    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [September 26, 1995]
    [Pages 1493-1494]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Peace Process in Bosnia and an Exchange With Reporters
    September 26, 1995

        The President. Good afternoon. I have just spoken with Secretary
    Christopher and the rest of our negotiating team in New York, and I am
    pleased to announce another positive step on the path to peace in
    Bosnia. The Foreign Ministers of Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia have
    endorsed a set of further agreed basic principles for an overall
    settlement to the war, building on the agreement they reached in Geneva
    on September 8th.
        These principles spell out in greater detail the constitutional
    structures of the state of Bosnia, including the establishment of a
    national Presidency, a Parliament, and a constitutional court. They
    commit the parties to hold free and democratic elections under
    international supervision. And they further provide that a central
    government will be responsible for conducting Bosnia's foreign policy as
    well as other key functions that are still being discussed.
        The American people must realize that there are many difficult
    obstacles still to overcome along the path to peace. There is no
    guarantee of success. But today's agreement moves us closer to the
    ultimate goal of a genuine peace, and it makes clear that Bosnia will
    remain a single internationally recognized state. America will strongly
    oppose the partition of Bosnia, and America will continue working for
    peace.

    [[Page 1494]]

        We hope the progress we are making finally reflects the will of the
    parties to end this terrible war. We know it's a result of the
    international community's resolve and a determined diplomacy on the part
    of our negotiating team and our European and Russian partners.
        I have instructed our team to return to the Balkans on Thursday to
    press forward in the search for peace. If and when the parties reach a
    settlement, America should help to secure it. The path to a lasting
    peace in Bosnia remains long and difficult, but we are making progress,
    and we are determined to succeed.
        As you know now, our team in New York will have a press conference,
    and they will be able to answer your more detailed questions about the
    specifics of the agreement.
        Thank you.
        Q. What about your response to Senator Dole, Mr. President?
        Q. What else has to be decided?
        Q. What about that letter that Senator Dole sent you yesterday?
        The President. Well, I intend to write him a response and to make it
    available. But remember, I have said since February of 1993, since
    February of 1993, constantly, for more than 2\1/2\ years now, that the
    United States should participate in implementing a peace agreement. We
    should not have ground troops on the ground, under the present U.N.
    mandate. We should not have ground troops on the ground in combat.
        But the United States is the leader of NATO. No peace agreement
    could be fairly implemented without the involvement of NATO, and we
    cannot walk away from our responsibility to try to end this terrible
    conflict, not only for the people of Bosnia but for what it means for
    ultimate peace throughout the Balkans and the ultimate security of the
    United States and the ultimate avoiding of war and involvement by the
    United States. And that has been my position for 2\1/2\ years.
        We have had several congressional consultations about it, and of
    course, as developments proceed here, if there is a peace and we have a
    good implementation agreement that I believe the United States should be
    a part of, I will, of course, extensively further consult with Congress.
        But this has been my public position, well-known, and members of the
    press corps have asked me about it now for more than 2\1/2\ years. And
    it will continue to be my position, and I will continue to consult with
    Congress.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:50 p.m. in the Briefing Room at the White
    House.