March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1179

Pease Scarborough Taylor (NC) GILMAN) that the House suspend the Meehan Radanovich Stark Pelosi Schaffer Terry Meek (FL) Rahall Stearns Peterson (MN) Schakowsky Thomas rules and agree to the concurrent reso- Meeks (NY) Ramstad Stenholm Peterson (PA) Scott Thompson (CA) lution, House Concurrent Resolution Menendez Rangel Strickland Petri Sensenbrenner Thompson (MS) 28, as amended, on which the yeas and Metcalf Regula Stump Phelps Serrano Thornberry nays are ordered. Mica Reynolds Stupak Pickering Sessions Thune Millender- Riley Sununu Pickett Shadegg Thurman This is a 5-minute vote. McDonald Rivers Sweeney Pitts Shaw Tiahrt The vote was taken by electronic de- Miller (FL) Rodriguez Talent Pomeroy Shays Tierney Miller, Gary Roemer Tancredo Porter Sherman Toomey vice, and there were—yeas 421, nays 0, Miller, George Rogan Tanner Portman Sherwood Towns not voting 12, as follows: Minge Rogers Tauscher Price (NC) Shimkus Traficant Mink Rohrabacher Tauzin Pryce (OH) Shows Turner [Roll No. 44] Moakley Ros-Lehtinen Taylor (MS) Quinn Shuster Udall (CO) YEAS—421 Mollohan Rothman Taylor (NC) Radanovich Simpson Udall (NM) Moore Roukema Terry Rahall Sisisky Upton Abercrombie Danner Hoeffel Moran (KS) Roybal-Allard Thomas Ramstad Skeen Velazquez Ackerman Davis (FL) Hoekstra Moran (VA) Royce Thompson (CA) Regula Skelton Vento Aderholt Davis (IL) Holden Morella Rush Thompson (MS) Reynolds Slaughter Visclosky Allen Davis (VA) Holt Murtha Ryan (WI) Thornberry Riley Smith (MI) Walden Andrews Deal Hooley Myrick Ryun (KS) Thune Rivers Smith (NJ) Walsh Archer DeFazio Horn Nadler Sabo Thurman Rodriguez Smith (TX) Wamp Armey DeGette Hostettler Napolitano Salmon Tiahrt Roemer Smith (WA) Waters Bachus DeLauro Houghton Neal Sanchez Tierney Rogan Snyder Watkins Baird DeLay Hoyer Nethercutt Sanders Toomey Rogers Souder Watt (NC) Baker DeMint Hulshof Ney Sandlin Towns Rohrabacher Spence Waxman Baldacci Deutsch Hunter Northup Sanford Traficant Ros-Lehtinen Spratt Weldon (FL) Baldwin Diaz-Balart Hutchinson Norwood Sawyer Turner Rothman Stabenow Weldon (PA) Ballenger Dickey Hyde Nussle Saxton Udall (CO) Roukema Stark Weller Barcia Dicks Inslee Oberstar Scarborough Udall (NM) Roybal-Allard Stearns Wexler Barr Dingell Isakson Obey Schaffer Upton Royce Stenholm Weygand Barrett (NE) Dixon Istook Olver Schakowsky Velazquez Rush Strickland Whitfield Barrett (WI) Doggett Jackson (IL) Ortiz Scott Vento Ryan (WI) Stump Wicker Bartlett Dooley Jackson-Lee Ose Sensenbrenner Visclosky Ryun (KS) Stupak Wilson Barton Doolittle (TX) Owens Serrano Walden Sabo Sununu Wise Bass Doyle Jefferson Oxley Sessions Walsh Salmon Sweeney Wolf Bateman Dreier Jenkins Packard Shadegg Wamp Sanchez Talent Woolsey Bentsen Duncan Johnson (CT) Pallone Shaw Waters Sanders Tancredo Wynn Bereuter Dunn Johnson, E. B. Pascrell Shays Watkins Sandlin Tanner Young (AK) Berkley Edwards Johnson, Sam Pastor Sherman Watt (NC) Sanford Tauscher Young (FL) Berman Ehlers Jones (NC) Paul Sherwood Watts (OK) Sawyer Tauzin Berry Ehrlich Jones (OH) Payne Shimkus Weiner Saxton Taylor (MS) Biggert Emerson Kanjorski Pease Shows Weldon (FL) Bilirakis Engel Kaptur Pelosi Shuster Weldon (PA) NAYS—6 Bishop English Kasich Peterson (MN) Simpson Weller Bonilla Cooksey Paul Blagojevich Eshoo Kelly Peterson (PA) Sisisky Wexler Chenoweth Jones (NC) Pombo Bliley Etheridge Kennedy Petri Skeen Weygand Blumenauer Evans Kildee Phelps Skelton Whitfield NOT VOTING—14 Blunt Everett Kilpatrick Pickering Slaughter Wicker Boehlert Ewing Kind (WI) Becerra Frost Reyes Pitts Smith (MI) Wilson Boehner Farr King (NY) Bilbray John Watts (OK) Pombo Smith (NJ) Wise Bonilla Fattah Kingston Capps Lampson Weiner Pomeroy Smith (TX) Wolf Bonior Filner Kleczka Delahunt McCrery Wu Porter Smith (WA) Woolsey Bono Fletcher Klink Ford Rangel Portman Snyder Wu Borski Foley Knollenberg Price (NC) Souder Wynn b 1120 Boswell Forbes Kolbe Pryce (OH) Spence Young (AK) Boucher Ford Kucinich Quinn Spratt Young (FL) So (two-thirds having voted in favor Boyd Fossella Kuykendall thereof) the rules were suspended and Brady (PA) Fowler LaFalce NOT VOTING—12 Brady (TX) Frank (MA) LaHood Becerra Delahunt Pickett the resolution was agreed to. Brown (CA) Franks (NJ) Lampson The result of the vote was announced Bilbray Frost Reyes Brown (FL) Frelinghuysen Lantos Capps John Stabenow as above recorded. Brown (OH) Gallegly Largent Chambliss McCrery Waxman A motion to reconsider was laid on Bryant Ganske Larson Burr Gejdenson Latham b 1130 the table. Burton Gekas LaTourette Stated for: Buyer Gephardt Lazio So (two-thirds having voted in favor Mr. WEINER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall Callahan Gibbons Leach thereof) the rules were suspended and No. 43, had I been present, I would have Calvert Gilchrest Lee the concurrent resolution, as amended, Camp Gillmor Levin voted ``yea.'' Campbell Gilman Lewis (CA) was agreed to. Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, during rollcall Canady Gonzalez Lewis (GA) The result of the vote was announced vote No. 43, on H. Res. 32, I was unavoidably Cannon Goode Lewis (KY) as above recorded. Capuano Goodlatte Linder detained. Had I been present, I would have Cardin Goodling Lipinski A motion to reconsider was laid on voted ``yes.'' Carson Gordon LoBiondo the table. f Castle Goss Lofgren Stated for: Chabot Graham Lowey Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, during roll- SENSE OF CONGRESS URGING Chenoweth Granger Lucas (KY) call vote No. 44 on H. Con. Res. 28, I was un- CRITICISM OF PEOPLE’S REPUB- Clay Green (TX) Lucas (OK) Clayton Green (WI) Luther avoidably detained. Had I been present, I LIC OF CHINA FOR HUMAN Clement Greenwood Maloney (CT) would have voted ``yea.'' RIGHTS ABUSES IN CHINA AND Clyburn Gutierrez Maloney (NY) f TIBET AT ANNUAL MEETING OF Coble Gutknecht Manzullo UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION Coburn Hall (OH) Markey PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN Collins Hall (TX) Martinez ON HUMAN RIGHTS Combest Hansen Mascara KOSOVO RESOLUTION The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Condit Hastings (FL) Matsui Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, by Conyers Hastings (WA) McCarthy (MO) finished business is the question of sus- Cook Hayes McCarthy (NY) direction of the Committee on Rules, I pending the rules and agreeing to the Cooksey Hayworth McCollum call up House Resolution 103 and ask concurrent resolution, House Concur- Costello Hefley McDermott for its immediate consideration. Cox Herger McGovern rent Resolution 28, as amended. Coyne Hill (IN) McHugh The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- The Clerk read the title of the con- Cramer Hill (MT) McInnis lows: current resolution. Crane Hilleary McIntosh H. RES. 103 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Crowley Hilliard McIntyre Cubin Hinchey McKeon Resolved, That at any time after the adop- question is on the motion offered by Cummings Hinojosa McKinney tion of this resolution the Speaker may, pur- the gentleman from New York (Mr. Cunningham Hobson McNulty suant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the H1180 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 House resolved into the Committee of the As a Member of this great body and deserves. We have a solemn duty to Whole House on the state of the Union for now as your Speaker, I have never perform. And let us do it with the dig- consideration of the concurrent resolution wavered in my belief and trust in this nity that brings credit to this great (H. Con. Res. 42) regarding the use of United States Armed Forces as part of a NATO institution. Some have argued that we House. peacekeeping operation implementing a should not have this debate today, that Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I Kosovo peace agreement. The first reading of we should just leave it to the Presi- yield myself such time as I may con- the concurrent resolution shall be dispensed dent. Some have even suggested that sume. with. General debate shall be confined to the taking part and talking about this Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 103 is concurrent resolution and shall not exceed could damage the peace process. I dis- a modified open rule providing for the two hours equally divided and controlled by agree. No one should fear the free ex- consideration, as the Speaker of the the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on International Rela- pression of ideas, the frank exchange of House has just explained, of House Con- tions. After general debate the concurrent opinions in a representative democ- current Resolution 42, the Peacekeep- resolution shall be considered for amend- racy. Two weeks ago, the German Bun- ing Operations in Kosovo Resolution. ment under the five-minute rule. The con- destag held an extensive debate and The purpose of the resolution is to current resolution shall be considered as voted on whether or not Germany authorize the President to deploy read. No amendment to the concurrent reso- should deploy over 5,000 German troops United States armed forces to Kosovo lution shall be in order except those printed in Kosovo. The British Parliament has and just as importantly it makes pos- in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 8 of also discussed the deployment of Brit- sible congressional discussion of this rule XVIII and except pro forma amendments ish troops in Kosovo. I do not believe very complex situation. for the purpose of debate. Each amendment that any harm has been done to the The rule provides for 2 hours of gen- so printed may be offered only by the Mem- peace process by the workings of these eral debate equally divided between the ber who caused it to be printed or his des- two great democracies. In fact, one chairman and the ranking minority ignee and shall be considered as read. The message which should come from this member of the Committee on Inter- chairman of the Committee of the Whole debate and those held in the par- national Relations. It is the intention may: (1) postpone until a time during further of the rule that the managers of gen- consideration in the Committee of the Whole liaments of our allies is that a free peo- a request for a recorded vote on any amend- ple can disagree without violence and eral debate yield time fairly to Repub- ment; and (2) reduce to five minutes the min- bloodshed. lican and Democratic proponents and imum time for electronic voting on any post- On this important subject, I have opponents of the concurrent resolution. poned question that follows another elec- tried to be direct and honest. I have Further, the bill provides that the tronic vote without intervening business, spoken with the President and with his concurrent resolution shall be consid- provided that the minimum time for elec- Secretary of State. I told them that I ered as read and makes in order only tronic voting on the first in any series of believed it was my duty as Speaker to those amendments preprinted in the questions shall be 15 minutes. At the conclu- sion of consideration of the concurrent reso- ensure that Members of the House of CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, to be offered lution for amendment the Committee shall Representatives, Republicans and only by the Member who caused the rise and report the concurrent resolution to Democrats, have the opportunity to amendment to be printed, or his des- the House with such amendments as may fairly and openly debate the important ignee, and each amendment shall be have been adopted. The previous question issue before troops are sent into a po- considered as read. shall be considered as ordered on the concur- tentially dangerous situation. I believe In addition, the rule allows the rent resolution to final adoption without in- Congress must have a meaningful role Chairman of the Committee of the tervening motion except one motion to re- in this decision, no matter how dif- Whole to postpone votes during consid- commit with or without instructions. ficult our choice nor how hard our eration of the bill and to reduce voting The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. task. time to 5 minutes on votes following a BURR of North Carolina). The gen- I have been equally honest in telling 15-minute vote. Finally, the rule pro- tleman from Florida (Mr. DIAZ- the President that I personally have vides one motion to recommit, with or BALART) is recognized for 1 hour. reservations regarding the wisdom of without instructions. Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, for deploying the additional U.S. troops to Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 103 is the purpose of debate only, I yield the the former Yugoslavia, but I have not a fair framework to provide a forum to customary 30 minutes to the gen- made up my mind and I will listen in- debate the issues surrounding the pos- tleman from Ohio (Mr. HALL). During tently and closely to this debate. I sible deployment of U.S. troops for par- consideration of this resolution, all hope that each of you will do the same, ticipation in a NATO peacekeeping time yielded is for the purpose of de- force in Kosovo. Any Member can offer bate only. because it is our heavy responsibility Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he and high honor to represent the men any germane amendment to this reso- may consume to the distinguished and women who are being asked by the lution providing the amendment was Speaker of the House of Representa- President to go into harm’s way. Each preprinted in the CONGRESSIONAL tives. of us must be prepared to answer to RECORD prior to its consideration. The Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank their families and loved ones. I am gentleman from California (Mr. the gentleman from Florida for yield- deeply convinced that we owe them to- DREIER) made this announcement on ing me this time. I rise in support of day’s debate, for under our Constitu- Monday, March 8, on the House floor, this rule. I would like to address the tion we share this burden with our as well as through a Dear Colleague House for a few moments on the issue President. letter to Members. we are preparing to consider, the pos- Our debate today will enable each of It has been well known, including in sible deployment of U.S. troops to us to carry out our responsibilities in a fact through constant press reports, Kosovo. fair and thoughtful way. The gen- that the House would be debating this The President has made it clear that tleman from New York (Mr. GILMAN), difficult issue this week. In spite of the he is committed to sending approxi- at my request, has offered without snowstorm we had on Tuesday, Mem- mately 4,000 U.S. troops to Kosovo as prejudice this resolution stating the bers have known for weeks that we part of a NATO force intended to keep President’s position, that troops be de- would be taking up this issue prior to the peace. I am convinced that the ployed. I urge the adoption of this open the March 15 peace talks in France, the President firmly believes the presence rule that allows every Member of this deadline. Were it not for this fair rule, of U.S. troops in Kosovo is essential to House to have a say and to amend this if, for example, we had brought maintaining peace in this troubled resolution. We have set in place a fair H.Con.Res. 42 to the floor under suspen- area. Like every American, I hope the and open process. We are here to dis- sion of the rules, it would be non- Serbs and the Kosovars are able to cuss sensitive issues of policy and not amendable and would be allowed only achieve a peaceful resolution to their personality. And let me repeat, we are 40 minutes of debate. Therefore, I think dispute. We all pray for that outcome. here today to discuss policy and not it is very important that Members sup- Kosovo is a great human tragedy, personality. I know it does not need to port this rule, regardless of their posi- fanned by injustice and unexplained be said, but I urge all Members to treat tion on deployment or nondeployment hatred. this issue with the seriousness that it of troops, because Congress has every March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1181 right to be debating this resolution 50,000 of the best troops would produce our national interest to take it up today and this rule provides a fair way anything like order in these parts. today in the middle of the peace talks to do so. That statement was made by Prime that appear to be succeeding. Some Members as well as other for- Minister Benjamin Disraeli in October Yesterday at the hearing of the Com- eign policy experts have questioned the 1878. Unfortunately his words still ring mittee on Rules the gentleman from timing of this debate while peace nego- true today. Connecticut (Mr. GEJDENSON), who is tiations have not been concluded. But In summary, the Congress, Mr. the ranking Democratic member of the if Congress is to deliberate these seri- Speaker, has every right to debate House Committee on International Re- ous issues prior to the possible deploy- whether we should put U.S. troops in lations warned against bringing this ment of U.S. troops, now is the time. harm’s way before they are sent. That resolution to the House floor today. He March 15, the proposed deadline for a is the reason for today’s debate. testified that it seriously undermines peace agreement for Kosovo, is this I urge my colleagues to support this the prospects for reaching peace in the Monday, and U.S. troops could be on fair rule so that the House will have region and could lead to more warfare. their way to Kosovo Monday night if the opportunity to debate this very Secretary of State Madeleine agreement is reached. critical issue regarding the possible de- Albright sounded a similar note of As the gentleman from Florida (Mr. ployment of our troops to Kosovo. I alarm. Yesterday she testified before GOSS) stated at the Committee on would urge my colleagues to support the Subcommittee on Commerce, Jus- Rules during our markup, there is no the rule. tice, State, and Judiciary that this perfect time for this. At least two of Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of vote will be taken as a green light for the Members of the six-nation contact my time. the warring parties to continue fight- group on Kosovo, Germany and Great Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ing. During the Committee on Rules con- Britain, as the Speaker of the House yield myself such time as I may con- sideration the gentleman from Massa- just made reference, have debated in sume. chusetts (Mr. MOAKLEY), the ranking their parliaments this precise issue Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Democratic member, offered an amend- this past month. Now is indeed an ap- gentleman from Florida (Mr. DIAZ- ment to the rule postponing consider- propriate time for the United States BALART) for yielding me the time. This ation of the resolution until the end of House of Representatives as the sov- is a modified open rule. It will allow the current peace negotiations, and ereign representative body of the for consideration of House Concurrent that amendment was defeated on a American people to take up the issue of Resolution 42 which, as my colleagues have heard, is a resolution authorizing straight party line vote. Mr. MOAKLEY possible deployment of our troops to also offered an amendment to the rule join a NATO force. the President to deploy United States troops to Kosovo. As my colleague has making in order a floor amendment by The situation in Kosovo is indeed the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. precarious. It has now been over a year described, this rule provides for 1 hour GEJDENSON) supporting the peace proc- since fighting broke out between the of general debate to be equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ess and authorizing the deployment of Albanian rebels and the Serbian forces troops if a fair and just peace agree- in Kosovo and in spite of an October ranking minority member of the Com- mittee on International Relations. The ment is reached. The amendment was 1998 cease-fire agreement, hostilities also defeated on a straight party line have continued. rule permits amendments under the 5- minute rule, which is the normal vote. b Perhaps when the time comes under 1145 amending process in the House. Under the right conditions Congress should March 15 is the current deadline for this rule, only amendments which have support the deployment of troops to negotiations to be completed on a been preprinted in the CONGRESSIONAL peace agreement. What is at issue is Kosovo, and perhaps when the time RECORD will be in order. comes Congress should oppose the the expansion of the U.S. role in The Committee on Rules has crafted move. But the time is not today. Kosovo and whether U.S. troops should a rule which at another time would be We in Dayton, Ohio, know about be deployed to participate in a NATO acceptable. However I believe that the peace negotiations in Kosovo and Ser- peace mission should a peace agree- Kosovo resolution should not be bia. We know how sensitive they can ment be reached. brought up at this time. Therefore I be. We also know how important they Historically it is well known that the will oppose the previous question so can be because for a brief moment the Balkans have been a tinder box for re- that the rule can be amended. negotiations of the 1995 accord lived in gional wars, and we must not forget For most Americans Kosovo and Ser- my community. Let us let the adminis- that World War I began in that part of bia are only distant points on the tration negotiate a peace without Con- the world. globe, but that is not so for the com- gress sending the wrong signal, and we In 1995, as a member of the Commit- munity of Dayton, Ohio, the commu- should not bring up the resolution tee on Rules, I brought to the floor the nity which I represent, because it was today. Bosnia-Herzegovina Self-defense Act to my community of Dayton that hosted If the previous question is defeated, I end the arms embargo on Bosnia. That the peace talks in 1995 that led to the will offer an amendment to the rule embargo was morally wrong, and I be- fragile peace that we are trying to pre- which will permit the Kosovo resolu- lieve that it was legally questionable serve. Today there is continued unrest tion to come up only after the two par- as well from the very beginning. While between the Serbians and the Alba- ties have signed the agreement on the not contiguous with Bosnia, where U.S. nians in Kosovo. The conflict has al- status of Kosovo. The delay is nec- troops are currently deployed, the dan- ready left more than a thousand civil- essary to ensure that the actions of the gers of a spill-over effect and renewed ians dead and as many as 400,000 home- House do not interfere with the peace violence in the region have been real- less. If left unchecked, the turmoil negotiations in Kosovo. ized in the Serbian province of Kosovo. could lead to a broader war in Europe. Before concluding I want to express I am extremely concerned by the geno- However there is hope. Sensitive my appreciation to the gentleman from cidal attacks on civilians in Kosovo. As peace talks are taking place in the re- California (Mr. DREIER) and to the Re- a British statesman said while debat- gion. Through the efforts of Bob Dole publicans on the Committee on Rules ing the situation in the Balkans: the Albanians appear to be ready to for keeping this a relatively unre- No language can describe adequately sign a peace agreement. The United stricted rule and for permitting the the condition of that large portion of States and its allies continue to press motion to recommit. I am heartened by the Balkan peninsula, Serbia, Bosnia, the parties to restore peace to the re- the bipartisan spirit in which gen- Herzegovina and the other provinces, gion. tleman from California (Mr. DREIER) political intrigues, constant rivalries, a My concern with this resolution is approached this rule, and I believe this total absence of public spirit, hatred of not whether Congress has the right to sends a positive signal at the beginning all races, animosities of rival religions authorize the commitment of U.S. of this Congress. Our differences are and an absence of any controlling troops; we have that right. My concern not in the crafting of the rule, only in power, nothing short of an army of with this resolution is whether it is in the timing. H1182 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of In April at NATO’s 50th anniversary least 15 ethnic Albanians including el- my time. to be celebrated here in Washington derly people and children. Human Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I the Alliance will announce its new Rights Watch has evidence suggesting yield 4 minutes to the distinguished strategic concept for the direction and that the Serbians had, and I quote, ‘‘di- gentleman from Florida (Mr. GOSS), a mission of NATO. Will this document rect orders to kill village inhabitants member of the Committee on Rules and explain why NATO must intervene in over the age of 15.’’ In Rogovo, just 2 chairman of the Permanent Select Kosovo, an area outside the treaty weeks later Serbian police raided a Committee on Intelligence. boundary, but not intervene in an area, farming village and executed 25 people. (Mr. GOSS asked and was given per- say, in Africa where there is genocide This has gone on for a year, it has mission to revise and extend his re- and a civil war going where human suf- gone on for more than a year, but with- marks.) fering is just as great. in the last year we have seen these Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my Mr. Speaker, when President Clinton numbers rise to 2,000 people. colleague from Florida for yielding me first proposed sending U.S. troops to Why would Milosevic do anything but this time. Kosovo, he laid out the following cri- stall, not agree to a peace agreement, Mr. Speaker, today the House will de- teria: a strong and effective peace if the United States Congress says in a bate whether to send U.S. troops to agreement with full participation by vote later today, if this rule passes, Kosovo, an issue that may seem to both parties, a permissive security en- that we, in fact, will not deploy troops? have little relevance to the lives of vironment, including the disarmament We will be giving him a green light, many Americans in this time of very of the Kosovar power militaries and a and we will be seeing more Racaks, we blue skies in this country which we are well-defined NATO mission with a will be seeing more slaughters as we fortunate to enjoy. But appearances clear exit strategy. These criteria are a saw in Rogovo, and we will be in an aside, the decisions we make about good starting point for the congres- unvirtuous circle of islands in which Kosovo will affect the course of the sional consideration. we undoubtedly will have to revisit United States and our allies in the Later today I or others may offer again on this House floor. world over the next several years. amendments to this resolution to en- Just today, while Richard Holbrooke This matters. It is a critically impor- was talking with Milosevic yesterday, tant debate, and I urge Members to sure that these criteria and other equally important ones are met before violence continued, and there is a pic- give it their most thoughtful atten- ture in the New York Times showing tion. U.S. troops are sent to Kosovo. Before I vote to support sending our the deaths of people in the village of Some may question whether this is Ivaja in Kosovo. the right time for a congressional de- men and women in uniform to Kosovo, b bate, as we have already heard, about people in my district want to know the 1200 sending U.S. troops to Kosovo. Once an exit strategy as well as the entry strat- This slaughter must stop, and the agreement is reached, the Clinton ad- egy. They want to know how this fits way to stop it is to stop this resolution ministration has announced that it into our national interest, and they from coming to the floor of the House, will deploy troops forthwith to begin want to know the costs. These are and we can do that by voting against enforcement of the agreement. So when basic questions that we in Congress the rule. Arthur Vandenberg once said is the right time to debate the issue? should raise so that the American peo- that politics should stop at the water’s The answer is before our men and ple are fully informed. Getting answers edge when it comes to foreign policy. women in uniform are placed in harm’s from the administration is part of our Bob Dole asked us not to do this yes- way. job description, especially when the use terday. Let us not do this. Let us stop I am concerned that the administra- of our men and women in uniform is in- here. Vote no on this rule. Then we can tion tends to place U.S. troops into a volved. have a good debate on this issue when dangerous situation where they are This rule provides for full debate. I the issue comes before us when an unwelcomed by both parties and do not urge its support. agreement occurs in this troubled land. have clear marching orders. Serbian Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I President Milosevic, an unsavory yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from yield 2 minutes to the distinguished strong man in my view, refuses to ac- Michigan (Mr. BONIOR). gentleman from Georgia (Mr. LINDER). cept the presence of foreign troops on Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Serbian soil, and the Kosovar rebels on the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. HALL) the gentleman from Florida (Mr. DIAZ- their part refuse to give up their ulti- for yielding me the time, and again I BALART) for yielding. mate goal of independence from Serbia. rise to say that the timing of this reso- Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Of even greater concern is the possibil- lution could not be worse, not the fact Res. 103, the rule providing for consid- ity that the NATO mission may have that we are debating it. I think the eration of the resolution regarding the unintended consequence of desta- fact that they have allowed a debate peacekeeping operations in Kosovo. bilizing the region by encouraging sep- and under a generally open rule is a This rule ensures a free and open de- aratism in neighboring areas, a situa- positive sign, as my friend from Ohio bate and provides Members the oppor- tion we are already familiar with. has stated. But having this debate and tunity to have their voices heard on Mr. Speaker, there is no question having this vote in the midst of nego- this very important matter involving that the humanitarian crisis in Kosovo tiations makes little sense and, in fact, the lives of our troops. cries out for international attention undermines those negotiations. The modified open rule passed the and assistance. But the real question Mr. Speaker, I think it is important House Committee on Rules and it did is: How should the United States of for us to review where we have been in not provide any preferential waivers. It America respond? Is the answer always the Balkans. In Bosnia tens of thou- allows for all germane amendments the commission of U.S. forces no mat- sands of people lost their lives, thou- and complies with the request of the ter what? Listening to the Clinton ad- sands of women were raped, hundreds gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. ministration, we would think that of thousands of people displaced from GEJDENSON), who requested that all bombing and deployment of troops is their home before we had the courage amendments be preprinted in the CON- the only solution available to us. to finally say no, and within the past GRESSIONAL RECORD. I am also concerned about the impli- year in Kosovo we have had 2000 people The passage of this rule will, I admit, cations of the administration’s Kosovo killed, we have had 400,000 people dis- lead to a wide open discussion on a plans on the future of NATO. For sev- placed in Slobodan Milosevic’s geno- very public issue, with the prospect of eral years NATO has been grappling cidal campaign of violence and human counter argument and earnest debate. I with its role in the post cold war pe- rights abuses against the 2 million eth- welcome that debate and I expect it to riod. The administration’s headlong nic Albanians. be an extraordinary exchange of ideas rush to support deployment of NATO Mr. Speaker, this is not the time to and opinions. troops outside the treaty area risks have this resolution on the floor of the I will be honest in stating that I have damage to the delicate consensus that House. On the 15th of January, at grave reservations about the deploy- underlies the alliance. Racak, Serbian special police shot at ment of American troops in Kosovo, March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1183 but I also do not see anything wrong proper and uncalled for because it I want to say this in the strongest with giving Members the opportunity could very well change the agreement, possible terms, considering this vote to listen closely to the arguments on cause there not to be an agreement and today is so ill-timed as to adversely af- each side of the debate. cause confusion in that part of the Bal- fect the peace negotiations ongoing in Our allies, Great Britain and Ger- kans. the Balkans. It has taken us so long to many, have deliberated and engaged in I wish that everyone could have been build the coalition that we have been this debate already, and that leads us with me to witness the four-starred able to build in that part of the world, to the question underlying the rule we German general who is the second in and we understand this. This Congress are discussing today: Should the command at NATO a few weeks ago says they have the obligation to ensure United States House of Representatives when I asked him why is it important that the diplomats in the region ex- have the opportunity to participate in that America be involved in Europe haust all possible means in their nego- the decision to deploy our troops in and in NATO? tiations. Kosovo and debate it today? His answer was a full and complete Like the gentleman from Missouri My personal view is that it would be one, which said it is important that (Mr. SKELTON), I wish that we had been better if we did not. I would prefer that America be there. I think that if Amer- able to debate this issue in the com- this resolution inform the President ica should be there, we should have the mittee before it came to the House that we are unwilling to fund his ad- opportunity to do it the right way, the floor to see what the needs are, how venturism without clear rules of en- right time and under the right resolu- many troops, the equipment. So I gagement, exit strategies, specific tion and the right vote. think that it has all been done in good goals and a budget. We have a constitu- Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I faith but it is ill-timed. tional responsibility to participate in yield 2 minutes to the distinguished We also have a unique responsibility decisions putting our troops in harm’s gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. in this situation, as we do in most way. I do believe that would better be COBLE). global spots. We are the world’s only the question before us. (Mr. COBLE asked and was