[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 18 (Monday, May 10, 1999)]
[Page 803]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Released U.S. Army 
Infantrymen at Ramstein Air Base, Germany

May 5, 1999

Captured Serbian Soldiers

    Q. Mr. President, would you favor releasing the Yugoslav soldiers, 
now that the U.S. soldiers have been released?
    The President. I think Secretary Cohen answered this earlier today, 
but several days ago I raised this issue with our national security 
people, asking them if they would look at it and make recommendations, 
and I expect to get it in a couple days, and right now I'm just glad 
they're home, or they're halfway home, anyway--a couple days they'll be 
home.
    What I think all Americans want for these fine soldiers is what we 
also want for the over one million people of Kosovo. We want them to go 
home, too.
    And their families--I want to tell you I had occasion to talk with 
their families on a couple of occasions, and they were concerned, 
loving, and they were vigorous advocates for their loved ones. And I was 
very proud of the way they conducted themselves during this incredibly 
difficult time for them as well. And I want to thank them for the 
loyalty they had for their children, husbands, nephews, brothers and for 
the love they have for their country. I was also very moved by them.

Release of Captured U.S. Army Infantrymen

    Q. Why do you think Milosevic let them go, sir?
    The President. I think he had a number of motives. The important 
thing is that he did let them go. They were in a peacekeeping mission in 
Macedonia; they had nothing whatever to do with this. They never should 
have been taken in the first place. I appreciate what they were doing in 
Macedonia and their service to our country, and I'm glad they're free.

Note: The exchange began at 5:53 p.m. In his remarks, the President 
referred to President Slobodan Milosevic of the Federal Republic of 
Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). A tape was not available for 
verification of the content of this interview.