WEBVTT 00:01.140 --> 00:02.862 We have gathered here today to 00:02.862 --> 00:05.370 celebrate the 20th anniversary of an 00:05.370 --> 00:07.660 extraordinary event that changed the 00:07.660 --> 00:09.640 course of human history , The 00:09.640 --> 00:12.060 liberation of Kuwait as a result of the 00:12.060 --> 00:14.960 Gulf War of 1990 and 1991 00:15.840 --> 00:18.340 today , two decades later , the world 00:18.340 --> 00:20.970 continues to owe a debt of gratitude to 00:20.970 --> 00:23.240 those whose leadership made possible 00:23.240 --> 00:27.140 the liberation of kuwait . Foremost 00:27.150 --> 00:30.060 among these leaders stands one man 00:30.940 --> 00:34.440 President George Herbert walker . Bush , 00:34.840 --> 00:37.380 The 41st President of the United States 00:38.240 --> 00:50.330 texas 00:50.330 --> 00:52.552 A and M . University is proud to be the 00:52.552 --> 00:54.930 home of the George Bush Presidential 00:54.930 --> 00:57.450 Library and museum , which chronicles 00:57.450 --> 01:00.150 the legacy of this great president and 01:00.160 --> 01:02.160 underscores the extent to which his 01:02.160 --> 01:04.590 legacy has shaped events around the 01:04.590 --> 01:07.970 world today . Texas A and M . Is also 01:07.980 --> 01:10.202 proud to be the home of the Bush School 01:10.202 --> 01:12.369 of Government and public service which 01:12.369 --> 01:14.369 prepares our students to perpetuate 01:14.369 --> 01:16.560 President Bush's commitment , not just 01:16.560 --> 01:18.880 a public policy , but the public 01:18.880 --> 01:21.660 service to the values of leadership , 01:22.140 --> 01:25.450 excellence , loyalty , respect , 01:25.460 --> 01:28.490 integrity and selfless service that 01:28.490 --> 01:31.310 define this great president and our 01:31.310 --> 01:34.620 great university , serving as dean at 01:34.620 --> 01:36.580 the Bush school is Ambassador Ryan 01:36.590 --> 01:39.610 Crocker . Prior to Ambassador Crocker 01:39.610 --> 01:41.960 joining texas and university last year , 01:42.440 --> 01:44.607 he was literally on the front lines of 01:44.607 --> 01:46.840 the United States diplomatic policy for 01:46.840 --> 01:49.640 more than three decades . Please join 01:49.640 --> 01:52.290 me in welcoming Ambassador Ryan C 01:52.290 --> 01:52.860 Crocker 02:06.940 --> 02:07.940 Howdy . Eddie's . 02:12.340 --> 02:15.620 It's often been said that One picture 02:15.620 --> 02:19.020 is worth a 1000 words . Well this 02:19.020 --> 02:21.187 evening , you're going to hear several 02:21.187 --> 02:24.190 1000 words , but before we get to that 02:24.200 --> 02:27.470 we wanted to show you a few important 02:27.480 --> 02:31.060 pictures . Uh so what we're going to do 02:31.060 --> 02:34.960 now is play and an original 02:34.970 --> 02:38.860 never before screened video of uh 02:39.240 --> 02:41.550 the entire period of the gulf war from 02:43.010 --> 02:46.220 invasion deliberation Uh 02:46.230 --> 02:49.130 narrated by the 41st president of the 02:49.130 --> 02:51.290 United States . So if we could please 02:51.290 --> 02:55.080 roll that video . Yeah . 03:00.140 --> 03:03.560 Hello ? Mm hmm . 03:05.740 --> 03:09.010 Mhm . Mhm . In the early morning hours 03:09.010 --> 03:12.570 of August two following negotiations 03:12.570 --> 03:15.840 and promises by Iraq's dictator Saddam 03:15.840 --> 03:19.730 Hussein not to use force , a powerful 03:19.740 --> 03:23.730 Iraqi army invaded its trusting and 03:23.730 --> 03:26.750 much weaker neighbor Kuwait . Within 03:26.750 --> 03:27.860 three days , 03:28.540 --> 03:32.050 120,000 Iraqi troops 03:32.640 --> 03:35.990 With 850 tanks had poured into 03:35.990 --> 03:39.420 Kuwait and moved south to threaten 03:39.420 --> 03:40.350 Saudi Arabia 03:45.640 --> 03:48.480 in my direction . Elements of the 82nd 03:48.490 --> 03:51.160 Airborne Division as well as key units 03:51.160 --> 03:53.210 of the United States Air Force are 03:53.210 --> 03:55.940 arriving today to take up defensive 03:55.940 --> 03:59.560 positions in Saudi Arabia . No one 04:00.040 --> 04:02.890 friend or foe should doubt our desire 04:02.890 --> 04:05.860 for peace and no one should 04:05.870 --> 04:08.130 underestimate our determination to 04:08.140 --> 04:09.362 confront aggression . 