The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Category: 1991

  • Mr Major’s Joint Statement with James Baker – 13 January 1991

    The text of Mr Major’s joint statement with the American Secretary of State, James Baker, held at Alconbury on Sunday 13th January 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Thank you all for your patience!

    Could I just say that over the last hour or so Secretary Baker and I have been able to discuss a number of matters but principally, of course, the present position in the Gulf and naturally what has been happening in Vilnius over the last two days or so.

    Insofar as the Gulf is concerned, we were able to review the position. We do not yet know precisely what happened with the Secretary-General’s visit to Saddam Hussein – no news of that has yet come through to us – but there should be no doubt, I think, in anybody’s mind that we are completely united with our Arab Allies in what needs to be done in terms of the invasion of Kuwait.

    Either Saddam Hussein leaves Kuwait peacefully or at some stage – and we think earlier rather than later – it may be necessary to remove him.

    Insofar as Vilnius is concerned, we regret very much what seems to have happened there over the past couple of days. For a considerable period of time, we have been delighted to see the path of reform the Soviet Union have been following – we have offered a considerable degree of support for that reform. It certainly seems to be a very dramatic, retrograde step that we have suddenly seen the use of force in Vilnius. we hope it will cease and that the Soviet Union will return to negotiations with the Baltic States and we hope that the problems of Vilnius are not going to spread. At the moment, we are waiting to see what further happens but I think that is all I would wish to say about that this evening.

    SECRETARY OF STATE JAMES BAKER:

    Prime Minister, thank you very much for receiving me here and I would start by apologising to you for the changes in the schedule – they were occasioned by the descending fog in Ankara that delayed first my arrival in Ankara and then my departure from Ankara.

    I think the Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen, has given you a very good and complete summary of our discussion over the past hour or so and I must say, as I listened to it, I found myself in absolutely total and complete agreement with his characterisation of the situation in the Gulf, his characterisation of the tragic situation in the Baltics and his characterisation of the way in which these events are now seen by the Government of the United Kingdom. They are seen in exactly the same way, if I may say so, by the Government of the United States of America, which may simply be testimony to the special relationship.

    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

    QUESTION:

    Mr. Secretary, is it not time to go beyond “concern” on the Baltic? Thirteen people have died and tanks have rolled over civilians in Vilnius!

    SECRETARY BAKER:

    I think it is time that we make very clear that we are deeply disturbed by what has happened. That is what I have said earlier today: that we are deeply troubled by what has happened; that if we are going to be able to proceed on the path of cooperation – certainly if we are going to be able to proceed on the path of partnership – that there must be adherence to shared values and shared principles; there cannot be a return to the old thinking and so we really are troubled by what we see happening there.

    We will continue to monitor the situation, as I have told those of you who are travelling on our aircraft, and we will have further reactions and responses as the situation develops. Let me simply say that we certainly join with the Prime Minister and hope that there will be no further resort to force, that the hopes and aspirations of the Baltic peoples will be fulfilled through negotiation and dialogue with the leadership of the Soviet Union.

    QUESTION:

    Any hope left at all for peace?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think there are always hopes for peace. We are still waiting to see what the outcome between Saddam Hussein and the Secretary-General may be.

    Peace can be very easily had, you know. Peace can be had providing the Iraqis move out of Kuwait – that is the only impediment to peace. Providing they will do that, there can be peace immediately. It is what all of us would wish to see.

    QUESTION:

    How does the situation in the Baltic affect the timing of the moves of the coalition?

    SECRETARY BAKER:

    If I may speak to that – and then of course the Prime Minister, I would hope, would add a similar view – but it will not affect the timing of events in the Gulf and again, let me simply endorse what the Prime Minister has said about the desirability of moving sooner rather than later and the fact that, as we have said now for many weeks, January 15 is a serious deadline; it is a real deadline; it is a deadline that is embraced in a solemn United Nations Security Council Resolution adopted after extensive consultation and debate.

    QUESTION:

    Is the coalition ready to go war then?

    SECRETARY BAKER:

    The coalition of course hopes for peace as the Prime Minister has just said, and the coalition would be extremely happy if a peaceful political solution could be found that would implement the Twelve United Nations Security Council Resolutions that have been adopted.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    The coalition hopes for peace; it has been working for peace; but if necessary, it is prepared for war and I hope Saddam Hussein understands that.

    QUESTION:

    Have you been talking about a time-table, Mr. Major?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We have discussed a large range of things, including what may happen in the future but I have no more to say than that.

    QUESTION:

    Mr. Secretary, do you envisage a pattern of aggression in the Gulf which would bring the Soviet Union and the United States into conflict?

    SECRETARY BAKER:

    No, I do not!

