Exhibit reveals details of talks

Exhibit reveals details of talks

BY DAWN DORSEY
Special to the Rice News

A new exhibit at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy features recently declassified documents detailing talks between former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and former Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz on the eve of the 1991 Gulf War.

The documents include a memorandum of a conversation between Baker and Aziz that took place in Geneva Jan. 9, 1991 —just a week before the war began — and transcripts from the two men’s press conferences later that same day. Completing the exhibit are photos of Baker and Aziz, as well as an audiotape of Baker highlighting excerpts of the conversation. The exhibit demonstrates the cautious approach to invasion by President George H.W. Bush’s administration and its attempts to provide serious warnings to Iraq.

Iraq invaded Kuwait Aug. 2, 1990. Baker met with Aziz to deliver a letter from President Bush to Saddam Hussein, which Aziz read and declined to deliver. Baker warned Aziz that the international community was serious about enforcing the United Nations Security Council resolutions ordering Iraq out of Kuwait.

In strong but calm language, Baker told Aziz what was expected of Iraq and warned of invasion if his country did not cooperate.

“It will be massive,” Baker said. “This will not be another Vietnam. Should war begin — God forbid — it will be fought to a swift, decisive conclusion.”

The exhibit will remain on display in the lobby of James A. Baker III Hall for approximately four months. The transcript can also be found in a virtual museum on the Baker Institute Web site at <www.bakerinstitute.org>.