On 28 January a Scud missile was fired on Israel but landed in the West Bank. No damage or casualties were reported. In Washington for discussion on the post Gulf War diplomacy, the Soviet foreign minister and his American counterpart decided to give Iraq a chance to comply with the various Security Council resolutions and to withdraw from Kuwait for the war to end. They did not want to bring about the destruction of Iraq. They also decided to intensify the Arab-Israel peace process. The statement was seen in Israel as an attempt to promise the Arab partners in the anti-Iraqi coalition that the Arab- Israel conflict will be addressed by both super powers after the Gulf War ends. Meanwhile, Israel continued its policy of restraint. It acceded to U.S. requests not to become involved. It was assumed that if Israel would suffer massive casualties, or that if Iraq employed chemical weapons, Israel would have the right and duty to retaliate. Text of the joint U.S.-Soviet statement follows:
In the course of the discussions held in Washington on January 26-29, 1991, USSR Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Bessmertnykh and U.S. Secretary of State James Baker devoted considerable attention to the situation in the Persian Gulf.
The ministers reiterated the commitment of their countries to the UN Security Council resolutions adopted in connection with Iraqs aggression against Kuwait. They expressed regret that numerous efforts of the UN, other international organizations, individual countries and envoys were all rebuffed by Iraq. The military actions authorized by the UN have been provoked by the refusal of the Iraqi leadership to comply with the clear and lawful demands of the international community for withdrawal from Kuwait.
Secretary of State Baker emphasized that the U.S. and its coalition partners are seeking the liberation of Kuwait, not the destruction of Iraq. He stressed that the U.S. has no quarrel with the people of Iraq, and poses no threat to Iraqs territorial integrity. Secretary Baker reiterated that the U.S. is doing its utmost to avoid casualties among the civilian population, and is not interested in expanding the conflict.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bessmertnykh took note of the American position and agreed that Iraqs withdrawal from Kuwait must remain the goal of the international community. Both sides believe that everything possible should be done to avoid further escalation of the war and expansion of its scale.
The ministers continue to believe that a cessation of hostilities would be possible if Iraq would make an unequivocal commitment to withdraw from Kuwait. They also believe that such a commitment must be backed by immediate, concrete steps leading to full compliance with the Security Council resolutions.
The Iraqi leadership has to respect the will of the international community. By doing so, it has it within its power to stop the violence and bloodshed. The ministers agreed that establishing enduring stability and peace in the region after the conflict, on the basis of effective security arrangements, will be a high priority of our two governments. Working to reduce the risk of war and miscalculation win be essential, particularly because a spiraling arms race in this volatile region can only generate greater violence and extremism.
In addition, dealing with the causes of instability and the sources of conflict, including the Arab-Israeli conflict, will be especially important. Indeed, both ministers agreed that without a meaningful peace process - one which promotes a just peace, security, and real reconciliation for Israel, Arab states and Palestinians - it will not be possible to deal with the sources of conflict and instability in the region. Both ministers, therefore, agreed that in the aftermath of the crisis in the Persian Gulf, mutual U.S.-Soviet efforts to promote Arab-Israeli peace and regional stability, in consultation with other parties in the region, win be greatly facilitated and enhanced.
The two ministers are confident that the U.S. and the Soviet Union, as demonstrated in various other regional conflicts, can make a substantial contribution to the achievement of a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East.