[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 7 (Monday, February 22, 1999)]
[Pages 252-253]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to Discussions With President Jacques Chirac of France and 
an Exchange With Reporters

February 19, 1999

    President Clinton. Is everyone in?
    Q. Yes, sir.
    President Clinton. As you know, we're going to have a press 
conference at the conclusion of our meetings. But I just wanted to take 
this opportunity to welcome President Chirac and the members of his 
delegation back to the White House. We have had a good working 
relationship and a warm personal friendship. I'm delighted to see him.
    We have a lot of important things to discuss, especially the 
situation in Kosovo, but also the work we've been doing on the 
international financial matters and many other things. And we'll be able 
to discuss them later at the press conference.
    But mostly, I just want to welcome him here and give him the chance 
to make a few remarks, if you would like.
    President Chirac. I want to say how happy I am to be with you here 
and with President Clinton, my good friend.
    We're going to have a very interesting day's work together. We'll, 
of course, first be talking about Kosovo and also a number of other 
important questions, like the international financial monetary situation 
in preparation of the NATO summit and a number of other subjects.
    And I want to thank President Clinton for his welcome.

Kosovo

    Q. President Chirac, do you think that there will be a settlement, a 
peaceful settlement in Kosovo or military action? Do you think that both 
sides will make an accord by noon tomorrow?
    President Chirac. I hope with all my heart that both sides would 
understand that their intention is to find an agreement, because the 
side which would not understand that would then have to bear the 
consequences. And those consequences would be serious for them but also 
for their country and their people--as the time for peace has come, and 
every side must make this effort to make peace possible. And we are 
determined, really determined and firm on this.
    Q. President Clinton, does Mr. Milosevic deserve more time and, if 
not, sir, why not?
    President Clinton. We'll answer all the other questions at the press 
conference.

Note: The exchange began at 12:05 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. A journalist referred to President Slobodan Milosevic of the 
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). President Chirac 
spoke in French, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter. A 
tape was not available for verification of the content of this exchange.

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