"In Bosnia, this terrible war had challenged our interests and troubled our souls. Thankfully, we can do something about it. I say again, our mission will be clear, limited and achievable. The people of Bosnia, our NATO allies, and people all around the world are now looking to America for leadership. So let us lead. That is our responsibility as Americans."

-President Clinton, November 27, 1995

Promoting American Values, Protecting American Interests

• We have always stood for the American values of liberty, democracy, and peace. Americans have acted on them, and sacrificed for them.
• From Iraq to Haiti, from South Africa to Korea, from the Middle East to Northern Ireland, we have stood up for peace and freedom because it is in America's interests, and it has worked.

America Must Continue to Lead in Bosnia

• This century has taught us that America must step up to, not step back from, our responsibility.
• After World War I, we pulled back from the world, leaving a vacuum that was filled by the forces of hatred.
• America cannot be the world's policeman, but there are times and places where we can make the difference between peace and war. Bosnia is exactly that place.
• We must honor our partnerships and live up to our obligation of leadership: If we're not there, NATO will not be there, and peace will collapse.

We Must End the Suffering

• 250,000 people are dead, and over 2 Million are refugees.
• The Bosnian people have suffered horrible atrocities -- mass executions, ethnic cleansing, campaigns of rape and terror.

We Must Keep the War from Spreading -- Peace in Europe is on Our Interest

* Bosnia lies in the heart of Europe, near key NATO allies and fragile new democracies. Peace in Europe means more security and prosperity for America. It gives us strong partners to combat terrorism, crime, and drug trafficking.

American Leadership Helped to Create Peace -- We Must Not Turn Back Now

• We supported our European allies and provided humanitarian airlifts.
• We imposed tough economic sanctions against Serbia and enforced a no-fly zone.
• We led NATO air strikes to protect innocent civilians and intense diplomatic initiatives.
• All this helped lead the way to successful peace talks in Dayton, Ohio.

U.S. Involvement Will Meet Strict Guidelines -- Clear, Limited, Achievable

* Troops will ensure that all sides withdraw behind front lines, and stay there.

• Troops will maintain cease-fire to prevent the war from accidentally reigniting.
• U.S. troops will be under the command of an American general.
• The Joint Chiefs have concluded the mission should and will take about one year.
• Risks to Americans will be minimized: They will be heavily armed, thoroughly trained, and have authority to respond with overwhelming force to any threat.
• Over 25 nations, including our major NATO allies, will provide 2/3's of the military personnel. We will provide the rest, about 20,000 troops.

There are Risks, but the Cause is Great and the President Takes Responsibility

• No deployment of American troops is risk-free.
• But anyone contemplating action that would endanger our troops will suffer the consequences. We will fight fire with fire -- and then some.
• Nowhere is the need for American leadership more stark or more immediate than Bosnia. We must help our European allies to end their worst nightmare since World War II.