04:13.640 --> 04:16.180 Our objectives in the Persian gulf are 04:16.190 --> 04:19.820 clear . Our goals defined and 04:19.820 --> 04:23.500 familiar . Iraq must withdraw from 04:23.500 --> 04:27.130 Kuwait completely immediately and 04:27.130 --> 04:28.470 without conditions , 04:28.480 --> 04:32.210 these goals are 04:32.210 --> 04:35.050 not ours alone . They've been endorsed 04:35.060 --> 04:37.530 by the United Nations Security Council 04:37.540 --> 04:40.970 five times in as many weeks . Most 04:40.970 --> 04:42.840 countries share our concern for 04:42.840 --> 04:45.760 principal and many have a stake in the 04:45.760 --> 04:49.260 stability of the Persian gulf . This is 04:49.260 --> 04:52.340 not as Saddam Hussein would have it . 04:52.620 --> 04:55.950 The United States against Iraq . It is 04:55.950 --> 04:57.860 Iraq against the world . 05:00.440 --> 05:02.860 May I say that I just had a very 05:03.840 --> 05:07.710 useful meeting with his highness , the 05:07.710 --> 05:11.070 Amir and I reiterated the total 05:11.080 --> 05:14.090 commitment of the United States To the 05:14.090 --> 05:16.830 objectives that are enshrined in 10 05:16.840 --> 05:18.890 United Nations Security Council 05:18.890 --> 05:21.170 resolutions . We agreed on the 05:21.170 --> 05:23.510 desirability that these objectives be 05:23.510 --> 05:26.260 realized peacefully at the same time . 05:26.260 --> 05:29.730 We also agree that all options remained 05:29.730 --> 05:32.760 open and that steps needed to be taken 05:33.240 --> 05:36.020 Right now . Soldiers of the 18th 05:36.020 --> 05:37.970 Airborne Corps commander in 05:38.220 --> 05:42.470 over 05:42.470 --> 05:45.660 the past four months you have launched 05:46.340 --> 05:49.670 but history will judge Is one of the 05:49.670 --> 05:52.090 most important deployments of Allied 05:52.090 --> 05:55.870 military power since 1945 . And 05:55.870 --> 05:58.480 I've come here today to personally 05:58.480 --> 06:01.000 thank you . The world is 06:01.000 --> 06:07.260 watching . 06:09.440 --> 06:11.773 I've spoken with the Secretary of State , 06:12.440 --> 06:15.710 Jim baker who reported to me on his 06:15.710 --> 06:18.240 nearly seven hours of conversation with 06:18.240 --> 06:20.660 the Iraqi Foreign minister . Tariq Aziz 06:21.740 --> 06:25.060 As Secretary baker made it clear that 06:25.060 --> 06:27.450 he discerned no evidence whatsoever 06:28.180 --> 06:31.130 that Iraq was willing to comply with 06:31.130 --> 06:34.370 the international community's demand to 06:34.370 --> 06:37.280 withdraw from kuwait and comply with 06:37.280 --> 06:39.900 the United Nations resolutions . Let me 06:39.900 --> 06:43.250 emphasize that I have not given up 06:44.540 --> 06:47.350 on a peaceful outcome . It's not too 06:47.350 --> 06:51.180 late . Choice of peace or war is 06:51.180 --> 06:54.060 really Saddam Hussein's to make 06:57.040 --> 06:58.040 No . 07:02.640 --> 07:06.460 Just two hours ago Allied 07:06.460 --> 07:08.890 air forces began an attack on military 07:08.890 --> 07:11.970 targets in Iraq and kuwait These 07:11.970 --> 07:15.270 attacks continue as I speak , ground 07:15.270 --> 07:18.040 forces are not engaged . Yeah , 07:19.840 --> 07:20.160 Mhm 07:29.140 --> 07:31.029 taking , taking , taking taking . 