Germany-Clinton Speech To Troops Bound For Bosnia

(2 Dec 1995) T/I 10:35:41
US President Bill Clinton told troops bound for Bosnia he only
agreed to send them there once he was sure the risk to their
safety was minimalised. At a rousing speech to soldiers from
"Task Force Eagle" in Baumholder, Germany, the President said for
three years he had "held off" sending tropps to fight the war in
Bosnia but was now prepared to send them on the bid for peace.
SHOWS
Germany 2/12
air force one taxiis
cu presidential seal on side of plane
helmut kohl and clinton exit plane followed by hillary clinton and
mrs kohl
clinton marching with troops
kohl standing
sot clinton (continued from e2 edit): "Your mission to help people
exhausted from war make good on the peace they have chosen the
peace they have asked you help them uphold. Just two weeks ago in
dayton ohio the warring parties in bosnia agreed to put down their
arms to pull back their armies and heavy weapons to hold free
elections to start rebuilding their homes their town and their
lives but they need help to do that and they have asked america
and nato allies and other willing countries to provide it. They
need that help becase after 4 years of terrible brutality trust is
in short supply in bosnia and they all trust you to do the job
right. I pledged to the american people that i would not send you
to bosnia unless i was absolutely sure that the goals we set for
you the goals we set for you are clear realistic and achievable in
about a year. this mission meets those essential standards. I also
vowed that you would not go to bosnia until i was sure we had done
everything we could to minimise risks to your safety. you know
better than anyone that every deployment has risks. there could be
accidents in a formerly hostile environment there could be
incidents with people who still have not given up their hatred.
As President, I take full responibility for your well being but I
also take pride in the knowledge that we
are making this mission as safe as it can be. You will take your
orders from the General who commands nato, there will be no
confusing chain of command you are superbly prepared you will be
heavily armed with the reputation.... (cheers)
I didn't want anyone to think there was a division of the house at
that point... Perhaps even more important you will be heavily
armed with the reputation that precedes you that and the
technology and training that protect you will make those who might
wiash to attack think twice but you also have very clear rules of
engagement that spell out the most important rules of all in big
bold letters - if you are threatened with attack you may respond
immediately and with decisive force."
hillary with troops
bill with troops
4.24
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