[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 19 (Monday, May 17, 1999)]
[Pages 837-839]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following Discussions With Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of 
Germany and an Exchange With Reporters in Bonn, Germany

May 6, 1999

Situation in Kosovo

    Chancellor Schroeder. Ladies and gentlemen, we had a very intensive 
discussion together, the main emphasis, of course, having been on the 
crisis on Kosovo. We basically agreed regarding all of the questions 
that were discussed, and when I say ``we agreed,'' then I'm talking 
about the two of us but also about Germany and the United States of 
America.
    There is no reason whatsoever to go in and change our jointly 
adopted strategy. We very much welcome the initiative taken by the 
foreign ministers today, the G-8 conference. We have noticed from 
looking at the results that some strong movement has happened there. We 
have also conjointly decided that it is very necessary to support the 
frontline states of the region and particular Macedonia and Albania, the 
two countries that at present are shouldering the vast burden regarding 
the refugee problem.
    We very much have to go in and make sure that the earmarked 250 
million euro as support have to be channeled into those frontline states 
and really get there. You might know that Germany has earmarked 60 
million German marks as support there. We have to make sure that those 
supports and that money speedily flows into the region.
    I personally had the opportunity of talking to the Prime Minister of 
Macedonia today, and we also agreed that we were trying to spur matters 
in this very way.
    The President of the United States of America has emphasized the 
fact that the United States will take on a large number of refugees. You 
know that we here in Germany have already taken on quite a few, and we 
hope that in taking these actions both America and Germany will set an 
example also for other European countries to follow up and to take on 
refugees themselves. We hope that as a consequence that they will follow 
suit.

[[Page 838]]

    Germany itself is continuing to think about whether they could 
potentially take on even more, and if you hear the most recent news 
today, yet again, another 10,000 refugees have flooded into Macedonia 
yet again, and in addition. And if you then bear in mind that soon the 
border might be closed off, sealed off, in fact, altogether, then really 
urgent action and consideration is needed here.
    We have also discussed the possibilities of having some influence on 
the discussions taking place at the Club of Paris, where thoughts are 
ventilated about a potential suspension or a relief of debt for the 
frontline states involved, and we have decided that we conjointly 
support a debt relief or at least a suspension of debts for Macedonia 
and Albania.
    And I think all of that--and I think that goes without saying--
should be independent of the necessity of continuing our actions, 
continuing the NATO actions and the measures taken so far. But one point 
that was strongly emphasized was the necessity of giving a more 
comprehensive economic and political perspective for the Balkans.
    President Clinton. If I could just say very briefly--Chancellor 
Schroeder has faithfully summarized the items we discussed and the 
conclusions that we drew, and I would just like to say on behalf of the 
United States how much I appreciate the leadership of the German 
Chancellor and the German people in dealing with the refugee crisis, in 
trying to relieve the pressure on Macedonia and provide for the economic 
needs of both Macedonia and Albania, and in looking to the long-term 
development of the Balkans and southeastern Europe, which is critical if 
you're going to avoid future incidents of this kind.
    And on all those scores, both as the German Chancellor and as the 
present leader of the EU, I think he has done an outstanding job, and I 
am personally very grateful for it.

Cooperation of Russia and China

    Q. Mr. President, how important is it in your view to get the U.N. 
behind the principles on Kosovo, and what do you intend in order to get 
not only Russia but also China into the part?
    President Clinton. Well, I believe it would be very, very helpful if 
the United Nations would endorse a peace process if it is a peace 
process that will work. Meaning that the refugees would have to be able 
to come back with security and autonomy, and the Serb forces would have 
to be withdrawn, and there must be a multinational security force there 
that NATO is a core part of.
    Now, the U.N. did so in Bosnia. We were there as--under the umbrella 
of the U.N. NATO was there; Russia was there; Ukraine was there. It 
worked. And it will work again and, obviously, would be much better.
    With regard to the Chinese, of course, the Chancellor is going to 
China in a couple of days, and he will have fresh news when he comes 
back. But I believe if the Russians support this, the Chinese will 
support this. And I think they believe that this is something the U.N. 
should do.
    Q. Mr. President, what's the significance of the agreement or 
statement that Russia--[inaudible]--initially today?
    President Clinton. I think the Chancellor might want to comment on 
that as well. The significance is that as far as I know, this is the 
first time that the Russians have publicly said they would support an 
international security as well as a civilian force in Kosovo. This is a 
significant step forward, and I was personally very pleased by it.

Balkan Peace Process

    Q. Mr. President, what is your personal impression? Do you think 
there is a message you can convey to the German people that there is a 
longer period of blood, sweat, and tears that you have to look forward 
to or to look at in the near future, or do you think that there is a 
real peace process underway?
    President Clinton. I think there is a real peace process underway, 
but it has no chance of reaching a satisfactory conclusion unless we 
maintain Allied unity and firmness. I don't think the process is long, 
but I don't think we can afford to be discouraged or be impatient. We 
need to stay with the strategy we have and continue to aggressively 
support our air campaign and to aggressively support any diplomatic 
initiative that will secure the conditions necessary for a lasting peace 
in Kosovo.

[[Page 839]]

Group of Eight Statement on Kosovo

    Q. Mr. President, and Chancellor, do you think that the agreement, 
the statement that was issued today by the G-8 and Russia, will do 
anything to hasten the end to the conflict?
    Chancellor Schroeder. I can only repeat and emphasize what the 
President of the United States of America has just said. I consider it 
as truly substantial progress which has been made there. There has been 
open talk about the presence and the necessity for the presence of 
international troops there, and I think things will continue along that 
way.
    I would also very much like to emphasize the fact that I agree that 
there is no reason whatsoever to now think about a change in the NATO 
strategy now that the strategy does seem to work, and I'm talking about 
military as well as political initiatives undertaken therein.
    President Clinton. Let me just say very briefly, I agree with what 
the Chancellor has said. I do believe it's an advance because you have 
to see the G-8 resolution here, the statement, in the context of Mr. 
Chernomyrdin's efforts. I mean, here is a man that served as Premier of 
Russia twice; very highly regarded, I think, by all of us who have ever 
dealt with him on all sides of this issue. And this statement, plus his 
ongoing effort, I think you have to read this as a move forward and 
increasing the likelihood that there will ultimately be a resolution of 
this that will actually work.
    Thank you.

Note: Chanceller Schroeder spoke at 5:45 p.m. in the Office of the 
Chancellor at the Chancellery. In his remarks, he referred to Prime 
Minister Ljubco Georgievski of Macedonia. In President Clinton's 
remarks, he referred to Special Envoy and former Prime Minister Viktor 
Chernomyrdin of Russia. The President also referred to the European 
Union (EU). A tape was not available for verification of the content of 
these remarks. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.