given per- remaining superpower. We have more Having said that, I urge Members to mission to revise and extend his re- and better military might than any support the fair rule that will initiate marks.) other country in the world. If we are a full and open debate regarding the de- Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the indeed the only remaining superpower, ployment of young Americans’ lives in gentleman from Florida (Mr. DIAZ- then that status brings certain obliga- a dangerous foreign land. BALART) for yielding. tions and responsibilities. This is why I Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. Speaker, I usually vote consist- say, let us discuss it further. yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from ently in favor of rules, and I may vote I just got back from Bosnia 4 days Missouri (Mr. SKELTON), who is the for this rule, but I am opposed to our ago. The morale of our troops is high ranking member of the Committee on dispatching troops to Kosovo, not un- and, not only that, they believe in the Armed Services. like my friend, the gentleman from mission that they are conducting in Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Missouri (Mr. SKELTON) who just spoke. that part of the world. They said for the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. HALL) I recall Bosnia. The President told us the first time we have seen young chil- for yielding to me. our troops would be back home, I be- dren play in the parks, play in the Mr. Speaker, I speak against the lieve, by December 1996. Well, when I streets, go to school. So please help us rule. I will vote against the rule. I am last checked, December 1996 has come defeat this rule. deeply concerned that taking this mat- and long gone and our troops are still Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I ter up now in the midst of negotiations there. I was uneasy about it because I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished between the opposing parties, the could not grasp the importance of our gentleman from California (Mr. Kosovars and Milosevic’s people, will national security vis-a-vis Bosnia. Now CUNNINGHAM). cause great harm and great damage to Kosovo is on the screen and, unlike Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, the negotiating process. Bosnia, as best I remember it, I do not this is exactly the time to have this Should what we do today cause there think we have even been invited to discussion, exactly the time. It may to be no agreement, we would have come to Kosovo. not be the time for negotiators and lost, Europe would have lost and there Given these two situations, I don’t bean counters but it is for our troops. will be continued bloodshed and an- mean to portray myself as an isolation- I remember Somalia, where the guish in Kosovo. I think it is wrong to ist but to suggest that Bosnia and President did not come to Congress take this up now. It is untimely. It is Kosovo are European problems that when he changed going after Aideed, improper to do so. should be resolved by Europeans hardly and we lost 22 rangers because they Secondly, as it was mentioned by my constitutes isolationism. It is isola- failed to give armor which the military friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. tionism light at its best, if that. wanted; or Haiti, that we are today HALL), I am the ranking member on I just believe that we do not need to spending $25 million a year in building the Committee on Armed Services. insert our oars into those waters, and I schools and roads out of the defense This deals with the military of the don’t mean to come across as uncaring budget. United States of America. or indifferent to the problems plaguing Kosovo is like any of the United We in our committee should have had Europe, but doggone it, it is indeed a States is to Greater Serbia. It is not a the opportunity to have had a hearing European problem. separate entity. It is the birthplace of to find out what troops, under what Let our European friends handle it the Orthodox Catholic religion. It is conditions and if there is a possibility unless it becomes a situation that their home. It was occupied by 100 per- of saving some other deployments be- causes United States national security cent Serbs, and the Turks and the cause we are short on troops today. to be exposed. Nazis eliminated and desecrated and These are questions that we in our Now, absent that, Mr. Speaker, and ethnically cleansed Jews, Gypsies and committee should have had the oppor- my colleagues on both sides, I think we Serbs and now the population is Alba- tunity to ask, a full and fair hearing in need to go about our business here. Let nian. the Committee on Armed Services, our friends across the water, as my late Albania does not want just Kosovo. which we did not have. grandma used to say, let them resolve They want part of Greece. They want Thirdly, I would like to mention that those problems. Montenegro. This is only a beginning. I also have an amendment, should this Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I Listen to George Tenet’s brief. Bin rule carry, which I hope in all sincerity yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Laden is working with the KLA, the it does not. I will have an amendment Texas (Mr. ORTIZ) terrorists, that is going to hit the that requires that there be an agree- Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today United States. If we do not want to ment between the parties before any as a member of the House Committee stop this, then do not talk about it, but American troops are allowed to go into on Armed Services to oppose the rule if we go in there, we are going to lose Kosovo. That is the bottom line. Right allowing the House to consider House a great number of people. For what? now, bringing up this resolution is im- Resolution 42 regarding Kosovo. They have been fighting for 400 years. H1184 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 This debate is well timed. Maybe not There are atrocities occurring in seen it on funding, and now the Demo- for my colleagues on the other side but Kosovo. It is a proper mission for hu- crats are pleading, the administration for the kids that have to put those manitarian efforts. It is not a proper is pleading and saying please postpone backpacks on and carry rifles. It is the mission to intervene with American this vote until there is an agreement, time to stop this. military troops that will be there on an and we cannot even get a postpone- Take a look at the number of mili- indefinite basis. Do not kid ourselves. ment on the vote. tary deployments. It was 300 percent It is an indefinite basis. Senator Dole was quite eloquent yes- during the height of Vietnam. We are Look at Cyprus, the United Nations. terday. He said, quite simply, first we killing our military as it is, and we I just came from Cyprus. United Na- get an agreement and then we go be- have one-half the force to do it. That is tions troops have never been able to fore Congress to ratify the agreement. why they are bailing out. This is ex- make the peace there. They have been We do not do it the other way around. actly the time, Mr. Speaker, and I re- able to keep the peace because of the Senator Dole has also spent more time ject the other side. fact they have troops there. They have than anybody in terms of Kosovo, and Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I been there for 27 years. It is the same he thinks this will be very damaging. yield 1 minute to the gentleman from thing here. We are attempting as out- Everybody that has worked in this North Dakota (Mr. POMEROY). siders to intervene within the bound- process thinks it will be very, very Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I aries of a sovereign country to resolve damaging. strongly object to this rule which will a dispute that is based in large part on There is no reason to do this kind of provide for the House to debate the religion, in large part on nationality; a thing now, except to embarrass the U.S. involvement in the Kosovo peace dispute of which we have very little President politically and undermine agreement. The reason I object to con- historical knowledge; we certainly U.S. foreign policy. This is absolutely sideration of this issue at this time is have very little historical experience, irresponsible. It will damage the peace that as of today, there is no peace and we think by force and sending in process. agreement and the process leading to troops we are going to make peace. We Let me remind my colleagues that foreign policy should be bipartisan. I the arriving at a peace agreement is at are not. was one of those Democrats that voted a terribly tenuous, sensitive and deli- We are going to be able to keep the with President Bush and supported him cate stage. peace. As long as we have troops in in the Persian Gulf War when he asked b 1215 Kosovo, we can keep peace. But we can- not, we do not have the capability to for bipartisanship. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, we get very little of We have all read with horror about take hundreds of years of battle and it from the other side. All I know is the atrocities committed in Kosovo. In- hundreds of years of rock-solid feelings that in Kosovo there is genocide, eth- nocent civilians, including little chil- and force them into a peace agreement. dren, have been savagely and brutally Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me wrap up nic cleansing and killing, and it needs murdered. For the sake of humanity by saying that some would suggest to stop, and if the United States Con- gress votes against sending troops to and decency, we all want this butchery that this is not an appropriate time for Kosovo, Slobodan Milosevic, the butch- to end. It will require a peace agree- delay. This is an appropriate time for er of Kosovo, will laugh and laugh and ment to end this killing. Our taking up delay before the troops go in. Do not laugh, because we will have given him the resolution now while the delibera- debate after the troops are in; do it be- tions are still underway can only make cover. fore the troops are in. The Albanians, who have agreed to it more difficult to resolve this. Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I the agreement will back off, because Yesterday, former Majority Leader yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Bob Dole gave advice to the Committee without strong American participation New York, (Mr. ENGEL). they will not have the fortitude; they on International Relations. He says, Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my only trust the United States of Amer- ‘‘We have 2 steps here. First, we get an friend from Ohio for yielding me this ica. We have seen time and time again, agreement, then the President goes to time. we saw it in Bosnia, 200,000 people were the American people to explain it.’’ Mr. Speaker, I have spent as much ethnically cleansed, and until the Mr. Speaker, I think we must follow time as anyone over these past 10 or 11 United States grabbed the bull by the Majority Leader Dole’s advice. Defeat years dealing with the problem in horns and showed the leadership in this rule and let the deliberations lead- Kosovo. I want to tell my colleagues as NATO, people were being killed and ing to peace be concluded. far as I am concerned this is a wrong genocide was happening again on the Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rule and the wrong resolution at the face of Europe. And when the United yield 2 minutes to the distinguished wrong time, and it should be defeated. States grabbed the bull by the horns, gentleman from Colorado (Mr. I have hardly seen anything more irre- only then did it stop, and it is the same MCINNIS). sponsible, quite frankly, in my 10 plus situation here. It is disingenuous of my Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I appre- years here than this resolution and colleagues to say they want the killing ciate the gentleman from Florida this rule. to stop, but they do not want to sup- yielding me this time. As far as I am concerned, this is an port American troops as part of NATO The preceding speaker talked about attempt to embarrass the President, on the ground. the tragedies that are going on. Mr. this is mischief-making at its worst, Without our participation, the kill- Speaker, those kinds of tragedies are and it undermines American foreign ing will continue and the ethnic cleans- going on throughout the entire world. policy, it undermines the negotiations ing will continue. This country cannot be the world’s po- going on. I returned from Rambouillet Defeat this rule. It is nothing more lice officer. We do have international 3 weeks ago, and I can tell my col- than mischief making and it does not commitments, but before we exercise leagues that if we pass this rule and do this Congress good service at all. these commitments, we need to look at the resolution offered by the gen- Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I the precedents, what we have done in tleman from New York (Mr. GILMAN) yield myself such time as I may con- regards to these kinds of situations. goes down to defeat, as I suspect it sume. Number one, we have never gone into will, this will destroy the negotiations I feel obliged to reject the allegation the sovereign territory of another and destroy the peace process, and we that Congress would be responsible for country like this without being invited will be responsible for that. atrocities based on the fact that we are to settle a dispute within their bound- The Speaker of the House, the gen- bringing forth this resolution as a sov- aries. This is a very similar situation. tleman from Illinois (Mr. HASTERT) ereign representative body of the If the State of Colorado that I am from came and said that this was an open American people. I am unaccustomed got in a dispute with the State of process, and I think he was a bit dis- to citing, to quoting The Washington Texas, would we invite the Turks or ingenuous, quite frankly. He says that Post, Mr. Speaker, but I feel at this the Greeks or NATO to come in and re- he wants to meet Democrats halfway. time that I must. solve the dispute between Colorado and We have not seen that meeting us half- The Washington Post editorial today Texas? way on committee ratios, we have not says, ‘‘It is a bad time for Congress to March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1185 debate whether the United States ple into the debate that could put our that way, as again Senator Dole said, if should send troops to help police any uniformed personnel in harm’s way. we have the vote first and we fail to peace reached in Kosovo. But there is I want to state that I support this pass it, we will probably not have an no better time left, and Congress has resolution. I support the deployment of agreement. good reason to proceed.’’ troops to Kosovo, provided they enter It is an awfully hard place to get an The Washington Post continues by Kosovo in a permissive environment agreement in the first place. Without saying, ‘‘The President ought to be and with agreed-on conditions of the all the support from Congress, with the asking forthrightly for congressional contact group. With such conditions, I unanimity of the American people, ex- approval, not trying to evade a con- would support our President’s commit- pressed by 435 Members of this House gressional judgment on his policy in ment to guaranteeing peace in Kosovo. voting in favor of the President’s ac- Kosovo.’’ To quote the editorial that was just tions, it will be exceedingly difficult to So with all respect, I tell my col- cited by our good colleague from Flor- achieve a goal of peace in that area. leagues that it is not fair, based on a ida, the editorial in today’s Washing- But with the actions that we take policy disagreement, which is genuine ton Post entitled ‘‘Bring Congress In,’’ today, even if we pass it, but with a and which is most appropriate to say and I quote, ‘‘It takes a bold decision small number, it will encourage that we would be responsible for atroc- for Bill Clinton to bring Congress in as Milosevic and others who object to the ities or horrors that are based on a partner this Kosovo, and he should peace process, who want to see battle unexplainable and historical reasons in not shy away from it.’’ continue, and who care not for the that part of the world. Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I lives on the ground. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from I do hope this is a sincere effort where we differ. I sure hope that we do gentleman from New York (Mr. GIL- Connecticut (Mr. GEJDENSON), who is MAN), the distinguished chairman of the ranking minority member on the not see a unified rejection of the nego- the Committee on International Rela- Committee on International Relations. tiations that are going on today be- tions. Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, first cause it is a Democratic President. (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given let us get straight where we are. There Speaker Foley, when he sat in this permission to revise and extend his re- is no constitutional requirement that House, held up the vote on the Persian marks.) the United States Congress take action Gulf for months at the request of the Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank prior to the President putting troops President of the United States, George Bush. He waited until the troops were the gentleman for yielding me this into a peacekeeping situation. This is there and ready, and then, with agree- time. not initiating a war; this is not moving ment from the administration, held a Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in troops in an area where we anticipate vote. support of the rule, H. Con. Res. 42, au- war. These are peacekeeping oper- thorizing deployment of our U.S. We are asked to vote before there is ations, and we have troops all over the an agreement, before there is a conclu- armed forces in Kosovo. It provides for world in peacekeeping operations with- a clear general debate, and then opens sion. Support the Committee on Rules’ out having gotten prior congressional proposal to send this back and bring it this measure up to amendments from approval. any member, as long as these amend- back to the floor when there is actu- Let us also get rid of some of the ar- ally something to vote on. ments were preprinted in the RECORD. guments that we have heard here on Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I I understand that some 53 amend- the floor that we are going to let the yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from ments have been filed and some are du- Europeans take care of that. That was California (Mr. LANTOS), who is also a plicates and I expect the debate will tried. The previous administration very distinguished member of the Com- focus on authorizing the deployment, waited for Europe to respond to the cri- mittee on International Relations. requiring reports, praising the negotia- sis in Yugoslavia. Mr. Speaker, 200,000 Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have tions, praising our troops, or prohibit- people murdered, raped, killed in their the highest regard for all of my col- ing the deployment. This debate will homes, in open fields, maybe not reach- leagues on the other side of the Cham- fulfill our historic constitutional and ing the numbers of other mass murders ber, and of course, I recognize, as we all legal mandate given by our Founding in this century, but certainly enough must, that this is not a partisan issue. Fathers to put the war powers in the that the American people felt that we When President Bush asked this body hands of the Congress, not the Presi- could no longer wait, and this Presi- to support him with respect to the Per- dent. dent led our effort to end that slaugh- sian Gulf, I was one of those Democrats We have called for this because as I ter. who proudly and publicly supported understand it, the President does not Burden sharing. We have never had him. I want to pay tribute to Senator want us to vote prior to the conclu- an action where the United States is to Dole for his courageous public state- sions of the ongoing Kosovo negotia- play such a small role in the number of ments and actions supporting the pol- tions, and will deploy troops within 48 people on the ground; that in every icy that we support. hours of the agreement, as he has indi- other action, American forces were It is self-evident that this is the cated that he will deploy some 4,000 there in larger number and in this case wrong time to deal with this issue. troops to support the agreement. And the Europeans are, for the first time in There may be no agreement for us to if we were to vote subsequent to de- my memory, accepting a larger respon- implement. But if we vote now, the ployment, we would risk undercutting sibility. When we look at the state- likelihood of an agreement diminishes. our troops in the field. ments, not just of Ambassador Kirk- How many innocent children and According to the Secretary of State, patrick and Senator Dole who are women have to be killed in the former the people’s elected representatives clearly in favor of the President’s pol- Yugoslavia for us to talk about geno- should not vote before deployment and icy, and in particular Senator Dole de- cide? Had we acted in 1991, a quarter to avoid undercutting the troops, we serves great praise for his actions, his million innocent people who are now should not vote after deployment. That efforts, going to the region and the dead would be here, and 21⁄2 million ref- must not be so. The elected representa- work he has done. But even Secretary ugees would still be living in their tives of the people must vote on this Kissinger, who has written in opposi- homes. risky mission. tion to the policy, was very hesitant to I know the difference between the From some of the past conflicts up to suggest that anybody should interpret Persian Gulf and Kosovo. Kosovo has and including Desert Storm, Congress from his article that they should vote no oil. That is the principle that is in- has voted on deployment of our troops against this resolution. voked here, under the table. Clearly we and when we did so, we strengthened are not protecting our oil resources in b our Nation’s resolve and our diplo- 1230 Kosovo, as we did in the Persian Gulf. macy. What is the right thing to do? The This ought not to be a partisan dis- I believe we must have this vote to right thing to do, as Senator Dole said, pute. We are undermining NATO, that require the President to clarify our is first have an agreement and then succeeded in destroying the mighty So- mission and to bring the American peo- have a vote. Because if we do not do it viet Union, if we as the leader of NATO H1186 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 bail out on our international respon- women in uniform. In fact, it is be- ple of Kosovo have a chance for a sibilities. cause of my commitment to the troops peaceful future, or simply resume the If we listen closely, we hear the and not despite of it that I oppose this killing that could destabilize the re- voices of isolationism reverberating in deployment of the troops to Kosovo. gion and threaten United States inter- this Chamber. It is mindboggling. As To put it simply, our forces are ests. I thought until recently that the we close this century, the lesson of it is stretched too thin around the globe to Republican leadership shared this view, that appeasement does not pay, that commit 4,000 or 5,000 troops in an effort and grieve that partisanship has no aggression must be resisted. I ask my whose end is nowhere in sight. When place in this debate. colleagues to reject this rule, and to we committed troops to Bosnia, we When asked a few weeks ago about a have this debate after an agreement were told they would be home that fall; House vote on Kosovo, the Speaker will have been reached. then, that Christmas. That was in 1996. stated publicly, I think we need to Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I Three years later, our troops are still make sure that the administration has yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from in Bosnia. the room to negotiate and get the job Michigan (Mr. LEVIN). I have tremendous confidence in done in Rambouillet first. The fact (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given per- America’s Armed Forces, and have no that we are here today demonstrates mission to revise and extend his re- doubt that given a properly defined that Republican leaders have chosen marks.) mission with a clear objective and a partisan politics over a united Amer- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I was in sensible exit strategy, our forces would ican effort to end the conflict. It seems Bosnia 4 years ago as cochair of a perform brilliantly. That, however, that politics has infected foreign pol- House delegation, and there were three does not describe our presence in the icy, and I think, if that has happened, clear lessons from that trip. former Yugoslavia. with great harm to our credibility Number one, there is a U.S. national I urge my colleagues to join me in overseas. interest in preventing an outbreak of supporting this rule and opposing Others will talk about the impor- major conflagration in the Balkans. We House Concurrent Resolution 42. tance of U.S. leadership in the Balkans should not be the world’s policeman, Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I and Kosovo’s significance for the fu- true. We also should not be asleep at yield 3 minutes to our leader, the gen- ture of NATO. I will simply reiterate to the switch. Whether we like it or not, tleman from Missouri (Mr. GEPHARDT). the Members what Bob Dole said yes- the Balkans is an important cross- (Mr. GEPHARDT asked and was terday in the Committee on Inter- roads. given permission to revise and extend national Relations. When asked about Secondly, Mr. Milosevic is a major his remarks.) the timing of the vote, Senator Dole roadblock to peace, and understands Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I have said, ‘‘I would rather have the vote only firmness, total firmness. always believed that Congress should come after the agreement between the Third, the U.S. has a special credibil- be involved in decisions by our govern- Kosovar Albanians and Serbia.’’ ity there. We have a special credibility, ment to send our armed services into When asked how Members should and we need to use it to help bring harm’s way. I really believe it is best vote if this resolution is not postponed, about peace and to help enforce it. to first commit the people and then Senator Dole said, we hope there will The question now is not whether we commit the troops. be strong bipartisan support. It is in are going to go to war, but whether we However, I object strongly to the our national interest to do this. I regret that the leadership in Con- can negotiate a peace. I urge Members timing of this debate. We should not be gress has forgotten our history and our on the majority side to listen to their debating this matter while our dip- background, and the importance of standardbearer of 1996, Robert Dole, lomats at this very moment are seek- standing united as we attempt to re- who said just yesterday, I would rather ing to convince the parties to this con- solve yet another international con- have the vote come after the agree- flict to lay down their weapons and flict. I urge all Members, Republican ment. Mr. Dole, to his credit, knows choose the path of peace. and Democratic alike, to vote against the importance of bipartisanship in for- To conduct a divisive debate in Con- this rule, and defer this action that eign policy. gress and perhaps fail to support our very well may provoke further blood- I close with this. This is a particu- government’s efforts is the height of ir- shed in the Balkans. larly sensitive time in the negotiations responsibility, and threatens the hope We can have this vote if there is a for peace in Kosovo. This is not the for an agreement to halt the bloodshed treaty. We can have this vote once time to take risks in undermining and prevent the widening of this war. there has been some kind of pulling to- those efforts. Those who insist on a de- We all know that we are at a very gether of a policy that we can look at bate at this particular moment should delicate moment in the Kosovo peace and evaluate. This vote today is pre- think again, or they bear the respon- negotiations. In part due to the efforts mature. It is wrong to have it today. sibility for the possible consequences of former Senate Majority Leader Bob The Members have it within their abil- of their actions. Dole, the Kosovar Albanians are re- ity to put this vote off. I urge Members Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I portedly ready to sign an agreement, to vote against the previous question, yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gentlewoman and our diplomats are right now con- vote against the rule, and let us bring from North Carolina (Mrs. MYRICK), a tinuing convince Yugoslavia President up this vote when it is timely and ap- distinguished member of the Commit- Milosevic to agree, as well. propriate. tee on Rules. If we reject this legislation, the Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I do rise Kosovars may refuse to sign an agree- yield myself such time as I may con- today in support of this rule, because it ment out of fear that U.S. leadership is sume. provides a fair and open debate, as wavering, and clearly, Milosevic will be (Mr. HALL of Ohio asked and was should be the case with such an impor- emboldened to continue his rejection of given permission to revise and extend tant matter. But that said, I strongly a NATO force as part of any agree- his remarks and include extraneous oppose the commitment of U.S. troops ment. Either outcome will only lead to material.) to Kosovo unless we are going to go in more violence, more bloodshed, which Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I and solve the problem. has engulfed this region over the past urge Members to vote against the pre- I do not believe the United States years. vious question. If the previous question can be the parent or the policeman of This should not be about politics. It is defeated, I will offer an amendment the world, and the fighting there and in should not be about giving the admin- to the rule that will delay consider- the rest of the Balkans is primarily a istration a black eye. This is about ation of the Kosovo peacekeeping reso- European matter and should remain a ending a humanitarian catastrophe and lution until an agreement on the sta- European matter, and they should be preventing the slaughter of thousands tus of Kosovo has been signed between involved in taking the lead in this. of innocent people caught in a simmer- the Serbian government and the I believe wholeheartedly in maintain- ing ethnic conflict. Kosovo Albanians. ing a strong national defense, and I Lives are at stake here. Our actions There is potential for serious damage will always support our men and today may determine whether the peo- to the peace process if we insist on March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1187 bringing this debate while negotiations ‘‘Upon rejection of the motion for the pre- Partisanship has not played a role in are in midstream and are in a precar- vious question on a resolution reported from this timing. The deadline for negotia- ious state. We certainly would not the Committee on Rules, control shifts to tions is Monday night. Our troops want to do anything in this body which the Member leading the opposition to the could be on their way to being deployed previous question, who may offer a proper could have the effect of disrupting or amendment or motion and who controls the Monday night. If Congress is to have a even ending the prospect for peace in time for debate thereon.’’ voice on this issue, Congress must the Balkan region. The vote on the previous question on a rule speak now, as even the Washington b does have substantive policy implications. It Post has recognized. 1245 is one of the only available tools for those I personally will join the gentleman Mr. Speaker, I urge a no vote on the who oppose the Republican majority’s agen- from New York (Mr. GILMAN), the previous question. da to offer an alternative plan. chairman of the Committee on Inter- Mr. Speaker, I include for the Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the national Relations, in voting in favor RECORD the document entitled ‘‘The gentleman from Indiana (Mr. ROEMER). of the authorization, in other words, Vote on the Previous Question: What It Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I want to the underlying concurrent resolution Really Means,’’ as follows: thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. being brought forth by this rule. THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION: WHAT HALL) for yielding me the time. So I would urge my colleagues to IT REALLY MEANS Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage vote to support the previous question This vote, the vote on whether to order the Members on both sides of the aisle to and to support the rule. previous question on a special rule, is not support the motion of the gentleman Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise merely a procedural vote. A vote against or- from Ohio (Mr. HALL) to defeat the pre- today to speak on House Concurrent Resolu- dering the previous question is a vote vious question and do so for the follow- tion 42, a measure regarding the use of against the Republican majority agenda and ing two reasons: One, maybe the most United States Armed Forces as part of a a vote to allow the opposition, at least for important book written on the history NATO peacekeeping operation to implement a the moment, to offer an alternative plan. It of Kosovo and Bosnia in the last sev- is a vote about what the House should be de- peace agreement in Kosovo. bating. eral years by Robert Kaplan is ‘‘Balkan At the outset, Mr. Speaker, I would voice my Mr. Clarence Cannon’s ‘‘Precedents of the Ghosts.’’ Certainly the ghosts of this objection on procedural grounds to the rule House of Representatives,’’ (VI, 308–311) de- distinguished Chamber are rattling authorizing debate today of H. Con. Res. 42, scribes the vote on the previous question on around as we play some politics with a measure on which the Democrats had no the rule as ‘‘a motion to direct or control the the timing of this resolution. input and the Administration has not been per- consideration of the subject before the House When it comes to foreign policy, it mitted to comment upon. being made by the Member in charge.’’ To used to be that we did not play politics As we all know, Mr. Speaker, the fragile defeat the previous question is to give the and go across the water’s edge. Cer- opposition a chance to decide the subject be- peace negotiations on Kosovo are being con- fore the House. Cannon cites the Speaker’s tainly when it comes to war, my very ducted by the six member Contact Group and ruling of January 13, 1920, to the effect that first vote in this Chamber, we had dig- international community as we speak. Be- ‘‘the refusal of the House to sustain the de- nified and civil debate really that em- cause of the sensitivity of these on-going ne- mand for the previous question passes the bodied the comity that this institution gotiations, this is the absolute worst time to control of the resolution to the opposition’’ is capable of. hold a contentious debate on Kosovo in the in order to offer an amendment. On March The timing of this resolution is very House of Representatives. Mixed signals from 15, 1909, a member of the majority party of- important. We should not do it before the U.S. Congress concerning the U.S. role in fered a rule resolution. The House defeated we see the peace agreement that is Kosovo undercut the Administration's ability to the previous question and a member of the reached, if one is reached in this very opposition rose to a parliamentary inquiry, forge a successful peace agreement between asking who was entitled to recognition. volatile and delicate region of the the warring factions in Kosovo. Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R-Illinois) said: world. Already the situation is being manipulated ‘‘The previous question having been refused, Secondly, Mr. Speaker, and I openly by Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic, whose the gentleman from New York, Mr. Fitzger- will criticize the administration for belligerence has been encouraged by per- ald, who had asked the gentleman to yield to this, I do not know how I would vote ceived ambivalence in Washington. No doubt him for an amendment, is entitled to the next week or the week after on deploy- this has played a role in recent setbacks to first recognition.’’ ing troops. I think we should have an- the peace process, as exemplified by Because the vote today may look bad for swers to questions about how thinly the Republican majority they will say ‘‘the Milosevic's emboldened insistence to U.S. vote on the previous question is simply a our troops might be deployed, what the Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke that any po- vote on whether to proceed to an immediate cost would be, what the exit strategy litical agreement based upon his country's ac- vote on adopting the resolution . . . [and] will be, how we are going to pay for ceptance of foreign troops is unacceptable. has no substantive legislative or policy im- this, what is the morale of the troops Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to vote plications whatsoever.’’ But that is not what like and what state is that? against the rule on H. Con. Res. 42. It is they have always said. Listen to the Repub- I do not think we should give carte clearly irresponsible to hold a divisive Kosovo lican Leadership ‘‘Manual on the Legislative blanche to the administration who sim- debate now in Congress that will, in all likeli- Process in the United States House of Rep- ply announces to Congress that they resentatives,’’ (6th edition, page 135). Here’s hood, materially damage prospects for a last- how the Republicans describe the previous are going to send 4,000 troops overseas ing peace agreement being reached in that question vote in their own manual: whether Congress wants to or not. war-torn province. ‘‘Although it is generally not possible to So in terms of these two reasons, the Having said that, Mr. Speaker, if a peace amend the rule because the majority Mem- politics of the timing today is not ap- accord in Kosovo is negotiated, I would urge ber controlling the time will not yield for propriate. Let us see if we can get a support for the President's authority to deploy the purpose of offering an amendment, the peace agreement; and then once we U.S. troops to implement the peace agree- same result may be achieved by voting down have it, let us debate it. Let us play ment, as embodied in H. Con. Res. 42. the previous question on the rule. . . . When our constitutional role in the United As the world's lone superpower, I believe the motion for the previous question is de- feated, control of the time passes to the States Congress and have input, valu- the government of the United States has a Member who led the opposition to ordering able input and debate on such a criti- moral obligation to do what we can to stop the the previous question. That Member, because cally important matter for our Con- senseless bloodshed in Kosovo. Already over he then controls the time, may offer an stitution, our country, and our Con- 200,000 lives have been sacrificed in the re- amendment to the rule, or yield for the pur- gress. gion's violence and it must be stopped. pose of amendment.’’ Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I On a strategic level, it is important that the Deschler’s ‘‘Procedure in the U.S. House of yield myself such time as I may con- war in Kosovo not be allowed to escalate and Representatives,’’ the subchapter titled sume. spread, threatening the stability of surrounding ‘‘Amending Special Rules’’ states: ‘‘a refusal Mr. Speaker, the accusations made to order the previous question on such a rule Balkan states as well as that of NATO part- [a special rule reported from the Committee by our distinguished colleagues on the ners, Greece and Turkey. The United States on Rules] opens the resolution to amend- other side of the aisle, especially the has a strategic interest in preserving the ment and further debate.’’ (Chapter 21, sec- minority leader, have been most un- peace and stability of all of Europe, including tion 21.2) Section 21.3 continues: fair, unfortunate, and must be rejected. its southern flank. H1188 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 Achieving these important objectives require Bliley Hall (TX) Pickering Kaptur Minge Sherman Blunt Hansen Pitts Kennedy Mink Shows that an international peacekeeping force be Boehlert Hastert Pombo Kildee Moakley Sisisky formed by NATO. As NATO's leader, I believe Boehner Hastings (WA) Porter Kilpatrick Moore Skelton it appropriate and not an undue burden that Bonilla Hayes Portman Kind (WI) Moran (VA) Slaughter the United States contribute 4,000 U.S. troops, Bono Hayworth Pryce (OH) Kleczka Murtha Smith (WA) Brady (TX) Hefley Quinn Klink Nadler Snyder only 14% of the total NATO deployment of Bryant Herger Radanovich Kucinich Napolitano Spratt 28,000 peacekeeping soldiers. History has Burr Hill (MT) Ramstad LaFalce Neal Stabenow shown repeatedly that if the United States Burton Hilleary Regula Lampson Oberstar Stark Buyer Hobson Reynolds Lantos Obey Stenholm does not participate and lead, NATO is inef- Callahan Hoekstra Riley Larson Olver Strickland fective and falls apart. Calvert Horn Rogan Lee Ortiz Stupak Mr. Speaker, whether we like it or not, Camp Hostettler Rogers Levin Owens Tanner America cannot afford to walk away from the Campbell Houghton Rohrabacher Lewis (GA) Pallone Tauscher Canady Hulshof Ros-Lehtinen Lipinski Pascrell Taylor (MS) genocide and instability festering in Kosovo. I Cannon Hunter Roukema Lofgren Pastor Thompson (CA) urge our colleagues to support H. Con. Res. Castle Hutchinson Royce Lowey Payne Thompson (MS) 42 and its urgent mission to bring peace to the Chabot Hyde Ryan (WI) Lucas (KY) Pelosi Thurman Chambliss Isakson Ryun (KS) Luther Peterson (MN) Tierney long suffering people of Kosovo. Chenoweth Istook Salmon Maloney (CT) Phelps Towns Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Coble Jenkins Sanford Maloney (NY) Pickett Traficant I rise in opposition to the rule allowing for the Coburn Johnson (CT) Scarborough Markey Pomeroy Turner consideration of H. Con. Res. 42. Collins Johnson, Sam Schaffer Martinez Price (NC) Udall (CO) Combest Jones (NC) Sensenbrenner Mascara Rahall Udall (NM) Mr. Speaker, the consideration of this bill Cook Kasich Sessions Matsui Rangel Velazquez comes at a most inopportune time. Timing is Cooksey Kelly Shadegg McCarthy (MO) Rivers Vento the key issue in this debate. As Negotiations Cox King (NY) Shaw McCarthy (NY) Rodriguez Visclosky Crane Kingston Shays McDermott Roemer Waters to end the fighting in Kosovo are scheduled to Cubin Knollenberg Sherwood McGovern Rothman Watt (NC) resume next week this body has scheduled a Cunningham Kolbe Shimkus McIntyre Roybal-Allard Waxman debate as to the course of American policy in Davis (VA) Kuykendall Shuster McKinney Rush Weiner the region. In debating this resolution now we Deal LaHood Simpson McNulty Sabo Wexler DeLay Largent Skeen Meehan Sanchez Weygand send the wrong message to friend and foe DeMint Latham Smith (MI) Meek (FL) Sanders Wise alike. In debating this issue now we send a Diaz-Balart LaTourette Smith (NJ) Meeks (NY) Sandlin Woolsey message of indecisiveness and reluctance to Dickey Lazio Smith (TX) Menendez Sawyer Wu Doolittle Leach Souder Millender- Schakowsky Wynn fulfill our role as a peace partner in the region. Dreier Lewis (CA) Spence McDonald Scott A decisive debate on this issue could under- Duncan Lewis (KY) Stearns Miller, George Serrano Dunn Linder Stump mine the talks at a critical juncture in the dia- NOT VOTING—12 logue. Even former Senator Dole who sup- Ehlers LoBiondo Sununu Ehrlich Lucas (OK) Sweeney Becerra Frost Mollohan ports a NATO ground presence, recognizes Emerson Manzullo Talent Bilbray Goodling Morella the bad timing of this resolution. On March 10, English McCollum Tancredo Capps Gutknecht Reyes Senator Dole testified before the House Inter- Everett McCrery Tauzin Delahunt John Saxton Ewing McHugh Taylor (NC) national Relations Committee that he ``would Fletcher McInnis Terry b 1308 rather have the vote come after the agreement Foley McIntosh Thomas between the Albanians and Serbia.'' Forbes McKeon Thornberry Messrs. BISHOP, HOEFFEL and Mr. Speaker, I will vote against the rule on Fossella Metcalf Thune PAYNE changed their vote from ‘‘yea’’ Fowler Mica Tiahrt to ‘‘nay.’’ H. Con. Res. 42 because this is the wrong Franks (NJ) Miller (FL) Toomey time for the consideration of this legislation by Frelinghuysen Miller, Gary Upton So the previous question was ordered. the House at such a critical moment in the Gallegly Moran (KS) Walden The result of the vote was announced Walsh peace negotiations. Ganske Myrick as above recorded. Gekas Nethercutt Wamp The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I Gibbons Ney Watkins move the previous question on the res- Gilchrest Northup Watts (OK) BURR of North Carolina). The question olution. Gillmor Norwood Weldon (FL) is on the resolution. Gilman Nussle Weldon (PA) The question was taken; and the The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goode Ose Weller BURR of North Carolina). The question Goodlatte Oxley Whitfield Speaker pro tempore announced that is on ordering the previous question. Goss Packard Wicker the ayes appeared to have it. Wilson Graham Paul RECORDED VOTE The question was taken; and the Granger Pease Wolf Speaker pro tempore announced that Green (WI) Peterson (PA) Young (AK) Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I de- the ayes appeared to have it. Greenwood Petri Young (FL) mand a recorded vote. Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ob- A recorded vote was ordered. ject to the vote on the ground that a NAYS—203 The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a quorum is not present and make the Abercrombie Clayton Fattah 5-minute vote. Ackerman Clement Filner point of order that a quorum is not Allen Clyburn Ford The vote was taken by electronic de- present. Andrews Condit Frank (MA) vice, and there were—ayes 218, noes 201, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evi- Baird Conyers Gejdenson not voting 15, as follows: Baldacci Costello Gephardt dently a quorum is not present. Baldwin Coyne Gonzalez [Roll No. 46] The Sergeant at Arms will notify ab- Barcia Cramer Gordon AYES—218 Barrett (WI) Crowley sent Members. Green (TX) Aderholt Bryant Cox Bentsen Cummings Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XX, the Gutierrez Armey Burr Crane Berkley Danner Hall (OH) Bachus Burton Cubin Chair will reduce to a minimum of 5 Berman Davis (FL) Hastings (FL) Baker Buyer Cunningham Berry Davis (IL) minutes the period of time within Hill (IN) Ballenger Callahan Davis (VA) Bishop DeFazio which a vote by electronic device, if or- Hilliard Barr Calvert Deal Blagojevich DeGette Hinchey Barrett (NE) Camp DeLay dered, will be taken on the question of Blumenauer DeLauro Hinojosa Barton Campbell DeMint agreeing to the resolution. Bonior Deutsch Hoeffel Bass Canady Diaz-Balart Borski Dicks The vote was taken by electronic de- Holden Bateman Cannon Dickey Boswell Dingell vice, and there were—yeas 219, nays Holt Bereuter Castle Doolittle Boucher Dixon Hooley Biggert Chabot Dreier 203, not voting 12, as follows: Boyd Doggett Hoyer Bilirakis Chambliss Duncan Brady (PA) Dooley [Roll No. 45] Inslee Bliley Chenoweth Dunn Brown (CA) Doyle Jackson (IL) Blunt Coble Ehlers YEAS—219 Brown (FL) Edwards Jackson-Lee Boehlert Coburn Ehrlich Aderholt Ballenger Bass Brown (OH) Engel (TX) Boehner Collins Emerson Archer Barr Bateman Capuano Eshoo Jefferson Bonilla Combest English Armey Barrett (NE) Bereuter Cardin Etheridge Johnson, E. B. Bono Cook Everett Bachus Bartlett Biggert Carson Evans Jones (OH) Brady (TX) Cooksey Ewing Baker Barton Bilirakis Clay Farr Kanjorski March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1189 Fletcher LaHood Royce Nadler Roybal-Allard Tauscher portunity for the House to participate Foley Largent Ryan (WI) Napolitano Rush Thompson (CA) Forbes Latham Ryun (KS) Neal Sabo Thompson (MS) in a decision whether or not to deploy Fossella LaTourette Salmon Oberstar Sanchez Thurman our armed forces to Kosovo to imple- Fowler Lazio Sanford Obey Sanders Tierney ment the peace agreement now being Frank (MA) Leach Scarborough Olver Sandlin Towns negotiated at Rambouillet, France. Franks (NJ) Lewis (CA) Schaffer Ortiz Sawyer Traficant Frelinghuysen Lewis (KY) Sensenbrenner Owens Schakowsky Turner The Congress has not only a right but Gallegly Linder Sessions Pallone Scott Udall (CO) a constitutional responsibility with re- Ganske LoBiondo Shadegg Pascrell Serrano Udall (NM) spect to deployments of our armed Gekas Lucas (OK) Shaw Pastor Sherman Velazquez forces into potentially hostile situa- Gibbons Manzullo Shays Payne Shows Vento Gilchrest McCollum Sherwood Pelosi Sisisky Visclosky tions and, along with the Speaker, I be- Gillmor McCrery Shimkus Peterson (MN) Skelton Waters lieve that debating and voting on this Gilman McHugh Shuster Phelps Slaughter Watt (NC) resolution is an appropriate way for Goode McInnis Simpson Pickett Smith (WA) Waxman Goodlatte McIntosh Skeen Pomeroy Snyder Weiner the Congress to begin to carry out this Goss McKeon Smith (MI) Price (NC) Spratt Wexler responsibility. Graham Metcalf Smith (NJ) Quinn Stabenow Weygand Granger Mica Smith (TX) Rahall Stark Wise Some Members of Congress have seri- Green (WI) Miller (FL) Souder Rangel Stenholm Woolsey ous reservations about deploying U.S. Greenwood Miller, Gary Spence Rivers Strickland Wu Armed Forces to Kosovo as peace- Gutknecht Moran (KS) Stearns Rodriguez Stupak Wynn keepers. Others strongly support the Hall (TX) Myrick Stump Rothman Tanner Hansen Nethercutt Sununu President’s policy. In an effort to give Hastert Ney Sweeney NOT VOTING—15 the benefit of the doubt to our Presi- Hastings (WA) Northup Talent Archer Delahunt John dent, the text of this resolution does Hayes Norwood Tancredo Bartlett Frost Mollohan Hayworth Nussle Tauzin Becerra Goodling Morella not criticize or oppose the proposed de- Hefley Ose Taylor (MS) Bilbray Horn Reyes ployment to Kosovo. To the contrary, Herger Oxley Taylor (NC) Capps Hunter Saxton it states that ‘‘the President is author- Hill (MT) Packard Terry ized to deploy United States armed Hilleary Paul Thomas b 1319 forces personnel to Kosovo as part of a Hobson Pease Thornberry So the resolution was agreed to. Hoekstra Peterson (PA) Thune NATO peacekeeping operation imple- The result of the vote was announced Hostettler Petri Tiahrt menting a Kosovo peace agreement.’’ Houghton Pickering Toomey as above recorded. Hulshof Pitts Upton A motion to reconsider was laid on The Speaker has stressed that this Hutchinson Pombo Walden resolution is being offered without Hyde Porter Walsh the table. Isakson Portman Wamp PERSONAL EXPLANATION prejudice to the underlying question. Istook Pryce (OH) Watkins Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, regrettably I We expect Members to vote their con- Watts (OK) Jenkins Radanovich was unavoidably detained for rollcall votes 45 science on the resolution, in the sol- Johnson (CT) Ramstad Weldon (FL) emn exercise of their responsibility as Johnson, Sam Regula Weldon (PA) and 46. Had I been present, I would have Jones (NC) Reynolds Weller voted ``yes'' on both rollcall votes. elected representatives of the Amer- Kasich Riley Whitfield The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ican people. No one can deny that the Kelly Roemer Wicker debate now under way in this House is King (NY) Rogan Wilson BURR of North Carolina). Pursuant to Kingston Rogers Wolf House Resolution 103 and rule XVIII, one of the most weighty questions a Knollenberg Rohrabacher Young (AK) the Chair declares the House in the Congress can face: sending into harm’s Kolbe Ros-Lehtinen Young (FL) way, on foreign soil, our uniformed per- Kuykendall Roukema Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union for the consider- sonnel who volunteered to be part of NOES—201 ation of the concurrent resolution, our Nation’s military. Abercrombie DeLauro Kildee House Concurrent Resolution 42. The administration has asserted that Ackerman Deutsch Kilpatrick b 1322 it believes it has the authority to send Allen Dicks Kind (WI) U.S. troops to Kosovo to enforce a Andrews Dingell Kleczka IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Baird Dixon Klink peace plan without congressional ap- Baldacci Doggett Kucinich Accordingly, the House resolved proval. There are many in the House Baldwin Dooley LaFalce itself into the Committee of the Whole who disagree. Regardless of where our Barcia Doyle Lampson House on the State of the Union for the individual Members may stand on the Barrett (WI) Edwards Lantos consideration of the concurrent resolu- Bentsen Engel Larson role of the Congress in the deployment Berkley Eshoo Lee tion (H. Con. Res. 42) regarding the use of our armed forces on foreign soil to Berman Etheridge Levin of United States Armed Forces as part undertake risky missions, it is undeni- Berry Evans Lewis (GA) of a NATO peacekeeping operation im- Bishop Farr Lipinski able that the President’s hand will be Blagojevich Fattah Lofgren plementing a Kosovo peace agreement, strengthened when he seeks and ob- Blumenauer Filner Lowey with Mr. THORNBERRY in the chair. tains the assent of the Congress. Bonior Ford Lucas (KY) The Clerk read the title of the con- Borski Gejdenson Luther current resolution. There are two observations on this Boswell Gephardt Maloney (CT) The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the prospective deployment, and I stress Boucher Gonzalez Maloney (NY) that we are debating this issue before Boyd Gordon Markey rule, the concurrent resolution is con- Brady (PA) Green (TX) Martinez sidered as having been read the first it is fully developed in order to have a Brown (CA) Gutierrez Mascara meaningful debate. First, this resolu- Brown (FL) Hall (OH) Matsui time. Under the rule, the gentleman from tion is an authorization if the condi- Brown (OH) Hastings (FL) McCarthy (MO) tions are appropriate, that is, if and Capuano Hill (IN) McCarthy (NY) New York (Mr. GILMAN) and the gen- only if hostilities have ceased and if Cardin Hilliard McDermott tleman from Connecticut (Mr. GEJDEN- Carson Hinchey McGovern there is an agreement that has been ac- SON) will each control 1 hour. Clay Hinojosa McIntyre cepted by both sides. Clayton Hoeffel McKinney The Chair recognizes the gentleman Clement Holden McNulty from New York (Mr. GILMAN). And, second, as Senator Bob Dole Clyburn Holt Meehan Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield told our Committee on International Condit Hooley Meek (FL) Conyers Hoyer Meeks (NY) myself such time as I may consume. Relations yesterday, ‘‘If we’re not part Costello Inslee Menendez (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given of this agreement, there will not be an Coyne Jackson (IL) Millender- permission to revise and extend his re- agreement.’’ Senator Dole’s point is Cramer Jackson-Lee McDonald Crowley (TX) Miller, George marks.) that the Albanians of Kosovo believe Cummings Jefferson Minge Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise that our Nation has to be present for Danner Johnson, E. B. Mink today to begin this historic debate on them to accept the peace plan. We Davis (FL) Jones (OH) Moakley H. Con. Res. 42. The purpose of this res- must recognize, also, the proportion of Davis (IL) Kanjorski Moore DeFazio Kaptur Moran (VA) olution, which I introduced at the the burden that we will be accepting in DeGette Kennedy Murtha Speaker’s request, is to afford an op- sending our troops to Kosovo. Out of H1190 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 some 30,000 total troops that are ex- men, women and children in the region market slaughter, we would not have pected to guarantee the peace, our will depend on the actions we take, and gotten involved then, and since our share will be only 15 percent. The Euro- again I would like to briefly review a participation nobody has died and it is peans will be doing the rest, and I little history. working. think it is a fair distribution if the A previous administration said this This is the 50th anniversary of NATO. United States wants to continue to be was a European problem, let the Euro- NATO leaders from all the world will considered the leader in the NATO alli- peans solve it. Over 200,000 men, women come here to celebrate the working of ance. and children died, entire villages were NATO, and how can they celebrate the I would also point out that today’s exterminated, a level of atrocity not working of NATO if NATO forces go debate is not the last we will have re- seen since World War II or Cambodia into Kosovo if there is an agreement garding the U.S. role in Kosovo. There occurred in the heart of Europe. and the Americans do not participate will be ample opportunities as events When the committee called in wit- in it? unfold in Kosovo for Members to intro- nesses, they brought in the majority’s George Will wrote in Newsweek duce, to debate and to vote on meas- best: Senator Dole, who deserves great where he said: ures regarding what the U.S. is doing credit for actually going to the region If NATO cannot stop massacres in the cen- and not doing in Kosovo. We need, how- on behalf of the administration to try ter of Europe, it cannot long continue as an ever, to start this debate today and to to argue for the peace plan. Senator instrument of collective security against demonstrate that the Congress is in- Dole testified that if we fail to act Wye. Given how well things have gone in the volved, that it should be involved, and today, it will be likely that we will fail last 50 years on the continent, wherein the to achieve peace. He wanted to put this preceding 35 years things went wrong at such that it can be involved responsibly in cost in American blood and treasure, do foreign policy questions of this nature. vote off, but he said: Americans want the risk, arising tide of an- Mr. Chairman, in our committee’s ‘‘If you have this vote, make sure archy? you pass it, because if you do not pass hearings yesterday, we were also privi- It is important, if there is going to be it, you will undermine the possibility leged to have Ambassador Jeane Kirk- a NATO, and what we are voting on of peace in the region.’’ patrick provide some of her acumen on today is not only troops with regard to Ambassador Kirkpatrick said the complex foreign policy questions such Kosovo if there is an agreement, we are same thing. as Kosovo. Ambassador Kirkpatrick in essence today, whether we like it or pointed out that there is a risk in not The only witness brought forth that not, voting on the vitality and the fu- paying attention to violence because it day to argue the opposite proposition was former Secretary of State Henry ture of NATO. may seem to be disorganized, or its In closing, if there is a lasting peace Kissinger, and even he said that he proponents remote or poorly armed. though in this region, it is important would be very careful to take his pre- Ambassador Kirkpatrick went on to that we do everything we can to see vious editorial comments as an excuse state that ‘‘violence can spread, not that President Milosevic is removed to vote against this resolution. Even he like dominoes but like putty because from power. A just and permanent way understood the importance of not un- we don’t think that it is dangerous.’’ for him to step down must be found. This was the attitude of European na- dermining our negotiators as they try The longer he remains, the longer the tions when Hitler moved into the to achieve the goal to stop murder in turmoil and unrest and killing will Rhineland. If the conditions are appro- the region. This is not a question about whether continue in Eastern Europe. priate and there are no hostilities, I am It is not an easy vote, but in the we trust the President or we trust the inclined to support the deployment of Bible in Luke it says to whom much is Secretary of State’s agreement. We do our forces to Kosovo. I will vote for given much is expected, and in one this measure in its present form in not have an agreement before us. So I would hope we would accept verse it says to whom much is given order to preserve human life. I am con- much is required. We have been blessed fident that this House over the next some amendments that give the Con- in this country with peace and prosper- several hours will conduct a debate gress time to reflect but that support ity. NATO has been a success, NATO that will be remembered as one of the the policy that we have initiated, that has worked, NATO is important, and higher points of this 106th Congress, we continue to support America’s with the 50th anniversary coming up to where our Members do the work that power to save lives and bring peace to say that NATO will participate in they have been entrusted to do by the this region of the world. Kosovo if there is an agreement, and I American people. Accordingly, Mr. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance stipulate, but the United States will Chairman, I ask that each one of our of my time. not participate, will basically be the colleagues follow the debate closely Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 first nail in the coffin in the death of and vote their conscience on this meas- minutes to the gentleman from Vir- ure. ginia (Mr. WOLF). NATO. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance (Mr. WOLF asked and was given per- So with great reluctance stipulating of my time. mission to revise and extend his re- the administration has not treated our Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I marks.) troops fairly with regard to benefits yield myself such time as I may con- Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I was in and pay and they have been weakened, sume. As I said earlier, I do not think Kosovo 2 weeks ago. It was my second and also they have not made the case, we should be here today. As a general trip there since 1995. I rise in support of I support the resolution. practice, I think the Congress ought to the resolution. I will stipulate the ad- Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H. Con. execute its authority based on a con- ministration has not done a good job Res. 42, a resolution authorizing the deploy- cluded agreement, not taking action on educating and conferring with the ment of U.S. troops to Kosovo. I support the prior to having any understanding Congress, nor has it done a good job of resolution, although imperfect, in its current what the parameters of the agreement telling the American people what the form. I do so reluctantly. I do not believe will be in that region or anywhere else. mission is. However, if there is an President Clinton has made a credible case to It would be akin to voting on treaties agreement in France, I support the de- the American people or to the Congress about before they were drafted. If the leader- ployment of American troops because I the need for this deployment. I urge him to do ship of this body were running the Sen- believe without U.S. participation it so and do so quickly. We will, after all, be ate, I imagine the next time we had a will not work. sending America's young men and women nuclear missile proliferation treaty or I spoke to one person over there. I into harm's way and the people deserve to other arms control treaty, the Senate said, ‘‘How many American soldiers do know ``why.'' would either approve them or reject you need?’’ Two weeks ago I visited Kosovo to get a them before the ink was even on the He said, ‘‘At least one, and he has to first-hand glimpse into the current conflict. I page. be out in front because without Ameri- met with representatives of the Kosovo Libera- ca’s involvement it will not take tion Army (KLA/UCK), Serb government offi- b 1330 place.’’ cials, NGO representatives and U.S. Ambas- But we are here now, and we have Two hundred thousand people died in sador William Walker, the head of the Organi- taken this fateful step. The lives of Bosnia. Were it not for the Sarajevo zation on Security and Cooperation in Europe March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1191 (OSCE) mission in Pristina. I also had the marines are given the resources they need to I spent parts of two days in Skopje, Mac- chance to talk to members of the KLA army, carry out their ever increasing number of mis- edonia, where I met with embassy Deputy many of them everyday people, farmers, sions around the world. It's not enough to Chief of Mission and Charge d’affaires Paul Jones; Political Officer Charles Stonecipher; storekeepers, workers and such who were pass a resolution. Congress must ensure that members of the Macedonian parliament; driven to the KLA by the constant, brutal ac- the resources available for the American mili- former Prime Minister and President of the tion of the Serbs. tary are there for them to carry out the grow- Social Democratic Union (opposition politi- I am submitting a copy of my trip report for ing number of missions the military is being cal party) Branko Crvenkovski; American the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. It contains my called upon to carry out. soliders assigned to United Nations forces observations and recommendations regarding We also must do more than we have done guarding the Macedonia-Kosovo border, and the Kosovo conflict. in Bosnia to build a lasting peace. While our the commander and men of the NATO I have concluded that if there is a signed military effort in Bosnia has been successful, Kosovo verification and extraction forces as peace agreement in Rambouillet, it will be thanks to the commitment and skill of Amer- well as representatives of NGOs in Macedo- nia. necessary to commit troops to the Kosovo ican troops, the civilian side of the effort has In Kosovo for a day and a half, I met with peace effort. It is only with the greatest reluc- fallen far short. We have failed so far to bring head of mission Ambassador William Walker tance that I support the deployment of Amer- about reconciliation among the ethnic factions. and senior adviser to ethnic Albanian elected ican troops abroad, but I believe that without An interdependent society enhanced by an ef- President Ibrahim Rugova, Professor Alush U.S. troops, peacekeeping won't work. The fective marketplace and economic trade sys- Gashi. I also met with Kosovo Liberation U.S. is both the leader of the world and of tem has not gotten off the ground. For exam- Army (KLA/UCK) spokesman Adem Demaci NATO. If NATO is involved, we must be part ple, three years after the Dayton accord, the (who previously spent 26 years in Serb pris- railroad in Bosnia does not yet operate. ons) and senior Serbian representative in of the effort or it will not succeed. Kosovo, Zoran Andelkovic. Other meetings This year is the 50th anniversary of NATO. We must learn lessons from Bosnia and help create a working regional government in included NGO representatives, head of the The anniversary will be celebrated with events Kosovo office of the U.N. High Commissioner in Washington and elsewhere in the United Kosovo that effectively represents and is ac- for Refugees (UNHCR), and other officials States. Kosovo will be a big test for this impor- countable to the people and contributes to the and representatives. Our understanding and tant alliance. The U.S. has always been the creation of a viable economy. We also must most able escort was State Department For- leader of NATO and we should not shy away ensure that a new Kosovo government has ef- eign Service Officer Ronald Capps. We also from our commitment now. If we refuse to be- fective civilian oversight over the military and stopped at a Serb police barracks and met come part of the NATO effort in Kosovo, it that KLA forces are disarmed and brought with the officer in charge. We met individual under civilian command. Without strong civil- members of the KLA and with a number of could only further embolden Serb President individual Kosovars who had returned to Slobodan Milosevic and dim the prospects for ian control, the KLA could get out of hand. Most importantly, lasting peace may not their villages after having been driven out by reaching a lasting, peaceful settlement. The Serb attacks. Some villages were largely de- fighting will continue and more people, includ- occur in the Balkans while Serbian President stroyed and remain mostly deserted. ing many women and children, will lose their Slobodan Milesovic is in power. A just and The fate of Albania, Macedonia and lives. I agree with the words of Bob Kagan in permanent way for him to step down must be Kosovo, which border one another, is inter- the Weekly Standard of March 1, 1999. He found. The longer he remains, the longer tur- related. Albania has a population of about moil, unrest and killing will continue in eastern two million people. Macedonia’s population says the practical effect of opposing U.S. in- of two million includes about one third eth- volvement ``would be to reinforce Milosevic's Europe. It is never an easy decision for a Member nic Albanian. About 90 percent of the nearly conviction that NATO, and particularly the of Congress to decide to vote in favor of send- two million people in Kosovo are also ethnic United States, does not have the stomach to Albanian. ing American men and women into a possibly Kosovo is the southernmost province of take him on.'' dangerous situation. I believe, however, that George Will wrote in Newsweek on March present-day Serbia and has a centuries long once a peace agreement is reachedÐif it is 1, ``. . . if NATO cannot stop massacres in history of conflict, turbulence and hatred. reachedÐdeploying NATO troops to the re- the center of Europe, it cannot long continue By 1987 Serbian dominance in the region had gion to keep the peace, prevent the conflict been established, Slobodan Milosevic was as an instrument of collective security against from spreading and prevent destabilizing refu- President and ethnic Albanian participation . . . what? Given how well things have gone gee outflows into neighboring countries is the in government