07:43.440 --> 07:45.850 Mhm Mhm 07:51.340 --> 07:54.430 Israel is not a participant . Israel is 07:54.430 --> 07:56.810 not a combatant and this man is elected 07:56.820 --> 08:00.760 to uh to launch a terroristic attack . 08:02.240 --> 08:04.290 When the soviet union made such a 08:04.290 --> 08:06.123 strong statement . That was very 08:06.123 --> 08:08.460 reassuring and we are in close touch 08:08.460 --> 08:10.610 with our coalition partners and this 08:10.610 --> 08:13.390 coalition is not going to uh going to 08:13.400 --> 08:14.750 fall apart 08:17.740 --> 08:20.360 now with remarkable technological 08:20.360 --> 08:22.950 advances like the patriot missile . We 08:22.950 --> 08:25.510 can defend against ballistic missile 08:25.510 --> 08:28.350 attacks aimed at innocent civilians . 08:32.340 --> 08:34.900 I have therefore directed general 08:34.900 --> 08:38.110 norman Schwarzkopf in conjunction with 08:38.110 --> 08:41.780 coalition forces to use all forces 08:41.780 --> 08:45.730 available including ground forces to 08:45.730 --> 08:48.800 eject the Iraqi army from Kuwait . The 08:48.800 --> 08:50.967 liberation of Kuwait has now entered a 08:50.967 --> 08:54.250 final phase . I have complete 08:54.260 --> 08:57.230 confidence in the ability of the 08:57.240 --> 09:00.470 coalition forces swiftly and 09:00.470 --> 09:03.660 decisively to accomplish their mission . 09:13.540 --> 09:15.000 Yeah , 09:18.040 --> 09:21.140 Kuwait is liberated . 09:21.150 --> 09:24.980 Iraq's army is defeated . Our military 09:24.980 --> 09:28.170 objectives are met . Kuwait is once 09:28.170 --> 09:30.260 more in the hands of Kuwaitis in 09:30.260 --> 09:33.340 control of their own destiny . We share 09:33.340 --> 09:36.670 in their joy a joy tempered only by our 09:36.670 --> 09:38.600 compassion for their ordeal . 09:40.840 --> 09:44.680 Yeah . We went halfway around the 09:44.680 --> 09:48.120 world to do what is moral and 09:48.130 --> 09:51.850 just and right . We fought hard 09:52.540 --> 09:55.980 and with others we won the war . We 09:55.980 --> 09:57.869 lifted the yoke of aggression and 09:57.869 --> 10:00.080 tyranny from a small country that many 10:00.080 --> 10:02.570 americans had never even heard of and 10:02.570 --> 10:06.270 we ask nothing in return . We're coming 10:06.270 --> 10:09.460 home now proud , confident 10:10.440 --> 10:13.420 heads high . There is much that we must 10:13.420 --> 10:16.960 do at home and abroad and we will do it . 10:17.940 --> 10:21.440 We are americans may God bless this 10:21.440 --> 10:23.440 great nation . the United States of 10:23.440 --> 10:24.440 America . Thank 10:24.440 --> 10:27.860 you . 10:28.540 --> 10:29.540 Yeah . 10:33.340 --> 10:36.650 Uh huh . Mhm . 10:40.840 --> 10:44.250 Right . Mhm . Mhm . 10:46.740 --> 10:47.740 Yeah . 10:52.440 --> 10:53.440 Mhm . 10:59.240 --> 11:00.240 Okay , 11:00.440 --> 11:09.120 thank 11:09.130 --> 11:10.130 you everybody . 11:10.130 --> 11:23.390 Thank 11:23.390 --> 11:27.040 you . Thank you all very much . Thank 11:27.040 --> 11:28.040 you . 11:28.040 --> 11:36.250 Thank 11:36.250 --> 11:39.070 you . Thank you . Thank you howdy . 11:39.080 --> 11:41.410 Thank you all for coming to what I know 11:41.410 --> 11:43.577 will be a historic occasion right here 11:43.577 --> 11:47.150 at texas A and M . Let me yeah , 11:47.640 --> 11:50.090 let me start by thanking Ryan Crocker 11:50.100 --> 11:53.350 are superb Dean at the Bush School 11:53.840 --> 11:56.173 providing me to say a few words tonight . 11:56.940 --> 11:59.050 I can't tell you how proud we are to 11:59.050 --> 12:01.960 have Ryan Crocker leading our school . 