    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [February 23, 1993]
    [Page 195]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With United Nations
    Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
    February 23, 1993

    Bosnia

        Q. Mr. President, is an airdrop enough to relieve the suffering?
    Will that do the job of getting food to people?
        The President. Well, if we can reach an agreement, it will help, I
    think.
        Q. How close are you to an agreement, Mr. President?
        The President. I don't know. We can't talk until you leave.
    [Laughter]
        Q. Do you think that there is some risk, though, of this being the
    first step to an engagement that we won't be able to get out of?
        The President. Not necessarily, no. Not at all.
        Q. Why not?
        The President. Because what we're discussing is very different. It
    has no combat connotations whatever, and it's purely humanitarian and
    quite limited.
        Q. Isn't there a risk of people being shot at by antiaircraft
    artillery?
        The President. Well, if we do it, we'll have an announcement that
    deals with that. We think the risks are quite small.

    Note: The exchange began at 4:10 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House.