  • Mr Major’s Statement after Meeting the Sultan of Oman – 9 January 1991

    The text of Mr Major’s statement after meeting the Sultan of Oman on 9th January 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    May I just say that I had lengthy discussions last evening with His Majesty the Sultan both on the present difficulties that exist in the Gulf and, of course, in view of his particular remit from the Gulf Cooperation Council, on how security matters might fall out at a later stage. I took the opportunity in those discussions of saying how much we valued the very long and very close friendship between our two nations and I am delighted to say that the Sultan expressed precisely the same interests. I have no doubt at all after our discussions that those very close relationships will continue and it will be a matter of concern to both of us to ensure that they do.

    In the discussions that we had, the Sultan was as resolute as he has been in the past on the subject of the resolution of the particular crisis in the Gulf though, like the rest of the Allies, he hopes that there will be a peaceful settlement and that the talks that are taking place in Geneva will be fruitful and that the Iraqis will withdraw, but I found a very considerable resolution here in Oman, as elsewhere, to defend the position that has been taken under the Security Council Resolutions and it was very encouraging to find that in all the meetings that I have had over the period of the last few days.

    Insofar as the future security arrangements are concerned, we had some interesting preliminary discussions and I hope that those talks will continue at a later stage. There is clearly a great deal to be done though no decisions about any of these matters can be reached in any form at all until after the present crisis is resolved. At that stage, of course, His Majesty The Sultan has an obligation to report back to the Gulf Cooperation Council and he will be considering what report to make to them over the period of the next few weeks and months.

    It was a very worthwhile visit to Oman – worthwhile but brief – and I very much look forward to the opportunity of coming back again at a future stage.

  • Mr Major’s Statement at London Airport – 9 January 1991

    The text of Mr Major’s statement, made at London Airport on Wednesday 9th January 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I have only just heard the outcome of the talks today. Let me say I think it is extremely disappointing that no progress has been made in these talks in Geneva. Saddam Hussein has now had a considerable period of time – some months in fact – in order to reverse his aggression and to leave Kuwait. I think it is a very great shame indeed that he has chosen not to do so. The fact that he has not done so makes the position, I think, quite clear: it still is that the Security Council Resolutions are perfectly plain and they are still there for the international community to operate on.

    Saddam Hussein knows very clearly and has known for some time that after 15 January the military option remains to be used if necessary. It was perfectly clear to me in my talks with our Arab Allies over the past few days in the Gulf that they remain very firmly behind those particular Resolutions.

    There is, of course, still time for Saddam Hussein to rethink and to withdraw from Kuwait – I very much hope that he will be wise and that he will do so.

    Thank you very much indeed!

    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

    QUESTION:

    Given what Saddam Hussein has said lately, Prime Minister, do you not now think that war is inevitable?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No, I do not think war is yet inevitable. Saddam Hussein still has time to rethink. He knows the resolution of all the Allies; he knows the force of the Security Council Resolutions; he will have heard that reinforced yet again over the last few days. I hope very much that when Tariq Aziz goes back to Baghdad and reports to Saddam Hussein, that he will realise that he cannot win a conflict and that he will withdraw. I very much hope that that is the case and I do not yet regard war as inevitable.

    QUESTION:

    Will this mark an end to diplomacy before the deadline?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We must wait and see precisely what happens. I don’t think there are negotiations to be had. That has been the position for a considerable period of time. There were no negotiations today. The position is perfectly plain and has been for a considerable period of time. Saddam Hussein has broken international law; he has invaded an innocent country; it is time for him to withdraw. The international community have set out their position perfectly clearly. I hope he will acknowledge that and I hope he will withdraw.

  • Mr Major’s Press Conference in Cairo – 9 January 1991

    The text of Mr Major’s press conference in Cairo, made on Wednesday 9th January 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    May I just say firstly how pleased I am to be able to be here today and how worthwhile and enjoyable I have found the discussion with President Mubarak, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister.

    We have had the opportunity today, at a particularly important time, to review a range of matters but of course most noticeably the present crisis that exists as a result of Iraq’s invasion and occupation of Kuwait.

    I am delighted to say in our discussions that it is perfectly clear that the position of the British government and that of the Egyptian government is precisely and absolutely the same. I found an absolute determination amongst my Egyptian colleagues here that Saddam Hussein would have to withdraw from Kuwait and that the Security Council Resolutions would need to be implemented in full and speedily and there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that that is the very firm and resolute position of the Egyptian government.

    I would like to add. if I may, having spent in the last few days some time with the troops that are gathering together in Saudi Arabia at the moment, I would like to say how much the international community appreciates the very remarkable contribution that Egypt has made towards that international force, it was speedily delivered, was resolutely delivered, it is a very substantial contribution and I know on behalf of all the partners in these allied forces I would like to express my gratitude to the Egyptian government for the way and the speed in which they responded to the crisis that has arisen.