was virtually nonexistent. in the last 50 years on the continent where in only way to ensure stability in Europe. Stability In response, ethnic Albanians in 1991 the preceding 35 years things went so wrong, formed a shadow government complete with in Europe is in the best interest of the United president, parliament, tax system and at such cost in American blood and treasure, States. do Americans want to risk a rising tide of an- schools. Ibrahim Rugova was elected presi- STATEMENT BY U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FRANK archy?'' I agree with this thoughts. dent and has since worked for Kosovo inde- R. WOLF, REPORT OF A VISIT TO THE BAL- pendence through peaceful means. However, I do not believe the Clinton ad- KANS KOSOVO: THE LATEST BALKAN HOT By the mid-1990, the ethnic Albanian popu- ministration has made a credible case for U.S. SPOT, FEBRUARY 13–18, 1999 lation in Kosovo had grown to nearly 90 per- involvement in Kosovo to the American people This report provides details of my trip to Al- cent as human rights conditions continued nor do I believe that this administration has bania, Macedona and Kosovo during mid- to go down hill with the Serbs in total con- done a good job taking care of our men and February, 1999. This visit occurred during trol of police and the army. Many, if not women in uniform who, at personal risk, have the time the Serb-Kosovo Albanian peace most, individual Serbs also have weapons as been carrying out our policy in Bosnia, in Iraq, conference was taking place in Rambouillet, opposed to ethnic Albanians for whom pos- in Haiti, in South Korea, on our high seas and France, and ended only a few days before the sessing a gun is against strictly enforced contact group’s initially imposed deadline to law. Beatings, harassment and brutality to- ``wherever the U.S.'' needs its strength. We reach agreement of February 20. There is ward ethnic Albanians became common- have drawndown troops to a level now insuffi- every indication that the U.S. will be con- place, particularly in villages and smaller cient to meet today's needs. Many troops go cerned with Kosovo for some time to come towns. from one deployment to another without time and it was important to have a clear, first- In 1996 the shadowy, separatist Kosovo Lib- to be home with their families. U.S. troops are hand view of conditions there. eration Army (KLA) surfaced for the first stretched too thin and are not being treated I have, for many years, had a deep interest time, claiming responsibility for bombings fairly. Pay and allowances are inadequate, the in the Balkans and concern for the people in southern Yugoslavia. KLA efforts intensi- fied over the next several years, government tempo of operations is too high (we just need who live there. I have traveled numerous times to the region. There has been hos- officials and alleged ethnic Albanian collabo- a larger military force to face the tasks they tility, unrest and turmoil for hundreds of rators were killed. The Serbian government have been given) and we are not giving our years. It has been said that there is too much cracked down and violence has escalated first class military men and women the tools history for these small countries to bear. If since. they need to do the job. this is so, it has never been more true than I met with a number of KLA members. I want to emphasize that there are no better today. Most of them are everyday people, farmers, soldiers anywhere in the world and the morale During this trip, I spent one day in Tirana, storekeepers, workers and such who were of our troops is high. But they are not being Albania, where I met with the U.S. Ambas- driven to the KLA by the constant brutal ac- sador Marissa Lino and her embassy staff; tion of the Serbs. There are, no doubt, some treated fairly. Albanian President Meidani; Prime Minister bad people in the KLA including thugs, gang- If the troops are to be deployed to Kosovo, Majko; cabinet ministers; the Speaker and sters and smugglers, but most are motivated we must give them strong political leadership other members of parliament; religious lead- by a hunger for independence. Still, it must and a clear mission. We also must be sure ers, and heads of Non-Government Organiza- be recognized that some acts of terrorism that Americans soldiers, airmen, seamen and tions (NGOs) active there. have been committed by the KLA. H1192 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 Conditions in Kosovo continued to deterio- for allowing conditions to get where they are point that U.S. presence is key—perhaps rate and alarm the international commu- today. vital. nity. In October 1998, under threat of NATO There appear to be few lessons this admin- It is not without irony that the one key air strikes, Serbian President Milosevic istration has learned from the painful expe- player omitted from the contact group meet- made commitments to implement terms of rience of Bosnia. Our government waited too ings in France is a NATO representative. The U.N. Security Council Resolution 1199 to end long to get involved and, once engaged, has irony deepens when the presence on the con- violence in Kosovo, partially withdraw Ser- been somewhat ineffective. Too many died in tact group of chronic problem-makes Russia bian forces, open access to humanitarian re- Bosnia during this delay. While committing and France is noted. lief organizations (NGOs), cooperate with troops to the region for one year (now over Frankly, the U.S. Congress has also had war crimes investigators and progress to- three years with no end in sight) has indeed too little involvement in this Balkan proc- ward a political settlement. halted killing, at least temporarily, Bosnia ess. The administration has done and contin- As part of this commitment, in order to is no further along toward peaceful self suffi- ues to do a poor job in dealing with these verify compliance, President Milosevic ciency than when troops arrive. Rather, it is issues. Consultation with the Congress does agreed to an on-scene verification mission by as though there is merely a pause in time. If not appear to have been a major concern to the Organization for Security and Coopera- our troops leave, hostility and brutality the White House. While foreign policy is tion in Europe (OSCE) and NATO surveil- would likely resume. Little infrastructure is largely the prerogative of the President, lance of Kosovo by non-combatant aircraft. being created. Railroads are not running. American lives are being placed at risk in a These activities are in progress and NATO Little economic development or growth is far-off land and untold dollars are being has deployed a small extraction force in next emerging. No lasting plan for peace has been committed to this effort. Congress has a role door Macedonia. I visited with each of these developed and no interdependent community and must participate in this debate. Congres- groups. has been created which would make undesir- sional hearings to explore all aspects of this However, conditions in Kosovo have not able, a return to conflict. Little has been situation are in order. stabilized and more have been killed. Fi- done to bring about reconciliation. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: nally, a contact group with members from Meanwhile, as we look at our overall U.S. 1. If there is a signed peace agreement in the U.S., Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy military capabilities throughout the world, Rambouillet, it could be necessary to com- and Germany issued an ultimatum to the we see that this administration has drawn mit U.S. troops to the Kosovo peace effort. I sides to reach a peace accord by February 20, down U.S. military strength to the level make this recommendation with reluctance 1999. NATO air strikes against targets in Ser- where there are now insufficient forces to but, without U.S. troops, peacekeeping won’t bia were threatened if Belgrade did not com- meet today’s needs. When I met with our sol- work. The U.S. is both the leader of the ply. diers in the Balkan region I found many who world and of NATO. If NATO is involved, we The Serbs consider Kosovo the cradle of have gone from one deployment to another must be a part of the effort or it will fail. their culture and their orthodox religion and without time to be home with their families. NATO’s 50th anniversary is later this spring are not willing to give it up. I visited the The troopers I met on the Kosovo border are and there will be a large celebration in the Field of Blackbirds where the Serbs battled assigned to a battalion on its third deploy- U.S. Kosovo will be a big test for this impor- for and lost control of the region in 1389. I ment in three years. tant alliance. also visited a Monastery dating back to 1535 There are no better soldiers anywhere in 2. There are many differences between the that is an important part of Serb history. the world than these and their morale is situation existing several years ago in Bos- The Clinton administration, which does high. They are ready to do what is expected nia and what is happening today in Kosovo. not favor independence for Kosovo, worries of them and more. But they are not being Still, thousands died in Bosnia including too this conflict could spread if NATO does not treated fairly. Pay and benefits have been al- many women and children before NATO intervene and could even involve Turkey, lowed to deteriorate. The tempo of oper- troops including a large contingent of U.S. Bulgaria, Albania and Greece. While this is ations has grown to the point where they soldiers moved in and put an end to the kill- of concern, there are other reasons for the have too little time at home. There are just ing. Had not NATO peacekeepers acted over U.S. to remain active. The U.S. can never not sufficient forces to do all the things they three years ago, the killing might still be stand by and allow genocide to take place. are expected to do. According to the Feb- going on today. Without the commitment of Part of the effort, once a peace agreement ruary 17, Washington Post, the Secretary of between the Serbs and ethnic Albanians has U.S. troops, a NATO peacekeeping interven- the Army’s answer is to lower standards and been signed, could include a NATO ground tion might not even have been attempted. recruit high school drop-outs. Turning his force in Kosovo containing a contingent of We may wish this were not so, but it is. Per- back on history, this official has unwisely U.S. troops. haps things can change in the future but this It is clear that a main pipeline for arms decided upon another social experiment is today’s reality. reaching ethnic Albanians in Kosovo is rather than dealing fairly with the shortfall. 3. U.S. troops are stretched too thin and From 1990 to 1998 the armed forces went across the Albania-Kosovo border and any are not being treated fairly. Pay and allow- from 18 active army divisions to eight. The stabilization effort will likely include shut- ances are inadequate, the tempo of oper- ting off this arms route. It has been sug- navy battle force went from 546 ships to 346. ations is far too high (we just need a larger gested that an effective arms blockade could Air force fighter wings decreased from 36 to military force to face the tasks they have be accomplished by the Italian government 30. Discretionary defense budget outlays will been given) and we are not giving our first from the Albanian side of the border with decrease 31 percent in the ten years begin- class military men and women the tools they Kosovo. ning 1990. Service chiefs predict FY 1999 am- need to do the job. The administration needs A number of issues must be addressed be- munition shortages for the army of $1.7B and to take better care of our soldiers, sailors, fore the outcome of this conflict can be pre- $193M for the marines. These statistics are marines and airmen. Congress should force dicted. Principal among these is the likely just the tip of the iceberg. There is compel- this issue. strength and stability of an ethnic Albanian ling evidence that, in the face of a huge in- 4. Special attention must be paid to the led Kosovo government. Another is the eco- crease in troop deployments (26 group de- Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). While many, nomic potential of a stand-alone Kosovo, free ployments between 1991 and 1998 by the perhaps most, are common people whose in- from Serbia. Also important is what will be Army’s own count), this administration has terest is defending their families, their the future of the KLA? Will they give up not made the investment to give our fighting homes and themselves, the army is not with- their arms? Many in the KLA say ‘‘no’’. men and women the tools to do the job asked out a rogue element. There is no clearly es- Could an independent Kosovo make it on its of them. tablished and proven civilian government own? Political ability has not been dem- The fact that the men and women in uni- and there is no line of authority/responsibil- onstrated. Economic development help from form are bending to their task is to their ity between the KLA and a representative the private sector in the West may not be credit, but it is past time to give them what government. Without control, the KLA could immediately forthcoming. How would they they need and stop driving them into the get out of hand. be propped up? How will long term cross bor- ground. The White House must face up to 5. When peacekeepers arrive in Kosovo, one der hatred between Serbs and ethnic Alba- this shortfall and address the issue of where of their first tasks must be to disarm the nians be kept in check? Who is going to foot the money to pay for our involvement is to KLA. Many in the KLA have said they will the bill for all this? European nations? come from. They have not yet done so and not give up their weapons. An armed KLA How and by whom will the issue of war time is short. will be a time bomb in the way of progress crimes be addressed? A terrible job on this A strong NATO involvement, with solid toward peace. Providing safeguards for Serbs issue has been done in Bosnia. Known war U.S. participation, will be an important part in Kosovo is an important part of the peace criminals have not been pursued after more of any workable solution to this mess. There process. than three years. Reconciliation is an impor- is a story making the rounds of NATO forces 6. Efforts thus far to build a lasting peace tant ingredient to lasting peace but terrible where an American general, about to depart in Bosnia have come up short. Not only must acts have been committed and justice must the region asks his NATO counterpart how more be done there but the lessons learned be served. The principal perpetrator of injus- many U.S. troops must remain to ensure must be applied to Kosovo. The military tice and brutality has been Serbian Presi- safety and success of the mission. The NATO presence in Bosnia has done the job of ending dent Slobodan Milosevic. What about him? commander responds, ‘‘Only one, but he killing and brutality as it likely will in The White House and the present adminis- must be at the very front’’. This is only a Kosovo, but the peace-building effort of rec- tration are deserving of some sharp criticism story told in good humor but it makes the onciliation and creating an interdependent March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1193 society and effective marketplace and eco- with what it is like to be a young man would deal a potentially fatal blow to nomic trade system has not gotten off the who has lost a leg in a war that was the peace effort. Indications are that ground. not his fault. absent a peace agreement both sides 7. Lasting peace in the Balkans will not When we talk about this issue, Mr. occur while Serbian President Slobodan are preparing for a major escalation of Milosevic is in power. A just and permanent Chairman, we are talking about human fighting in the spring, and as always in way for him to step down must be found. The lives, we are talking about NATO, and this case, it will be the innocent civil- longer he remains, the longer turmoil, un- we are talking about standing up to ians who are once again suffering the rest and killing will continue in eastern Eu- genocide and standing up to tyranny. horrifying consequences. rope. Mr. Milosevic is a sociopath. He is Mr. Chairman, a considerable amount 8. American and other workers and offi- bloodthirsty, he does not respect basic of time and effort has been put into cials of all nations present in Kosovo (dip- tenets of human dignity and morality. this peace effort, and the stakes could lomats, United Nations, NGOs, contract workers, humanitarian care-givers and oth- If a sociopath were holding hostages, not be higher. Success means an end to ers) are true heros. They risk their lives and he had a police scanner and heard the fighting, an end to the killing and daily to make life a little better for the peo- that the police were debating about an end to the destruction of entire vil- ple in Kosovo and we should all pray for whether or not to send in officers to lages and towns. them. I happened to see a warning sign post- put a stop to what he was trying to do, Ultimately we have all witnessed on ed in a U.N. office talking about mines. In we know what would happen to those the evening news the price that failure part, it said, ‘‘There is strong evidence to hostages: they would be killed. Mr. has brought to the people of Kosovo. suggest some police posts have had anti-per- Milosevic has got to be stopped. Thousands have been killed, and tens sonnel mines placed near them. .. . All staff I urge my colleagues for the sake of of thousands turned into homeless ref- are asked to be extremely cautious when in the vicinity . . .’’ Yet these men and women Namik, for the sake of the future of ugees. go about their daily duties with dedication NATO, for the sake of the future of our Peace is at hand if we have the wis- and care for others in spite of the harm that country and for the sake of stability in dom and the courage to see this is just a step away. Europe and peace internationally, through. 9. The foreign policy of this administration please pass this resolution. Do not un- I strongly urge my colleagues to send continues to come up short and is deserving dermine the President at this time, do a message to both sides that the United of sharp criticism. America is the one re- not allow the killing to continue in the States is committed to the peace proc- maining superpower and, like it or not, must ess and, with that message, the assur- assume this responsibility. Unfolding events Balkans. continue to point to the absence of a coher- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I thank ance that we will stand by our commit- ent idea of what to do and how to do it. the gentleman from Washington for his ments to NATO. While we should have already developed a support for this resolution. Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I peace-making strategy and an exit strategy, Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to yield myself 2 minutes. the participants at Rambouillet remain un- the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong able to even get things started. KELLY). support of this resolution, but I seri- 10. President Clinton has done a poor job of Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in ously question the Republican leader- making the case to the American people for strong support of H.Con.Res. 42, a reso- ship’s timing in bringing this measure U.S. involvement in this conflict which also has a significant moral aspect to it. While lution which supports the deployment to the floor for debate while negotia- the U.S. cannot be involved all over the of U.S. troops in support of a NATO tions are still underway. I believe a world, we are a member of NATO which deals peacekeeping effort in Kosovo. The rea- fractious congressional debate about with peace and stability in Europe. Kosovo is son we need to support this legislation whether or not to support implementa- a part of Europe and its destabilization could today and the reason why we should re- tion of a peace agreement at such a create a huge refugee population there. sist weakening amendments is the sim- critical juncture in the negotiations se- Fighting could even break out elsewhere if ple fact that NATO peacekeepers, sup- riously undermines our ability to nego- this issue is not dealt with early and effec- ported by U.S. troops, represent our tiate a settlement and place directly tively. America has been blessed with peace and prosperity. In the Bible, it says that to last and best chance for a workable into the hands of Mr. Milosevic. We whom much is given, much is expected and peace in this very troubled land. must, as a Congress, show that we are there is an obligation on our part to be a par- I would also add that if we are to committed to peace in the former ticipant in the search for solutions in this maintain any credibility within NATO, Yugoslavia and working with our allies troubled spot. we have an obligation to support this in NATO towards that common goal. 11. I would like to conclude on a personal vital peacekeeping mission. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues note to thank all of those who assisted me Mr. Chairman, I visited the former to support this resolution. on this mission. I am especially grateful to Yugoslavia on two separate occasions Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield U.S. Ambassador Marisa Lino and her staff, in recent years, and I have had the op- 21⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from foreign service officer Charles Stonecipher who assisted me in Macedonia, foreign serv- portunity to visit Rambouillet re- Kansas (Mr. RYUN). ice officer Ron Capps whose knowledge and cently, to observe the peace talks first- Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Chairman, concern was of great help in Kosovo and U.S. hand and to talk with the participants. the United States Armed Forces are Army Lieutenant Colonel Mike Prendergast Let me be very clear about this. I be- being stretched too thin. They have who traveled with me. I appreciate their in- lieve the only peace that will occur in been asked to take on peacekeeping valuable assistance. Kosovo is one that is enforced by missions in Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia and Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I NATO. Serbian strong man Slobodan now possibly Kosovo. President Clinton yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Milosevic has shown us time and time told Congress and the Nation that the Washington (Mr. BAIRD). again that he does not recognize inter- United States deployment to Bosnia in Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Chairman, I thank national law, he does not respond to 1995 would be over in 1 year. However, the gentleman from New York for international appeals for peace, and the mission in Bosnia has continued for yielding this time to me. I am speaking the experience has demonstrated that 4 years with no strategic exit plan in to my colleagues today on a matter of he does not always respect prior peace sight and, at a cost to the United deep personal importance to me. For 3 agreements. What he does respect and States at $10 billion, not only are their years my family and I hosted a young what he does respond to is the very peacekeeping missions costly, but they Bosnian student. His name is Namik, real threat of force. are degrading to the overall readiness and when he was 14 years old he was NATO peacekeepers are the only of our fighting forces. running through his village when a safeguard that will put a stop to the Mr. Chairman, 2,200 troops from the Serbian mortar shell landed next to killing in Kosovo and the only thing 24th Marine expeditionary unit cur- him and blew his left leg off just below that will prevent further violence down rently stationed aboard the Navy ships the hip. For 3 years I worked with the road. in the Mediterranean will be part of Namik, kept him in our home as my I cannot over emphasize how sen- the initial force moving into Kosovo as own son taught him to climb and to sitive the point at which we now find soon as an agreement is reached be- kayak so that he could have a normal ourselves in these negotiations is and tween ethnic Albanians and the Ser- life. But for 3 years I helped him deal that the failure of this resolution bian government. However that unit is H1194 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 headed into its final month of a 6- have to be active even when the direct Then what happened? Before Con- month deployment and scheduled to be benefit to the United States is difficult gress had any opportunity express its home in North Carolina by May 1. To to discern and most certainly when we view or to have a role, before the Day- be home by that time the unit will can discern that genocide may occur. ton Accords were actually signed, have to leave Kosovo no later than mid b 1345 troops were on the way to Bosnia and April. we were locked in. Then what were we Mr. Chairman, that leaves the admin- A secure and stable Europe is of told? What we had been told before, we istration with limited options, the great concern to the United States. We have to support our troops, our men most prominent one being extending have fought two major wars of this and women in the field, and Congress the length of the unit’s deployment. century, both on the continent of Eu- was cut out of the process. How long will this unit be there? How rope and both because Europe was com- Here we are in another similar situa- much longer will they be away from pletely destabilized by tyrannical des- tion, but what we have here is very dif- their families and beyond their ex- pots and weak economies. ferent. What we have here is an inva- If we weaken the contact group alli- pected 6-month deployment? sion by the United States and NATO of ance that has worked on this matter, Mr. Chairman, for America’s Armed a sovereign country. Kosovo is an au- as well as NATO, the Organization for Forces to sustain this administration’s tonomous region within Serbia. Security and Cooperation in Europe, peacekeeping pace the forces must be This Member has previously voiced, efforts on the ground, by defeating this augmented by an increased amount of and still has enormous difficulties for resolution, it will surely stoke the fires part-time Reserve and National Guard many reasons, with the proposal for a of instability in Europe. peace keeping, I would have to call it a personnel. Not only are Reserve and If our allies cannot count on us, they National Guard personnel being forced peace enforcement, plan in Kosovo. will surely stop looking to us for lead- Chief among them is the Member’s res- to leave their families more often, but ership and our influence will wane. they are also being asked to increase ervation that the President is ready to I talked to a colleague of mine in the act outside the U.S. Constitution to en- the amount of time and technical Organization of Security and Coopera- knowledge taken away from their ca- gage uninvited U.S. combat forces in tion in Europe, who is the Chair of the an internal conflict in a country which reers here in the United States. These first committee on which I served. His military personnel are being forced to is not a threat to the United States. name is Bruce George and he is a mem- The U.S. Constitution clearly limits explain open end deployments to their ber of the British Parliament and is employers who are becoming less will- his authority to place U.S. Armed their defense expert. He said if we fail Forces in hostile situations, but can do ing to continually lose their skilled today to support this resolution, it will so only in response to a national emer- employees. be short of catastrophic. Mr. Chairman, to be able to keep gency created by attack upon the Yesterday Ambassador Jeane Kirk- United States, its territories or its these individuals in the Reserve and patrick said that if we do not support National Guard we must continue to armed forces. this resolution, we will regret it. I sug- The more extreme measure of send them into peacekeeping situa- gest to this body that we cannot stand launching unprovoked air strikes tions around the globe. In the future, idly by and watch children maimed, au- against Serbia, a sovereign country for when the Reserve and National Guard tonomy destroyed and a people who are which I have little respect in terms of personnel have the opportunity to seeking no more than freedom, an op- their leadership, who have committed leave military service, they will choose portunity to gain the same. extraordinary atrocities in Kosovo, their family quality of life and their Support this resolution. nevertheless the Administration pro- career over serving their country. A Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 posal to deploy troops to Kosovo is tan- Kosovo peacekeeping mission will minutes to the gentleman from Ne- tamount to a declaration of war place a heavy burden on America’s braska (Mr. BEREUTER), the distin- against Serbia. Armed Forces and compromise their guished vice chairman of our Commit- Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Con- readiness levels, the quality of life of tee on International Relations. stitution specifically grants war dec- their families and the national security (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was laration authority exclusively to the of the United States. We cannot and given permission to revise and extend Congress. The President’s commitment must not continue to ask our military his remarks.) to deploy our troops into a hostile and to do more with less. Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, my foreign territory of Kosovo cannot be Mr. Chairman, before the administra- colleagues, I rise in opposition to the considered a defensive measure that tion decides to deploy troops to resolution. I want to drop back, falls under his authority. Kosovo, I ask that they lay out their though, to some of the debate that What is going to happen? If we ever plan and details to Congress. took place on the rule. The minority have a peace agreement on Kosovo, it Mr. Chairman, before the Administration de- leader came here and suggested it was will be coerced and it will have to be an cides to deploy troops to Kosovo, I ask that inappropriate for us to be debating this enforced peace—for who knows how they lay out their plan in detail to Congress. resolution at this time. That was also long. We have an Administration which The administration should not be able to put voiced by the ranking minority mem- has threatened, imagine this, if you do the men and women of our armed forces in ber of the House International Rela- not sign, Mr. Milosevic, we are going to harm's way without explaining their reasons tions Committee here today, and by bomb you. for doing so. others. I suppose we are going to bomb the Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I As the gentleman from New York KLA, too. How does one find the KLA yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from (Chairman GILMAN) said, unfortunately to bomb? How does one enforce peace Florida (Mr. HASTINGS). debating the issue before the situation on that side? (Mr. HASTINGS of Florida asked and fully developed is important for Con- Let me ask some questions about the was given permission to revise and ex- gress to have a meaningful role. current peace proposal. We have one tend his remarks.) I want to remind my colleagues what party somewhat bound to the U.S., the Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chair- happened in Somalia where without other bound by the threat of U.S. force. man, I rise today in support of H. Con. any consultation we saw the Adminis- Many questions need to be addressed: By Res. 42, legislation to authorize U.S. tration move from protecting the peo- what means are we going to protect the involvement in peacekeeping actions in ple involved in the deliveries of food to Kosovars? Who will police the borders? How Kosovo. a nation-building process. It was clas- will we neutralize the danger of Kosovo ex- This debate is about how we see our sic mission creep. I want to remind pansion when it has no international status? role in the world. Do we want to be in- Members what happened in the formu- What is the political objective? (Autonomy is volved? Do we want to be an active lation of the Dayton Accords when, in not the destination sought by the Albanians.) part of the NATO alliance? Do we want fact, we were told by the Administra- How do we handle the relationship of the Al- to export our values of democracy? Do tion ‘‘do not do anything, it might banians in Kosovo with those in the surround- we want to be in a position to influence upset these delicate negotiations ongo- ing region? What are the rules of engage- world events? Because, if we do, we ing in Dayton.’’ ment? What is the concept of how it will end? March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1195 Under what authority can NATO ``invade'' a intervention reduce or increase suffering by in- with peace enforcement (Somalia) was not a country in this matter? tensifying ethnic and religious conflict? What pleasant one. Morover, the projected Kosovo agreement is are the limits of such a policy and by what cri- The Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) is an unlikely to enjoy the support of the parties for teria is it established? In Henry Kissinger's armed separatist group that would appear a long period of time. For Serbia, acquiescing view, that line should be drawn at American bent on independence; major element in the under the threat of NATO bombardment, it in- ground forces for Kosovo. Europeans never Serb population are adamantly opposed to the volves nearly unprecedented international tire of stressing the need for greater European KLA's objective. This is a situation were any intercession. Yugoslavia, a sovereign state, is autonomy. Here is an occasion to demonstrate existing ``peace'' is highly suspect. being asked to cede control and in time sov- it. If Kosovo presents a security problem, it is There is no way to place a time limit on a ereignty of a province containing its national to Europe, largely because of the refugees the Kosovo deployment. shrines to foreign military force. conflict might generate. Kosovo is no more a Remember the Bosnia experience. Upon the Though President Slobodan Milosevic has threat to America than Haiti was to EuropeÐ rapid deployment (without congressional con- much to answer for, especially in Bosnia, he and we never asked for NATO support here. sent) following the Dayton Accord, Secretary is less the cause of the conflict in Kosovo than The nearly 300 million Europeans should be Christopher assured the nation that it would an expression of it. On the need to retain able to generate the ground forces to deal be for one year onlyÐto give the Bosnians a Kosovo, Serbian leadersÐincluding with the problems for 2.3 million Kosovars. To chance for peace. Four years later, everyone Milosevic's domestic opponentsÐseem united. symbolize Allied unity on larger issues, we acknowledges there is no end in sight to the For Serbia, current NATO policy means either should provide logistics, intelligence and air Bosnia deployment. The cultural difficulties dismemberment of the country or postpone- support. But I see no need for U.S. ground that gave rise to the violence are far too great. The cultural difficulties in Kosovo are at ment of the conflict to a future date when, ac- forces; leadership should not be interpreted to least as serious as those in Bosnia. Milosevic cording to the NATO proposal, the future of mean that we must do everything ourselves. has successfully preyed upon the ancient the province will be decided. Again, paraphrasing Henry Kissinger, he fears and hatreds of the Serb population. The The same attitude governs the Albanian said in opposing ground troops in Kosovo that: Albanian diaspora has fed the most violent side. The Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) is Each incremental deployment into the Balkans tendencies of the Kosovar Albanian popu- fighting for independence, not autonomy. The is bound to weaken our ability to deal with lation. And the Albanians in Kosovo are insist- KLA is certain to try to use the cease-fire to Saddam Hussein and North Korea. The psy- ing that a NATO presence remain for at least expel the last Serbian influences from the chological drain may be even more grave. province and drag its feet on giving up its three years! Each time we make a peripheral deployment, In short, we lack an exit strategy. This is the arms. And if NATO resists, it may come under the administration is constrained to insist that same point that House Members argued four attack itselfÐperhaps from both sides. What is the danger to American forces is minimalÐthe years ago regarding Bosnia. At that time, the described by the administration as a ``strong Kosovo deployment is officially described as a Administration discounted our warning that, peace agreement'' is likely to be at best the ``peace implementation force.'' Such com- once deployed, U.S. troops would be in Bos- overture to another, far more complicated set ments have two unfortunate consequences: nia for the long haul. Well, we were right and of conflicts. They increase the impression among Ameri- Ironically, the projected peace agreement in- the Administration was wrong. cans that military force can be used casualty- I absolutely do not condone anything that creases the likelihood of the various possible free, and they send a signal of weakness to the Serbians have done. In many ways, they escalations sketched by the President as jus- potential enemies. are their own worst enemy. Belgrade has tification for a U.S. deployment. An independ- MILITARY READINESS been condescending and abusive of the rights ent Albanian Kosovo surely would seek to in- Where will the money be coming from to of ethnic Albanians, and their brutality gave corporate the neighboring Albanian minori- support Kosovo deployment? Will it be pulled rise to the KLA. My concern is, do the very tiesÐmostly in Macedonia or FYROMÐand from readiness accounts? As recently as Mon- real abuses of the Serbian forces warrant the perhaps Albania itself. And a Macedonian con- day, March 8, in an HASC hearing that in- long term deployment of an undetermined flict would land us precisely back in the Balkan cluded Maj. Gen. Larry R. Ellis, the 1st Ar- number of U.S. ground troops? wars of earlier in this century. Will Kosovo mored Division commander (Germany based Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I then become the premise for a semi-perma- division now with troops in Bosnia and FY yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from nent NATO move into Macedonia just as the ROM), five other flag officers, and a group of Maryland (Mr. WYNN). deployment in Bosnia is invoked as justifica- mid-grade and senior noncommissioned offi- Mr. WYNN. Mr. Chairman, I thank tion for the move into Kosovo? Is NATO to be cers, readiness was described as ``a rubber the gentleman from New York (Mr. the home for a whole series of Balkan NATO band that is stretched very, very tight.'' While CROWLEY) for yielding me this time. protectorates? military strength has drawn down, deploy- Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong sup- In Bosnia, the exit strategy can be de- ments have picked up steadily and there port of the resolution. The only prob- scribed. The existing dividing lines can be aren't enough people to do the job. Across the lem with being a world leader is that made permanent. Failure to do so will require board, readiness is wearing dangerously thin. sometimes we have to lead. In the first their having to be manned indefinitely unless A former militaryman described the plight of instance, leadership requires patience, we change our objective to self-determination the mid-career professional soldier this way: and in that context, although I strong- and permit each ethnic group to decide its ``They are sent to far-off places with inad- ly support the resolution, I believe it is own fate. In Kosovo, that option does not equate support, pointless missions and foolish premature. exist. There are no ethnic dividing lines, and rules of engagement so the cocktail party set We have representatives in the region both sides claim the entire territory. America's back in D.C. can have their consciences feel attempting to negotiate a framework attitude toward the Serbs' attempts to insist on good.'' for peace. We should not be debating their claim has been made plain enough; it is ``We keep drawing down long-term readi- whether or not we are going to inter- the threat of bombing. But how do we and ness to meet near-term missions,'' said Gen. vene at this point. NATO react to the Albanian transgressions Charles C. Krulak, the Marine Corps com- Having said that, I do support our and irredentism? Are we prepared to fight both mandant. ``That is severely straining our long- intervention in the context of this res- sides and for how long? In the face of issues term readiness and modernization efforts.'' olution. It seems to me that leadership such as these, the unity of the contact group A 4,000 troop commitment translates into also requires taking some risk and also of powers acting on behalf of NATO is likely 12,000 troops involved in Kosovo support adopting some unpopular positions. to dissolve. Russia surely will increasingly (4,000 training to go in, 4,000 on the ground, I do not think anyone is cavalier emerge as the supporter of the Serbian point and 4,000 being retrained upon coming out). about putting American troops in of view. This is demoralizing, it degrades retention, harm’s way, but the fact remains that The President's statements ``that we can and leads to questions about management. if we are going to support peace around make a difference'' and that ``America symbol- Secretary Cohen said yesterday that NATO the world, if we are going to try to izes hope and resolve'' are exhortations, not forces would enter Kosovo to maintain an on- maintain and promote an environment policy prescription. This is bumper sticker for- going peaceÐthat may be true, but it is cer- for peace, we have to get involved. eign policy. Is NATO to become the artillery to tainly debatable. Indeed, this Member would Amendments later today will set pa- end ethnic conflict? If Kosovo, why not inter- argue that we are talking about peace-en- rameters for our involvement. We are vention in East Africa or Central Asia? And forcement, not peacekeeping. And I would re- not talking about an extensive involve- would a doctrine of universal humanitarian mind my colleagues that our last experience ment. We are talking about a limited H1196 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 involvement, with the limited use of Consistent with international law, What will be said about this Congress American troops. we do not have the legal authority to is that with our NATO allies at the The fact remains we are a world lead- intervene against the will of the sov- ready, Congress abdicated the United er. We are a leader in NATO, and if we ereign state involved. States role as a world leader. want to maintain that position of lead- Policy statements of the administra- Blessed are the peacemakers. ership, we cannot back away, we can- tion that we would participate in We are able to make peace because not cut and run when we are con- bombing of Serbian targets if the Fed- we are the strongest nation in the fronted with an unpopular situation. eral Republic of Yugoslavia did not world. We are able to make peace be- Some will say in the course of this sign an agreement written by us or cause we have been committed to debate, we do not know what the objec- someone is an appalling notion. peace. tive is. The objective is abundantly An agreement, even if it is signed Listen to the words of John F. Ken- clear. We are trying to maintain a under a direct threat of aerial bom- nedy’s inaugural. He said that we have framework for peace and maintain an bardment, is not worthy of being called been unwilling to witness or permit the environment for peace. We are trying an agreement. If the government of the slow undoing of those human rights to to prevent genocide. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia does which this Nation has always been Thirdly, we are trying to prevent the not accept the agreement we wrote for committed and to which we are com- spread of this violence throughout the them, I must condemn American mili- mitted today at home and around the region, which could lead to even great- tary action that our country will be in- world. er catastrophe. This is not a popular volved in for what it will be, an act of We are challenged every day to renew situation. This is a situation that calls war without sanction under our Con- our commitments to peace, to justice, for American leadership. stitution or international law. to the American way of democratic I think we should proceed on that as- As to the ethnic majority in Kosovo, principles, to lifting the burden of our sumption, allow U.S. troops to be in- who is duly authorized to bind them to brothers and sisters anywhere in the volved to a limited extent in the con- an agreement? Is it Mr. Rugova, the world, to becoming the light of the text of a negotiated treaty. I hope peo- head of the Democratic League of world. ple will rise above narrow concerns and Kosovo? Or is it Mr. Demaci, who is de- Our Star Spangled Banner asks this take a broader view. scribed as, quote, the chief political question every day: Oh, say, does that We used to have a notion that Ameri- representative of the Kosovo Libera- star spangled banner still wave over cans were about preserving world tion Army? the land of the free and the home of the peace. I think we should continue to This gentleman has resigned and con- brave? adopt that position. demned those in the KLA who are in- Let us continue to demonstrate that Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 clined to vote for the so-called agree- we will be brave so that we may remain minutes to the gentleman from Vir- ment. free and that others may remain free. ginia (Mr. BATEMAN), a member of the By what authority, if any, was Mr. Let us not turn our backs on peace. Let Committee on Armed Services. Thaci charged with the formation of a us not turn our backs on our allies. Let (Mr. BATEMAN asked and was given provisional ethnic Albanian govern- us not turn our backs on those prin- permission to revise and extend his re- ment? ciples which have helped form this Na- marks.) My generation has a special affinity tion. Let us not turn our backs on Mr. BATEMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am for collective security, and I have and those who thirst for justice, on those more than aware of the prospects of hope to remain a steadfast supporter of who hunger for righteousness, on those negative consequences if our country our NATO alliance. who look to the United States to be declines to become involved in a peace- I wish this debate was not taking first in peace. keeping or peacemaking mission in place today but unfortunately it must b 1400 Kosovo, but in its present form I can- because if it did not, any debate would not support the resolution before us. come only after the President had com- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I thank If I had some confidence that it mitted us to a military action without the gentleman who has just made a would indeed be a peacekeeping mis- the consent of a majority in the Con- very eloquent address, the gentleman sion, I would feel much differently. gress and with only minimal consulta- from Ohio (Mr. KUCINICH), for his sup- Even if certain people signed an agree- tion. porting remarks. ment that others have written for Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I Mr. Chairman, I yield 21⁄2 minutes to them, which is the case here, and have yield 21⁄4 minutes to the gentleman the gentleman from California (Mr. cajoled them into signing it, it will not from Ohio (Mr. KUCINICH). CUNNINGHAM), a member of the Com- be a true peace agreement. Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, Jesus mittee on Appropriations. An agreement requires consent. Ab- said, blessed are the peacemakers for Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, I sent true consent, we will not be en- they shall be called the children of will not condemn any one of the Mem- forcing or keeping the peace. We will God. bers in here for the way that they vote be making a peace foisted upon parties What can be said of a Congress which on this. They do it so because they whose goals are widely disparate and will not let the United States make have different knowledge, they have who are determined to resist by vio- peace in Kosovo? What can be said of a different beliefs. But I do resent the lence those who oppose the achieve- Congress which would intervene at a minority leader impugning the motives ment of their goal. critical point in peace negotiations and of many of us. Our country has repeatedly enun- take steps to undermine a peace agree- I make my statements on some very ciated a policy that recognizes Serbian ment? What can be said of a Congress deep, rich beliefs and experience from sovereignty over Kosovo. While we which refuses to let the United States training, of planning innovations in have urged a high degree of autonomy join hands with other peacekeepers of the defense of countries all over this for that province of Yugoslavia, we the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza- world on military staff. And I hated have not endorsed the determination of tion? politicians that sat in soft, cushy the ethnic Albanian majority for inde- What can be said is this: If we are not chairs and put our men and women in pendence. For our country to intervene letting peace be waged, then we are let- harm’s way so easily, they who had in an issue of the operative relation- ting war be waged. never done that themselves. ship between the central government of What can be said is that if we are not Kosovo is not an independent state, Yugoslavia and one of its provinces thoughtful as to the consequences of it is part of Greater Serbia. When we would be tantamount to Great Britain our actions today upon the Kosovo go into the full committee, I want to having intervened in our Civil War on peace talks, then we are as sorcerer’s put in here some 1,500 shrines and sanc- behalf of the Confederate States of apprentices, mindlessly stirring a caul- tuaries that the Serbs have in Kosovo, America. History has verified the wis- dron full of the blood of Balkan inno- the birthplace of the orthodox Catholic dom of our English friends in not hav- cents. When this cauldron is stirred, religion. This is their homeland. This ing done so. there will be blood on our hands. is a map of Albania. The Albanians do March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1197 not want just Kosovo, they want part and murder and extermination of inno- So there is a humanitarian purpose; of Greece, they want Montenegro, and cent people there? The only thing that there is a peacekeeping purpose, and in they want Kosovo. This is a map of the differentiates Kosovo from the Persian my judgment, the very purpose of massacred Serbs, Jews, gypsies that Gulf War is that there is no oil there. NATO would be frustrated; it would be the KLA has murdered in recent times, But there are principles there. The eviscerated if we turned our back and not World War II. The KLA is sup- same principles that compelled Presi- walked away. ported by the mujahedin, Hamas, and dent Bush decide to send not 4,000 Mr. Chairman, leadership imposes even bin Laden. Get George Tenet’s NATO U.S. forces, but half a million heavy burdens and a cost must be paid, brief, classified brief. That is about as American troops to the Persian Gulf; but we either are going to lead in the far as I can go. President Bush, who drew a line at struggle, and it is a struggle for world This is a list of where the Serbs es- Kosovo at Christmas 1992, when he peace, or we are going to be on the tablished Kosovo and were ethnically said, we are drawing the line, we are sidelines. I think for the vitality of cleansed and murdered and forced to not going to allow Bosnia to be re- NATO, for our role in NATO as a lead- flee across the Danube, their homeland, peated. er, for integrating the peacekeeping and Albanians filled the void. Yet, they Now we have another President, a forces with these other countries, are defending their own homeland right Democratic President who says the clearly we have to participate, and I now and being murdered. same thing. One of the great heroes of will support the resolution. Now, Milosevic is an impediment. He the second war in public service, Sen- Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I needs to be removed, in my opinion, ator Bob Dole, yesterday told us in yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from much worse than that. So is Tudjman. committee he is passionately commit- Missouri (Mr. SKELTON), the ranking But then we look at Itzebegovic, who ted to this course of action. Democrat on the Committee on Armed has 12,000 mujahedin and Hamas sur- I am sick and tired of my colleagues Services. rounding him. The prime minister saying, this is in Europe; let the Euro- Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I under him trained with Kadafi. If we peans deal with it. Sarajevo was in Eu- thank the gentleman for yielding me want to talk about a foreign policy and rope. That was the genesis of the First this time. Our colleague from Illinois posed the we say we are saving lives, it is a pow- World War. Czechoslovakia was in Eu- question, is NATO worth it? Abso- der keg when we move out of there. Let rope. That was the genesis of the Sec- lutely. NATO is worth it. us not send our men and women to ond World War. First, we should understand those These people who never learn, who Kosovo. pages of history that point out that are uneducable cannot carry the day Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I World War I started in the Balkans, today. I plead with my colleagues to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from and if NATO in its role in keeping give our government an opportunity to California (Mr. LANTOS). peace in Europe can be fulfilled, it will Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I thank participate in a NATO peacekeeping be necessary for NATO to do a peace- my friend for yielding this time to me. force to the tune of 4,000 American sol- keeping mission in Kosovo. There is an air of unreality about diers to keep the peace. This is the Second, in answer to the gentleman’s this debate. Tomorrow, some of us will only honorable way, and this is the question, is NATO worth it, history be at the Harry Truman Library in only way not to undermine NATO and also tells us that we have had more Independence, Missouri, when Hungary, the hope of mankind. years of continuous peace in Europe the Czech Republic and Poland will for- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am since the days of the Roman Empire. mally become members of NATO. pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- NATO not only is worth it, it works, NATO, this incredible defensive alli- tleman from Illinois (Mr. HYDE), the and the United States of America is ance, which kept the peace in Europe distinguished chairman of the Commit- the leader of NATO. for two generations, which resulted in tee on the Judiciary and a member of Tomorrow in Independence, Missouri, the collapse of the mighty Soviet our Committee on International Rela- at the Truman Library, with the Sec- Union, and which is the cornerstone of tions. retary of State present as well as other security, not just for Europe, but for (Mr. HYDE asked and was given per- noted Americans, the 50th anniversary much of the rest of the world, and we mission to revise and extend his re- of NATO will be celebrated. are now debating as to whether, after marks.) Today, by this vote, we will declare the Albanians and the Serbs agree and Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, I recognize whether NATO is worth it, whether invite us, we might participate with this is a very difficult decision, and I NATO is to fulfill its goal and mission the force of 4,000 in a NATO contingent regret disagreeing with some of my in the days and years ahead. I agree of 28,000 to keep the peace in Kosovo. colleagues who oppose the participa- with the resolution. My wife and I went to Kosovo the tion of our forces in the NATO peace- I might also say that I have an first time maybe 35 years ago, and we keeping effort, but it boils down really amendment which I do not see how have been back there many times to a simple proposition: Is NATO anyone could vote against. Later in the since. It is the only place in Europe worthwhile? What is the purpose of day, my amendment to this resolution where one can find a beautiful young NATO? What is our role with NATO? will be to the effect that there should woman of 22 or 23 who has two teeth We are the leaders of NATO. NATO is be no troops deployed until there is an because they have no dental care. an extremely useful institution to agreement and a subsequent vote. But There is a grinding poverty that bog- have. It is beginning to integrate Ger- the bottom line is, NATO, Mr. Chair- gles the mind, and these people have many in this exercise. Germany is to man, is worth it. been suppressed, persecuted, given provide 3,000 troops, the British, 8,000, Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am third class citizenship for a long time. the French, 6,000, the United States pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- This is our opportunity to do a tiny 4,000, and to what end? To stop geno- tleman from Virginia (Mr. BLILEY), the bit, a tiny bit of what the great genera- cide. To stop the slaughter. To be distinguished chairman of our Commit- tion of the second war did under infi- peacekeepers. tee on Commerce. nitely more dangerous circumstances There really is a moral obligation on (Mr. BLILEY asked and was given with infinitely greater sacrifices. those people who have the resources to permission to revise and extend his re- Sunday night, the two vice presi- intercede when people are being wan- marks.) dential candidates of the last presi- tonly, atrociously killed, and that is Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Chairman, I want to dential election, AL GORE and Jack what our purpose is. We have a na- address my remarks to my colleagues Kemp, join me for the Washington pre- tional purpose: to prevent the spread of on this side of the aisle. Yes, the Clin- mier of The Last Days, a movie about this conflict. If we appease Milosevic, if ton administration has failed to ad- the Holocaust. The pictures of that we leave the field and let the killing go dress the American people on why we movie will remain with everybody who on, we are inviting a wider spread of should be in the Balkans, why we will ever see that movie. Do we want the war that could involve two of our should be in Bosnia, and why we should such movies made of Kosovo? Have we NATO allies on the opposite side, be in Kosovo. But let me tell my col- not had enough slaughter and massacre Greece and Turkey. leagues, I have spent 15 years as a H1198 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 member of the U.S. delegation to the America’s young defenders to Kosovo. Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I NATO parliamentary group. I now We are being asked to deploy our yield myself such time as I may con- serve as the Vice President. We must troops yet again, eroding our overall sume. be a participant in Kosovo. strength even as new threats are be- Mr. Chairman, I would just say, the Why? Because the Europeans cannot coming evident in Asia. Our military is gentleman’s proposition would lead to do it themselves. They have historic al- being stretched so thin we are putting arms races globally, and increased liances. The French and the Russians them at grave risk. murder. The choice we have here today have been with the Serbs. The Germans Unlike what is happening in the Bal- is to support peacekeeping, as com- and the Italians have been with the Al- kans, there are other national security pared to warmaking. It is the right use banians. If we are not there and the threats to our country. By dissipating for our people. NATO alliance is not able to go be- our limited resources, asking our mili- Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to cause we are not there, we are going to tary for yet more sacrifice, we are the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. see the fighting begin again. doing a horrible disservice to our coun- POMEROY). When the Yugoslavs begin bringing try and to its defenders. Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Chairman, I in heavy weapons, the Kosovos are I have no doubt that the people of thank the gentleman for yielding time going to call on their Albanian broth- Kosovo have a right to their self-deter- to me. ers to come to their aid. We run the mination, just as the people in Slove- Mr. Chairman, I would ask, what risk of Macedonia being involved or the nia had a right to their self-determina- does it say about the United States and former Yugoslav Republic of Macedo- tion, in Croatia, in Macedonia, and in its NATO allies that we cannot take on nia, and then the really big danger that Bosnia. Yes, we were given an option a two-bit bully down the block? By al- we have of the Turks and the Greeks lowing Milosevic to get away with his becoming involved. then, do nothing or send in the troops. We could have then provided the sup- third brutal war in a decade, the b 1415 port necessary for those people to fight United States and NATO will send an Remember, World War I began at Sa- for their own independence, but in- encouraging message to dictators, ag- rajevo. Remember, we hesitated and stead, we held off, and then it was just gressors, and terrorists around the did not go into Bosnia right away. We send in the American troops. globe. Those are not my words, Mr. Chair- were treated every night to the atroc- But the people of Kosovo, just like man. Those are the words of majority ities on CNN. Please, support the reso- the people in Croatia, are willing to leader Bob Dole in his testimony yes- lution, even though the administration fight for their own freedom. We are terday to the Committee on Inter- has failed to come forward and ade- being told, it is either send troops or do national Relations. He is now charged quately address the Congress and the nothing. That is nonsense. If we are too with getting the parties to an agree- American people. timid to even recognize that the people ment, and is in the final stages of ac- Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I of Kosovo, 90 percent of whom want complishing that extraordinarily dif- yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman their independence, they are Muslims, ficult undertaking. from Georgia (Ms. MCKINNEY). Albanians, who do not want to be under It is therefore deeply regrettable, Mr. Ms. MCKINNEY. Mr. Chairman, un- the heel of oppression of the Serbs, if Chairman, that we are having this de- fortunately, today we are debating we cannot at least recognize their inde- bate today. How can we reasonably sending U.S. forces to keep a peace pendence, if we are too timid to do make a decision on a resolution regard- that does not exist, to carry out an that, how can we ask our own military ing a peace agreement when the peace agreement that has not been agreed to, to jump in the middle of that cauldron? and to assist people on both sides who agreement itself has yet to be final- There is no peace plan. There is no ized? do not seem to want our help. peace plan at all. Our troops will end We are being asked to vote on some- But we are where we are, so I urge up either being the police force of the Members to vote for the resolution. thing we cannot even see, and to sign a Serbians, or we will end up fighting the blank check. We have written blank The slaughter that has been occurring battle that the people of Kosovo are in Kosovo is so deeply disturbing. If we checks before, and we have discovered willing to fight for themselves. afterwards just how high the cost has look at the statistics, they are shock- We have been promised things before been. In what we do on Kosovo, we ing. If we look at the individual ac- in the Balkans. We have been promised, should first make sure that we have an counts, they are even more disturbing. the last time we have sent our troops, agreement, know the plans, and know I have a 5-year-old daughter at home. that it would take 1 year and $2 billion. the cost. When I read the New York Times ac- In thinking about the cost, we should That was 5 years and $12 billion ago. count of the 5-year-old that was hunted realize how much our own reckless ac- That dissipation of our money, that down in her backyard and brutally tions have added to the bill. For years stretching our troop strength so wide murdered, and the photograph of her we have been selling our highest tech- that it is about to break, is causing little shoes in the garden, it is some- nology weapons to countries whose great damage to our national security. thing of a tragedy of a magnitude we possible involvement in this conflict is The Balkans is not in America’s na- cannot ignore. important, both for those who want us tional security interest. We can talk The U.S. role being considered is only in and those who want us to stay out. about NATO in nostalgic terms all we a minor, supporting role. Our partici- By our own actions we have greatly want. The job of NATO was done when pation will be 15 percent or less, we are raised the stakes for such a conflict, the Soviet Union split apart. It is not told. It is a situation where we have to and we have raised the risks that our our job now, because at that time it do our part to bring the genocide and soldiers again and again unnecessarily was in our national security interest. atrocities to an end. Vote yes on the will be facing the products of our own Now it is not in our interest to send resolution. factories. our young people all over the world, Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am If the parties in Kosovo really want trying to be the police force of the pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- peace, they will both sign the agree- world in a way that it weakens us as a tleman from Colorado (Mr. HEFLEY), a ment, and if they do not, the mission of Nation, so when there are threats to us member of the Committee on Armed our forces will be truly impossible. from China or from elsewhere, or in Services. Arms selling and peacemaking do not Korea, that we will be unable to act, Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank mix in Kosovo or anywhere else. and that perhaps thousands of Amer- the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am ican lives will be lost in situations like Mr. Chairman, I am delighted we are pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gen- that. doing this debate today. I think that tleman from California (Mr. ROHR- Let us support the people of Kosovo’s for us not to do this and to wait until ABACHER), a member of our Committee right to self-determination. Let us give it was too late would be a terrible mis- on International Relations. them the weapons they need to do their take. I think, as a member of the Com- Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, own fight, and not have American lives mittee on Armed Services, there are I rise in strong opposition to sending at stake. four considerations that we need to March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1199 consider before we send troops into appreciative of the United States, parents. This is having a terrible effect Kosovo. knowing that the United States is the on morale and retention of a fine, First, the manner in which this ad- one and only superpower in the world. qualified, uniformed service. ministration has circumvented the leg- We also know that we do not want to This Administration’s neglect of our islative process when it comes to de- be the Big Brother in the world, as troops has led to fewer troops reenlist- ployment of U.S. military forces well. But we also realize that we have ing and more troops leaving the Armed around the world has been unprece- a responsibility. We also know that Forces. Some of our men and women in dented, so it should come as no sur- that is where World War I started, was uniform are actually on food stamps. prise that the President does not want in the Balkan area. This is an outrage. us to debate this today. The President We have to ask ourselves the ques- It is time for this administration to is the Commander in Chief, but he has tion, how can we help? How can we be put its money where its mouth is. It is a consultative partner in the Congress. supportive, knowing that whatever we time for it to draw a line in the sand, He ought to consult us about these do it is not going to be just a unilateral and demand that we send the right things. effort, it is going to be a number of amount of funds to support our troops, When we were debating Bosnia, Mr. other countries in concert with the particularly if now we are going to Chairman, when we were going to de- United States agreeing on a peace send 3,000 more troops overseas to sup- bate it that night, the President told plan? port another unending overseas deploy- me he did not care what we thought The atrocities over there are horren- ment. about Bosnia. He did not care. He was dous, how peoples’ lives have been de- b 1430 sending troops into Bosnia anyway. stroyed, their homes are being de- Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I That should not be the attitude of the stroyed, the looting. It was an orches- yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from trated conspiracy, and Milosevic, oper- Chief Executive. So we are doing some- Maryland (Mr. CUMMINGS), former thing right here today. Even if he does ating in Belfast, is going to look at all speaker of the Maryland House. not care what we think, we are doing of the things we are doing or not doing. Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Chairman, I something that should be done. Yet, we know what Senator Dole has want to thank my colleague for yield- Secondly, before we send troops in we already said. The Republican nominee ing time to me. should have a measure of success. How for President has made it very clear Mr. Chairman, I stand today in sup- do we know when we have done our why. This was before the Committee on port of House Concurrent Resolution job? How do we know when we are fin- International Relations just yesterday. 