12:02.840 --> 12:05.450 He's so respected , his career of 12:05.450 --> 12:08.600 service in our foreign service has few 12:08.600 --> 12:12.480 if any peers and it remains a great 12:12.480 --> 12:15.270 source of pride and comfort knowing 12:15.270 --> 12:17.326 he's captaining our ship at the Bush 12:17.326 --> 12:19.830 school and showing our students by 12:19.830 --> 12:22.800 example what the words , public service 12:23.240 --> 12:26.260 is all about . Before I do say a few 12:26.260 --> 12:29.290 words however , let me add my navy days 12:29.290 --> 12:31.346 taught me the importance of a good , 12:31.346 --> 12:34.370 good wing man and I'm happy to say I 12:34.370 --> 12:37.910 had a very good wing man as as as 12:37.920 --> 12:40.590 flying wing in the presidency . He was 12:40.590 --> 12:42.860 strong and able and a leader whose 12:42.860 --> 12:45.440 counsel I valued . Would you please 12:45.440 --> 12:47.551 give a warm Maggie welcome to my good 12:47.551 --> 12:49.662 friend and the man who served so ably 12:49.750 --> 12:51.861 as Vice President , United States dan 12:51.861 --> 12:52.861 Quayle . 12:52.861 --> 13:12.000 I 13:12.010 --> 13:15.490 also be seated . I also want to send a 13:15.490 --> 13:17.657 warm welcome to the veterans of Desert 13:17.657 --> 13:20.910 Storm who accepted the invitation to 13:20.910 --> 13:23.950 attend this special commemoration . And 13:23.950 --> 13:26.570 this time I'd like to ask each of them 13:26.880 --> 13:28.936 to stand and be recognized for their 13:28.936 --> 13:31.790 selfless service to our nation . I 13:31.800 --> 13:33.244 don't see you but welcome 13:33.244 --> 13:47.500 a 13:47.510 --> 13:49.940 moment . We will receive a good 13:49.940 --> 13:52.630 reminder why no President , No 13:52.630 --> 13:55.220 president has ever better served by his 13:55.220 --> 13:57.880 foreign policy team than the 41st 13:57.880 --> 14:00.100 president of the United States . There 14:00.100 --> 14:01.750 are not Mhm . 14:03.540 --> 14:06.630 Enough superlatives for me to describe 14:06.630 --> 14:09.520 my gratitude and pride In each of the 14:09.520 --> 14:11.464 member of what we call the gang of 14:11.464 --> 14:13.920 eight And after Harry Truman became 14:13.930 --> 14:17.390 president texas own sam Rayburn , the 14:17.390 --> 14:19.620 speaker of the House went to the White 14:19.620 --> 14:22.340 House to see the new commander in chief 14:22.350 --> 14:24.406 and as they were sitting in the oval 14:24.406 --> 14:27.140 office speaker , Rayburn offered some 14:27.150 --> 14:29.428 free advice and he said , Mr President , 14:30.040 --> 14:32.040 you're going to have a staff around 14:32.040 --> 14:34.300 telling you day in and day out that 14:34.300 --> 14:36.356 you're the smartest man in the world 14:36.740 --> 14:38.851 that's going to have a real effect on 14:38.851 --> 14:41.170 you . But the truth is Mr President , 14:41.170 --> 14:45.170 we both know it's a lie . And the truth 14:45.170 --> 14:49.140 is none of the men from whom you're 14:49.140 --> 14:51.810 about to hear ever suggested . I was 14:51.810 --> 14:54.330 the smartest man in the world , but 14:54.330 --> 14:56.441 that wasn't their job . Their job was 14:56.441 --> 14:58.940 to give me their best advice so that we 14:58.940 --> 15:01.260 working together to keep America safe , 15:01.740 --> 15:04.020 but also at advancing the values of 15:04.020 --> 15:06.920 human freedom and free markets around 15:06.920 --> 15:09.560 the world awakening from the Cold War . 15:10.240 --> 15:12.462 And so the gratitude in my heart to dan 15:12.462 --> 15:14.850 Quayle , our Panelist Jim baker , 15:14.860 --> 15:18.040 General walt , boomer , Cheney . 