Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search

File: DOC_80_CEASE_FIRE_DISCUSSIONS_WITH_IRAQIS_AT_SAFWAN_AIRFIELD_015.txt
Page: 015
Total Pages: 17

* U N~~~

GEN SCHWARZKOPF (US):   I do not have the authority from my government
to pull my troops back 1 inch much less 1 km.

LTG AHMAD (I):   How then arew~going to agree on a line where you
said you will withdraw I km.?

GEN SCHWARZKOPF (US):   If we can agree on the line I just gave you I
do have the authority to withdraw 1 km. from that line.

LTG AHMAD (I):  Maybe some of our troops are in front of this line
Should they be withdrawn?

GEN SCHWARZKOPF (US):  Maybe some of your troops are on this side of
the line vs. the other side of the line?   I think that they should and
if I have troops on the other side of the line I will withdrawal them
also

LTG AHMAD (I):   How was this line chosen?

GEN SC~WARZKOPF (US):   What I did, I went out to all of the front line
positions where our troops are located.  Then I tried to pick a
geographic feature that we could identify like a road or railroad so
there would be no mistake

bTG AMMAD (I):   The thing is if we~. It's not a matter that we are
talking about 1 km here or 1 km there, because as you already know
that you are in the territory hundreds of kilometers.  The main thing
is we will not be very sensitive if this line is, as you said, not a
permanent line and it's a matter of security,  just for security
reasons and the answer will be very rapid.

GEN SCHWARZKOPF (US):   bet me say again, the only purpose of this line
is to have a line where your troops can be behind it on one side and
our troops can be behind it on the other side, and if you have any
troops inside they go out and if we have any troops outside they go
in, to keep them from being all mixed together.  That's all I want.
You have my word,  I swear to God, there is no intention of that being
a permanent line at all.

LTG AHMAD (I):   We will give you the answer very shortly just after we
get back.  But there is another thing we have to agree on certain
positions/points where are commanders, you know the field commanders,
sometimes we will need to talR to them.  They will need to talk to us
or to give you back the answers.   So we'll agree on some of the points
or one point, the main point where we could meet, as you suggested,
~ith the orange flags and everything at least.  The suggestion is on
the main road in the Safwan area where both sides could meet and
handle things or letters or answers

GEN SCHWARZ~OPF (US):  We can pick the point right now on the map

LTG AHMAD (I):  The flying bridge.

GEN SCHWARZICOPF (US):  Where we met today?

~ET            L,~~(-A:5               15


Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search