    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [February 13, 1999]
    [Pages 190-191]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    February 13, 1999

        Good morning. This week the warring parties in Kosovo have been
    meeting at a 14th century castle in France, in search of a 21st century
    peace. They've come together because of the determination of the United
    States, our European allies, and Russia to help end Kosovo's bloodshed
    and build a peaceful future there. Today I want to speak to you about
    why peace in Kosovo is important to America.
        World War II taught us that America could never be secure if
    Europe's future was in doubt. We and our Allies formed NATO after the
    war, and together we've deterred aggression, secured Europe, and
    eventually made possible the victory of freedom all across the European
    continent. In this decade, violent ethnic conflicts in the former
    Yugoslavia have threatened Europe's stability and future.
        For 4 years Bosnia was the site of Europe's bloodiest war in half a
    century. With American leadership and that of our allies, we worked to
    end the war and move the Bosnian people toward reconciliation and
    democracy. Now, as the peace takes hold, we've been steadily bringing
    our troops home. But Bosnia taught us a lesson: In this volatile region,
    violence we fail to oppose leads to even greater violence we will have
    to oppose later at greater cost. We must heed that lesson in Kosovo.
        In 1989 Serbia stripped away Kosovo's autonomy. A year ago Serbian
    forces launched a brutal crackdown against Kosovo's ethnic Albanians.
    Fighting and atrocities intensified, and hundreds of thousands of people
    were driven from their homes.Last fall, using diplomacy backed by the
    threat of NATO force, we averted a humanitarian crisis and slowed the
    fighting. But now it's clear that only a strong peace agreement can end
    it.
        America has a national interest in achieving this peace. If the
    conflict persists, there likely will be a tremendous loss of life and a
    massive refugee crisis in the middle of Europe. There is a serious risk
    the hostilities would spread to the neighboring new democracies of
    Albania and Macedonia, and reignite the conflict in Bosnia we worked so
    hard to stop. It could even involve our NATO Allies Greece and Turkey.
    If we wait until casualties mount and war spreads, any effort to stop it
    will come at a higher price, under more dangerous conditions. The time
    to stop the war is right now.
        With our NATO Allies and Russia, we have offered a comprehensive
    plan to restore peace and return self-government to Kosovo. NATO has
    authorized airstrikes if Serbia fails to comply with its previous
    commitments to withdraw forces and fails to support a peace accord. At
    the same time, we've made it clear to the Kosovo Albanians that if they
    reject our plan or continue to wage war, they will not have our support.
        There are serious obstacles to overcome at the current talks. It is
    increasingly clear that this effort can only succeed if it includes a
    NATO-led peace implementation force that gives both sides the confidence
    to lay down their arms. It's also clear that if there is a real peace,

    [[Page 191]]

    American participation in the force can provide such confidence,
    particularly for Kosovo's Albanians. For them, as for so many people
    around the world, America symbolizes hope and resolve. Europeans would
    provide the great bulk of any NATO force, roughly 85 percent. Our share
    would amount to a little less than 4,000 personnel.
        Now, a final decision on troops, which I will make in close
    consultation with Congress, will depend upon the parties reaching a
    strong peace agreement. It must provide for an immediate cease-fire,
    rapid withdrawal of most Serbian security forces, and demilitarization
    of the insurgents. The parties must agree to the NATO force and
    demonstrate that they are ready to implement the agreement. NATO's
    mission must be well-defined, with a clear and realistic strategy to
    allow us to bring our forces home when their work is done.
        Anytime we send troops, we must be mindful of the risks. But if
    these conditions are met, if there is an effective agreement and a clear
    plan, I believe America should contribute to securing peace for Kosovo.
    And I look forward to working with Congress in making this final
    decision.
        America cannot be everywhere or do everything overseas. But we must
    act where important interests are at stake and we can make a difference.
    Peace in Kosovo clearly is important to the United States, and with
    bipartisan support in Congress and the backing of the American people,
    we can make a difference.
        Thanks for listening.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. from the Oval Office at the
    White House.