IRAN/UNITED STATES: MARLIN FITZWATER SAYS WHITE HOUSE WELCOMES IRAN'S ACCEPTANCE OF CEASEFIRE WHICH IRAN SAYS CAME AFTER SECRET TALKS

Record ID: 860084

  • Title: IRAN/UNITED STATES: MARLIN FITZWATER SAYS WHITE HOUSE WELCOMES IRAN'S ACCEPTANCE OF CEASEFIRE WHICH IRAN SAYS CAME AFTER SECRET TALKS
  • Date: 19th July 1988
  • Summary: JULY 18, 1988 , SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES ( REUTERS -VISNEWS (W)) 1. SCU Fitzwater speaking. (English speech) (3 SHOTS) TRANSCRIPT: FITZWATER (SEQ 1): "It's very difficult to determine all of the motives that would be behind the move. The Secretary General of the United Nations' statement this morning indicated that he would be sending a team to the countries to pursue this announcement. One has to believe, however, that recent losses that Iran has experienced at the hands of Iraq has been a point that they've had to consider and undoubtedly our presence in the Gulf had been a factor. And we've certainly hoped that it's been a factor moving both sides towards accepting a ceasefire resolution. The recent incident I think may have been a factor in the sense that Vice-president Bush laid out, in very strong terms, United States policy and our insistence on staying in the Gulf. I will think all of those factors would be considered by Iran in making this move."
  • Embargoed: 3rd August 1988 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iran, Islamic Republic of, Usa
  • City:
  • Country: Usa Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Topics:
  • Reuters ID: LVA392F0EMZ3HF5HI1ZQTPUDL6MB
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said on Monday that the United States government welcomed Iran's acceptance of the United Nations resolution for a ceasefire in the eight year-old Gulf war. Speaking in California, Fitzwater added that Iran's motives could be a combination of recent military losses to Iraq, the continued presence of United States warships in the Gulf and the recent shooting down of an Iranian Airbus by a United States warship.

    In Tehran, Iran's Military Chief Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said that the decision came after talks with senior politicians on Sunday. He would not elaborate on the talks, saying they were "secret". Rafsanjani added that Iran and Iraq should withdraw their troops to their international borders, a primary condition of the United Nations resolution. He said that foreign forces in the Gulf region should also leave now that "the pretext for being there is ended".

    In an interview at the Foreign Ministry, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Javd Larijani said the decision to accept the ceasefire resolution 596 was consistent with Iran's policy on the Gulf war. He accused Iraq of threatening the security of the region with its "aggression", and added that "turbulences in the region have acquired an international dimension". He added that the move was a major contribution to peace and stability, and said he hoped that concrete steps could be made with the help of the international community. Iraq accepted the ceasefire resolution when it was put forward about a year ago.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register