FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Posted by Clinton/Gore Email October 24, 1992 MAJOR NEW YORKER ARTICLE SHOWS BUSH WAS VERY MUCH "IN THE LOOP" ON ARMS-FOR-HOSTAGES [Statement by George Stephanopoulos] The investigative article in the New Yorker raises devastating questions about George Bush's trustworthiness on the arms-for-hostages deal, on the policy of supporting Saddam Hussein, and on his management of foreign policy generally. George Bush said he was not "in the loop" on arms-for-hostages. "I sensed that we were sending arms," he claimed. "And I sensed that we were trying to get the hostages out. But not arms for hostages." [AP, 1/8/88] This article shows that Bush was not only "in the loop," he was a key arms-for-hostages operative. Written by two of the country's most respected journalists, and exhaustively documented, the article makes major new charges about Bush's role in these scandals. * It shows that Bush asked Jordan's King Hussein and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to pass a message to Saddam Hussein that the U.S. wanted Iraq to step up its bombing of Iran. A secret State Department memo, which went to U.S. ambassadors abroad, said that the Vice-President had been told to "suggest to both King Hussein and President Mubarak that they sustain their efforts to convey our shared views to Saddam regarding Iraq's use of air resources." [New Yorker, p. 756] Within 48 hours after the meeting with Mubarak, the Iraqis began increased bombing of new targets in Iran, flying 359 missions. * Moreover, according to two top aides to CIA Director William Casey, the gambit was designed to increase Iran's need for arms -- which could then be traded for hostages. * policy toward Iran and Iraq must be seen as a foreign policy blunder of tragic dimension. We traded arms for hostages, only encouraging Iran to seize more Americans. And we aided Saddam Hussein, helping him build up his military, encouraging him up until the moment he invaded Kuwait. It's time for George Bush to come clean on his role in the arms for hostages deal. George Bush should release the transcript of his testimony before the Independent Counsel, and the notes of his testimony before the Tower Commission. The American people have a right to know the answers to the charges raised today. - 30 -