[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.