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From @lex-luthor.ai.mit.edu:jcma@REAGAN.AI.MIT.EDU Thu Apr 29 23:23:04 1993
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1993 21:14-0400
From: The White House <75300.3115@compuserve.com>
Subject: Remarks by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 4.29.93
To: Clinton-News-Distribution@campaign92.org,
E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E O F T H E P R E S I D E N T
29-Apr-1993 07:22pm
TO: Jonathan P. Gill
FROM: Anne Horel
Office of the Press Secretary
SUBJECT: POWELL STAKEOUT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release April 29, 1993
REMARKS BY
CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL COLIN POWELL
IN QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH THE PRESS
The North Portico
5:25 P.M. EDT
Q General, thank you for being patient.
GENERAL POWELL: Not at all. I just might say that my
colleagues on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and I have just had a couple
of hours of meetings with the President, a very useful exchange of
views on the situation in Bosnia.
We explored a wide range of options having to do with
the diplomatic efforts, as well as some of the other items under
discussion. And I would just characterize it as a full discussion of
a wide range of military options as well as consideration of the
current diplomatic situation.
Q Have you ruled anything on or off the table?
GENERAL POWELL: We haven't ruled anything off the
table, other than what the President had previously ruled off the
table. And I don't want to get into any specifics of details of any
of the military options; I think they have been covered rather
broadly in the press. And, as you know, it is not our practice to go
into the details.
Q It's been widely reported, General, that many in
the Pentagon, including many of those in the Joint Chiefs, are
reluctant to endorse limited air strikes against either artillery
positions or supply lines, that sort of thing.
GENERAL POWELL: Well, lots of things are always
reported about the views of the Pentagon. What we do is examine all
of the pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages of all military
options, and then we give the results of that analysis to the
President, and the President has been very, very kind in taking the
time to hear that analysis.
We also discuss with our political leaders the proper
linking of military actions to political objectives and policy
objectives to make sure there is that linkage, and the President
understands the need to have that kind of conversation.
But it is also clear that once all of that consideration
has been given and the President makes his decision, the Armed Forces
of the United States will be fully able to carry out the instructions
that we have been given. And at that point, there is never any
reluctance. We have demonstrated repeatedly, especially in recent
years, our ability to accomplish any assigned mission.
Q Does the meeting this weekend between the Croats
and the Muslims and the Serbs, the meeting this weekend, does that
change the equation at all -- the military equation in your mind?
GENERAL POWELL: We will continue with our thinking and
planning on this issue. I'm, of course, pleased, as everybody, that
there is another chapter unfolding in this diplomatic effort. But
we've seen previous chapters unfold and close right away, so let's be
hopeful, let's be optimistic that there is a breakthrough; but,
nevertheless, we'll continue with our planning and thinking.
Q General, do you believe that air strikes can be
effective and can be accomplished without too much risk to our
people?
GENERAL POWELL: Air strikes, depending on the nature of
the strike and the target and a lot of other considerations, can have
an effect. Whether they have the effect that some of the more
strident advocates hope that they would have is the question to be
answered. There is always a risk associated with it. We will do
everything possible, if we are ever called upon to conduct air
strikes anywhere, to minimize that risk, but there is always a level
of risk.
Q General, as you understand it right now, what is
the political objective in Bosnia -- as you understand it right now?
GENERAL POWELL: I don't speak political objectives.
Thank you.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
END5:27 P.M. EDT