U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE 95/06/26 DAILY PRESS BRIEFING

From: Thanos Tsekouras <thanost@MIT.EDU>

OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN

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FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

War in Bosnia

--Rapid Reaction Force: Funding; Congressional Consults ..9

--Legislative Proposals to Lift Arms Embargo .............9

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Q Bosnia?

MS. SHELLY: Sure.

Q Can you describe what progress the Administration has had in trying to get congressional support to fund the Rapid Reaction Force?

MS. SHELLY: I don't have anything new beyond that which Nick discussed last week. The issue of funding is still something which is very much with us. It's an issue that we are going to continue work with the U.S. Congress on. As you know, generally it involves a package of equipment and financial support.

We're continuing our congressional consultations on this throughout the week, but I don't have anything new on this one.

Q At the end of the week or soon thereafter, it appears likely that Senator Dole will introduce a revised version of his resolution to lift the arms embargo on the Bosnians. Is the Administration trying to reach some kind of a compromise with congressional Republicans on that measure?

MS. SHELLY: We have seen reports, and I think at this point mostly press reports, suggesting that an action along the line that you've described might occur. But since it hasn't occurred yet, I wouldn't want to comment in specificity.

But one thing that we have discussed with Senator Dole and others up on the Hill is obviously the risks associated with lifting the arms embargo. I think our feeling on that certainly is still very much the same, but at this point I think we would want to take a look at any possible revision before we would wish to make a specific comment.

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MS. SHELLY: Thank you.

(The briefing concluded at 1:39 p.m.)

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