Bush Takes Hard Line on Humanitarian Aid to Iraq

President Bush drew a hard line today against shipments of humanitarian aid to Iraq, insisting that if any such shipments are permitted, they “must be distributed under strict international supervision.”

“We cannot allow Saddam Hussein to divert needed humanitarian aid in order to sustain his army of occupation,” Bush said.

Coupled with a newly expressed willingness to look favorably upon an embargo on air shipments to Iraq, the President’s remarks reflected a continued resolve to press ahead with his program of trying to pressure the Iraqi president into stepping back from the military occupation of Kuwait.

“The message is steady, strong and certain: The world will not look the other way. Iraq’s act of aggression will not stand,” the President said in a speech at a Republican fund-raising luncheon.

“Saddam’s illegal act has meant misery and suffering for millions: The brave people of Kuwait--victimized, but not vanquished. The hostages held against their will. Those pitiful refugees fleeing Iraq and Kuwait, flooding into neighboring nations ill-equipped to deal with this human tidal wave of tragedy. The poorest of the poor being brutalized by the Iraqi dictator’s inhumanity. For the Iraqi people themselves--the pain they now experience is a direct consequence of the path Saddam has chosen.”

The President’s appearance drew small groups of protesters, including a group that displayed a banner reading: “Bring the Troops Home Now.” But elsewhere a handwritten sign read: “Help Saddam Meet Allah.”

On his way to a series of political events in Los Angeles and San Francisco, Bush spoke here on behalf of the Senate campaign of Rep. Hank Brown (R-Colo.) His California schedule includes a fund-raising dinner tonight for Sen. Pete Wilson’s Republican gubernatorial campaign and a luncheon for Wilson in San Francisco on Wednesday.

Bush, who said Monday that he would be “prepared” to work toward an air embargo--an approach some fear is particularly risky because it could result in shooting down non-military aircraft--was adamant about imposing strict controls on the shipment and distribution of any humanitarian aid for Iraq. Some nations, including those supporting the U.N. Security Council’s embargo on trade with Iraq, have advocated allowing such assistance to reach the people there if necessary.

“Let me make clear about any humanitarian aid--emergency food and medical supplies--we might send to the people of Iraq in the future,” Bush said in Denver. “Should aid become necessary, it must be distributed under strict international supervision, to make certain that emergency aid reaches those Iraqis who need it most.”