    I hope that these discussions we have had today will be a further indication on a very important day whilst discussions continue, as I understand they still are continuing, in Geneva, a further indication on a very important day that Saddam Hussein is entirely on his own in his defiance of world opinion and his continued occupation of Kuwait. I think the discussions we have today have reinforced that particular view and I am delighted that I had the opportunity of coming here to have them.

    We were also able to look at a number of bilateral matters in general terms and President Mubarak was kind and generous enough to suggest that at an appropriate time I might care again to make a further and longer visit. And the bilateral relations at the moment between Britain and Egypt are excellent, I am very keen for us to build upon those and I hope at a suitable time I will be able to take up that most generous offer.

    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

    QUESTION (Barney Mason – BBC):

    Prime Minister, you have been quoted as saying in Saudi Arabia that it would be better to deal with Saddam Hussein now rather than further down the road when he has got nuclear weapons. In view of that and in view of the dangers that have been stressed by and taken seriously by some experts recently about an ecological disaster if there is a war, I am talking about the reports of deep mining and oil wells and the consequences of that, do you think that that makes it much more difficult to go to war now, is that a constraint?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think the first thing is that I should make it absolutely clear that nobody wants to go to war now, we want the matter settled by Saddam Hussein withdrawing out of Kuwait and going back to Iraq, that is the way ideally we would have it settled and it can be settled that way providing he is prepared to do it. The impediment to peace is Saddam Hussein and not the allies who are there. Clearly if it came to a conflict there would be ecological difficulties, it is undeniable that there would be some difficulties. But I think that those assessments of them that I have thus far seen have been very dramatically over-stated indeed. I think that is undoubtedly the case.

    But nonetheless there is a difficulty, as a result of what has happened in Kuwait, that needs to be dealt with and I think that is generally understood. So although one is concerned about the environmental impact of any conflict anywhere, not just here, any conflict anywhere, it is necessary to deal with this problem and the sooner it is done the better. I hope very much that it can be done peaceably, but that alas is not in our hands.

    QUESTION (ABC News):

    Do you think a change of alliances would happen in the Middle East if Israel was involved in the Gulf crisis or any military confrontation?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I do not believe Israel is going to be involved in it, Israel have kept well clear of it, I think that is right, the matter is going to be dealt with by the allied forces who are here if it is not dealt with by Saddam Hussein voluntarily withdrawing. So I hope and believe the situation that you envisage will not arise.

    QUESTION (Pat Neil, CNN):

    What have you and Mr Mubarak worked out or discussed about Post-Gulf crisis arrangements for security in the Arab region?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We have not worked anything out because that is a matter for discussion with a large number of Gulf rulers as well. I have had the opportunity in the last few days of discussing with a number of Gulf rulers the position that will apply at the end of this crisis, for clearly there will be difficulties however it ends, and I think there is a general understanding that the Gulf Cooperation Council will need to examine what the security needs of the area are and they will then wish to examine no doubt with other powers as well the way in which the security of the area can be guaranteed.

    But there is a great deal of discussion and consideration to be developed before we can make any positive judgment as to how the matter might be dealt with. And of course the lead in that must necessarily come from the Arab nations themselves and that is a matter I discussed this morning with President Mubarak but because of the fact that this is only very much in its preliminary stages we did not reach firm conclusions as to what the outcome will be.

    That there is a matter to be discussed we are agreed upon and think that is the view of the other Arab leaders as well and it is something that will in my judgment become a matter of increasing importance and attention as the year progresses.

    QUESTION:

    As a follow-up, what role would the United States play in the broad area?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    That is a matter to be determined after the Gulf Cooperation Council and others have considered the matter, it is far too early to say what anyone’s role is, either the host Arab nations or the role of any other non-Arab nation at a later stage, it is far too early to contemplate that. What it is not too early to do is to identify the problem, identify the difficulty and make sure that the work is actually put in hand and the thinking that needs to be done is under way.

    QUESTION (Arab News):

    Dr Meguid [phon], I would like to ask you, in case of war has Egypt stated its position if Israel takes part in the war, will they withdraw their forces or will they actually fight alongside the Israeli soldiers?

    DR MEGUID:

    I am sorry but I think we have agreed that this press conference is the privilege of the Prime Minister so I will not answer questions.

    QUESTION:

    May I direct it to Mr Prime Minister, have you discussed this with President Mubarak?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think as I said a few moments ago, that is not a circumstance that either we or anybody else envisage happening, I do not think the Israelis are going to become involved in this conflict, certainly not unilaterally, I hope they are not going to become involved in this conflict in any way. That has been the position thus far and we hope very much the matter is going to be settled either peaceably with Saddam Hussein withdrawing or by the allied forces.

