[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 51 (Monday, December 25, 1995)]
[Page 2217]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters on Arrival at the Pentagon in Arlington, 
Virginia

December 22, 1995

    The President. Good morning.
    Q. Mr. President, do you hope to go to Bosnia in the next month or 
so?
    The President. I want to go when the Secretary of Defense and 
General Shalikashvili tell me it's an appropriate thing to do. I don't 
want to interrupt the deployment in any way. You know, we've had a few 
weather delays, but I'm here to get a briefing on the deployment and 
what's going on and how we're doing. I've got a few questions I want to 
ask. If it were solely up to me, I would go tomorrow, literally 
tomorrow. But I think it's very important that I not do anything which 
interrupts the deployment. I can go as soon as it's consistent with the 
military mission, and I will do that.
    Q. What have you heard so far, even before this briefing, on how the 
operation is going in Bosnia?
    The President. I think our people are doing a very good job. I think 
the others in IFOR are doing a good job, and I think the people there, 
so far, are receiving them well. But I've got some specific questions, 
and that's why I want this briefing.
    Q. Do you think Senator Dole should go if you can't go?
    The President. I think that all of us should consult with the 
military leaders and do what is consistent with the interest of our 
troops and the mission.
    Q. In other words, no.
    Q. Mr. President, do you worry about casualties?
    The President. Every day I worry about that, but I think they're 
showing their training and their discipline and the integrity of the 
plan in the way that they are working to minimize casualties and 
maximize the effectiveness of the mission.
    Q. Do you think the American people understand that, understand the 
risks that are involved?
    The President. Yes.

Note: The exchange began at 9:25 a.m.