15:18.050 --> 15:20.650 General Colin Powell and general Prince 15:20.650 --> 15:24.130 cough . Scowcroft knows no bounds . I 15:24.130 --> 15:26.352 might add a word of regret that another 15:26.352 --> 15:28.970 key member of our team . General norm 15:28.970 --> 15:31.137 Schwarzkopf was not able to be with us 15:31.137 --> 15:33.650 tonight but he sent a wonderful message 15:33.660 --> 15:35.970 that's going to hear it later on . My 15:35.970 --> 15:39.840 dear sweet mother now in heaven taught 15:39.840 --> 15:41.840 us as kids never to be whenever you 15:41.840 --> 15:44.850 braggadocious and as president let me 15:44.850 --> 15:46.961 candidly confide there a few things I 15:46.961 --> 15:49.780 probably could have done better but in 15:49.780 --> 15:52.400 the case of desert storm , I honestly 15:52.400 --> 15:54.456 believe history will say we got this 15:54.456 --> 15:57.940 one right and we stood firm first and 15:57.940 --> 16:00.110 foremost to protect America's security 16:00.110 --> 16:01.610 and interest is our solemn 16:01.610 --> 16:03.790 responsibilities demanded . But the 16:03.790 --> 16:06.260 team from what you're about to hear 16:06.740 --> 16:09.810 also worked very hard and we took more 16:09.810 --> 16:11.866 than a few risks to build support on 16:11.866 --> 16:14.510 capitol hill and in the international 16:14.510 --> 16:16.920 community to our troops had the full 16:16.920 --> 16:19.810 support on the battlefield . They are 16:19.810 --> 16:22.610 richly deserved . Every international 16:22.610 --> 16:24.910 crisis is different of course . But the 16:24.910 --> 16:28.010 events of 20 years ago presented us 16:28.010 --> 16:30.232 with one of those rare moments afforded 16:30.232 --> 16:33.060 by history when mankind came together 16:33.740 --> 16:37.270 and join a noble in a noble cause and 16:37.270 --> 16:40.110 in so doing realized are higher 16:40.120 --> 16:43.200 aspirations . I was , it was one of the 16:43.210 --> 16:45.230 great honors of my life to lead our 16:45.230 --> 16:47.590 team and troops and to help shape the 16:47.590 --> 16:50.010 momentous events that led to such 16:50.010 --> 16:52.170 hopeful outcome , the liberation of 16:52.170 --> 16:54.830 Kuwait . We regret that the amir of 16:54.830 --> 16:57.310 kuwait who was scheduled to come was 16:57.320 --> 16:59.653 detained in kuwait on official business . 16:59.653 --> 17:01.709 We're pleased to welcome the mirrors 17:01.709 --> 17:04.700 envoy , the Sheikh Hamad Mahmoud Jaber 17:04.710 --> 17:07.430 al Sabah who has led a distinguished 17:07.430 --> 17:09.597 delegation of kuwait . Will you please 17:09.597 --> 17:11.097 join me in welcoming him ? 17:14.790 --> 17:15.790 Where is it 17:18.890 --> 17:21.550 better now ? I've put the news over 17:21.550 --> 17:22.110 here . 17:37.240 --> 17:41.010 Mr President distinguish 17:41.010 --> 17:43.770 cats , old friends , 17:45.240 --> 17:47.000 faculty members and students . 17:48.940 --> 17:51.860 Thank you for your warm and generous 17:51.860 --> 17:52.860 welcome . 17:59.240 --> 18:03.170 I am truly honored and humbled to 18:03.170 --> 18:06.780 be here today with such 18:06.860 --> 18:10.360 noble individuals . All true 18:10.360 --> 18:14.300 friends of kuwait . I can 18:14.310 --> 18:16.720 honestly say that one of the most 18:16.720 --> 18:20.270 important factors and being here today 18:21.740 --> 18:25.050 as the homeboy of his harness the amir 18:25.050 --> 18:28.790 of the state of kuwait Sheikh Sabah al 18:28.800 --> 18:32.430 Ahmad Al Jaber al Sabah is to 18:32.430 --> 18:36.170 remind you of the courage and 18:36.170 --> 18:39.800 vision . Our president George 18:39.810 --> 18:43.360 Herbert Walker Bush 20 years ago 18:43.940 --> 18:47.360 when he decrees that the outrageous 18:47.550 --> 18:51.480 aggression against my country would not 18:51.480 --> 18:55.330 stand . This clearly is one 18:55.340 --> 18:58.210 of history's most notable achievements 18:58.840 --> 19:01.770 and it will be forever remembered . 