42. Probably one of the most signifi- ished, when we have completed it? I do He said, ‘‘I would rather have the vote cant moments of my life was when, not see that in the plan at this point. come after the agreement between the back in December of 1997, I went over I do not see any clear mission or goals Kosovar Albanians and Serbia.’’ I think to Bosnia with the President. There I or accomplishment standards, what he is correct, because are we going to saw our troops. When we arrived in will be the measure of success. put ourselves in a position where we Bosnia at about 5 or 6 o’clock in the Third, for the United States to enter are going to be responsible for ruining morning, thousands of people had stood the region, there should be a signed any opportunity for peace at the table? all night just to simply say thank you agreement by both the Albanians and Let us support our leadership, and let for saving our lives. Thank you for giv- the Serbs. Following that, there should us have peace in Kosovo. ing us our lives for Christmas. be a request that we in NATO come in Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am The President is right. We have to to help them. This is a civil war in a pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- act. We cannot just stand aside and sovereign nation. We should be there tleman from Florida (Mr. WELDON). allow lives to be lost. The fact is that only at their request. Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Chair- we have a duty, and we must fulfill I recently visited similar nations in man, I thank the gentleman for yield- that duty. Lest we forget, let us not the Balkans. We can see the hatred all ing time to me. turn a blind eye. Remember the Holo- over that part of the world. The idea I rise reluctantly to speak in opposi- caust, remember South Africa, remem- that we would be so arrogant as to be- tion to sending our the United States ber Rwanda. lieve that we can go in and fix a prob- Armed Forces into Kosovo. If we look Our Nation is a very, very powerful lem without the full participation of at the U.S. military, it is overwhelm- nation. The fact is, is that we have to all the stakeholders in this is just ri- ingly apparent that the Clinton admin- stand up and bring peace and bring life diculous. Then it is even more arro- istration has placed our military budg- to life. So I stand in support of House gant, I believe, to think we can mollify et and the needs of our men and women Concurrent Resolution 42 and urge all this problem in a short period of time. in uniform on the back burner while of my colleagues to vote for it. We may be there a while, if we go in. greatly increasing the number of over- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I seas deployments. pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- yield myself such time as I may con- By reducing our national defense tleman from New York (Mr. HOUGH- sume. budget and failing to provide the fund- TON), a member of our Committee on I would like to say that for all the ing necessary for training, equipment, International Relations. talk of an end game, if we had had the and compensation, this administration (Mr. HOUGHTON asked and was discussion when we put NATO forces in is eroding morale and troop strength. I given permission to revise and extend Europe to stop Communist expansion, cannot, in good conscience, support his remarks.) and said, how long are you going to be sending our troops again overseas to Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Chairman, I am there, are you going to be out of there support another overseas mission. It is tempted to go through the philosophies in 2 years, out in a year, we would have not fair to our troops. It is not fair to and the history and the risks and the lost Europe while we were debating our families. costs that are involved here. But to how long we would stay. Let us review some of the facts on me, and it may be a reflection on my Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to this issue. The number of active duty own position, to me, it is a very simple the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. army divisions has been reduced from issue that we are in a situation now CLEMENT). 18 to 8. Under the Clinton-Gore admin- where decisions have to be made. We Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Chairman, I istration, the number of fighter wings can be doubtful and unclear and opin- thank the gentleman for yielding time has gone down from 36 to 20. Our naval ionated about some of the things, to me, and thank the gentleman from forces have been reduced by 30 percent. whether it is the reigniting of anarchy New York (Mr. GILMAN). Today our troops do not have enough in Albania or destabilizing Macedonia, This is a serious matter, we all know ammunition. The Army is short $1.7 but that is not the point. that. But the fact is, I think a lot of us billion in ammunition, the marines The point is this is a horrible time I are questioning the timing of this. I $193 million. Too many of our men and think to have this debate. If we are was in Bosnia last year with the gen- women in uniform have gone too long going to have peace, we must have suc- tleman from Missouri (Mr. IKE SKEL- without seeing their families, their cessful negotiations. We are right in TON) and others. Those people were so wives, their husbands, children, and the middle of negotiations now. H1200 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 If we vote down this resolution, the One of the most important accom- there shall be a referendum vote for negotiations have no merit because plishments of which America can be independence. there is no incentive for the people to justly proud is its victory in the Cold God, we are here in the halls of Wash- continue the negotiations. If we vote War, a 50-year struggle during which ington and Lincoln. In 1986, they told for this resolution, we can continue the literally 500 million people were liber- us, there would be more genocide, more negotiations. It is a nonbinding resolu- ated from control of the Soviets. killing, more oppression, and we have tion. If we want to, we can take up the Our ideals, our American ideals of de- done nothing, and we are about to issue whether we should have troops in mocracy and market capitalism are in make the same mistake. Bosnia or not. triumph throughout the world, but not This is a tough vote for me. But our So, therefore, it is a very clear issue. in every corner of the world. With that committee must look at those facts, Do we want to continue the negotia- triumph comes some responsibility. Mr. Chairman. My bill clearly speaks tions? Do we not want to continue the In the Balkans where slaughter and to it. There should be an amendment negotiations? I am for continuing, and bloodshed and systemic rape as a tool on this floor to modify that agreement, I am for this resolution. of terror have been used over and over at least the sense of this House to, in Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield again, where families and villages have fact, infer that that subject mattered. 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas been wiped out, America properly has a Be careful here. It just is not about (Mr. LAMPSON). role, not the only role, but a leading deploying troops. Europe should be pro- Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise role. But this is a sobering debate viding those ground troops. We should today to urge my colleagues to help frankly because of some of the failures be providing the air and strategic sup- Kosovo achieve peace, not only for the of our foreign policy that got us here. port. But it is a tough vote, and I give benefits of the thousands of people liv- I am in support of the Gilman amend- credit to the Speaker for at least tak- ing in that troubled area of the world, ment, because I believe in America’s ing up the issue. Our war making pow- but also for their family members who role in ensuring the peace, in ensuring ers should not come down from the live here in the United States. a strong, integrated Europe. But let us White House. Let me tell my colleagues about a remind ourselves of the fact that the Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- family in my southeast Texas district Dayton Accord helped perpetuate this tleman from South Carolina (Mr. SAN- who has loved ones who are trapped in because the people of Kosovo who pur- FORD), a member of our Committee on violence-torn Kosovo. John and Lisa sued a nonviolent strategy were left International Relations. Halili, who own and operate an oyster out. The message that was translated Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Chairman, I and shrimping business in San Leon, from the State Department was that stand as one against sending troops to watch 24-hour television and read we will only be engaged if violence is Kosovo and one very much behind the newspapers with anxiety and anticipa- pursued as a tool. That is the wrong timing of this vote for a couple of dif- tion each and every day. Why? Because message. ferent reasons, but one in which was John’s father and brother, and many The message from Milosevic was, if well described by Henry Kissinger yes- other people, have been forced to flee one pursues a strategy of violence and terday. their homes and, in one instance, hide terror, one can consolidate their gains; Yesterday, he said before our com- in a single house in the village of and we will not push them back, and mittee that he and President Nixon be- Vushtrri. they will win. lieved that we were in trouble in Viet- Unfortunately, Bajram and Idriz When our lead negotiator, the Spe- nam because our predecessors had Halili have been unable to leave their cial Envoy to the Balkans, praised launched the U.S. into an enterprise in hideaway and escape to the safety of Milosevic for his cooperation in Bosnia a distant region for worthy causes but the United States. So they, along with and branded the Kosovo Liberation without adequately assessing the na- their son and daughter-in-law in Texas, Army, ‘‘without question a terrorist tional interest and the likely cost. wait and wait and wait for peace to organization,’’ what is the message Now, not after the troops are deployed, come to Kosovo and the entire region. that he sends? not after troops are in the field, but Feeling helpless and sometimes hope- We must be there because of a failed now is the time to assess that cost. less, John and Lisa have contacted me, American foreign policy, but we must I do not think it passes the cost test hoping that I, as a United States Rep- also be there to keep the people of for a couple of different reasons, the resentative, could do something to di- Kosovo confident in America’s efforts. first of which is the domino theory has minish their worry or reunite their Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield long been disproven. Clifford Clark was family. 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio sent by Lyndon Johnson to see our C2 Unlike the Halilis, Congress is not (Mr. TRAFICANT). allies in Southeast Asia over 30 years helpless, nor should it be hopeless Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Chairman, a ago to use the same argument. The C2 about peace talks in Kosovo. I know 1986 intelligence report warned us of allies said, no, we do not think this that there are other areas of the world today’s debate. They said the genocide will grow into a giant conflict in that are crying out for help, including in Kosovo will end by one of two Southeast Asia. We choose not to go places in our own country. But where means, by Western governments assist- into South Vietnam or North Vietnam. we can make a difference, we have an ing and pressuring Belgrade to grant We ignored their advice and, as a re- obligation to do so. We have the duty independence to Kosovo, or be revolu- sult, 50,000 American boys died. to do whatever it takes to help this tionized. The domino theory has been troubled region of the world create an This is a tough vote. I, like every- disproven. For us to send boys into environment of peace for its people and body else, want to stop the slaughter in Kosovo means it has got to pass the their families who live within all of our Yugoslavia and in Kosovo. But let me mommy test. The mommy test for me Congressional District. say this, today’s vote will also reward means it is not only in our strategic in- We as a Congress have a responsibil- an international tyrant Milosevic, be- terest, but we also have a chance in ity to support the President so that the cause we will be rewarding a flawed making a difference. United States speaks with one voice on agreement. Here, as my colleague just pointed foreign policy. This agreement should be modified to out just a moment ago, we were sign- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am say, number one, upon enactment of ing an agreement with Milosevic, who pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- the agreement, there should be no Ser- is a person who does not exactly have tleman from New York (Mr. LAZIO). bian troops in Kosovo; number two, a a lot of trust in the world community. Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Chairman, I want to provision clearly warning Milosevic he Yet we are validating him by signing begin by congratulating and thanking will be bombed if he violates the terms an agreement with him. In other the chairman, the gentleman from New of the agreement; number three, that words, we are building an agreement on York (Mr. GILMAN) for his leadership in all war criminals will be apprehended shifting sand. helping to move this to a debate which and will be subject to prosecution, bar Thirdly, I would say that troops are is such an important part of this proc- none; and, number four, that, on con- thought to be used as policemen. Mod- ess. clusion of the terms of Rambouillet, ern armies are designed to move. They March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1201 are not designed to stand still. I sat on b 1445 will be saved. Thousands of these chil- a plane the other day with a young en- Since World War II we have not been dren will live to grow up. And if we listed officer who complained about the diligent here in the Congress to protect fail, many of these people will die. fact that he had not seen his baby in 6 our prerogatives with respect to the With all that at stake, at a time months and was being used as a police- declaration of war. Korean and Viet- when these poor people are looking to man in Bosnia. nam wars were fought without a dec- us for stability, to help them find their Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield laration of war. And these wars were way back to peace, why are Repub- 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mary- not won. licans holding this debate here today land (Mr. CARDIN). Since 1973, since the War Powers Res- at the very moment we need to show (Mr. CARDIN asked and was given olution was passed, we have further un- unity? permission to revise and extend his re- dermined the authority of the Congress If there are parts of any final agree- marks.) and delivered more authority to the ment we want to debate, then for God’s Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Chairman, I thank President because the resolution essen- sake, let us wait until we see it, let us the gentleman from Pennsylvania for tially has given the President more wait until the ink is dry, let us wait yielding me this time. power to wage war up to 90 days with- until it is signed. Right now there is no Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of out the Congress granting authority. It accord to debate, there is only the pos- this resolution although I must tell my is to our credit at least that we are sibility of sabotaging the process be- colleagues I have certain misgivings. bringing this matter up at this particu- fore it has had the chance to reach a My misgivings are not surrounded by lar time. conclusion. the U.S. role, because I think it is clear We must remember that there are That is why this premature debate is that the United States has a very vital various things involved here. First, the very height of irresponsibility, and role in this peace process. The stability whether or not we should be the world even more so because this is where in the Balkans are very important to policeman. That answer should be easy. World War I began. My colleagues, past our national interests, and we are not We should not be. It costs a lot of is prologue, and we should not have to going to achieve peace in the Balkans money to do what we are doing, and it learn this lesson twice. This region without U.S. leadership. undermines our military strength. So does have strategic importance to the It is important for the United States we should consider that. United States and many Americans to maintain a very strong position We should consider the law and the died when the world ignored these ten- with NATO. So I support the Clinton process in the War Powers Resolution sions once before. administration’s efforts in this area. and just exactly how we grant author- Preventing an escalation will save My concern is a matter of timing. ity to the President to wage war. We American lives in the long run. We can- Why are we considering this resolution should be more concerned about the not afford a war in Kosovo that could now? I agree with my friend the gen- Constitution and how we should give destabilize the region, that could spill tleman from New York (Mr. HOUGHTON) this authority. We should be concerned over into Albania, to Macedonia, Tur- in his comments, in that we should about this procedure. key, and Greece, which are NATO al- have an agreement first before we are The bigger question here, however, is lies. We should be standing together. asked to vote on what the United if we vote for this, and I strongly op- We should be supporting these negotia- States’ role should be in enforcing that pose passing this, because if we vote for tions. We should be supporting the suf- peace agreement. this, we authorize the moving of troops fering families in Kosovo, and we We do not know what the agreement into a dangerous area. We should ask should have delayed this debate until itself will be. However, I plan to vote in ourselves, if we are willing to vote for the negotiators have had the time to support of this resolution because I this resolution; are we ourselves will- finish their work. want to make it clear that I support ing to go to Kosovo and expose our But if Republicans want to force a the Clinton administration’s efforts to lives on the front lines? Are we willing decision now, the decision should be bring peace to the Balkans, that I ac- to send our children or our grand- and must be that this is a cause and a knowledge that the U.S. will play, children; to not only be exposed to the region in the national interests of the must play a leadership role in enforc- danger, with the pretext we are going United States and, ultimately, in the ing that peace agreement that we hope to save the world, but with the idea national security interests of the will be achieved. that we may lose our life? That is what United States worth defending. And if By voting for this resolution, I think we have to consider. troops are needed to do that, we should we move forward the peace process in Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield support that mission and we should the Balkans. If we do otherwise, then 3 minutes to the gentleman from New support them. we are going to be at least partially re- Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ). Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues sponsible for making it more difficult (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was to once again join with us to try to for us to achieve peace in that very dif- given permission to revise and extend delay this vote and, if not, then to vote ficult area of the world. his remarks.) to send a clear message that America Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, now stands ready to help in Kosovo. to support the resolution if we must is not the time to have this debate. Too Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield vote on it today. If we must vote on it much is at stake to risk sending a mes- 2 minutes to the gentleman from New today, then we should support it. sage of America’s disunity at this criti- Jersey (Mr. ROTHMAN). Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am cal point in the negotiations. Innocent (Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- men, women and children, little babies, permission to revise and extend his re- tleman from Texas (Mr. PAUL). entire families have been butchered, marks.) (Mr. PAUL asked and was given per- children have been orphaned, women Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Chairman, the mission to revise and extend his re- have been raped, 400,000 people have peace talks in Kosovo are predicated on marks.) been driven from their homes. That is one very simple premise: The inter- Mr. PAUL. Mr. Chairman, I want to what is at stake here today: human national community must pose a credi- thank the leadership for allowing this lives. ble military threat to enforce any debate to come to the floor. I have, for If we are the leaders of the free peace agreement that is reached be- quite a few weeks, advocated that we world, if we are still that brave Nation tween the Kosovars and the Serbs. talk about this and have urge that the that stood against darkness in World To discuss today whether or not the troops never be sent to Kosovo without War II, now is the time to stand to- United States, the world’s only super- our consent. I do believe, though, that gether to help the people of Kosovo power and the world’s greatest mili- the process here is less than perfect. find peace. But as we speak, negotia- tary force, will lend its support to any The fact that we are talking about a tions are at a critical stage. We are ei- Kosovo peace settlement is premature House Concurrent Resolution at the ther on the brink of a breakthrough or and is inappropriate at this time. To same time authorizing troop deploy- at the point of a breakdown. If the ne- debate this issue today undermines the ment raises serious questions. gotiations succeed, thousands of lives efforts of the envoys who are trying to H1202 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 negotiate a peace settlement between that proposition set forth by George There are those who say that the United the Serbs and Kosovars. Bush; that Milosevic, perceived by this States has no strategic interest in Kosovo, that However, the credible threat of mili- Nation as a war criminal, perceived as we have no interest in the ``internal affairs'' of tary force does provide an incentive for savaging the people of Bosnia, if he another country, that war has become a ``fact the Serbs and Kosovars to reach a tried to do the same in Kosovo, would of life'' in the former Yugoslavia. peace agreement. To debate this issue be confronted by America and, yes, by Mr. Chairman, I submit to you and my col- today threatens that incentive and its troops. leagues that helping to resolve the crisis in could embolden Slobodan Milosevic to Mr. Chairman, today we hear that Kosovo, as we have in BosniaÐstopping war reject NATO peacekeeping troops com- Robert Dole, the candidate for Presi- in the heart of EuropeÐis a preeminent strate- pletely, and could cause the Kosovars dent of the United States in 1996, testi- gic and moral interest of the United States. to give up on the peace process. fied before the Committee on Inter- The crisis in Kosovo, like Bosnia, has the po- The bottom line, though, is that wa- national Relations that we should not tential to ignite the entire Balkan region, vering American leadership in this sit- have this resolution on the floor. But if undoing what we have achieved in Bosnia and uation has the potential to lead to we did have it on the floor, as we do, drawing in already unstable Albania, Macedo- more bloodshed in Kosovo that could that it ought to be passed. nia and potentially our NATO allies Greece spill over into other parts of Europe That sentiment was shared by Jeane and Turkey. and metastasize beyond our control. Kirkpatrick under President Reagan, To those who say that the international Mr. Chairman, we cannot have it both our representative to the United Na- community has no interest in the ``internal af- ways. We cannot be the world’s only tions, by Richard Perle, an assistant in fairs'' of another state, I say that both the Uni- superpower but then remain aloof when the Department of Defense, known as a versal Declaration on Human Rights and the the situation demands our leadership. hard-liner, I might say. A conservative. Helsinki Final Act to which the United States Mr. Chairman, I do not rise today to Vin Weber, a member of this Congress, is a signatory, hold otherwise. say that the United States is obligated a close friend of the former Speaker, Fifty years ago, the Universal Declaration on to resolve every conflict that erupts signed a letter saying that this action Human Rights shattered the idea that national around the world. We have the right to that the President proposes should be sovereignty should shield governments from decide these matters on a case-by-case supported. And, lastly, I cite Caspar scrutiny of their human rights records. This basis. But in this case it is in our na- Weinberger, Secretary of Defense under concept had long insulated countries from tional interests to lend our country’s Ronald Reagan. being held accountable for the gross mistreat- support to the international effort to Mr. Chairman, America’s strength ment of their own citizens. In the aftermath of prevent the return of wanton blood- has, in instances overseas, been our the Holocaust, the declaration captured the shed, murder, rape and wholesale unit, our unity of purpose, our unity of world's revulsion of that traditional view of international relations and made clear a new slaughter in Kosovo. conviction. It is clear that the Euro- The Balkans have been the birthplace peans alone will not be able to summon normÐhow a state treats its own people is of of war before. Allowing a conflict to ex- up the political will and, indeed, the direct and legitimate concern to all states and plode in that region could have dev- military strength to confront this is not simply an internal affair of the state con- cerned. Thirty years later, the Helsinki Final astating consequences to the peace and Bully of Belgrade, as referred to by Act reaffirmed this principle. stability of Europe and, hence, to Senator Dole. I would hope, my colleagues, that we Mr. Chairman, the events which have oc- America’s national interests. curred in Kosovo since the beginning of last Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield come together today, as has Bob Dole year are but an escalation of the repression 5 minutes to the gentleman from Mary- and Bill Clinton, Jeane Kirkpatrick and brutality the Albania Kosovars have suf- land (Mr. HOYER). and others, and Richard Holbrooke, our fered at the hands of the Belgrade authorities Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, I thank perhaps next secretary of the United since 1989 when Slobodan Milosevic unilater- the gentleman for yielding me this Nations—come together and say that ally revoked the substantial autonomy Kosovo time, and I rise in support of this reso- we will confront war crimes when our enjoyed under the old Yugoslav Federation. Of lution; in support of basic human Presidents commit us to that end; that course, since the beginning of 1998 more than we will support this President and fa- rights, in support of doing the right 2,000 ethnic AlbaniansÐincluding women and cilitate the attaining of an agreement. thing for our country and for the peo- childrenÐhave been killed, many brutally mas- Because to facilitate that agreement ple of Kosovo. sacred. Hundreds of villages have been de- I welcome this debate, Mr. Chairman, may not only save lives, but it will stroyed, and more than 400,000 people have yet I fear that in undertaking it, what save the dispossession of thousands of been displaced. Make no mistake about it, this we have done today could have a very people. The dispossession from their is ethnic cleansing. serious negative impact on the current homes, from their lands. To those who say that what is happening in sensitive negotiations on a peace plan. Mr. Chairman, this is a great coun- Kosovo is the continuation of centuries old That is why I voted against the rule. try, and I would remind my Republican ethnic hatreds, and that ``War has become a The resolution, however, I pray, will be colleagues that when George Bush fact of life in this part of the world,'' I ask, what passed; that America, at our shores, made a determination to confront tyr- do you propose? Accept the status quo? Let will stand united; that the message we anny and send troops to Saudi Arabia, the opposing factions ``slug it out''Ðlet the send this day will be that America is there was a request on our side for a bloodbath continue? I say this is totally unac- united in its conviction and in its com- vote. President Bush asked Tom Foley, ceptable. Such a course legitimizes the vio- mitment to face tyranny where it finds the Speaker of the House of Represent- lenceÐthe murder, the ethnic cleansingÐand it. atives—and I sat in the room with accepts the premise that this is the kind of In addition, Mr. Chairman, I am him—let us not vote now; let us sup- world in which we will always live. hopeful that we will ratify and support port this policy so we can put together Mr. Chairman, Kosovo is not Bosnia. The the representations of two American this coalition and bring peace and stop situation on the ground is certainly different in Presidents, President Bush and Presi- this aggression. Speaker Foley agreed many ways, yet both share a common suffer- dent Clinton. to do so with the President of the ingÐthe scourge of ethnic cleansing, and a President Bush said, in his Christmas United States. common curseÐSlobodan Milosevic. The kill- warning to Milosevic, and I quote, ‘‘In And, indeed, when there was a vote, I ing and devastation in Kosovo, like the ethnic the event of a conflict in Kosovo, tell my friends on the Republican side cleansing in Bosnia, are a direct result of the caused by Serbian action, the U.S. will of the aisle, as to whether or not we efforts of Milosevic and his thugs to maintain be prepared to employ military force were going to then deploy those troops and consolidate their power. against the Serbians in Kosovo and in in Saudi Arabia into Kuwait, that al- Mr. Chairman, the United States, NATO and Serbia proper.’’ That was George Bush, most half of our caucus supported the international community have made a then President of the United States, President Bush. I hope we find that bi- commitment to bring peace and long-term sta- Christmas 1992. partisanship today. I hope we follow bility to the former Yugoslavia. This is a long Mr. Chairman, shortly thereafter, the Bob Dole. I hope we commit ourselves and difficult struggle, and any peace agree- President of the United States, Wil- to bipartisanship in foreign policy in ment will not be effectively implemented with- liam Jefferson Clinton, recommitted to confronting tyranny. out NATO muscle. The United States must March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1203 lead and take a strong stand against the en- broken for months now. Yet in the an international pan-African force in emies of peace. midst of possibility finally, a resolu- Rwanda before the genocide of our time Mr. Chairman, NATO no longer confronts a tion on this floor to polarize our coun- took place. That was the experience monolithic enemy. The threats with which it try as to what it is already doing. We then, they said no troops then, and must now deal come from terrorism and re- have been polarized on domestic issues, after the genocide we sent our troops gional conflictsÐlike Kosovo. If we and our but I think the American people expect into that area. NATO allies are not willing to confront the bul- more of us when it comes to our inter- Bosnia. Time and time again we have lies in Kosovo and lay the groundwork for national posture. set deadlines for our troops in Bosnia, long-term peace in that region, we will encour- As I speak, we are erasing the rhet- and our troops are still in Bosnia and age such bullies and ensure that they will act oric of bipartisanship that the major- our troops are spread thin across the again sometime, somewhere, That is the les- ity has sounded. Because if we cannot globe with these deployments from this son of history we must not forget. be bipartisan when our country is in President, this administration. Only Vote for H. Con. Res. 42. the midst of what looks like it can be after Congress stepped in and made Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 a successful effort to stop genocide, sure that we micromanaged the mili- minutes to the gentleman from South then I do not know when we can be bi- tary effort in Bosnia did we ensure that Carolina (Mr. GRAHAM). partisan. We are undermining not war our troops would not be killed, that Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Chairman, I thank but peace. There can be no debate that they would have adequate equipment the gentleman for yielding me this this is in our national interest, and I and that they would serve under United time. If we believe this operation is have not heard that it is not. Nor after States command and not U.N. inter- equal to what was going on in Kuwait, the Bosnia precedent should there be national command. We have no exit we should vote ‘‘yes’’. any debate as to whether we should go strategy. Our military is stretched to the limits. When the wives and moth- b 1500 forward now having gotten this far. What has happened to the Albanians ers of our reserve forces call me, I am If we see it to be different, then we is unspeakable. Milosevic began shut- going to refer them to 1600 Pennsyl- ought to ask what are the differences. ting down their language institutions vania Avenue and this President. I think it is dramatically different. Our and he has ended with genocide. We Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am country is about to commit 4,000 young have gone, on the other side, from par- pleased to yield 3 minutes to our dis- men and women into a sovereign na- tisanship to isolationism. tinguished majority leader, the gen- tion, in a region in that nation where My friends, we cannot lead the world tleman from Texas (Mr. ARMEY). 