    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [July 11, 1995]
    [Page 1072]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1072]]

    Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Congressional Leaders and an Exchange
    With Reporters
    July 11, 1995

    Legislative Agenda

        The President. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to welcome the
    congressional leadership back here today. There are many things that we
    will discuss today. We have a lot of work to do. This summer we are
    working on finishing the rescission bill, and I very much hope we can
    succeed in passing the terrorism legislation and welfare reform.
        And I hope that we can begin as soon as possible the budget debate.
    We have major differences over how the budget ought to be balanced, and
    I think it would be in error to delay it and run the risk of having a
    crisis in Government. I think the quicker we can begin it and the fuller
    and more open it can be and the more the American people can hear of it,
    the better off we'll be.
        So those are the things that I hope we can discuss today and I think
    are very important.

    President Boris Yeltsin of Russia

        Q. Mr. President, have you heard anything about the condition of
    Boris Yeltsin?
        The President. No.
        Q. Any reports on his health?
        The President. No. Nothing other than the last time I saw him, he
    was in good health and seemed to be doing well.
        Q. Well, he's been hospitalized this morning for heart problems.
        The President. Yes, I know, but I have heard nothing this morning
    about the condition.

    Bosnia

        Q. Sir, the Bosnian Serbs are moving into Srebrenica fast, according
    to the reports. Is it time for NATO air strikes?
        The President. We may have something to say on that later today. But
    let me say I'm concerned about the people who are there, and I'm also
    concerned about the UNPROFOR troops, the Dutch, who are there. And we
    may have something later today to say about that.

    Vietnam

        Q. [Inaudible]--the decision on Vietnam, how much more difficult is
    it for you personally and politically, given your failure to serve in
    Vietnam?
        The President. None.
        Q. Does it enter into your decision at all?
        The President. No.

    Base Closings

        Q. Are you going to do base closings----
        The President. I don't know yet. We're working very hard on that,
    worked on it yesterday and last night. We have some more work to do, and
    I'm waiting for some more information to come back this morning. We
    spent quite a bit of time on it. It won't be long, but I can't say for
    sure.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:30 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these
    remarks.