19:04.240 --> 19:07.980 His son is that me Chefs make the 19:07.990 --> 19:11.940 jabal soba I would say 19:11.940 --> 19:14.830 the same thing if he could be here with 19:14.830 --> 19:18.170 us today . Unfortunately 19:18.940 --> 19:22.450 he is unable to attend because he is in 19:22.450 --> 19:24.283 Sharm El chef attending the arab 19:24.283 --> 19:28.060 economic summit , an idea which he 19:28.070 --> 19:32.060 initiated himself . He 19:32.060 --> 19:34.680 is handing over his responsibilities as 19:34.680 --> 19:37.810 chairman of that summit to the Egyptian 19:37.810 --> 19:41.800 President Hosni mubarak , I assure you . 19:41.810 --> 19:45.380 His harness is with us today and 19:45.380 --> 19:46.850 heart and spirit . 19:49.240 --> 19:51.296 I would like to recall the memory of 19:51.296 --> 19:53.518 the liberation of Kuwait which began 20 19:53.518 --> 19:56.270 years ago with the commencement of 19:56.270 --> 20:00.150 Operation Desert Storm . It marked 20:00.150 --> 20:02.480 the pinnacle of the historical 20:02.480 --> 20:05.860 relationship between our two countries , 20:06.740 --> 20:09.560 a relationship with which has endured 20:09.940 --> 20:13.190 For over 60 years and was 20:13.200 --> 20:16.310 ultimately tested when Saddam Hussein's 20:16.310 --> 20:19.350 forces invaded and occupied Kuwait 20:21.840 --> 20:24.118 under the leadership of President Bush , 20:25.040 --> 20:27.160 the United States of America sought 20:27.160 --> 20:29.740 legitimacy for the international 20:29.740 --> 20:32.920 coalition by working through the United 20:32.930 --> 20:36.710 Nations . The United States would not 20:36.710 --> 20:39.130 take the easy path of acting alone 20:39.130 --> 20:41.360 without international legal sanction 20:43.240 --> 20:45.400 guided by the Charter of the United 20:45.400 --> 20:48.490 Nations american diplomacy 20:49.040 --> 20:52.640 inspired not only by President Bush but 20:52.650 --> 20:55.160 also by Secretary of State James baker . 20:55.940 --> 20:59.590 Let to the implementation of dozens 21:00.240 --> 21:02.850 of un Security Council resolutions , 21:03.240 --> 21:05.360 Many under Chapter seven . 21:07.840 --> 21:11.640 The U . S . Did not rush to use force . 21:12.840 --> 21:15.710 Its strategy provided room and time for 21:15.720 --> 21:19.650 diplomacy to work . Still , there 21:19.650 --> 21:22.680 was no hesitance to act boldly after 21:22.680 --> 21:24.750 the Iraqi regime rejected all 21:24.750 --> 21:28.410 international diplomatic attempts to 21:28.420 --> 21:31.980 complete the withdraw its forces from 21:31.980 --> 21:35.930 kuwait . History also 21:35.930 --> 21:38.300 records the tireless efforts to 21:38.300 --> 21:40.680 assemble historic multinational 21:40.680 --> 21:44.000 coalition under U . N . Auspices . 21:45.340 --> 21:48.240 The coalition was the broadest and 21:48.240 --> 21:52.220 strongest ever put together to enforce 21:52.430 --> 21:55.050 U . N . Resolutions . Ah 21:56.330 --> 22:00.070 It truly spans the world's nations and 22:00.070 --> 22:02.770 included the full support of countries 22:03.340 --> 22:05.890 and organizations in the Middle East 22:05.890 --> 22:09.430 region europe africa 22:09.690 --> 22:11.850 Asia and latin America . 