[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
[September 20, 1995]
[Pages 1410-1411]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Decision To End Airstrikes in Bosnia
September 20, 1995

    The U.N. and NATO commanders are in agreement that the Serbs have 
completed the required withdrawal of heavy weapons from the exclusion 
zone. The Sarajevo airport has been opened. U.N. and humanitarian 
traffic is moving along the main routes into the city. Therefore, the 
commanders have concluded that the NATO airstrikes can be discontinued. 
I welcome this development. The NATO air campaign in Bosnia was 
successful.
    But let me also repeat what I have said before: Renewed attacks on 
Sarajevo or the other safe areas, or any Serb noncompliance with their 
other commitments, will trigger a resumption of NATO airstrikes.
    The results of NATO's and the U.N.'s actions will help us achieve a 
peaceful settlement in

[[Page 1411]]

Bosnia. They show, once again, that firmness pays off. We all are proud 
of the American and allied air crews who conducted the NATO operation 
with such bravery and skill.
    All parties should now turn from the battlefield to the bargaining 
table and complete a political settlement. Ambassador Holbrooke and his 
team have made additional progress since the Geneva meeting 12 days ago. 
The time has come to end the fighting for good and begin the task of 
reconciliation and reconstruction in the Balkans.