Bill Clinton: “Balkan Leaders October 24, 1995 Balkan Peace Process President Clinton. Let me begin by saying that I am delighted to…”

“Balkan Leaders October 24, 1995 Balkan Peace Process President Clinton. Let me begin by saying that I am delighted to have this opportunity to meet with President Izetbegovic and President Tudjman. We are very much looking forward to having the chance to discuss the prospects of peace. As all of you know, the United States is committed to peace in Bosnia, but an honorable peace, which preserves a unified state that respects the rights of all of its citizens. And we are very much looking forward to the proximity talks, which will begin in a few days in Ohio. And of course, if a peace agreement can be reached, we expect NATO and the United States to help to implement it. And we'll be discussing that today. Q. Mr. President, are you troubled by Senator Dole's effort to bar President Milosevic from attending those talks? President Clinton. I believe the proximity talks will be held, and I think they should be. And I don't think anyone in the United States should do anything to undermine the prospects of bringing this horrible war to a close. And I would remind anyone who thinks otherwise to remember the wisdom of Prime Minister Rabin, who told us in 1993 that you cannot make peace with your friends. Q. How do you rate those prospects, Mr. President? Do you think this is the last best chance for peace in Bosnia? President Clinton. It's clearly the best chance in the last 4 years.…”