22:13.940 --> 22:16.010 The coalition undertook a major 22:16.010 --> 22:19.460 military campaign Operation Desert 22:19.460 --> 22:22.770 Storm against Iraq which ultimately 22:22.770 --> 22:26.540 liberated Kuwait Kuwait Air force 22:26.540 --> 22:29.360 proudly participated in that coalition , 22:30.040 --> 22:32.880 flying its fighters from bases in Saudi 22:32.880 --> 22:36.470 Arabia allow me Mr 22:36.470 --> 22:40.420 President to express their gratitude of 22:40.430 --> 22:42.810 the people and the government of kuwait 22:43.840 --> 22:46.860 to the leading and significant role 22:46.870 --> 22:49.530 which the peoples and the government of 22:49.530 --> 22:52.390 Saudi Arabia . The United Arab Emirates 22:52.940 --> 22:56.470 data , bahrain , Oman , Egypt 22:56.470 --> 22:58.690 syria and other coalition countries 22:59.440 --> 23:02.010 played not only in the liberation of my 23:02.010 --> 23:05.180 country but also in hosting the 23:05.180 --> 23:07.510 kuwaitis who were forced to leave 23:07.510 --> 23:09.232 kuwait during the occupation . 23:11.640 --> 23:13.800 In the weeks and months following the 23:13.800 --> 23:17.270 launch of Desert Storm . President Bush 23:17.740 --> 23:19.970 had heard to the spirit and letter of 23:19.970 --> 23:23.360 the many un resolutions and the man 23:23.370 --> 23:27.180 that they contained in line with these 23:27.180 --> 23:30.120 resolutions , he halted all military 23:30.120 --> 23:33.600 actions after Kuwait was liberated and 23:33.610 --> 23:35.770 it's legitimate government restored . 23:36.540 --> 23:39.050 There were no acts of eventual 23:39.120 --> 23:40.210 retribution . 23:43.240 --> 23:45.560 The result of President Bush , decisive 23:45.570 --> 23:48.910 action not only liberated kuwait , But 23:48.910 --> 23:51.930 lay the basis for the new one of the 23:51.930 --> 23:54.550 Middle East peace process . With the 23:54.550 --> 23:56.950 convening of the Madrid conference . 23:58.720 --> 24:01.910 The world is a safer place thanks to 24:01.910 --> 24:04.450 Desert Storm and to the strength of the 24:04.450 --> 24:07.650 international community's response Sue 24:07.650 --> 24:09.670 to Saddam Hussein aggression . 24:11.540 --> 24:13.680 There are no words to express the 24:13.690 --> 24:15.590 enormous gratitude of the kuwaiti 24:15.600 --> 24:18.390 people for americans role in leading 24:18.390 --> 24:20.223 the international coalition that 24:20.223 --> 24:22.170 literally saved our country . 24:24.040 --> 24:27.100 Kuwait is deeply grateful to the young 24:27.100 --> 24:30.130 men and women of the coalition forces 24:30.130 --> 24:32.670 from many nations around the world 24:34.040 --> 24:36.670 for their selfless role they played 24:36.670 --> 24:38.940 when they were called upon to help save 24:38.950 --> 24:42.580 the people of a small , far away nation 24:43.000 --> 24:45.800 from the brutal aggression of a 24:45.800 --> 24:49.590 ruthless neighbor . Their 24:49.590 --> 24:53.160 sacrifice and valor continue today in 24:53.160 --> 24:56.300 the distant lands as they fight in the 24:56.300 --> 24:59.460 war against threats of terrorism . 25:01.740 --> 25:05.130 Even as we remember and moon , the loss 25:05.130 --> 25:08.280 of parents , husbands , wives , 25:08.620 --> 25:12.120 sisters and brothers , it cannot be 25:12.120 --> 25:15.200 said often enough . Their bravery 25:15.210 --> 25:18.620 bravery was not in vain . We cannot 25:18.630 --> 25:21.240 even imagine the result of Saddam had 25:21.250 --> 25:23.270 not been expelled from kuwait . 25:25.540 --> 25:27.760 Where would he have stopped ? 25:29.740 --> 25:31.960 What would the region look like ? 25:34.040 --> 25:36.860 How many of the other gulf nations 25:37.240 --> 25:40.570 would help help onto their independence 25:40.580 --> 25:41.580 and freedom . 