[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 18 (Monday, May 10, 1993)]
[Page 756]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Congressional Leaders

 May 5, 1993

Bosnia

    Q. Mr. President, will you be going to Congress to get authorization 
before any troops would be sent to Bosnia?

    The President. We're here consulting about Bosnia today, and I have 
been extensively consulting, and no decision has been made by this 
administration about this yet. So when I do, then we'll continue to have 
proper process.

    Q. Do you think the War Powers Act is constitutional?

    The President. Ask my lawyer. I don't play lawyer. I think it's 
worked reasonably well.

    Q. How do you think the vote will go in the Serb parliament?

    The President. I don't know. I hope they'll not only vote for it, I 
hope they'll observe it, which is two different issues. We have to start 
our meeting here in a minute, but I think one of the things that we have 
to discuss is that we want an agreement in words and an agreement in 
fact. And that's what we've got to watch.

    Q. Are you feeling any comfort in what Mr. Christopher is saying? It 
sounds as though he's running into roadblocks.

    The President. No, I talked to him several times since he's been on 
the trip. I'm pretty pleased, actually, with the progress he's made. 
We're in a much different place and much nearer agreement than we were 
10 or 12 days ago.

    Q. Have you and Senator Dole made up?

    The President. Absolutely. I agree with what he said yesterday.

Note: The exchange began at 11 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White 
House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this 
exchange.