (U)
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL