    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [May 20, 1999]
    [Pages 819-820]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Departure for Littleton, Colorado
    May 20, 1999

    School Violence

        Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I have just met with my foreign
    policy team, but before I speak on the situation in Kosovo, I want to
    say a few words about school violence. As all of you know, in a few
    moments I am leaving for Littleton, Colorado, where Hillary and I will meet with students and families
    from Columbine High School.
        The news this morning of another school shooting, this one in
    Rockdale County in suburban Atlanta, is deeply troubling to me, as it is
    to all Americans. We thank God that the injuries to the students do not
    seem to be life threatening. This incident, again, should underscore how
    profoundly important it is that all Americans come together in the face
    of these events to protect all of our children from violence.
        There is debate going on in the Senate today relevant to that, and
    we must press ahead aggressively with the national campaign that we met
    about here a week ago Monday. We have got to do this.

    Situation in the Balkans

        The national security team has just briefed me on what has been
    accomplished to date in Kosovo by the air campaign, on the progress of
    our diplomacy with our allies in Russia, on the humanitarian situation
    on the ground. I want to speak about some of the recent developments,
    but first I want to say a word about one person who has been critical to
    our efforts in Kosovo, and indeed, to our entire national security
    program. I am pleased to announce that I have nominated General Hugh
    Shelton to a second term as Chairman of the
    Joint Chiefs of Staff.
        Over the last 2 years, he has provided
    extraordinary leadership, unwavering dedication to our men and women in
    uniform, unstinting efforts on behalf of military readiness and
    modernization. Our Nation is fortunate that this critical post will
    continue to be filled by someone of his experience, ability, and
    character.
        Now, he also has, as all of you have
    noticed, great stature. We were joking in there a few moments ago, in a
    situation that is not really funny, that we had a vote about whether I
    should renominate General Shelton; and Secretary Cohen, Secretary Albright, Mr.
    Berger, and I voted for it, and he voted
    against it. But we overruled him, and he's going to serve another term.
        Let me say that our effort in Kosovo was strengthened by the vote in
    the House of Representatives to approve the supplemental funding we
    requested last month. It is absolutely imperative that the Senate follow
    suit without delay. The measure will allow us to keep bringing aid to
    the refugees until they go home, to help the neighboring countries
    feeling the brunt of the crisis. Most important, it will give our
    military what it needs to see its mission through while maintaining the
    readiness of our forces around the world.
        As all of you know, there are some things in the bill that I did not
    support, but it is terribly important that this aid be released as soon
    as possible to those other countries and to the refugees and that we get
    the support for the military. I will sign the bill as soon as it gets
    here, and it is important that it be passed without delay.
        Now, let me again say what we are doing. The refugees must go home
    with security and self-government. The Serbian forces must leave

    [[Page 820]]

    Kosovo. An international security force with NATO at its core must
    deploy to protect people of every ethnicity and faith in Kosovo. On
    this, our country is speaking with a single voice, as we see by the
    strong bipartisan support for the measure.
        From the beginning, we have said that we believe that a peaceful
    resolution that meets these conditions would serve our interests, and we
    will continue to pursue one with our Allies and with Russia. We will
    also continue our military campaign until the conditions are met. I
    believe the campaign is working. Each day we hear reports of desertions
    in the Serbian Army, dissension in Belgrade, unrest in Serbian
    communities. President Milosevic should
    know that he cannot change the fundamental terms that we have outlined,
    because they are simply what is required for the Kosovars to go home and
    live in peace.
        The question is not whether ethnic cleansing will be reversed but
    how much of the military will be destroyed because of his intransigence
    along the way; how much damage will be done to Serbia because of his
    delays? NATO is united in our determination to persist as long as it
    takes to achieve these goals.
        Let me just make one other point about Kosovo. In the last few days,
    we have seen more disturbing evidence of the atrocities committed
    against innocent Kosovars, including some of the first photographic
    proof of massacres of unarmed people. In trying to divert attention from
    these crimes, Serbian forces are only committing more by placing
    civilians around military targets. It's like pushing someone in front of
    an oncoming train and then trying to blame the train for running them
    over. We will not allow this cruel tactic to deceive or divert us from
    our goal. We need to stay focused and patient in pursuit of our simple
    objective, to defend the right of a people to exist on their land
    without being subject to mass expulsion and mass murder. With continued
    support from Congress and the American people, that is exactly what we
    intend to do.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:45 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to President Slobodan Milosevic of
    the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro).