    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [July 30, 1999]
    [Pages 1347-1348]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to Discussions With Balkan Leaders and an Exchange With
    Reporters in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
    July 30, 1999

        The President. Let me, first of all, say that I appreciate very much
    the leadership of President Jelavic, President
    Izetbegovic, President Radisic, and the other leaders here in putting together this
    stability conference. It's a real tribute to the progress made in
    Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last couple of years that they could host this
    conference. And I want to emphasize that with all the work we still have
    to do here, there has been a great deal of effort, thanks to the
    leaders, in increasing cooperation in political and economic ways. The
    economy is beginning to grow briskly again. And I am committed to doing
    what I can to see that the United States remains a good partner, with
    this nation and with the European Union, in continuing to work toward
    the future.
        Secondly, I want to compliment the European Union in taking the lead
    in our efforts here to do a Stability Pact for the Balkans, beginning in
    Kosovo. Secretary Albright was in
    Kosovo yesterday, and we think things are moving in the right direction
    there. And I want to reaffirm our commitment to do our part there.
        But I think the larger, important point to be made is, we want to
    promote the integration of all the democracies within the region and
    then the integration of the region with Europe. And anything I can do to
    assist that, I am prepared to do.
        So I think this is a very important day, and I would hope it is a
    very proud day for the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina because of their
    hosting this meeting and because of what it means for the future.

    Multiple Shooting in Atlanta

        Q. Mr. President, I wonder if you would share some thoughts about
    what happened in Atlanta, if you've been brought up to speed, and what
    could have been done or should have been done, and if there are any
    lessons to be learned from this?
        The President. Well, I think it's too soon to draw conclusions about
    that. I watched the reports from home last night on CNN for an hour
    before I went to bed, and I've gotten, obviously, the final reports
    today. Our thoughts today primarily are with the families of the victims
    and with those that are still struggling for their lives in the
    hospitals.
        I am pleased with the work that the Federal authorities have done.
    The Vice President has been back home
    coordinating that, and I think we have done a good job of working with
    the State and local officials. But in terms of what could have, should
    have been done and what this means for other issues, I think we have

    [[Page 1348]]

    to wait until all the facts are in. I don't believe I have enough to
    make a judgment on that.

    Balkan Peace Process

        Q. As far as the situation in the Balkans is concerned, there's been
    a lot of concern expressed about, here in Bosnia, that it's been done
    the wrong way, and that reconstruction in Kosovo, they should learn the
    lessons of what the mistakes were in Bosnia and try not to repeat those
    mistakes in Kosovo. What should have been done in Bosnia and what should
    be done in Kosovo now to make sure that those mistakes aren't repeated?
        The President.  If you ask these leaders, I'm sure they would say we
    should do more and do it faster. But I want to say, I believe that, if
    you remember where we were in Bosnia--keep in mind, here we had 250,000
    people killed. You know, they've done a remarkable, astonishing job of
    rebuilding Sarajevo. It doesn't even look like the same place I visited
    2 years ago. And I compliment you. But we had 250,000 people killed. We
    had 2.5 million refugees. The conflict went on for more than 4 years.
    And in the time since 1995, look at the level of cooperation here: You
    now have a common currency; we have other common institutions; we have
    opposition political parties; we have, last year, very brisk economic
    growth. We have a lot more to do. But I think the people who are overly
    critical should come here and look and see.
        In Kosovo, we were able to act more quickly because the facts were
    different. And so I hope we'll be able to turn it around more quickly.
    But I think the work being done by these leaders in Bosnia shows us what
    can be done if we work together and if the international community is
    properly supportive. And I think the leadership, the initiative of the
    EU in setting up this Stability Pact, is a good sign and should be
    encouraging to people.

    Supreme Allied Commander Europe

        Q. Do you think General Wesley Clark was treated properly in the way
    he was told about his early retirement?
        The President.  I'm not sure what the facts are. I can tell you
    this: Any inference that it amounts to an early retirement or that
    somebody was disappointed in his performance is just simply wrong, just
    flat out wrong. We actually extended his
    term of service as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and asked him to
    serve another year.
        And it's a very complicated challenge, as you implied in your former
    question, for us to do the right thing, so we have to get an equally
    strong person to come in behind him. And we
    wanted General Ralston to go, and under
    the military rules, he has to take up another post within 60 days of the
    termination of his present post, or he would have to retire. So that in
    order to have the right continuity, it has to be about a 2-month
    adjustment there. And that's all this is about.
        I was, myself, a little distressed about the way it broke, and how
    it did, because of the inference that many people drew. But that is
    literally all there is to it. I think Wes Clark's done a terrific job. As you know, I've known him for 30
    years. I have great confidence in him, and his strength and
    determination were very important to the outcome of what happened not
    only in Kosovo but, earlier, his pivotal role in the peace process
    coming in Bosnia. So I don't think anyone should have any doubt about
    that.
        So I'm disturbed about the way it became public. I don't know that--
    because I think it opens the way to an inference that is absolutely
    false on my part. I have the highest regard for him, but I want to make sure that when he's gone we have the
    highest quality successor, and that's why I wanted Joe Ralston in there.
        That's all there is to this. It's just a question of working out the
    transition within the rules of military retirements and reassignments.
    That's all there is. There is nothing else.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:42 a.m. in Room A 103 at Zetra Stadium.
    In his remarks, he referred to Presidency Member (Croat) Ante Jelavic,
    Presidency Member (Muslim) Alija Izetbegovic, and Presidency Chairman
    (Serb) Zivko Radisic of Bosnia-Herzegovina; and Gen. Joseph W. Ralston,
    USAF, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. A tape was not available for
    verification of the content of these remarks.