    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [April 20, 1993]
    [Page 465]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 465]]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Vaclav Havel
    of the Czech Republic
    April 20, 1993

    Bosnia

        Q. Mr. President, President Havel is here for the Holocaust Museum
    opening, and you toured the museum last night. All this focus on the
    Holocaust, how does that weigh on your decisionmaking process as far as
    Bosnia is concerned?
        The President. Well, I think the Holocaust is the most extreme
    example the world has ever known of ethnic cleansing. And I think that
    even in its more limited manifestations, it's an idea that should be
    opposed. You couldn't help thinking about that. That's not to compare
    the two examples. They're not identical. Everyone knows that. But I
    think that the United States should always seek an opportunity to stand
    up against--at least to speak out against inhumanity.
        Q. Sir, how close are you to a decision on more sanctions on Bosnia?
        The President. Well, of course, we've got the U.N. vote. Ambassador
    Albright was instrumental in the U.N. vote to strengthen the sanctions,
    and they are quite tough. And we now are putting our heads at the
    business of implementing them and looking at what other options we ought
    to consider. And I don't have anything else to say, except to tell you
    that I spent quite a bit of time on it and will continue to over the
    next several days.
        Q. Following your meeting today, sir, are you any closer to some
    sort of U.S. military presence there?
        The President. I have not made any decisions.

    [At this point, one group of reporters left the room, and another group
    entered.]

    Meeting With President Havel

        Q. President Clinton, why have you decided to meet with Mr. Havel?
        The President. Well, I'm just honored that he would come and see me.
    I'm glad he's here in the United States for the dedication of the
    Holocaust Museum. He is a figure widely admired in our country and
    around the world and a very important person in Europe and a very
    important person to the United States. So I'm hoping that we'll have a
    chance to talk about the new Czech Republic and what kinds of things we
    can do together to support the causes we believe in.

    Note: The exchange began at 5 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.