[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).