[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 39 (Monday, October 2, 1995)]
[Pages 1714-1715]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on the Peace Process in Bosnia and an Exchange With Reporters

September 26, 1995

    The President. Good afternoon. I have just spoken with Secretary 
Christopher and the rest of our negotiating team in New York, and I am 
pleased to announce another positive step on the path to peace in 
Bosnia. The Foreign Ministers of Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia have 
endorsed a set of further agreed basic principles for an overall 
settlement to the war, building on the agreement they reached in Geneva 
on September 8th.
    These principles spell out in greater detail the constitutional 
structures of the state of Bosnia, including the establishment of a 
national Presidency, a Parliament, and a constitutional court. They 
commit the parties to hold free and democratic elections under 
international supervision. And they further provide that a central 
government will be responsible for conducting Bosnia's foreign policy, 
as well as other key functions that are still being discussed.
    The American people must realize that there are many difficult 
obstacles still to overcome along the path to peace. There is no 
guarantee of success. But today's step--today's agreement moves us 
closer to the ultimate goal of a genuine peace, and it makes clear that 
Bosnia will remain a single internationally recognized state. America 
will strongly oppose the partition of Bosnia, and America will continue 
working for peace.
    We hope the progress we are making finally reflects the will of the 
parties to end this terrible war. We know it's a result of the 
international community's resolve and a determined diplomacy on the part 
of our negotiating team and our European and Russian partners.
    I have instructed our team to return to the Balkans on Thursday to 
press forward in the search for peace. If and when the parties reach a 
settlement, America should help to secure it. The path to a lasting 
peace in Bosnia remains long and difficult, but we are

[[Page 1715]]

making progress, and we are determined to succeed.
    As you know now, our team in New York will have a press conference, 
and they will be able to answer your more detailed questions about the 
specifics of the agreement.
    Thank you.
    Q. What about your response to Senator Dole, Mr. President?
    Q. What else has to be decided?
    Q. What about that letter that Senator Dole sent you yesterday?
    The President. Well, I intend to write him a response and to make it 
available. But remember, I have said since February of 1993--since 
February of 1993--constantly, for more than 2\1/2\ years now, that the 
United States should participate in implementing a peace agreement. We 
should not have ground troops on the ground, under the present U.N. 
mandate. We should not have ground troops on the ground in combat.
    But the United States is the leader of NATO. No peace agreement 
could be fairly implemented without the involvement of NATO, and we 
cannot walk away from our responsibility to try to end this terrible 
conflict, not only for the people of Bosnia but for what it means for 
ultimate peace throughout the Balkans and the ultimate security of the 
United States and the ultimate avoiding of war and involvement by the 
United States. And that has been my position for 2\1/2\ years.
    We have had several congressional consultations about it, and of 
course, as developments proceed here, if there is a peace and we have a 
good implementation agreement that I believe the United States should be 
a part of, I will, of course, extensively further consult with Congress.
    But this has been my public position, well-known, and members of the 
press corps have asked me about it now for more than 2\1/2\ years. And 
it will continue to be my position, and I will continue to consult with 
Congress.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 3:50 p.m. in the Briefing Room at the White 
House.