[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[December 30, 1992]
[Page 2216]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on the START II Treaty and the Situation in Somalia and an 
Exchange With Reporters
December 30, 1992

    The President. Well, I have just spoken this morning by telephone 
with Russian President Boris Yeltsin, and I am very pleased to announce 
that we have completed agreement on the START II treaty. U.S. and 
Russian expert teams are remaining in Geneva now to complete the formal 
work on the treaty text. This historic treaty will reduce by two-thirds 
current nuclear arsenals and will dramatically lower the numbers of 
strategic nuclear arms permitted by START I. In my view, this treaty is 
good for all mankind.
    President Yeltsin and I have agreed to meet in Sochi, Russia, on 
January 2d and 3d, where we will sign the treaty. And I want to take 
this opportunity to congratulate the team standing here with me today: 
Larry Eagleburger, Secretary Cheney, Chairman Powell, and others who 
have done a superb job on this treaty.
    We're going to use the occasion of the meeting in Sochi to consider 
a number of bilateral and regional issues and then to discuss ways to 
fulfill the promise and the potential of the U.S.-Russia relations.
    Let me just say a word about our trip to Somalia. The trip, I hope, 
will show the concern that all Americans feel for the people of Somalia 
and for the condition. These are humanitarian concerns, and in my view 
it is proper that the President show this concern to the people over 
there.
    I also want to make very clear how strongly we support our troops 
that are over there. They're doing a first-class job. I've had a good 
briefing from General Powell and Secretary Cheney, and I just can't tell 
you how proud I am of the young men and women that are serving halfway 
around the world in this great humanitarian cause.
    We've tried to keep Governor Clinton closely advised, informed on 
the Somalia trip and obviously on the arms control agreement. So I think 
these are both important events, the trip to Sochi and the trip to 
Somalia. And I would like to take this occasion, because it'll be the 
last I see some of you this year, to wish you all a very happy new year.

Serbia

    Q. Mr. President, have you warned the Serbs not to widen the war?
    The President. Well, I don't want to get into what we're doing in 
terms of detail there, but we've expressed our concern in a lot of 
different ways, Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press International]. And I 
don't want to go into more detail on that one.

Somalia

    Q. Sir, is it safe for you to go to Somalia?
    The President. Yes, it's perfectly safe. I'm not in the least bit 
concerned of the security. I have great confidence in our military and 
in, certainly, as always, in the Secret Service. So no, there's not a 
worry in the world on that.

START II

    Q. Do you worry about whether START II could actually be approved, 
both in the U.S. Congress and can President Yeltsin get START II 
approval?
    The President. No, I feel confident after talking to Larry 
Eagleburger, representations having been made by his interlocutors 
there, both their Defense Secretary and their Foreign Minister, that 
that will be approved. Boris Yeltsin is quite confident of

[[Page 2216]]

that. He feels that it is a historic agreement and good for the whole 
world, as do I. I believe that our Congress will approve it. And of 
course, I've been appreciative of the words of--without committing him 
on any way to any details--the general words from Governor Clinton, 
President-elect Clinton, on this subject.
    Q. Mr. President, do you view START II as a vindication of your 
attention to the foreign account?
    The President. No, I view it as a great step for mankind. And it's 
not--certainly it's not a personal achievement. The people standing here 
with me have worked hours, endless hours, to bring this about. So it's 
not personal. But I take great pride in this accomplishment because I 
think it's a very good treaty, and I'm proud that this team was able to 
work it out.

POW-MIA's

    Q. Are you going to ask Yeltsin to unleash more information about 
the American POW's situation?
    The President. Well, I am confident that Boris Yeltsin will go the 
extra mile on that. I think he has. But we just have to wait and see on 
that subject because all of us remain concerned about it. But I should 
express my confidence in his willingness to cooperate. I don't think 
anyone would disagree with that at all.
    I think I've got to get ready to go to Somalia. Last one.

Executive Clemency

    Q. Mr. President, on the Christmas Eve pardons, does it give the 
appearance that Government officials are above the law?
    The President. No, it should not give any such appearance. Nobody is 
above the law. I believe when people break the law, that's a bad thing. 
I've read some stupid comment to the contrary. And of course, I feel 
that way. But the Constitution is quite clear on the powers of the 
President. And sometimes a President has to make a very difficult call, 
and that's what I've done.
    But I'm glad you asked it, because I've read some rather frivolous 
reporting that I don't care about the law. I pride myself on 25 or more 
years of public service, of serving honorably, decently, and with my 
integrity intact. And certainly I wouldn't feel that way if I had a lack 
of respect for the law. And I don't think there is one single thing in 
my career that could lead anybody to look at my record and make a 
statement of that nature. So thank you for giving me the opportunity to 
clear it up.
    Thank you all.

                    Note: The President spoke at 9:45 a.m. in the Rose 
                        Garden at the White House. The proclamation of 
                        December 24 which granted Executive clemency to 
                        six former Government officials for their 
                        conduct related to the Iran-contra affair is 
                        listed in Appendix E at the end of this volume.