    QUESTION:

    If I may press, Sir, have you discussed the possibility?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    You may press but I have nothing further to say.

    QUESTION:

    In view of the Labour Party’s increasing emphasis on the importance of not rushing into a war, do you think that British public opinion is behind military action soon after the 15th?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think British public opinion has been very resolute so far and not only British public opinion, opinion in the House of Commons as well. It is after all only a few days ago that we had a debate in the House of Commons on the subject of the Gulf, after the Security Council Resolutions were passed, and the impact of the Security Council Resolutions were known and the majority in the House of Commons for the government’s posture was a majority of over 400, an almost unprecedented majority. So I think that not only is there a very secure majority for it in the House of Commons, I have no reason whatsoever to doubt that that very strong opinion is held in the country at large.

    QUESTION:

    For early military action?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    The Security Council Resolutions are quite clear, the Security Council Resolutions say there will be no action before the 15th, after that it is a matter to be considered and there is no doubt in anyone’s mind as to the resolution of the allied nations.

  • Mr Major’s Statement made on the VC10 from Cairo to London – 9 January 1991

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s statement made on the VC10 from Cairo to London on Wednesday 9th January 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I am very disappointed that no progress has been made. Saddam Hussein has had months to reverse his aggression. I am extremely sad that he has not done so.

    The position, therefore, is that the Security Council Resolutions remain to be met. The Iraqis can be in no doubt that after 15 January the military option exists. It is clear from my discussions in the Gulf that those Arab Allies I met are firmly behind that option if it is necessary.

    There is still time for Saddam Hussein to rethink – I hope that he will.

  • Mr Major’s Address to Sailors on HMS London – 8 January 1991

    The text of Mr Major’s address on HMS London, given on 8th January 1991 to troops in the Gulf.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    [Beginning of speech inaudible]

    …and how much I appreciate your hospitality while I have been here and how very impressive I found your demonstration over the last few moments. I only wish that those people who wish us ill at any time could have seen it, I am sure it would have scared the pants off them.

    I am sorry these remarks have to be brief but I need to leave for Muscat very speedily. I know over the last few weeks you have been at sea for some time and it is quite a while before you get back home again. I dare say it has been a frustrating period for you but I would like to express my thanks for all the splendid work that you have done here over recent weeks and that I know you will do over the weeks to come.

    One always gets a curious perception when you see people very briefly, but the perception that I have had this afternoon is not only that you are an extremely professional outfit but that you seem to be doing the job with a great will, a great vigour and seem in extremely good heart and I am very pleased indeed to hear that.

    I wish you the very best of luck in the next few weeks and I hope these uncertainties that we now face will soon clear away. Thank you very much for your hospitality this afternoon and the best of luck in the future.

  • Mr Major’s Press Conference in Eastern Saudi Arabia – 8 January 1991

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s press statement and questions and answers, held in the desert in Eastern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday 8th January 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Let me just say, amongst the principal reasons I came here was to have a look for myself and to satisfy myself what the conditions were, what the equipment was like, and to actually see conditions on the ground and both talk to our Commanders and to as many of the men as possible who are actually out here at the present time. I have found it thus far an extremely useful and worthwhile exercise and I am extremely pleased I came.

    As you know, yesterday I had talks with the Emir of Kuwait, last evening I had a lengthy discussion with King Fahd of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and they were both extremely useful and worthwhile occasions.

    There seems to me to be no doubt in anyone’s mind amongst the allies precisely why we are here or what it may be necessary to do. We still hope very much indeed that there is the possibility of a peaceful conclusion to this matter, that is our preferred outcome, we hope that that may yet emerge from the discussions which Mr Baker will have with Tariq Aziz later this week.

    But what is entirely clear is that if a peaceful settlement is not possible that can only be because Saddam Hussein does not obey the Security Council Resolutions and if he does not those resolutions are quite clear and if he enters into a conflict that is a conflict of course that he cannot possibly win.

    In my discussions thus far I have concentrated not only on the immediate problems that we face in front of us in terms of the invasion and occupation of Kuwait, but also on the security matters that will need to be considered after this matter is over in whatever way it happens to be concluded. These are very much preliminary discussions in terms of future security arrangements, but it seemed to me it was important to consider those now and this has provided a very useful and worthwhile opportunity to do so.

    You will know that insofar as the troops are concerned we have now issued respirators, indeed I suspect all of you are carrying them as well, we have done that because of the nature of weapons that we know that Iraq have, and against the possibility that they would actually seek to use those weapons we will certainly seek to ensure that the troops have whatever equipment they may need to ensure their security and safety and to do the job that they have been sent here to do.

