1664 Aug. 11 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1994

duce formally and support a resolution at the ton. And we are going today, starting now, United Nations Security Council to termi- to the National Association of Police Officers nate the arms embargo on Bosnia and conference to carry this battle back. We are Herzegovina. Further, as my Administration going to fight and fight and fight until we has indicated previously, if the Security win this battle for the American people. Council for some reason fails to pass such Thank you very much. a resolution within a reasonable period of time, it would be my intention to consult with NOTE: The President spoke at 8:12 a.m. on the the Congress thereafter regarding unilateral South Lawn at the White House. termination of the arms embargo. I hope this clarification of my Administra- Remarks to the Convention of the tion’s policy and intentions is helpful. I would National Association of Police consult promptly with the Congress should unforeseen circumstances arise. I also want Organizations in to express my gratitude for your leadership August 12, 1994 and support on this important issue which Thank you. Thank you very much, Ser- affects our national security. geant Ganley, for your introduction and for Sincerely, your life of commitment. I’m glad to be here Bill Clinton again with Mayor Sayles Belton and Mayor Coleman in the Twin Cities area. I want to NOTE: This letter was made available by the Of- fice of the Press Secretary but was not issued as thank Senator Wellstone and Congressman a White House press release. Vento for flying home with me. And I want to thank Congressman Vento, along with , , Martin Sabo, Jim Remarks on Crime Legislation on Oberstar, and for voting for Departure for Minneapolis, safer streets and a brighter future last night in the United States House. I want to thank August 12, 1994 Tom Scott and my longtime friend Bob Scully and the other members of NAPO, Ladies and gentleman, last night when 225 Dennis Flaherty and others, for their support Members of Congress voted with the NRA for all the elements of this crime bill. And and the Republican congressional leadership, I’d like to thank especially the two mayors under enormous pressure, they decided that who flew here with me today, one a Repub- their political security was more important lican, one a Democrat, both former prosecu- than the personal security of the American tors, people who believe in the promise of people. They said no to 100,000 police on our country and our future and understand the street, no to getting guns and kids off that unless we do something about crime the street, no to protecting our police forces we’re never going to fulfill it. Ed Rendell and and our citizens against gangs with assault Rudolph Giuliani represent what this country weapons, no to giving our kids some things ought to be about, people belonging to the to say yes to as well as something to say no political party of their choice but when the to, no to ‘‘three strikes and you’re out’’ and time comes putting party aside and putting the toughest punishment laws ever passed by people first. And I thank them, and I wish the . we had more like them, in the United States We are going out now, the Cabinet, may- Congress. ors of both parties, citizens of both parties Now folks, you all know what happened all across this country, to say that this crime last night. The House of Representatives bill cannot die. Congress has an obligation tried to take the easy way out, tried to walk to the American people that goes way beyond away from the crime bill. Because of orga- politics and way beyond party. The American nized, intense, and highly political pressure, people have said over and over this is their a majority walked away, away from the police first concern. If we can’t meet this concern, patrolling our streets, away from the children there is something badly wrong in Washing- and the senior citizens afraid to walk on those

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