News conference in Moscow by Vitaliy Ignatenko, spokesman for Soviet President Gorbachev on 23 February 1991 ¹

         I believe that all of you understand that the main topic of today's conversations of the leader of the Soviet state is the Persian Gulf and those few hours that separate us from the last and tragic phase of the war, which could be a result of the whole of the tragic situation in the Gulf. It is no surprise, too, that the ultimatum is now riding out and in some time this tragic state could come into effect in the Persian Gulf.

         The telephone conversation which lasted for more than one hour and a half with US President Bush, as far as that conversation is concerned, I would like to emphasize that in that conversation was emphasized the importance of the attitude taken as regards the aggression against Kuwait that made it possible to adopt all those UN resolutions, and everything that happened could not have been possible if there had been improvement in the US-Soviet relations.

         President Gorbachev said and expressed deep understanding on the fact that the American people had put on themselves a heavy burden of implementing the will of the international community in overcoming a serious obstacle to international peace which the aggression against Kuwait by Iraq constituted. Naturally, in all those talks and during the conversation, telephone conversation with President Bush, it was - President Gorbachev expressed his readiness to continue working towards ensuring peace. It was emphasized that of primary importance for both of our countries are such relations of trust - of personal trust.

         And the President of the Soviet Union - (inaudible). He emphasized that could undermine this choice taken by the leaders of the two countries. All those talks and conversations that took place, which were characterized by profound philosophical content, I believe that we have, on the basis of all those talks, we have a vision of a new world, of a new policy, to which we will someday arrive at, and I believe that this day is not far away. And if we are talking today about the almost - the chance that has almost - and I would like to use this word "almost" - been not used or not - which has almost passed by - it is of a special importance, that trust which exists now between the leaders of our two countries. And in the basis of these is the realization that we all have to understand that the fate of the peoples depends on how developments will be - will be that continuing and developing.
         Now, questions. Canadian Television, please.

         Q: Question from Canadian Broadcasting. You told us yesterday that the six-point plan was the maximum that you could achieve under the circumstances. Is that, in Moscow's view - the maximum position - is that as far as Iraq is prepared to go? Do you have any indication that Iraq intends to move any further in order to fulfill the conditions of the US ultimatum? And also, is there any negotiation underway, or as far as Moscow is concerned, is that the end of the negotiating process?

1 A. G. Noorani, The Gulf Wars, Documents and Analysis, Konark Publishers PVT LTD, Delhi, 1991, pp. 325-329.

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