Episcopal Press and News

Presiding Bishop Talks with President, Secretary of State

Episcopal News Service. March 21, 1991 [91079C]

Despite some public differences on Persian Gulf policy, Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning reported that "the door is still open" at the White House. The presiding bishop called President George Bush to assure him that he was still in his prayers. The president returned the phone call and, according to Browning, was "very gracious." They both expressed relief that the war was over and that some of the wider regional issues could be addressed, such as Cyprus, Lebanon, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. When he talked with Secretary of State James Baker later, Browning said that the conversation gave him "lots of confidence" that Middle East issues were being taken seriously.