    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [July 12, 1997]
    [Pages 953-954]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Poul
    Nyrup Rasmussen of Denmark in Copenhagen
    July 12, 1997

    NATO and the Baltics

        Q. Have you been--[inaudible]?
        President Clinton. We've made a very clear statement that every
    democracy in Europe who wishes to join should be eligible to join at the
    appropriate time and that we will take regular reviews, the first one in
    1999. And that applies to the Baltics as well as other countries. I must
    say that I want to thank the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister for
    taking the same position. We should remain open for business, if you
    will, for all, because we're trying to bring Europe together, including
    Russia and Ukraine and others, and that is our mission.
        Q. Are they in a better position today than before the Madrid
    Summit--the Baltic countries?
        President Clinton. I think they are, because it's the first time
    NATO has taken this public position, with the heads of governments
    saying we would be open to all. They've said it before, but in a
    different forum. So this is the first sort of public statement about our
    long-term plan over the next decade or two.

    Denmark-U.S. Relations

        Q. Will you--[inaudible]?
        President Clinton. Sorry, I'm hard of hearing. Well, let me say, we
    have had a wonderful partnership with Denmark. It's been an unusual one,
    and I think we will continue our partnership.

    President's Visit

        Q. How do you like your visit?
        President Clinton. I love it. You know, I was last here in 1969 as a
    poor student, and I had a wonderful time and I have never forgotten it.
    I've always wanted to come back. I only wish

    [[Page 954]]

    I could stay longer, especially because it's so warm and the jazz
    festival is going on.
        Prime Minister Rasmussen. We wish that too, President.
        Q. How do you like the Danish hospitality?
        President Clinton. I love it, don't you?
        Q. Is this the first time you've been here?
        President Clinton. Since 1969. I was here in December of 1969. I
    loved it then, and I like it now, a lot.
        Q. Mr. President, is this a fitting end to a busy week?
        President Clinton. It's a wonderful end to a busy week because we
    have had no stronger ally and freedom has had no stronger friend than
    Denmark over the last several years. Denmark has taken a leading role in
    NATO and is working for expansion and working for the resolution of our
    agreement with Russia and Ukraine and in Bosnia. Denmark has been with
    us in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Denmark has been in
    Albania, where we have not been. It is a remarkable country, and this is
    a fitting end of the week because this is the week in which together, we
    with our NATO allies, I believe went a very long way toward creating a
    Europe which will be free of war, which will have more freedom, and
    which will be undivided, really for the first time in its history.

    Bosnia

        Q. You know Congress has voted that you--we cease any operations or
    any participation in Bosnia after June 1998. Do you go along with that?
        President Clinton. I believe the present operation will have run its
    course by then, and we'll have to discuss what, if any, involvement the
    United States should have there. I will say this. Our involvement there
    in the last--the SFOR operation, which is much, much reduced; we have
    fewer than half the troops we had there when we started. It's been much
    less expensive and much less hazardous to America than a resumption of
    full-scale war in Bosnia would be. So I think it's been a very good
    thing we've done, and I would hope the American people are very proud of
    it.

    Note: The exchange began at 2:52 p.m. in the Prime Minister's Office at
    Christianborg Palace. In his remarks, the President referred to Minister
    of Foreign Affairs Niels Helveg Petersen of Denmark. A tape was not
    available for verification of the content of this exchange.