(1 Apr 1999) English/Nat
U-S President Bill Clinton is warning Slobodan Milosevic that he will be held responsible for the safety of three captured American soldiers.
In a speech to military men and women and their families in Norfolk, Virginia, Clinton said there was "absolutely no basis" for the men to be taken and held.
Clinton also asked his audience to resolve that they will continue to carry out the mission in Yugoslavia.
The U-S President came to the naval base in Virginia to rally the troops and express his thanks.
Clinton acknowledged the dangers of NATO's mission in Kosovo.
He spoke to hundreds of military personnel and their families one day after three U-S soldiers were seized by the Serbs.
Clinton warned Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic that he will be held responsible for the soldiers' safety.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"There was absolutely no basis for them to be taken. There is no basis for them to be held. There is certainly no basis for them to be tried. All Americans are concerned about their welfare. President Milosevic should make no mistake: The United States takes care of its own. (Cheers, applause.) And President Milosevic should make no mistake: We will hold him and his government responsible for their safety and for their well-being."
SUPER CAPTION: U.S. President Bill Clinton
Recognizing that atrocities occur in other parts of the world, Clinton said the U-S can cannot remain complacent.
Despite a growing humanitarian crisis, Clinton remains opposed to sending in U-S ground troops.
If NATO changes its mind about ground troops, the White House might have a difficult time convincing Americans that it is in the United States' best interest.
This young wife is married to a Navy officer whose ship could be deployed.
She isn't sure how she feels about her husband fighting a distant battle
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The people that are in the military, it may be difficult for them to feel like what they're really fighting for. Like, is it really in their heart what they're fighting for. I mean they're fighting for the Constitution, but are the things that the country's doing, things that we should be doing? I think that would be a hard issue and I think it is for me as well."
SUPER CAPTION: Navy Wife
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I don't believe personally, at this point, that ground troops would be the wisest decision. I believe that our air troops and our air superiority will do the job in the long run."
SUPER CAPTION: Graham Jacobs, U.S. Marine Corp
As Serb forces appear to be pushing ethnic Albanians out of Kosovo into neighboring countries, critics of Clinton's Kosovo policy increasingly are saying an air-power-only approach will not bring Milosevic to the peace table.
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