    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [December 22, 1995]
    [Pages 1918-1919]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters on Bosnia in Arlington, Virginia
    December 22, 1995

        The President. Good morning.
        Q. Mr. President, do you hope to go to Bosnia in the next month or
    so?
        The President. I want to go when the Secretary of Defense and
    General Shalikashvili tell me it's an appropriate thing to do. I don't
    want to interrupt the deployment in any way. You know, we've had a few
    weather delays, but I'm here to get a briefing on the deployment and
    what's going on and how we're doing. I've got a few questions I want to
    ask. If it were solely up to me, I would go tomorrow, literally
    tomorrow. But I think it's very important that I not do anything which
    interrupts the deployment. I can go as soon as it's consistent with the
    military mission, and I will do that.
        Q. What have you heard so far, even before this briefing, on how the
    operation is going in Bosnia?
        The President. I think our people are doing a very good job. I think
    the others in IFOR are doing a good job, and I think the people there,
    so far, are receiving them well. But I've got some specific questions,
    and that's why I want this briefing.

    [[Page 1919]]

        Q. Do you think Senator Dole should go if you can't go?
        The President. I think that all of us should consult with the
    military leaders and do what is consistent with the interest of our
    troops and the mission.
        Q. In other words, no.
        Q. Mr. President, do you worry about casualties?
        The President. Every day I worry about that, but I think they're
    showing their training and their discipline and the integrity of the
    plan in the way that they are working to minimize casualties and
    maximize the effectiveness of the mission.
        Q. Do you think the American people understand that, understand the
    risks that are involved?
        The President. Yes.

    Note: The exchange began at 9:25 a.m. at the Pentagon, prior to a
    briefing on Bosnia.