    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [September 29, 1993]
    [Pages 1632-1633]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Foreign Minister
    Andrey Kozyrev of Russia
    September 29, 1993

    Bosnia

        Q. Mr. President, is there anything the United States can now do to
    bring peace in Bosnia since the Bosnian Parliament has voted against the
    peace plan?

        The President. Well, you know, this process--this goes on day by
    day. We're just going to have to see what happens. They want some more
    territory. You know, I think they're entitled to some more territory,
    but I don't know if they can get it. I think that the price of passing
    up this peace may be very high. And I think they'll probably consider
    that over the next few days. But we'll just have to wait and see what
    happens. We haven't had time to examine what our options are.

        Q. Is the only alternative more war?

        The President. Well, that's up to them. All of them.

        Q. Are you encouraging them then to accept this treaty, or do you
    think that they should go ahead with their demands for more?

    [[Page 1633]]

        The President. Well, I have encouraged them to try to make peace.
    That's what I've encouraged them to try to do. I hate to see another
    winter come on for all of them there. But that's a decision they'll have
    to make, their country, their lives, they'll have to make the decision.

    Russia

        Q. Sir, what assurances are you hoping to receive from Mr. Kozyrev
    about the situation, and what message might you be sending to Mr.
    Yeltsin through him?

        The President. Well, I think he's already given the assurances that
    all of us hope. They're doing everything they can to preserve peace. And
    there's a commitment by President Yeltsin to move to a truly democratic
    system, through truly democratic means. That's about all the United
    States or anyone else could ask for.

        Q. Mr. President, one more question. Is this meeting of yours with
    the Russian Foreign Minister, is this meeting of yours a meeting of
    support or is it a meeting of concern?

        The President. Well, it's a meeting of support. I'm concerned about
    events in the sense that I hope they go well, and I hope that everything
    works out all right. But I am firmly in support of the efforts that
    President Yeltsin is making to hold democratic elections for a
    legislative body and to have a new constitution and to present himself
    for election again. I think that the United States clearly has an
    interest in promoting democracy and reform in Russia.

        And as you know, I have aggressively supported efforts in our
    Congress to get more aid for the process of reform and for economic
    opportunity in Russia, and I will continue to do that.

    Note: The exchange began at 4:54 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.