    So I think those are the general introductory remarks that I would wish to make to you and I will endeavour to answer any questions you may have.

    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

    QUESTION (Alex Thompson, Channel 4 News):
    Many people perhaps are a little confused, they say that there have been many instances of countries being invaded by other aggressor nations and Britain has not sent troops to those situations. Can you explain to the British people what it is that makes the Kuwait situation different?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think there are a variety of things that make the Kuwait situation particularly important and indeed I took the opportunity of saying that to those troops I had the opportunity of speaking to this morning. Firstly, the nature of the invasion of Kuwait, entirely unprovoked, by a large aggressor against a small defenceless country was in itself objectionable and unacceptable. Secondly, what has actually happened in Kuwait and continues to happen in Kuwait daily in terms of the treatment of the inhabitants of Kuwait has been very carefully documented not least by the Amnesty International Report, that is a chilling report and that too is entirely unacceptable and needs to be reversed.

    But beyond that I think there are some wider issues as well. If on this occasion, when the whole of the world is actually combined against Saddam Hussein as an aggressor, the aggressor were to get away with it, how many other small defenceless countries elsewhere around the world with an aggressive neighbour might face a similar problem in the future? I think the sheer force of world opinion requires that we do not let Saddam Hussein get away with it, not just to free Kuwait – important and vital though that is – but also to send a lesson to other people that this is not a way they can behave.

    The wider point of course if I can add it as well is the difficulties there may be if this matter were not to be resolved satisfactorily now, we may have a much bigger problem on our hands in two or three years time. So I think for those and other reasons that I could expand upon if you invited me to, there are a raft of good reasons why the international community has acted as it has done. And if I may add this final point, it has done so with a wholly remarkable consistency of purpose, as you have seen in the Security Council Resolutions.

    QUESTION (Peter Sale, Reuters):

    Could you describe to us your ideas for a regional security network or how you see a regional security network evolving after the current Gulf crisis, do you see a permanent Western presence in that and if so how will you deal with Iran’s current objections to that?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No, I do not think that is by any means the only way in which the matter can be dealt with. But the purpose of raising it privately with the Arab leaders at the moment is to begin to appreciate the sensitivities that are involved as well as the logistical problems that are involved so that we may be better informed when these discussions begin in earnest at a later stage. I think there are a variety of options that one may consider when one looks at a security pattern for the region as a whole, but if you will forgive me, I will not speculate on those at the moment.

    QUESTION (Alistair Campbell, Daily Mirror):

    Have the military asked you for anything specifically, can you tell us what it is and are you likely to give it to them?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No they have not asked me for anything specifically but I have found out a great deal that has been useful and interesting that I shall follow up back in London.

    QUESTION (Charles Richards, Independent):

    You said that the invasion of Kuwait was unforgivable, does that mean that even if Saddam Hussein does withdraw from Kuwait he will have to be punished in some way?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We have made it perfectly clear, and I am happy to reiterate it, that if he stays in Kuwait he will be expelled, but if he withdraws to Iraq he will not be attacked within Iraq. We have made that clear and so have the other members of the Allied Forces and I am happy to reiterate that.

    QUESTION (UPI):

    You told the troops that the purpose of the Baker meeting with Tang Aziz is not to negotiate and not to do any deals. You sound almost as warlike as Dan Quayle did last week, is there any room for him to get out?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We want him to get out, that is entirely right, that is exactly what we want him to do. But if Saddam Hussein is concerned about the deadline, as we now hear yesterday he may be, then he has it within his own hands, he can start moving out straight away, he should never have moved in and he should move out.

    But if you have in mind that a partial withdrawal or something of that sort would be acceptable, then I must say to you I do not believe it is acceptable. Firstly because if somebody ransacks and burgles your house I doubt that you would find it acceptable if he maintained control of half of it. But secondly because the wider principle is this; if he does gain anything from this aggression, despite the opposition, the universal opposition to him, then other people may feel they could act in the same way elsewhere and likewise gain something from it. And I think given the increased force of the United Nations and the unprecedented nature of world opinion, we cannot permit him to do that when we have an opportunity to make clear to everyone that this is unacceptable behaviour and the international community will not accept it.

    QUESTION:

    Just to follow up, you do not seem to leave any option except for war after 15 January if he does not go out?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    He knows very well what the Security Council Resolutions say and what I have been saying is a reaffirmation of the Security Council Resolutions that have such unprecedented force. Saddam Hussein should read those resolutions and he should understand that we are serious about enforcing them.

