    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 13 (Monday, April 5, 1999)]
    [Pages 532-533]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks on Departure for Camp David, Maryland, and an Exchange With
    Reporters

    March 28, 1999

    NATO Airstrikes

        The President. Good afternoon. All Americans can be very proud of
    the skill and bravery of the American servicemen involved in the rescue
    operation yesterday in Kosovo. Indeed, we can be proud of all of our men
    and women in uniform who are involved in the NATO mission.
        From the outset, I have said to the American people that this
    military operation entails real risks. But the continued brutality and
    repression of the Serb forces further underscores the need for NATO to
    persevere. I strongly support Secretary General Solana's decision
    yesterday to move to a new phase in our planned air campaign, with a
    broader range of targets including air defenses, military and security
    targets, and forces in the field.
        In the last 24 hours, I have been in close contact with key NATO
    allies, including Prime Minister Blair, President Chirac, Chancellor
    Schroeder, and Prime Minister D'Alema. All of them share our
    determination to respond strongly to Mr. Milosevic's continuing campaign
    of inhumane and violence against the Kosovar Albanian people. That is
    what we intend to do.
        Thank you very much.
        Q. Has the bombing made things worse, sir?
        Q. Sir, is the allied bombing driving the atrocities, sir?
        The President. Absolutely not.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:15 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, the President referred to NATO Secretary General
    Javier Solana; Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom;
    President Jacques Chirac of France; Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of
    Germany; Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema of Italy;

    [[Page 533]]

    and President Slobodan Milosevic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
    (Serbia and Montenegro).