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Televised from Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, August 15, 1996
Good afternoon. It is a great privilege for me on behalf of President Clinton and the American people to speak directly to you, the people of Bosnia. I came to Sarajevo today to see firsthand the progress you have made and the challenges you are overcoming. I am here to reaffirm the support of the United States and the international community as you prepare to hold next month's historic elections -- and as you move to establish a democratic, multi-ethnic government.
Last December, the Presidents of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia chose peace when they signed the Dayton Agreement. But only you can make the peace enduring and enable your country to succeed. Now you will have the opportunity and the power to make your choice.
In fact, I can see that you are already choosing peace. When I visited Bosnia six months ago, I saw the first glimmer of recovery from war. Now the opposing armies are disengaged and demobilized, thanks to the tremendous work of IFOR troops from over two dozen countries. And today in Sarajevo, I saw that the people of Bosnia are rebuilding their lives and their country in this summer of hope.
This morning I arrived at the Sarajevo airport just after it reopened to civilian traffic. Step by step, Bosnia's isolation from the world is ending. I saw the bustle of people shopping as I walked through the Sarajevo marketplace.
I understand that all around the country, you are beginning to live normal lives again. Every newspaper that is published, every factory that is back in production, every school that reopens and every bus and train that runs throughout your country testifies to the indomitable spirit of you, the Bosnian people.
What I heard and saw today gives me great confidence -- confidence
that hope can triumph over violence and tolerance over hate on
September 14. With this election you will take back the power
that was denied you for four long years by snipers and prisons,
by tanks and mines.
Yesterday in Geneva, Presidents Izetbegovic, Milosevic and Tudjman joined me for the third time this year as we work together to overcome obstacles in the way of the lasting peace you deserve. The three Presidents renewed their commitment to help ensure the conditions for democratic elections. The agreements we reached will increase the chances that all the people of Bosnia will be able to move throughout the country freely and cast votes without fear of violence or intimidation.
Let me tell you why, on behalf of President Clinton, I am pressing your leaders so hard to enable these elections to succeed.
For us, democracy is a cherished ideal. Today, throughout Europe, people long oppressed by the cruel hand of communism are beginning to share in the blessings of democracy. Now you too have the opportunity to build a democracy of your own. Your success will bring a better life to your country, and greater stability to this entire region.
After the votes are counted, the winners and losers, large parties and small, will all have the responsibility to come together, with the willingness to compromise and the determination to move forward.
This will not be an easy path to follow. Securing the blessings of peace and democracy will require more than just an election. I hardly need to tell you that we have a long way to go before there are jobs and homes for everyone and before the shadow of violence and hate disappears from your lives.
But I am convinced this is the only way to lasting peace and growing prosperity. The path of extremism and intolerance -- as you know as well as any people in the world -- leads back to war and destruction.
Four years ago, a small minority began a war that most Bosnians did not want. On September 14, the majority have a chance to be heard. I hope and I believe that you will choose a better future over the bitter past. As you walk the path of peace, you can count on the United States and the international community to continue to walk that path with you.
[end of document]
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Last Updated: August 16, 1996