25:44.240 --> 25:46.184 Kuwait . Liberation was not just a 25:46.184 --> 25:49.450 restoration of the old order . It led 25:49.460 --> 25:52.060 to a new dynamic in our economic , 25:52.640 --> 25:56.310 political , social and environmental 25:56.310 --> 25:59.940 development . Anyone who has 25:59.940 --> 26:02.950 visited the gulf states recently and 26:02.950 --> 26:06.650 has seen the phenomenal changes that 26:06.650 --> 26:08.950 have taken place and talk to the people 26:09.640 --> 26:12.940 cannot help but we are stoned by the 26:12.940 --> 26:16.920 change our liberation also 26:16.920 --> 26:19.870 gave us a new awareness and 26:19.880 --> 26:22.090 appreciation for our links to the rest 26:22.090 --> 26:25.720 of the region and the world beyond the 26:25.720 --> 26:27.950 parties with situation of so many 26:27.950 --> 26:30.360 countries and restoring our freedom 26:31.140 --> 26:34.640 made us realize the importance of being 26:34.640 --> 26:37.170 part of the international community . 26:39.540 --> 26:42.900 Once a keen I thank the privilege of 26:42.910 --> 26:46.340 being with you today to commemorate the 26:46.340 --> 26:49.580 start of Operation Desert Storm for the 26:49.580 --> 26:51.247 liberation of kuwait . And to 26:51.247 --> 26:53.900 especially remember those who made the 26:53.900 --> 26:57.460 ultimate sacrifice for that purpose 26:58.740 --> 27:01.910 Next month As we celebrate the 20th 27:01.920 --> 27:05.200 anniversary of Kuwait's liberation . We 27:05.200 --> 27:08.430 once again will pay tribute to those 27:08.430 --> 27:11.690 who have who have fell in battle and 27:11.690 --> 27:15.310 express our eternal gratitude to all 27:15.310 --> 27:17.450 those who shared in our liberation . 27:19.640 --> 27:22.260 Believe me and its people kuwait and 27:22.260 --> 27:25.710 its people will never forget you . We 27:25.710 --> 27:29.640 carry in our hearts what you did for us 27:29.760 --> 27:33.540 each and every day . Thank 27:33.540 --> 27:36.990 you God bless the United States of 27:36.990 --> 27:40.350 America . God bless kuwait , thank you 27:54.140 --> 27:55.140 And that's it . 28:01.240 --> 28:04.880 Thank you sheikh manhood for for those 28:04.890 --> 28:08.670 very , very generous remarks . A great 28:08.680 --> 28:11.590 tribute to a lasting friendship and 28:11.590 --> 28:15.190 alliance and I will now 28:15.190 --> 28:18.850 introduce and the 28:20.640 --> 28:23.470 national security leadership of that 28:23.480 --> 28:27.030 era . And we're very pleased that that 28:27.030 --> 28:30.720 spirit of partnership is symbolized in 28:30.720 --> 28:34.670 this panel um By the presence 28:34.680 --> 28:38.350 one his excellency 28:38.410 --> 28:42.000 Mohamed Abdallah Abolhassan , currently 28:42.010 --> 28:44.177 a senior adviser to his highness , the 28:44.177 --> 28:46.930 emir of kuwait at the time of Desert 28:46.930 --> 28:49.120 Shield , Desert Storm Kuwait's 28:49.120 --> 28:51.287 representative to the United Nations . 29:05.140 --> 29:07.760 The honourable Richard B . Cheney 46 29:07.760 --> 29:10.550 vice president of the United States and 29:10.550 --> 29:12.350 then Secretary of Defense . 29:39.040 --> 29:41.770 Mhm . The honourable Colin L Powell , 29:42.140 --> 29:44.680 65th Secretary of State of the United 29:44.680 --> 29:48.320 States , 1990 1991 . 29:48.330 --> 29:50.552 Chairman of the joint chiefs of staff . 30:12.340 --> 30:15.170 Yeah , the honourable Brent scowcroft . 30:15.450 --> 30:18.400 National Security Advisor to President 30:18.400 --> 30:21.600 Gerald Ford and then to President 30:21.600 --> 30:23.040 George H . W . Bush , 30:40.240 --> 30:43.370 General walter , E . Boomer , United 30:43.370 --> 30:46.040 States Marine Corps Commander of the 30:46.040 --> 30:48.318 United States Marines in Desert Shield , 30:48.318 --> 30:49.318 Desert Storm , 31:07.940 --> 31:09.960 Mr . Right . And 31:11.950 --> 31:15.420 The Honourable James A . III The 61st 31:15.420 --> 31:18.050 Secretary of State of the United States . 31:43.340 --> 31:45.860 Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 31:47.140 --> 31:48.770 Yeah . Mhm .