Clinton To Commit New Troops to Bosnia, Zaire

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Nov. 15) -- President Bill Clinton announced this morning a U.S. commitment "in principle" to a NATO "follow-on" mission to Bosnia, which the president predicted would require some 8,500 U.S. troops over 18 months. (288K WAV sound) He also declared his support for an international humanitarian force for Zaire.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Clinton said that Bosnia's "bitter harvest of hatred" had not yet disappeared. "Quite frankly," he said, "rebuilding the fabric of Bosnia's economic and political life is taking longer than anticipated."

"I have decided to instruct the U.S. representatives to NATO to inform our allies that, in principle, the United States will take part in a follow on force in Bosnia," the president said, accompanied by senior advisers. "For my agreement in principle to become a commitment, I must be satisfied that the final recommendations NATO adopts and the operational plan it develops are clear, limited, and achievable." (224K WAV sound)

The U.S. deployed some 14,000 troops deployed to Bosnia a year ago to participate in NATO's Implementation Force (IFOR) to end the civil war among the republics of the former Yugoslavia. At the time, Clinton said the forces would come home December 20, 1996, even if sustainable peace was in doubt.

The president today praised IFOR for putting an end to fighting in the region. Already being criticized by congressional Republicans on Bosnia, and likely anticipating more heat, Clinton insisted that "This is a different mission." (320K WAV sound)

"IFOR plowed the field in which the seeds of peace have been planted," he said. "This new mission will provide the climate for them to take root, and the time to begin growing."

The rebuilding work will be performed by Bosnians and by international civilian groups, said Clinton, but "for a time they will need the stability and the confidence that only an outside security force can provide." The total NATO force, including 8,500 Americans, would number 31,000 troops.

The president noted the mission would be constantly re-evaluated to see how quickly soldiers can be withdrawn, stating that his goal is to withdraw the force by the end of 1997. "We will propose to our NATO allies that by June of 1998, the mission's work should be done, and the forces should be able to withdraw," he added.

Turning to Zaire, the president said he supports the relief mission Canada has proposed leading. "The world's most powerful nation must not turn its back on so many desperate people, and so many innocent children who are now at risk," he said. (320K WAV sound)

The president says the U.S. will send soldiers to the region to perform such tasks as airport security and troop airlifts.

Republicans seemed likely to keep up their criticism of Clinton's foreign policy. Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.), for one, says he's skeptical of the missions. He told CNN he thinks Clinton is too quick to commit American troops and "we have to recognize that they may end up being there an awfully long time, at great cost, and without being able to achieve the results we want to achieve."

But GOP opposition may not matter much in the short term; both houses of Congress are out of session until January, and it is unlikely they would return to address the situations in Bosnia and Zaire.

In a related development, CNN has learned from sources in the U.S. government that Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, a key player in the peace accords in Bosnia, has been admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and is suffering from cancer.

The Croatian embassy would not confirm that Tudjman was in the hospital, but said he had just undergone a medical checkup in Zagreb.

During the press conference, Clinton also spoke briefly about his slowed-down plans for filling out his second-term Cabinet. He said the slower pace was recommended by several advisors, but that he'll have appointments ready in time for the Senate to consider them. "I want to be sure the team works," he said. (160K WAV sound)

Related Stories:

• Full Text Of Clinton's Remarks -- Nov. 15, 1996
• Clinton To Outline Troop Plans -- Nov. 15, 1996
• Congressional Leaders Sound Off On Zaire, Bosnia -- Nov. 15, 1996
• Cabinetmaking Slows At White House -- Nov. 14, 1996

Related Sites:

• IFOR Official Information
• Department Of Defense Official Information On Bosnia
• White House Press Briefing -- Nov. 14, 1996

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