    BEN BROWN (BBC TV NEWS):

    Can you say something about the mood of the men you met today, the morale, and whether you heard any complaints or criticisms from them?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I had quite an opportunity both to talk to them but more importantly than that, to listen to them. You saw the mood of the men; you saw what good heart they were in; you saw what the morale was – I must say it is very remarkable indeed, both amongst those who have been here for some time and also those who have just arrived and I met a lot of young troops from Lancashire who have arrived here just in the last month or so and their morale was very high indeed. I asked them what conditions were like here; I must say, I did not pick up a lot of complaints; I picked up some suggestions and I will take those suggestions back and discuss them in London.

    BEN BROWN:

    Can you tell us what suggestions they were?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I will discuss those first in London and then discuss them with Tom King.

    QUESTION:

    Can you give a hint – food?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No, no! The food was fine. Food, they said, is fine depending upon the cook! It seemed to me from all I heard that it was a good deal better than the House of Commons!

    TREVOR KAVANAGH (THE SUN):

    Was one of the complaints the lack of information, newspapers, access to radio? This was the complaint made to us.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No, nobody has made that complaint at all. There was certainly some comment from the troops but this was a very favourable comment about the amount of equipment, newspapers and other matter that had been sent over the Christmas period not just by the Government but by lots of other people as well and there was a very considerable degree of pleasure at that, but I heard no complaints of the sort you envisage.

    ROBIN OAKLEY (THE TIMES):

    Can you confirm specifically that there will be no diminution in the degree of force to be used against Saddam Hussein if there is a partial withdrawal?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    A partial withdrawal is not acceptable and a partial withdrawal will have to be followed by expulsion until it becomes a full withdrawal. There is no compromise on that.

    QUESTION:

    Is it fair to say on that point that the partial withdrawal remains the one greatest problem you have as you have toured around this region – that is the one conundrum which you find it most difficult to solve?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I don’t know that it is a conundrum and it would be solved in the manner I have just described. We do not know whether that will occur or not. I hope that the message has finally got through to the Iraqis, the two messages, really, that are critical:

    Firstly, that the Allies are serious; and secondly, that the Iraqis cannot win. Providing those two messages have gone home, as I hope they have, then I think we must look to Saddam Hussein to withdraw wholly. In those circumstances, there is no point on his behalf in a partial withdrawal and I must absolutely reiterate there is no point in him trying for a partial withdrawal because we shall enforce it until it is a full withdrawal.

    QUESTION (ARAB DAILY NEWSPAPER):

    Saddam Hussein is asking for a solution to the Middle East problem if you are looking for a solution to the Gulf crisis. What are your comments on that?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We shall be looking at the wider Middle East thereafter, as indeed we were before and we have made that perfectly clear. A solution to the wider Middle East problem is being held up by this particular side event at the moment, by this particular invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein. The wider problems of the Middle East will continue to be addressed as soon as this is over – they are very important.

    SAME MAN:

    After the withdrawal?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    After the withdrawal.

    MALCOLM CARMICHAEL (AGENCE FRANCE PRESS):

    In describing the reasons why the British and other troops are here, you omitted to mention the strategic value of the region and I was wondering why?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I could have added another five or six reasons why they were here but I set out the reasons that actually brought people here after the invasion and I think they are very important reasons and they were the underlying reasons why the Security Council Resolutions got such support.

    RICHARD WILLING (DETROIT NEWS):

    Mr. Prime Minister, if Saddam Hussein does not withdraw his troops from Kuwait by 15 January, should the nation and people of Iraq consider themselves targets of the Allied Forces or will the force be restricted to the area that you identified today as wanting delivery, i.e. Kuwait?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I am not going to speculate on what may happen after the 15th if Saddam Hussein does not withdraw; I do not think that would be fair to our troops, I do not think it would be fair to anybody else and I do not propose to do it. I am not going to comment.

    RICK SALENGER (CNN LONDON BUREAU):

    Prime Minister, after talking to the troops today, have you come across with a feeling similar to what we have received from them that they want to get the job done now and go home, that that would be preferable than waiting perhaps even longer for some peace negotiations to succeed?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No, I did not especially get that feeling but then I suppose everybody would pick up their own vibes from those they speak to. But certainly, that was not especially a feeling that I got.

    I did get a feeling of very considerable resolution amongst the troops I met; they know what they are here for; they know what they may have to do; they are extremely professional, extremely well-trained and they are prepared to do it if necessary

    MIGUEL MORENO (CATALAN TV, SPAIN):

    Prime Minister, I want to know if Saddam Hussein is going to use chemical weapons you are agreed to use nuclear weapons?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We have plenty of weapons short of that and we have no plans of the sort you envisage and we hope it is perfectly clear to Saddam Hussein firstly that our men will be well-protected against chemical weapons – he would be very unwise to do that. I hope he will not do that; I hope he will actually have the sense to make a peaceful withdrawal but we have plenty of weapons short of those you mention.

