George H.W. Bush

Well, if it does, we will have to acquire additional Federal funds. I have not had an estimate on that yet. President's Schedule

The Federal Government has a leading role in the humanitarian relief. It does not have a role in the security right now. That's in the hands of the State, and it's been entrusted largely to the National Guard, which is under the control of…

There was one battalion he wanted to have--this was before yesterday's request--and we were not able to do it because those people had served. It was a reserve unit. They had served, and under the law we're not able to mobilize them. But…

----engineer, and what was the reason for that? Mr. Heldstab. They had already been on their 2-week active duty and were unable to be involuntarily recalled.

I'm not going to go into that because I don't--what you seem to be interested in is kind of assigning blame or something. That is not what's at stake here, and I don't want to participate in that. There was some unit that we couldn't--what…

I'm not going to say that. I just expressed myself on this subject. I think we've responded. I think he would agree that when he asked for a massive amount of force yesterday, it's on the way. There were some things he asked about that we…

I think we've responded properly, and I think history will show that.

I want to emphasize that we intend to respond to this crisis on a human level, block by block, right out there where these people live.

The military have responded superbly here.

I'd better not right now. Note: The President spoke at 5:40 p.m. at the Toledo Express Airport prior to his departure for Washington, DC.

No, I think the Florida Guard has done a good job in the security aspects. And I think these troops and these facilities will be used for sanitation, for feeding, for housing, tents, for example, and to bring that kind of relief to the…

You know, we've got to have--there are too many families that wonder whether they're going to be able to pay their medical bills. We've got a good, strong health care reform program. The Clinton program is to go the way, the same old way…

The conference has given us a better foundation to defuse, contain, and bring to an end the conflict in former Yugoslavia.

We will commit all Federal military resources necessary to help the people in Florida.

I think the people of Florida when they see this, see the magnitude of this operation, will be very, very grateful.

The causes of this conflict are complex; it will not be ended overnight.

The Federal Government has a leading role in the humanitarian relief.

I'm satisfied that we responded properly, and I'm very confident that the military have conducted their mission so far with beautiful planning, now excellent execution.

If it does, we will have to acquire additional Federal funds.

I suggest, John, that you address that to--I was going to see whether to punt that ball into Baker's end zone-- [laughter]--but I think the answer to your question, though, is no. But we'll see. We'll see. We haven't discussed it. Note…

Well, I think we'll just say what we're for and let them reply as to what they're for. I noticed a rather vigorous response. I didn't hear--the press didn't ask me about it, but when Governor Cuomo equated us with Nazis, front page of one…

Well, I was very pleased with something. I noticed that Governor Clinton was proclaiming there at the American Legion his pride in the fact that they had passed in Arkansas an anti-flag-burning resolution. That was in the litany of things…

Well, do you think it looks funny to the British people, the French people, the Saudi people? The answer is no. I'm not concerned about that in the least. I don't think the other side will try to put a political spin on this. We're talking…

No, I don't know about that. I've told very openly everything I have to say about it. I don't know about that memo. I find nothing--I see no reason to contradict myself at all. I think what I've done is give the facts as I've seen them. I…

Well, we are not--that's hypothetical, and I just hope that that doesn't occur. But quite obviously, we would be extraordinarily concerned about that because that would be in violation of 688, as this use of these planes is. So we just…