[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 48 (Monday, December 4, 1995)]
[Page 2064]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Congressional Leaders and an Exchange 
With Reporters

November 28, 1995

Bosnia

    The President. Well, thank you very much for coming today. I just 
wanted to say, again, I appreciate the interest here in the Congress, 
the remarkable turnout. I'm looking forward to this meeting.
    As I said last night, the United States faces an historic choice 
between peace and war. I believe we will choose peace. I'm looking 
forward to having the chance to answer these questions. I know there are 
many questions, and good questions, that have to be answered to the 
Members of Congress and on behalf of the American people coming through 
the Members of Congress. This is the first of many, many more meetings 
we will have in the aftermath of the talk I gave to the American people 
last night. And I'm looking forward to beginning it.
    Thank you.
    Q. What has been the response of the Republican leadership so far, 
Mr. President?
    The President. We had--as you know, we had a meeting before this 
meeting with the Republican and Democratic leadership of the Congress to 
discuss scheduling of hearings, debate, and vote. And we had a very 
constructive meeting. I think I should let them speak for themselves, 
but I was very pleased by the meeting.
    Q. What will you do to overcome public skepticism, Mr. President?
    The President. Just more of what we're doing. We'll keep answering 
questions and reasserting what is at stake here in terms of the values, 
the interests of the American people, and the leadership of our country 
and our partnerships with our allies.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 4:03 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the 
White House. A portion of these remarks could not be verified because 
the tape was incomplete.