    MIGUEL MORENO:

    I know you enjoy your holidays in Spain. I want to know what you think about Spanish collaboration, bringing some aeroplanes to the British Air Force.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I certainly enjoy my holidays in Candeleda and I hope to continue to do so and I am pleased to see the Spanish cooperation.

    ADAM BOULTON (SKY NEWS):

    Prime Minister, are you effectively saying in so many words that unless a real withdrawal starts by this time next week, there will be war?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    The situation is perfectly clear, Adam. The situation is as set out in the Security Council Resolutions and I am underlining that precisely, absolutely and not going beyond that.

  • Mr Major’s Address to RAF troops at Dhahran – 8 January 1991

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s address to the RAF troops at Dhahran, given on 8th January 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I am not quite sure what to make of all the signs up there but I daresay they will run very well at home.

    Can I just say to you all that I am very pleased to have the opportunity of coming to see you here today. I am here for a variety of reasons. I wanted in particular to see for myself what it was like out here, both in the desert and here at the sharp end of whatever may happen in due course, both to see for myself so I got a clearer perspective of what was actually happening, the scale of it, and what it actually means to the people who are here. It does not really matter how much briefing you get back in London, unless you actually come and see for yourself I do not think you get a proper idea of what is happening and I must say, what I have seen in the last couple of days has made the trip very worthwhile indeed and I am extremely glad that I came.

    The second reason for coming was to satisfy myself that the equipment that was needed was either here or on its way here and to see for myself how people felt about the job that they were being asked to do. And I must say one of the overwhelming impressions I have had both in Riyadh, at headquarters, out in the desert, out at sea, and now with the people I have met here, is that morale seems to me to be pretty high and I hope we are going to keep it that way.

    Let me just tell you something about some of the things that are happening and what lays a bit behind them. You will all know at the moment that Secretary of State Baker will be meeting Tariq Aziz later on this week. Let me tell you what that is about and what it is not about.

    It is not about negotiation, it is not about compromises and it is not about shifting away from the position that we have held. What it is to do, is to make it absolutely certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Iraqis understand that the allied forces are serious, that if they do not withdraw from Kuwait and go back to Iraq that at some stage we will use the force that we have here to compel them to withdraw and go back into Iraq.

    We do not want the Iraqis to be in any doubt about the fact that we are serious and that is why the message that Mr Baker will deliver will be quite clear-cut they must get out of Kuwait and go home and that means get out of Kuwait fully and go home, not partially, and with no expectation of any gain whatsoever from what they have done. And that is the message that will be delivered later on this week in very clear and crisp terms so there is no misunderstanding.

    I guess you all know pretty well why you are here, not just to reverse what has happened in Kuwait, pretty horrible though that is, you may have seen the Amnesty Report and know exactly what is happening in Kuwait day by day. But there are other things on top of that that we regard as being very important and I might just illustrate one or two of them because you are here to do the difficult work and I think you have a right to know precisely why it is that we think it is necessary and desirable that we should ask you to do it.

    The first is what has been done in Kuwait and it is unacceptable and I need say no more about that. The second is, contemplate the proposition that the whole of the world could not have said more clearly, through the Security Council Resolutions, which side of this argument they were on. There is a dividing line between right and wrong, you are in the right and on this occasion Saddam Hussein is undoubtedly in the wrong.

    If that is the view of the whole of the world other than him – and it is – and he were to get away with it, what other small nations elsewhere, faced with large and potentially aggressive nations next door, may face the same sort of problem that Kuwait is facing at the present time? We want to make it clear to any of those potential aggressor nations that they too need not expect to get away with that sort of aggression.
    So we hope what is going to happen here and the defeat of Saddam Hussein, either with his withdrawal or ultimately by force, will send a very strong message to people who might be aggressive elsewhere.

    And perhaps the third reason that I would just set out for you, though there are far more and I could extend that list for a considerable period of time. You know what weapons Saddam Hussein has got, you have all been issued with respirators, you know about the chemical weapons he has got, the biological weapons, and the fact that at some stage in the future – not yet – but at some stage in the future that he will have nuclear weapons as well. It is better to deal with this problem now and make sure he does not get a taste for more trouble and more difficulty in the future, and that is why we are determined that one way or another he will have to come out of Kuwait and go back into Iraq.

    So it is not just the important principles of Kuwait, important though they are, there are wider principles as well which is why we have invited you and the Americans and the Saudis and the Egyptians and all our other allies in this venture to come here and deal with the problem that there is.

