    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [February 28, 1995]
    [Pages 275-276]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister
    Wim Kok of The Netherlands
    February 28, 1995

    Iran

        Q. Mr. President, are you concerned about Iran placing antiaircraft
    missiles at the mouth of the Persian Gulf?
        The President. I think that I'll wait until later to answer any
    questions.
        Q. Even the ones--the Republicans saying that they're willing to
    change the balanced budget amendment so that the courts cannot raise
    taxes or cut spending?

    The Netherlands

        Q. And about The Netherlands--[laughter]----
        The President. It's a great country and a great ally of the United
    States.

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

    ``Apache'' Helicopters

        Q. Mr. President, how will you react if the Dutch Government decides
    not to buy Apache helicopters?
        The President. Well, that's a decision for the Dutch Government to
    make. Obviously, I hope that that will be the decision because I think
    on the merits, it's the best product. But that's a decision that the
    Government has to make.

    [[Page 276]]

        Q. Mr. President, are you trying to sell the Prime Minister on the
    benefits of the Apache helicopter?
        The President. I've already done that. I've already made my pitch,
    if you will.
        Prime Minister Kok. And Mr. President, if we don't buy them, we
    remain a great country.
        The President. That's right. We have--you know, our relationship
    with the Dutch, it's a very--it's a deep and broad and complex one.
    There are a lot of things involved in it, and this is just one part of
    it. We are allies in every sense of the word, in so many ways. And we
    have to continue to work together. There are a lot of problems in Europe
    and beyond that require our cooperation and our mutual support. And of
    course, we have a terrific commercial relationship as well. So we have a
    lot riding on this relationship, and no single element of it can be
    allowed to define it.

    United Nations Peacekeeping

        Q. [Inaudible]--about U.N. peacekeeping forces that may be in
    jeopardy because of the attitude of the Republican Party?
        The President. Well, I don't agree with the attitude of the party
    with regard to the peacekeeping forces in Bosnia and with regard to at
    least some of what I've seen in the House of Representatives on
    peacekeeping generally. I believe the United States should participate
    in peacekeeping. I think we should pay our way. I think we should
    continue to be a strong force there.
        With regard to Bosnia, I think we should--the United States should
    support the Contact Group and should support those countries that do
    have their soldiers on the ground and at risk there. And we have said,
    for example, if we had to withdraw, if UNPROFOR collapsed, we would try
    to do our part to help people get out of Bosnia safely. But I think it
    would be a mistake for the United States to go off on its own and start
    making independent Bosnia policy. We don't have our soldiers there. The
    Europeans do have soldiers there; the Canadians have soldiers there.
    They have put their lives at risk. We have spent a lot of money in
    Bosnia, and we have supported from air and sea and from our hospital in
    Croatia, and a lot of other ways we've supported the operation of the
    U.N. in Bosnia.
        Q. So you're with our Prime Minister and against the Republicans in
    this matter?
        The President. That's correct. That's essentially----
        Q. [Inaudible]
        The President. [Inaudible]--Constitution----
        Q. [Inaudible]
        The President. There has to be a difference of opinion in the United
    States or you're on the long end of it--you're in the right position.
    [Laughter]

    Note: The exchange began at 10:27 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.