U.S. Pledges $25 Million For Bosnia Aid

TUZLA, Bosnia-Herzegovina (CNN, March 25) -- First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in Tuzla Monday, where she announced a $25 million emergency reconstruction program for Bosnia. (257KAIFF or WAV sound)

Speaking to a group of Bosnian officials, the first lady emphasized the need for Bosnians to rebuild, especially the homes of refugees that were destroyed in the war. Mrs. Clinton said the United States would make the money available immediately.

The first lady was in Tuzla as part of a nine-day European goodwill trip, landed at the airport on board a C-17 military transport plane stocked with donated supplies for U.S. troops and toys for Bosnian children (224K AIFF or WAV sound).

One local woman thanked her for U.S. involvement in Bosnia. "The price of peace has been very high, but without the United States we could not have got here," she said.

Among those who greeted the first lady and daughter, Chelsea, at the airport were U.S. military commanders, acting Bosnian President Ejup Ganic and Tuzla seventh-graders who are pen pals with American students at a U.S. Army base in Baumholder, Germany. Also on hand was Imina Bicacic, an 8-year-old girl who sent the first lady a poem entitled "Peace" in January.

A smiling Mrs. Clinton hugged Bicacic, and the child kissed her on the cheek in return. For Bicacic, it was her first trip away from her Sarajevo home.

The first lady and Chelsea also visited Camp Alicia in a separation zone southeast of Tuzla. The first lady ate lunch and mingled with troops stationed there.

U.S. Pledges $25 Million For Bosnia Aid

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