    Let me say categorically, our preferred outcome to this matter is for Saddam Hussein to withdraw peaceably, that is what we would like to see, we hope very much we will see that. But that is a matter for him, there is no point in him asking to extend the deadline. If he is worried about the deadline he can start withdrawing from Kuwait, he has had months to do it, he should never have been there and he now at last I think must understand the sheer weight of the forces that are ranged against him.

    One thing I am absolutely certain of in terms of what I have seen and what I have discussed and what I have been briefed with over a period: there is no conceivable way that Saddam Hussein can win this conflict, either easily or by force he is going to lose and I hope he understands that message very clearly indeed.

    The final two things I just want to say you, very briefly, is firstly, although you will see the British newspapers out here, I think you may not perhaps understand the full weight of concern and interest that people have back home in what you are doing. It is becoming a consuming and increasing interest day by day, not just amongst those who sit in the House of Commons but in each and every house up and down the land, people are very concerned about what you are doing here, the equipment you have got, what you may be called upon to do. And if I may add this point, they are immensely proud, too, of the way in which you are doing it.

    I simply therefore want to say in conclusion, thank you very much for what you have done and what you may yet have to do. From myself and I think also from all those other people back home who have wished me simply to say this, we wish you the very best of luck in the weeks ahead with whatever may come, we know whatever it is you will do it superbly well and I am most grateful to you all. Thank you very much for being so patient and listening, thank you very much indeed.

    And now we must invite the cameras to have a look over there because there are a large number of mothers who want to know what their sons are up to at this very moment – very good.

  • Mr Major’s Comments on the Gulf (III) – 7 January 1991

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s comments on the Gulf, made in an interview in Riyadh on Monday 7th January 1991.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked whether he would delay the deadline made to Iraq].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    There is no question of extending the deadline, the deadline has been known for a very considerable period of time and it is now five months since Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. At this very late stage, to come forward and suggest moving the deadline is clearly just a ploy. If he is concerned then the solution is in his own hands, he can do what he should have done some time ago and get out of Kuwait.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked if he thought Saddam Hussein would withdraw at the last moment].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I hope very much that he will withdraw, a peaceful solution to this unhappy affair would be by far the best although of course it will leave residual problems still to be solved. So I very much hope that proves to be the right judgement. But although we must hope for peace we are prepared for war and I must say the visits that I have had to the troops this afternoon have reinforced in my mind not only the state of their morale but the very substantial level of equipment that they have there.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked what had been said in his meeting with General de la Billiere].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    He briefed me very fully on the present state of readiness of the Armed Forces and on the plans at present as he saw them and the difficulties that he saw and we had a lengthy discussion about that and it was a very satisfactory and if I may say so a very impressive briefing indeed. He has a very high quality of staff around him and it was a very impressive occasion.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked what he would tell the troops when he saw them the following day].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I will tell them firstly how proud everybody at home is of their professionalism and the way in which they are conducting themselves here. I think that is undoubtedly the case and I will happily pass that message on to the troops. I will also take the opportunity of talking to them about the principles that are at stake in Kuwait, not of course just the liberal of Kuwait, important though that is, because it is being treated appallingly, but also the wider issues that are at stake, preventing an aggressor marching into a weaker country. It is very important that they do not get away with that for if they do who knows that other small countries may have aggressive neighbours who will take advantage of them. So I will discuss with the troops that and other matters.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked if war was inevitable].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No, not inexorably at all. War can be stopped immediately, there is only one thing necessary to stop war and that is for Saddam Hussein to get out of Kuwait, it is in his hands, he can start moving this very evening. He has known what has been required of him for months, he knows what the deadline is, he knows the truly awesome level of power that he will have to face if he does not get out, he can get out, he should get out, and I hope he will do so.

  • Mr Major’s Comments on the Gulf (II) – 7 January 1991

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s comments on the Gulf, made in an interview in Riyadh on Monday 7th January 1991.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked whether he would delay the deadline made to Iraq].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No, I do not think that is a starter for a second. The deadline has been known for some months, it is five months now since Saddam Hussein marched into Kuwait, the deadline set by the United Nations has been known for a considerable period of time, if he is concerned about the deadline then the solution is in his own hands, he can start moving out of Kuwait tonight.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked if there was no way the deadline could be changed].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No, there is no question of shifting the deadline. We have known for some time that he may play games of this sort and try to edge the deadline forward, it is not something that we are prepared to contemplate.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked if he felt Saddam Hussein was looking for a way out].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We very much hope there is going to be a peaceful solution, that clearly is the first prize and it is very much what we wish to see. But that must be in his hands, he knows what he had to do, he can ensure it leads to a peaceful solution, I very much hope that it does.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked if he had a view he would share on whether progress would be made].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    No, I cannot, I think we must wait and see, there are meetings yet to come later this week in Geneva and we must see what comes out of them.