90 percent of the inhabitants of Kosovo in war or in peace if every time the Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Chairman, let me are Albanian, who are trying to become party on the other side of the aisle thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. GILMAN), the distinguished chair- independent. We are about to get our- wants to move, you on that side says, man of the Committee on International selves in the middle of a Civil War. ‘‘We don’t move simply because you Relations, for bringing this to the This is not fighting Saddam Hussein, want to move,’’ and that is what this floor. I must tell the gentleman from this is interjecting 4,000 Americans comes down to. We are assuming the New York (Mr. GILMAN) that this is not into a faraway place where heartache posture you have historically assumed an easy vote for me. Indeed I have is normal, where tyranny has existed and yet now that it is our posture, be- spent most of the last week worrying before, and will exist after. How do we cause it is our President, you have sim- and studying about this vote and even come home? ply jumped to the other side, against at times trying to come to the point You are asking the Congress to have the national interest. where I could vote in agreement with a one-way ticket to a region of the I ask you to stand beside our coun- you on this proposition, largely out of world that is not going to lead to a try, postpone this vote, but, to be sure, the respect that I have for yourself, the world war. It is going to be a place I hope that you will not be found on gentleman from Missouri (Mr. SKEL- where they will eventually figure out the other side of a vote that would un- TON) and others that I have talked to. they can live together, with our help, dermine our country as it wages peace, But I have to say, it has been a strug- but our help should not include 4,000 not war. young Americans standing in the mid- gle. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am I have always been very proud of the dle of people with a lot of hot temper. pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- American people, proud that Ameri- This makes no sense. Piling this on top tleman from Florida (Mr. MICA). cans love freedom so much that they of Bosnia is unbelievably expensive. (Mr. MICA asked and was given per- are prepared to risk their peace to de- This is different than Bosnia, this is mission to revise and extend his re- fend the freedoms of others. different than Kuwait. The American marks.) Since the end of the last war, we public does not understand what we are Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, I come re- have rightly held a larger vision of our doing or why. And all the big names in luctantly to the floor to oppose the use national interest. We do not see it as international politics to me have not of United States troops on the ground merely defending our coastal waters, justified why we are there and how we in Kosovo. I do that because of two rea- protecting our commercial interests, or are going to get out. sons. First, because of the lack of trust stopping an invasion of our homeland. Secretary Kissinger says this is more and confidence that I have in this We have understood in a way that no like Vietnam than it is Kuwait. I hope President, and secondly because of the other people in history have that our he is wrong, but I believe he is right. pattern of experience. freedom depends on the freedom of oth- How many more young men and women When I got elected in 1992 and began ers. are going to go in faraway places to get service in 1993, this President inherited This principle has inspired our great in the middle of civil wars where there the question of Somalia which Presi- national initiatives, the Marshall Plan, is a dubious reason to be there to start dent Bush had started as a humani- the Truman Policy, the democratiza- with and no way home? I hope none of tarian rescue effort. President Clinton tion of Japan, our fights for freedom in them come home hurt or maimed. Vote turned that into a national tragedy, a Korea and Southeast Asia, the Reagan ‘‘no.’’ Stand up for America. loss of our troops as we saw our troops doctrine, and most recently the expan- Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield drug through the streets of Somalia. sion of the NATO Alliance for which 21⁄2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Where are we in Somalia 4 or 5 years many in this body, including the gen- the District of Columbia (Ms. NORTON). later? Just a few days ago 60 were tleman from New York, and especially Ms. NORTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank killed in Somalia. the gentleman from New York, have the gentleman for yielding me this Then we had Haiti, our second experi- been responsible. time. ence in nation-building. And what have The result of this effort is that Amer- What has become of us, my friends? we done in Haiti? We have traded one ica has made a world in which hun- We may well be on the brink of a peace corrupt government for supporting an- dreds of millions of human beings are agreement between the Serbian gov- other corrupt government at the cost living in peace and under governments ernment and the Kosovo ethnic Alba- of billions to our taxpayers. This Presi- of their own choosing and working to- nian population. Our hearts have been dent and this administration opposed gether for their common benefit. Very H1204 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 few times in this bloody century would mined policy to change his regime, we (Mr. HANSEN asked and was given anyone have predicted that it would could have vastly improved the pros- permission to revise and extend his re- have ended as well as it does. But it pects for peace in the Balkans and lib- marks.) does, because of the wisdom of the erated the Serbian people as well. It is Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in United States of America. time to begin such a policy now. opposition to the resolution. Mr. Chairman, we do have an endur- The lesson of the Cold War should be Mr. Chairman, I believe this debate is timely ing interest in a peaceful Europe. What clear. True peace, justice and security and important. Public debate, by those Rep- happens in the Balkans is important to come not from negotiating with inhu- resentatives closest to the people, before our our security. Indeed we must do all we man regimes but transcending them. troops are put in harms way, is not a sign of can reasonably expect to do to prevent Even the most enduring dictatorships weakness and division but rather a clear re- further killing and suffering in these can melt before the power and the minder that the great power of America comes troubled lands. But I cannot in good ideals of the United States. The power not from its government, or its military might, conscience support the proposed de- of freedom is an ideal shared by all but from its people and their commitment to ployment we are debating today. I be- people. It can be and must be in the freedom, peace and democracy. lieve it has been poorly considered and end larger than any man, no matter In my recent travels to the Balkans and is unlikely to achieve our desired ends. how brutal. Southwest Asia, I have been greatly im- I make this objection on purely prac- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I thank pressed by the professionalism of our soldiers, tical grounds. Its central flaw is that it the majority leader for his words with sailors, airmen, and marines. They have done depends on negotiating an agreement regard to this issue. tremendous service to our country with few re- with the Serbia dictator, the very man Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield wards. They care for their aging equipment who is responsible for the Balkan hor- 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas with great pride, though hampered by a wors- rors in the first place. Mr. Chairman, (Mr. TURNER). ening shortage of spare parts and lack of he is a brutal killer and we can have no Mr. TURNER. Mr. Chairman, the de- meaningful training. While at home, their loved confidence that he or his followers will bate we are entered upon today has the ones struggle to keep their families together respect any agreement that might be gravest of consequences for our Nation during the many long separations. The military reached. and for our future. Having recently re- mission to Bosnia has been an almost flaw- On the other side will be the Kosovar turned from Bosnia, I had the oppor- less success. Liberation Army, a new formation tunity there to learn a little bit about In contrast, the foreign policy and political with little experience in these matters. the attitudes present in that region. decisions that so easily put our troops in Its cause may be noble, but there is lit- One thing that I did learn is that our harms way is a growing failure. tle reason to hope its leadership will be allies, our NATO allies, have a strong This administration has engaged our troops able to discipline its members. The commitment to keeping peace in the too often, for too long, with too small a budget agreement will, after all, come far Balkans and they feel very strongly and with too little support from the American short of their desire for true independ- about our willingness as a NATO part- people, the Congress and the world. Our sol- ence. diers can stop the fighting, but Bosnia is not Our troops may thus find themselves ner to stand tall with them in this cri- closer to peaceful, stable government today opposed by free-lance opponents on sis. I also learned from talking to some than they were 5 years ago. Remember, the both sides of this brutal conflict, oppo- of our military leaders that there is a President promised this effort would take only nents undisciplined by any central au- clear relationship between the situa- 1 year and cost $1 billion. Five years and $10 thority. The resulting bloodshed may tion in Bosnia and the developing produce events that are far more desta- events in Kosovo. Our investment in billion later there is no end in sight. In this new age foreign policy, which re- bilizing than those the administration Bosnia, as one military leader told me, places ``power projection'' with ``sympathy pro- fears today. This could be, Mr. Chair- is clearly threatened by the develop- jection,'' we find the easier it is for the United man, another Somalia. For these and ments in Kosovo. States to commit its troops into the war zone, other reasons I have heard stated b 1515 the harder it is to get them out. The objectives today, I believe this deployment is un- I also had the opportunity to talk wise and must be opposed. of these new entanglements are ambiguousÐ with soldiers on the ground who are Mr. Chairman, we need to take a if stated at all. The goals change in the middle doing an excellent job keeping the fresh look at our policy towards the of the operation. The troops are left without world’s outlaw governments, not just peace in Bosnia, and, as one first ser- any way of gauging their progress or even vis- in Serbia, but in Iraq, North Korea and geant shared with us in testimony be- ualizing the set of circumstances which would elsewhere. These rogue regimes are fore a committee hearing, he has made enable them to finally return home. without question the greatest security a spiritual investment in Bosnia and Today our troops are engaged in Africa, threat we face today. The administra- believes very strongly that we have Asia, Europe, and South and Central Amer- tion response to them has been hap- done the right thing in trying to help icaÐvirtually all over the globe. And they are hazard containment efforts, loose arms keep the peace there. He said because doing a magnificient job with only half of the control arrangements or other negotia- of our soldiers children now go to cold war force, and 35 percent fewer re- tions. Containment and negotiation, school in Bosnia, can safely play in sources. The rate of overseas deployments is however, can do little to solve the un- playgrounds without fear of land mines up more than 400 percent in this administra- derlying problem, the very existence of or snipers. We have clearly accom- tion alone. Meanwhile, the Joint Chiefs of Staff the regimes. What we need is a new plished the objective of keeping peace stated requirement for an additional $22 billion version of the Reagan Doctrine of the in Bosnia, and the relationship between in defense investment falls on deaf ears at the 1980s, a policy that seeks not to con- the situation in Kosovo and Bosnia is White House. tain these regimes but to replace them undisputed by those who serve us in Now we learn that there is another crisis with democratic alternatives. our Armed Forces. that ``requires'' American intervention. This Last year, Congress began to shape I also learned that there are clear time the call comes not from a threatened ally, exactly such a policy towards Iraq with limits to what we can hope to accom- a loyal friend or even a recognized country, our passage of the Iraq Liberation Act. plish in that part of the world, and for but from a province within a sovereign coun- We need to consider similar legislation that reason there must be clear guide- try. When will it end? Or will this new policy for other rogue states, including Ser- lines before we commit troops to any or well meaning enlargement, simply encour- bia. I for one reject the idea that the mission, any joint NATO mission, in age any group with a gripe to choose separa- Serbian people are themselves inher- Kosovo. Those principles were set out tion over the harder course of honest dialogue ently bent on ethnic warfare. As the by the President in a February 4 ad- and true democracy. There is no doubt in my large civil liberties protests in Bel- dress, and I think we must include mind that Serbian President Milosvic is a bru- grade have shown, they aspire to the those principles in the resolution that tal and oppressive thug who is guilty of crimes same democratic privileges that other will be adopted here today. against humanity and genocide. However, an Europeans enjoy. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield invasion of his country to embrace a ``county'' The problem, Mr. Chairman, is such time as he may consume to the in search of independence can only speed our Milosevic. Had we followed a deter- gentleman from Utah (Mr. HANSEN). sinking into a Balkan quagmire. March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1205 Though we would like to think we can, nians have fought in Kosovo, an Alba- with an ‘‘A’’ because 92 percent of the America cannot erase, merely by its presence, nian-dominated region of southern Ser- people that live there are ethnic Alba- the animosity between religious and ethnic en- bia, for centuries. Conflict in the last nians and pronounce it Kosova. Ethnic emies. We cannot cause a love of freedom year between ethnic Albanian rebels and cleansing and genocide has gone on and devotion to democracy to bloom in this and Serb police has resulted in over for too long. The butcher of Kosova, fallow land. We cannot make thugs and ty- 2,000 deaths. Slobodan Milosevic, continues to kill rants believe that ``it takes a village''. U.S. If the President is not willing to people. We continue to see genocide on troops separating warring factions does noth- come to Congress, and explain; here is the face of Europe. We cannot sit still ing to soothe the root cause of the hatred. It the plan, here is the strategy, here is and continue to allow this to happen. only delays the explosion of vengeance and how long we expect to be there, here is Until the United States stepped in in mistrust. As I see it, these conflicts will even- what we expect American taxpayers to Bosnia, we saw 200,000 people eth- tually explode. We can only choose whether pay; what is going to happen when we nically cleansed by Milosevic and his the explosion happens with U.S. troops at start taking out some of our young people, murdered, and we are going to ground zero or not. men and women in body bags? One see it again unless the United States With regard to the prestige and effective- question I had to Dr. Kissinger is why grabs the bull by the horns. ness of NATO. The only action which weak- is NATO willing to commit 24,000 of We were told by some on the other ens our most important alliance is this Presi- their troops? His answer was partly the side of the aisle that when U.S. troops dent's repeated use of empty threats of thera- U.S. demand and the U.S. initiative. went to Bosnia there would be many, peutic air strikes and endless promises that Mr. Chairman, we can not be the po- many American casualties. That has twenty thousand troops can solve in 1 yearÐ lice force for the world. We can not not happened. It will not happen in problems which have defied solution for thou- keep spending the Social Security Kosova, but we will prevent innocent sands. trust fund money. One day, if we are civilians from dying. As the American presence lengthens in not careful we will not even have these I support independence for the people these ``peacemaking'' and ``nation building'' options of helping those in need. of Kosova because I believe that is the missions, the animosity inevitably broadens to While some remain optimistic about the po- only long-range plan that works, they also be directed at our troops. Soon the ref- tential peace agreement, I have serious res- are entitled to the same things that we eree is taking blows from both of the fighters. ervations. Ethnic Albanian leaders in Kosovo hold dear, they are entitled when Our troops must eventually defend them- have said that they will settle for nothing less Yugoslavia broke up the former Yugo- selves, but in that self-defense they will only than independence. Serbia refuses to sign an slavia, the Croats, and the Slovenians, serve to increase the hate of both sides to- agreement which dismembers the country. As and the Bosnians, and the Macedonians ward America. In these situations, there is no Dr. Kissinger stated, ``the projected Kosovo all had the right to independence and resolution for America, but shameful retreat or agreement is unlikely to enjoy the support of self-determination. The Kosovar Alba- total war. Has the tragedy of Somalia been the parties involved for a very long period of nians should have that same right. that long ago? I cannot support this flawed po- time.'' This agreement does not do that, but litical effort without a clear goal, a believable The long history of the ethnic conflict in the at least it stops the killing, it stops the exit strategy and guarantee that this mission Balkans makes a lasting peace in Kosovo un- ethnic cleansing, it gives them half a will not further degrade fragile military readi- likely, with or without a NATO presence. If our loaf. ness. goal is to quell the hostilities that have per- Milosevic does not want it. He does In this case, the best way to support our severed for centuries, than we will find our- not want U.S. troops or NATO troops troops is to keep them home. selves in the same situation that we face in because he wants to keep the killing Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 Bosnia, where our troops deployed for an un- and he wants to keep the stranglehold minutes to the gentleman from Michi- limited amount of time, with no end in sight. on the people of Kosova that have no gan (Mr. SMITH). U.S. troops have been in Bosnia-Herzegovina political rights, no economic rights, no (Mr. SMITH of Michigan asked and since 1995 at a cost of more than $9 billion to human rights. was given permission to revise and ex- the U.S. taxpayer. Roughly 6,900 troops are NATO has to lead, and the United tend his remarks.) still in Bosnia, even though President Clinton States has to lead in NATO. NATO can- Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Chair- promised that U.S. participation would be lim- not do it alone. If we are not the lead- man, I heard somebody on the other ited to one year. ers, we will not be successful, NATO side of the aisle say this is a partisan Despite the massive cuts made to our mili- will not be successful, and I say to my decision. Not so. Republicans have tary, we have more troops deployed to hostile colleagues we cannot be in favor of mixed emotions. This is a serious deci- regions now than during the Cold War. Dr. stopping genocide and helping the Al- sion. Our chairman is voting for the Kissinger made the point that ``each incremen- banians if we are not willing to have resolution. Some of us question it very tal deployment into the Balkans is bound to NATO troops on the ground with U.S. seriously. It is only partisan if the weaken our ability to deal with Saddam Hus- leadership and U.S. participation. This Democrats decide that they are going sein and North Korea.'' is in the vital interests of the U.S. We to support whatever the President If NATO intervenes with troops in Kosovo, do not want a larger war. might do. the U.S. can assist its NATO partners with We need to support the Gilman reso- It seems reasonable that the Presi- communications and intelligence support and lution. It is time to step up to the dent of the United States should come back a political strategy aimed at boosting plate. to not only Congress, but the American Serbian opposition to Serbian President Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 people, and present some of the reasons Milosevic. However, I will not support Con- minutes to the gentleman from South why it is in America’s interest to send gressional authorization to deploy ground Carolina (Mr. SPENCE), the chairman of our young men and women into this troops into a civil conflict with a sovereign na- our Committee on Armed Services. land of Serbia, into one of the regions tion to enforce a peace agreement that neither (Mr. SPENCE asked and was given of that sovereign country called side supports. permission to revise and extend his re- Kosovo, to risk their lives. There needs Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield marks.) to be a compelling reason. Dr. Kissin- 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Chairman, I have ger yesterday said that we might have York (Mr. ENGEL). some prepared remarks I would like to to bomb our way in and then not really Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Chairman, I thank make on this subject, but, if I might, I know which side is going to shoot at the gentleman for yielding this time to would like to submit my remarks for us. The President is planning to deploy me. the RECORD and try to sum up how I U.S. troops without a clear objective or As I mentioned before, I think this feel about this very important resolu- exit strategy. resolution is ill-timed and we should tion we have before us today. Before we deploy any troops, we need not be doing this, but since it is on the Of course, as chairman of the Com- clear answers to basic questions like floor I rise to support the Gilman reso- mittee on Armed Services, I know that how will our presence advance lasting lution. each and every Member will support peace, and how long will our troops re- Carnage has gone on in Kosova for our men and women in uniform when- main in the region. Serbs and Alba- too long, and by the way, I say Kosova ever and wherever they are called upon H1206 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 to go in harm’s way. That is why I am Kosovo that has prepared him to risk the 2 million ethnic Albanians in in opposition to sending ground forces the life of a single American. Kosovo. The peace process now under- to Kosovo, however my colleagues In 1996 there were 15,000 American way represents our best hope for end- want to pronounce it. My abiding con- soldiers in Bosnia. Today there are still ing this bloodshed. We do not know if cern is for the ability of our fighting some 7,000. We promised our troops an this peace process will succeed, but we forces to respond to crises that amount end to Bosnia, yet they remain a bro- do know that NATO is the best and to real wars. We are right now ken promise. At some time we are most credible peacekeeping force, and stretched thin all over the world with going to have to keep our promises to we know that U.S. participation may all kind of commitments. The op the young men and women of arms of be critical to the viability of NATO op- tempo is great. We have torn down our this country. erations. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 forces to the extent that I have very b 1530 real grave concerns about our ability minutes to the gentleman from North to carry out our national strategy of Carolina (Mr. BURR), a member of our A vote at this point against authoriz- being able to fight and win two nearly Committee on International Relations. ing the deployment of troops will em- simultaneous major regional contin- (Mr. BURR of North Carolina asked bolden Milosevic, disrupt the peace gencies, or whatever they call them. and was given permission to revise and process, and call into question our We ask our military leaders are we extend his remarks.) commitment to NATO. capable, what is our position, our read- Mr. BURR of North Carolina. Mr. It used to be said, Mr. Chairman, iness from the standpoint of being able Chairman, I thank the gentleman for that politics stopped at the water’s to carry out this mission, and they tell yielding this time to me. edge. It used to be that if a President us that they can do it, but the risk will I had remarks to make, and I cannot said, as this President has, that a divi- be high to moderate. Mr. Chairman, make them. As I have sat here, I found sive vote of this sort would undermine high to moderate means hundreds of that this is an ever-changing process delicate negotiations and would harm thousands of casualties I am not pre- and some are not relevant. I would national security, that that vote would pared to take. only say to many of my colleagues who be deferred. Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield suggest that this is ill-timed, to debate This raw display of partisanship, this 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas whether we send troops is not ill- calculated attempt to undermine the (Mr. HALL). timed. It is, in fact, a debate that I be- President, and this reckless disregard (Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was lieve our process demands. for the consequences of our action are given permission to revise and extend That process also demands us to ask unworthy of this body and should be re- his remarks.) questions like my colleague from jected. Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I Texas just asked: Does a deployment to This resolution should not be on the rise today to express my dire concern this region make us too thin for the floor in the first place, and bringing it and the concern of many of my con- mission of protecting our national in- up is an irresponsible act. But since it stituents in my district and in my terests? What is our exit strategy? Will is before us and since the delicate State regarding any further deploy- a peace agreement that may be reached peace negotiations are at risk, the only ment of U.S. troops to Kosovo. I would be agreed to by both sides? These are responsible vote is yes. like to thank the Speaker for providing legitimate questions that we need an- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield us with the opportunity to state our swers to before we agree to anything. 11⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from beliefs at this time on this controver- I found myself going through this North Carolina (Mr. HAYES). sial issue, and I thank the gentleman process when I sat down with people (Mr. HAYES asked and was given from Pennsylvania (Mr. HOEFFEL) and that I have a great deal of confidence permission to revise and extend his re- the leadership of my party for giving in: Senator Dole, Jeane Kirkpatrick, marks.) me this opportunity to differ with my Henry Kissinger, those mountains of Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, I rise in party on this very important item. the past in foreign policy and, more opposition to House Concurrent Reso- I have always supported our uni- important, in United States policy. lution 42. This is not a partisan issue. formed service members and will con- As my colleagues know, Mr. Chair- I oppose sending our troops to Kosovo. tinue to do so, but I just cannot sup- man, there are people around the world However, I strongly support the Speak- port the deployment of our sons and that will watch what we do. They will er’s call for debate on this issue. daughters to locations around the watch what we do, and they will watch Enough is enough. We can no longer world where we, as an administration, how we act. They realize, as we do, expect some of the Nation’s finest men we, as a Congress, we, as a country, that as we see more and more evidence and women to travel halfway around have not explicitly spelled out our ob- of genocide on the TV, that we reach the world to accomplish a mission jectives. out not necessarily because of national without objectives. Do I regret suffering around the interests, but because of injustice, in- Mr. Chairman, my district, the 8th of world? Of course. Everyone here does justice in a region where we have seen North Carolina, is steeped in military on both sides of the aisle. But would I martial law take doctors and teachers tradition. We hail Fort Bragg and Pope sacrifice one American life for all of and eliminate their profession. Air Force Base as our own, two instal- Bosnia, Iraq or Kosovo? I absolutely We have many questions to find an- lations that have sent their fair share would not without a true national in- swers to. I am hopeful that the resolu- into combat. I visit these bases fre- terest, or a plan to successfully enter, tion that we have got we can perfect quently and I am sure these young men a plan to successfully succeed and a and that we can have unanimous sup- and women I speak to there are no dif- plan to successfully leave. port, but until that point we have a ferent than the million and a half sol- Originally the administration as- tremendous amount of work to do, and diers we have stationed all over the sured Congress that it would not send this administration has a tremendous world. troops to Kosovo without first provid- number of questions to answer. What amazes me every time I speak ing this body a chance to consider such Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield with these young soldiers is, without an action, but the administration 2 minutes to the gentleman from North exception, the can-do spirit they dem- knows that this Congress will always Carolina (Mr. PRICE). onstrate. They so quickly forget the support our troops once they are de- (Mr. PRICE of North Carolina asked sacrifices we asked of them yesterday ployed, so off they went. And I would and was given permission to revise and to accept the challenges of tomorrow, like to ask the President what is our extend his remarks.) never once questioning why their gov- strategy in Kosovo, what are our objec- Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. ernment continues to ask for more tives, how long are we going to keep Chairman, at least 2,000 people have while giving less. our men and women in uniform away been killed and 400,000 have been dis- In the forty years leading up to 1990, from their families, what action dic- placed over this past year by Slobodan the United States deployed our troops tates their return and, finally, what is Milosevic’s genocidal campaign of vio- 10 times. Since then, in only nine the overriding national interest in lence and human rights abuses against years, this country has deployed more March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1207 than 25 times; 19 under this adminis- tion of atrocities and the cessation of (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked tration. slaughter, and this sometimes requires and was given permission to revise and Mr. Chairman, today I am doing what the prudent use of force. extend her remarks.) all of our men and women in this serv- As we debate the deployment of Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. ice proudly resist. I am asking why? I American troops in Kosovo, however, Chairman, I rise this afternoon to save am asking why do we continue to send those of us who had advocated last lives. I rise in particular to acknowl- our troops on missions navigated by an summer and in the fall that NATO edge the gentleman from New York administration with seemingly should intervene, not as peacekeepers (Chairman GILMAN), and the ranking rudderless foreign policy? but peacemakers, to stop the Serbian member, the gentleman from Connecti- Nearly 20 years ago, Secretary of De- offensive against innocent civilians in cut (Mr. GEJDENSON) for realizing the fense Caspar Weinberger laid out a doc- Kosovo feel that we have lost some importance of this commitment. trine of criterion that must be met be- very significant ground. I would, however, disagree that we fore our forces are sent into combat. NATO has threatened to intervene should even be on the floor today pre- Is a vital national interest at stake? time and time again and its credibility cipitously raising this issue, because I Will we commit sufficient resources to regrettably has been tarnished by inac- believe that we still have the oppor- win? Will we sustain the commitment? tion. Innocent lives have been lost as a tunity for a peace agreement, and we Are the objectives clearly defined? Is result of indecision, and now one of the should have awaited what the details of there a reasonable expectation that the seemingly only alternatives is the de- that peace agreement would be. public and Congress support the mis- ployment of NATO forces, including There is not one American, Mr. sion? Have we exhausted our options? our own troops, in an environment in Chairman, that has not acknowledged And I would add we must have a clear which one side or another may test and has not shared in the hurt and the exit strategy. NATO’s resolve. pain of the disaster in Kosovo and the Mr. Chairman, on the eve of yet an- Many of us felt the same frustration terrible strife between Albanians and other deployment I ask my colleagues regarding the United States, policy to- Serbs; there is not one. There is not to join me in sending the administra- wards Bosnia. The Dayton agreement one that has not watched the blood- tion a strong message. Do not approve, of late 1995 was no substitute for ac- shed, has seen the reports of massacres, do not send our troops to Kosovo. tion. Even just lifting the arms embar- seen the untold graves that have been Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield go might have made a significant dif- discovered, there is not one American myself 2 minutes. ference in stopping that genocide in that does not realize that we hold a Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express those early years. very privileged position in this world. my support for this resolution and for At yesterday’s hearing in the Com- It is one where others look to us. the attempts to bring peace and stabil- Mr. Chairman, I do not come here out mittee on International Relations re- ity to Kosovo. While valid questions of guessing, reading news articles and garding Kosovo, Senator Bob Dole and have been asked whether or not this is looking at news reports. I went to Bos- Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick made a reasonable time to debate this issue, nia. I went there on behalf of the Presi- very convincing arguments for partici- we now must act and send a message to dent at the start of us trying to deter- pation in a peacekeeping force. I have Milosevic and to the world community mine how we in this Congress and the sympathy with those who take the side that enough is enough. United States could best respond to the that Former Secretary of State Henry The U.S. must demonstrate leader- terrible plight of innocent people, Kissinger made about not being in- ship. We can only help bring about de- women and children. volved in all of the conflicts around the mocracy, peace and stability, the cor- It was my belief, my heartfelt and world. We must, however, consider in- nerstones of our society, if we engage, studied belief, that the Dayton Peace volvement where we can make a dif- if we send troops, as part of a NATO Treaty was right. Why? Was it because ference. Kosovo fits that category. peacekeeping force. I sat in rooms behind closed door? No. Mr. Chairman, our purpose in sending I want to say very clearly, unambig- Because I walked the streets of Sara- troops if a peace agreement is reached uously, I respect everyone’s position on jevo and talked to the people there who is clear, to help implement and enforce this. This is one of the harder, more said, please help us. that peace. We must not shrink from difficult issues that we have to decide, I, too, do not want to see American this responsibility. We must not allow and we need to listen to all sides, obvi- lives lost. I do not want to send young politics to undermine our leadership ously, as we work through this policy men and women in harm’s way, but I abroad. We must stand tall. decision. say we have got a wonderful bunch in Just yesterday, as I sat as a member I intend, Mr. Chairman, to vote for H. the military, proud, determined, fine. I of the Committee on International Re- Con. Res. 42 as introduced. I think think we should get behind them in a lations, I heard Ambassador Kirk- many of us do have some misgivings bipartisan way, Mr. Chairman, and sup- patrick say that it is important for about our own Commander-in-Chief. It port this resolution but let us not do Congress to vote yes. I urge all of my is very often not said but thought, but danger to the peace operations that are colleagues to do so. we need to factor in that fact. going on. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance I do believe this is the right thing to I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 42. This of my time. do at this particular time. Failing to resolution authorizes the President's use of Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 participate could mean a further approximately 4,000 troops for a peacekeep- minutes to the gentleman from New slaughter, perhaps on a larger scale, of ing operation with Kosovo. Jersey (Mr. SMITH), the distinguished innocent civilians in the Balkans. Fail- This Body can send an invaluable message chairman of our Subcommittee on ing to participate could lead to a re- to the peace negotiations, which begin next International Operations and Human newed Balkan conflict which could week. In sending our troops we signal our will- Rights. spread to neighboring Macedonia and ingness to participate as partners in peace. In Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chair- elsewhere. Failing to do so will send a sending our troops we signal our continued re- man, I rise in support of the resolution signal that the United States will not solve to see that all of the people of the Bal- before us. Frankly, the administration, take the lead, even when matters of kans enjoy the benefits of their human rights. the Congress, our allies and the inter- principle are being challenged, when In sending our troops we signal our willing- national community as a whole have people are being killed in droves, to the ness to be accountable to our NATO commit- no easy choices regarding Kosovo. detriment of NATO and the other alli- ments and to the world as its sole remaining Many of our colleagues agree that ances we have around the world. super power. the United States has the responsibil- This is a resolution that I think de- If this Body fails to adopt this resolution now ity to assert its leadership in the serves support and I hope Members will it would be interpreted as a vote of no con- world. In asserting this leadership role, consider doing so. fidence for our foreign policy in the Balkans. It I believe that it is in the interest of the Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield would send confusing signals about our na- United States to include protection of 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from tional resolve to persevere to friend and foe human rights, especially the mitiga- Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE). alike. I wish we were not considering this bill H1208 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 in the middle of the peace talks in Kosovo. But would not come apart; that it would Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield if we are to consider this resolution let us send not be taken over by fascists. We did such time as he may consume to the a clear signal of America's resolve to be a that through the Marshall Plan. We did gentleman from Georgia (Mr. BARR). partner for peace. it through investing in the European (Mr. BARR of Georgia asked and was The conflict in Kosovo has caused great powers, and we did it by establishing given permission to revise and extend human suffering and if left unchecked this the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza- his remarks.) conflict could potentially threaten the peace tion, NATO. Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, and stability of Europe. Despite the serious- We established NATO, have invested I rise in opposition to the resolution ness of this conflict there are those who op- in it sustained it, and must lead it. The for military involvement in Kosovo. pose the use of troops. I wonder if those who nations of Europe depend upon the Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition not only to are opposed to the use of troops are paying strength of our leadership. A free this resolution, but to the principle of govern- attention to the daily reports of atrocities, as democratic Europe might not exist ing that has brought it to the floor today. some 2,000 people have been killed. Are today if it were not for the United As we all know, this resolution binds no those in opposition to the use of our troops lis- States, and it might not exist as free one; it is fundamentally meaningless. Its pas- tening to the international aide workers who democratic states in the future if we do sage or failure may make a sound, but that are trying to aid the thousands of refugees not lead through NATO in defense of sound will not be heard outside this chamber. fleeing the war-ravaged province. democracy and human rights. Right now, American troops are deployed all Tension in this ethnic Albanian region has The other countries of the world rec- over the globe on missions of dubious value been increasing since the government of ognize they have to look to us for lead- with questionable rules of engagement. We Yugoslavia removed Kosovo's autonomous ership. They also have to look to us be- will do our business here today, close the status. Belgrade's decision came without the cause we are the principal military doors, turn out the lights, and go home; yet approval of the people of Kosovo, which has power in this world. We have the capac- American troops will still be deployed all over a population consisting of 90% ethnic Alba- ity to enforce peace, and the moral the globe, on missions of dubious value, with nians. Several human rights groups have compass to insist that it be a prin- questionable rules of engagement. made ominous reports of Serbian forces con- cipled peace. We can listen to college professors, govern- ducting abductions and summary executions. We should not be empowering a war ment bureaucrats, diplomats, and pundits talk These reprisal killings and the continued criminal, a bully, somebody who has about international law for days. However, human rights violations gives rise to the spec- gained power by using the situation in once they're silent, we'll still be left with the ter of ethnic cleansing. Kosovo to divide Yugoslavia and to ap- cold, hard fact that it is our job to determine The United States and its allies need to take peal to the Serbian peoples’ worst in- when to commit American troops to military concrete steps to ensure that this continued stincts. action. Once again, we seek to tiptoe around a violence in the Kosovo region does not spread He took away the autonomy of tough decision. We're trying to avoid doing our to Albania, Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey. In Kosovo in the late 1980s and Milosevic job so we won't sustain any political damage supporting the President's use of troops, this knew exactly what he did. He bred that might come as a side effect. body would signal a determination to take upon the hatred of ethnic fears. He What are we afraid of? The Constitution proactive measures in the Balkan region and used Kosovo to rise to power and he gives usÐthe CongressÐexclusive power to encourage an immediate peaceful resolution wants to use Kosovo to stay in power. to the conflict. commit American military forces to action. It is not in our interest that war Mr. Chairman, this bill expresses the sense Congress certainly hasn't shown similar reti- criminals have that kind of power. As of the United States Congress that it deeply cence to use its appropriation powers, or its we all know, when one stands up to a deplores and strongly condemns any loss of power to tax, or its power to regulate. bully they back down. This is our op- life or the destruction of property. In support- Personally, I have carefully considered the portunity to stand up to that bully. He ing this bill this body does not choose sides merits of using American troops as policemen should not be given the kind of credi- but indicates a willingness to choose the side in Kosovo. I have come to two simple conclu- bility he has been given. He cannot of human rights and human dignity. sions. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to sup- compete with us militarily, and he un- First, the job of a soldier is not to act as a port this bill and continue the U.S. role as a derstands that we are acting out of referee, an arbiter, a builder of societies or na- active participant in the Balkan peace process. principle; that if we act, if we lead, the tions, or a policeman. The job of a soldier is Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield rest of the European powers will fol- to protect America's interests by destroying the balance of our time to the gen- low. He is counting, though, on the America's enemies on the battlefield. It is even tleman from Virginia (Mr. MORAN). U.S. Congress doing the politically ex- more insulting to ask a soldier to serve as a Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Chair- pedient thing by tying the President’s policeman under the aegis of some inter- man, it is in our interest to engage in hands and refusing to stand up to him. national organization instead of the American Kosovo. It is in our interest because We need to do the right thing in flag. Such actions do nothing to further vital the reason we enjoy world peace and Kosovo today because if we do not do American strategic interests. The role of such domestic prosperity is that we gain the right thing in Kosovo today, to- international groups is to perpetuate them- from worldwide peace and prosperity morrow it will be some place else be- selves by talking, sopping up U.S. tax dollars, more than any other nation in the cause other bullies around the world and satisfying the goals of some committee of world today. If there were war and de- will be empowered by Milosevic’s suc- leaders more concerned about the shape of pression in Europe we would pay the cess in Kosovo. They will learn from the table they are sitting around that with the higher price. We are the leader of this this that the United States is not as interests of the United States. free world because we have defined our- determined, we are not as resolved, we The second conclusion I have come to is selves as a principled nation; because are not as principled that we are not that no amount of American involvement in we believe in democracy and free enter- the same Nation that rebuilt Europe Kosovo is going to eliminate ethnic conflicts prise and freedom of expression and re- after World War II. that have raged for centuries. We've been try- spect for human rights. And because we The fact is we are the same Nation. ing to resolve this problem for three years and do more than just believe in it and talk We must be the same Nation. We must have gotten nowhere. The 4,000 American about it. We are willing to stand up for not allow this situation to implode so troops serving in a NATO occupation are ex- those principles. that we enter the conflict after thou- actly where they started. In a few short years, One might say we do not belong in sands more people have died and when Kosovo will take its place in history books the Balkans, that we have nothing to our troops will be subjected to far along with Bosnia, Haiti, and Somalia as ex- do with the Balkans. To say that, greater danger. Do the right thing in amples of a foreign policy that has no prin- though, we would have to conveniently Kosovo today. cipled framework, and which bounces from ignore the fact that two world wars The CHAIRMAN. All time of the gen- one so-called crisis to another, as a drunk were started in the Balkans, but we tleman from Connecticut (Mr. GEJDEN- bounces off the walls going down a flight of cannot ignore it because the reason Eu- SON) has expired. The gentleman from stairs. rope is stable today is that we invested New York (Mr. GILMAN) has 1 minute The only people who will rate this action a after World War II to make sure that it remaining. success are the foreign policy bureaucrats in March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1209 the Clinton Administration. Because their for- Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Chairman, we should not Without forceful diplomatic effort from the U.S. eign policy is not saddled with the burden of be asked to vote on this ill-timed resolution, and our allies, peace will never be achieved in concrete goals and objectives, they therefore asked to sign a blank check for this deploy- Kosovo. canÐand willÐdefine anything as a ``success'' ment; and were it not for the consequences, I Mr. Chairman each member of this body whenever pollsters tell them the ``public'' would not vote for it, certainly not in the form has reservations anytime we commit U.S. needs a dose of ``success.'' This is not a rec- it comes to us. But if at this critical point, we troops to peacekeeping forces, or to any de- ipe for measured military action; it is a recipe vote down this resolution, the winner will be ployment in a potentially hostile area. In fact, for failure, as defined by sound historical Slobodan Milosevic. He will read our action as I have always believed that our European al- standards of politics among nations. Doubt- his warrant to act with impunity, to stonewall lies should commit a higher proportion of the lessly, as this operation sputters to closeÐ the peace negotiators and move with vicious peacekeepers in the Balkans. Fortunately, the whenever that might beÐit will be praised in aggression against Kosovo. The best we can Kosovo plan takes a step in that direction by panel discussions and campaign speeches as make of the choices before us is to vote for calling on our European allies to contribute a resounding success, when the facts indicate the Gejdenson-Turner Amendment, and make over 24,000 troopsÐ86 percent of the total it was a tremendous waste of time, resources, this resolution turn on the achievement of a force. prestige, and possibly lives. genuine peace agreement. While U.S. troops would comprise, a small However, no matter how strong my feelings I would gladly vote for more conditions, for portion of the overall force, the absence of on this issue are, I'm willing to agree that sen- conditions like those proposed by Mr. COX and U.S. troops in a NATO peacekeeping force sible people can disagree over the merits of Mr. NETHERCUTT in the amendments they filed would have great consequences. NATO's military action in Kosovo. What I am not willing in the record. At the very least, before we members continue to look to the U.S. as a to do is agree that Congress should have a send ground troops, we should know: are they leaderÐimagine the consequences of not hon- non-binding vote on this matter, wash our peace-keepers or peace-makers? The words oring our obligations as leader of this security hands of it, move on to other issues that test sound similar, but the missions differ dramati- alliance. If we fail to respond to new chal- better in focus groups, and then periodically cally. I am opposed to sending ground troops lenges in the Balkans, our allies will leave the return to this issue when bullied by the Admin- to be peace-makers. But if a durable agree- Balkans. If we abandon our responsibilities in istration into pouring more money into it. ment is reached, I can support, reluctantly, the the alliance, we greatly jeopardize our national Right now, our soldiers are risking their lives deployment of our troops as peace-keepers. I interests in Europe, and weaken our leader- in a country many Americans have never say ``reluctantly'' because if there were a rea- ship role in the world. As a new member of the House delegation heard of. My constituents feel very strongly sonable division of labor between us and our to the North Atlantic Assembly, I have been about this issue. Sadly, their opinions will not European allies, they would take on this mis- studying our role in NATO in the post-cold-war be a part of American foreign policy. While I sion. We have at least made the minor prece- world. We recently celebrated the 50th anni- urge a no vote on the resolution today, it is far dent of committing only 4,000 troops out of a versary of NATOÐthe most successful secu- more important for Congress to reassert its force of 28,000. role in determining when and where American Like everyone in this House, I would prefer rity alliance in our Nation's history. But like all successful institutions, NATO must adapt to forces are committed. To do otherwise is to to send none. I would prefer not to put any of the new challenges it confronts. knowingly reject a specific, constitutional, and our young men and women in harm's way. But In the post-cold-war Balkan world, ethnic moral duty. we have learned that if the United States Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield conflicts know no boundaries. Violence in wants things to happen, we have to lead; and as much time as he may consume to Kosovo greatly jeopardizes the fragile peace if we want to be the leader among our allies, the gentleman from California (Mr. in neighboring Bosnia and Macedonia. It also we have to participate. HORN). threatens to place Greece and TurkeyÐour As Senator Dole told us yesterday, if we (Mr. HORN asked and was given per- NATO alliesÐat odds with each other. Without want to remain the ``leader of NATO,'' the mission to revise and extend his re- peace in the Balkans, NATO's credibility as a ``United States cannot ignore serious threats marks.) guarantor of peace and stability in Europe is Mr. HORN. Mr. Chairman, I commend to stability in Europe.'' I think the U.S. should at risk. the chairman of the Committee on remain the leader of NATO, and I will, there- We are at a crucial juncture today in this International Relations for bringing fore, vote for this resolution, as amended by delicate and complex peace process. All par- this resolution to the floor. GEJDENSON and others. ties will reconvene on Monday, March 15, to The conflict in Kosovo is taking Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to hopefully achieve an agreement. Any actions place within a sovereign nation. If we express support for the peace process in taken by Congress between now and next are going to go to war with a sovereign Kosovo and our troops in the Balkans. Failure week will have a profound impact on the final nation, we ought to provide a declara- to pass this resolution would seriously hamper outcome of the peace process. tion of war. That is what the Constitu- the efforts of the United States to seek a Fortunately, the U.S. and its allies are nego- tion of the United States would have us peace agreement in Kosovo. tiating from a position of strength. Thanks in do. I think all of us in this Chamber Ten years ago, Slobodan Milosevic stripped large part to the efforts of Bob Dole, the know that Serbian leader Milosevic is a Kosovo of its autonomyÐan action which pre- Kosovars are reportedly united and ready to war criminal that should be tried by an cipitated the collapse of Yugoslavia and ethnic sign a peace agreement. Clearly, the pressure international tribunal. The issue here violence throughout the Balkans. Since that is now on Milosevic to make concessions and today is, by what criteria should Con- time, the Kosovars have been struggling to at- sign on the dotted line. gress and the President of the United tain self deteminationÐa principle we cherish But if we fail to approve this resolution, the States judge whether American troops so deeply here in the United States. Milosevic pendulum will shift the other way, and possibly should go there? has responded with brutality, using the Yugo- destroy all hopes of achieving a peace agree- slavian army to crush the aspirations of the b ment. Defeat today would clearly strengthen 1545 Kosovars. His forces have terrorized and mur- Milosevic's hand, diminish our ability to keep When is the success known by Amer- dered innocent civilians and forced thousands the Kosovars united and greatly weaken our ican troops sent to Kosovo? The Presi- from their homes. Indeed, the region today is position of leadership in NATO. dent repeatedly broke promises regard- on the verge of massive violence and human Peace in Kosovo is not a Democratic or Re- ing the length of service in Bosnia be- suffering. publican priorityÐit is in the interests of all of fore admitting our troops will be there The U.S. is currently leading international us who support the values of freedom and the indefinitely. Are they going to spend 50 negotiations to achieve a peace agreement growth of democracy. I would remind my Re- years in the Balkans around Kosovo to between the Serbian Government and publican colleagues that President George bring peace as we have in Korea? Korea Kosovo's ethnic Albanian population. America Bush in 1992 took forceful steps to warn was where another Nation invaded and its allies have given Milosevic every op- Milosevic against the use of force in KosovoÐ South Korea. portunity to resolve this conflict through peace- an action supported in a bipartisan manner by This is the time to ask the President ful means. We are not asking him to grant Congress. I would certainly hope that this to face up to the tough questions and anything new to KosovoÐonly to restore the same bipartisan spirit would prevail on the give us the answers to the questions autonomy that we stripped from Kosovo in floor today. that have been submitted to him. I 1989. Yet Milosevic remains resistant to an Mr. Chairman, instead of sniping at the for- would keep American troops out of agreement and the presence of an inter- eign policy of our President, we should be ex- Kosovo. national peacekeeping force to implement it. pressing our strongest possible support for the H1210 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. the question of funding our armed forces, participation in Kosovo claim that the United They will not go to Kosovo if there is no forces stretched thin by multiple commitments States lacks a vital national interest in this peacekeeping agreement to enforce. But around the world. We are debating how to conflict, that we ``don't have a dog in this should they be called upon to serve in protect our nation from missile attack, perhaps fight''. But I would argue that we do indeed Kosovo, our troops should know that they are from missiles improved with stolen American have a vital national interest in this conflict, as strongly supported by Congress. technology. How, then, will another open- this region has previously been the source of Mr. HORN. Mr. Chairman, earlier today I ex- ended commitment of American forces help great pain and suffering. Twice before in the pressed my views on why the American mili- American security. I have heard the argument 20th century we have seen American soldiers tary should not be sent to Kosovo. on why American forces must be present to drawn to Europe to fight wars that either The conflict in Kosovo is taking place within make a peacekeeping force work, and while began in the Balkan region or ignited fighting a sovereign nation. If we are going to go to these arguments have merit, they also point there. When this region was again the source war with a sovereign nation, we ought to pro- out the failure of Europe to deal with issues in of conflict after World War I, the United States vide a declaration of war. That is what the its own backyard. did not intervene and subsequently hundreds Constitution of the United States would have Under the agreement being negotiated now, of thousands of brave Americans and Euro- us do. I think all of us in this Chamber know the peacekeeping force would attack Serbia if peans paid the ultimate price. As George San- that Serbian leader Milosevic is a war criminal its forces or sympathizers violate the agree- tayana once said, ``those who cannot remem- that should be tried by an international tribu- ment, but what would happen if elements of ber the past are condemned to repeat it.'' Ex- nal. The issue here today is, by what criteria the Kosovo Liberation Army violates the perience dictates that turning a blind eye to should Congress and the President of the agreement? How would the United States with this region can be fraught with peril. United States judge whether American troops NATO punish Kosovar violations? I believe that the current crisis in Kosovo, if should go there? When is the success known The United States presumably has a re- not confronted now, could have devastating by American troops sent to Kosovo? The sponsibility to end the bloodshed in Kosovo and disastrous effects on this region. We must President repeatedly broke promises regarding because it is the only nation left with the re- remember that violence in southern Europe the length of service in Bosnia before admit- sources to do so. So why, then, is the Admin- has no boundaries. There is a strong possibil- ting our troops will be there indefinitely. Are istration not seeking to put peacekeepers on ity that the current fighting in Kosovo could they going to spend 50 years in the Balkans the ground in Turkey, where thousands of in- trigger a chain reaction of conflict that might around Kosovo to bring peace as we have in nocent Kurds have been killed in Turkey's at- engulf the entire region. A spreading conflict Korea? Korea was where another Nation in- tempt to destroy the terrorists of the PKK? could re-ignite fighting in neighboring Albania vaded South Korea. Why have American peacekeepers not been and destabilize fragile Macedonia where the This is the time to ask the President to face dispatched to Sierra Leone, where the killing UN peacekeeping force mission has ended. In up to the tough questions and give us the an- continues? Why were international peace- addition, our NATO allies Greece and Turkey, swers to the questions that have been submit- keepers not part of the Irish or Basque peace longtime adversaries with historical ties to both ted to him. I would keep American troops out agreement? What makes Kosovo different? sides, could also be brought into the conflict. of Kosovo. Let us keep American troops out of Kosovo. Increasing hostilities would cause massive suf- The President has failed to explain the ur- If lives are to be in harm's way let the Euro- fering, displace tens of thousands of people, gent national interest which requires the intro- pean members of NATO handle regional con- undermine stability throughout South Central duction of U.S. forces into Kosovo. He has flicts in their own backyard. Europe and directly affect our key allies in the failed to even attempt a full explanation of this Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, for the past region. As we have learned in Bosnia and seen in policy to Congress. The Constitution has given decade, ethnic Albanians of Kosovo, a prov- Kosovo, the only language that President Congress a clear role to play which the Presi- ince of Serbia, the dominant republic of Yugo- Milosevic understands is that of force. Addi- dent has ignored. slavia, have fought a courageous campaign to tionally, what we have seen in the former The Administration argues that if the House regain the rights they had taken away by Yugoslavia in the last decade is that it is very votes against authorizing its experiments in Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic who in difficult to stop internal conflicts if the inter- peacebuilding today, it will undercut ongoing 1989 stripped away the autonomy they had national community is not willing to use force. negotiations and perhaps even lead to more enjoyed under the Yugoslav Constitution. The United States must be willing to show Mr. bloodshed. This is insulting. It is the Adminis- Milosevic, the architect of this crisis who also Milosevic that we will not stand idly by while tration's refusal to consult with Congress and produced the Bosnian tragedy, and presided his forces systematically murder and displace its inability to form a strong policy against Ser- over the dissolution of what was once Yugo- innocent civilians. bian aggression that has led to the debate slavia, has brought poverty and misery to his President Clinton once said that the United today. The Administration has rejected all at- own people and has sown the seeds of stri- States is the world's indispensable nation. I tempts by Congress to assert its Constitutional dent nationalism throughout the Balkans. strongly believe this to be true. Our country role on every occasion it has put our forces in Milosevic has met all attempts to reach a has a moral obligation to stand up and act harm's way without a clear explanation of its peaceful settlement with the ethnic Albanian when innocent civilians are being murdered mission or on what our forces were supposed community with forceful vengeance and re- and their basic fundamental rights are being to accomplish. The current objections by the pression. President Milosevic escalated this violated. As the leading voice in the world for White House are more of the same rhetoric campaign of terror about one year ago when democracy, respect for the rule of law and from an Executive Branch derisive of consulta- he launched a brutal crackdown on the major- fundamental human rights, we are sometimes tion with Congress. ity Albanian population. Civilians were terror- confronted with difficult decisions. The conflict in Kosovo is taking place within ized, tortured and murdered by Serbian police This I believe, is one of those decisions. a sovereign nation. Intervention in Kosovo, and military forces while hundreds more were And while I do not take lightly the decision to even following an agreement forced upon both driven from their homes. This systematic cam- dispatch our armed forces abroad, I strongly sides, is the intervention in a civil war to medi- paign of repression manifested itself this past believe that the United States must lead the ate between two sides which we are trying to January, when Serbian security forces brutally efforts to halt the bloodshed and violence in force into an agreement that will require our massacred 45 Albanian citizens in the village Kosovo. forces to uphold. of Racak. Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, our respon- By what criteria would the President judge Spurred on by Milosevic's campaign of ter- sibility is to protect America. Our responsibility success in this mission whereby American ror, the United States and its European allies is to act prudently before placing any of our troops could be recalled from Kosovo? The initiated peace talks between the two sides fellow Americans in harm's way. We have no President repeatedly broke promises regarding which ended with both agreeing to resume ne- responsibility to referee bloody disputes wher- the length of service in Bosnia before admit- gotiations on March 15. As part of a proposed ever they crop up. ting that our troops will be there indefinitely. peace agreement, the United States would The fuse on Kosovo has been lit. The Serbs Once a peacekeeping force enters Kosovo to contribute 4,000 American troops to an inter- have no interest in relinquishing their historic uphold a forced agreement, that force will national peacekeeping force of 28,000 that claims on the territory. The Albanians speak serve indefinitely unless Congress acts to re- would be responsible for implementing the with so many voices that the only certainty we sponsibly to restrict yet another open-ended provisions of the peace accord. have is that any Albanian leader we deal with commitment to achieve nebulous goals. This possible deployment of American will not be speaking for most of his armed While the House debates the commitment of troops to Kosovo has created a contentious compatriots. When we make ourselves this re- forces to Kosovo, we are also wrestling with debate within congress. Critics of an American gion's policeman we make our young men and March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1211 women targets for armed fanatics. And com- troops to Bosnia. It was to only be a tem- Some argue that those in this House that mitting them will continue to place greater porary operation of 12 months and only cost have reservations about sending American strains and burdens on our over-stretched mili- the American taxpayers $1 billion dollars. As ground forces to Kosovo are isolationists. I tary. we all know, we are now in year 4 and the emphatically disagree with this assertion. I Neither side there likes us. Neither side re- price tag is over $10 billion. We should not be firmly support a strong U.S. presence through- spects us. Neither side wants us there. Who fooled again. out the world on every stage, including mili- are we protecting? Asked what the plans are now, the Adminis- tary, economic, and political. I worked hard in There is no reason to believe that the Alba- tration says about one year and about $2 bil- this body on issues such as full participation in nian and Serb positions are reconcilable or lion. Two billion dollars to merely detour war- the IMF, being a leader in world trade, eco- that either side wants reconciliation. ring factions. If and when the United States nomic support to many nations, humanitarian The risks of this strategy are that trans- ever does leave the region, some estimates relief and the fight against hunger throughout parent. The benefits in contrast are little more are that fighting would be restarted within the world, and the strengthening of NATO to than wishes and hopes which we have no rea- months, if not weeks. mention a few. son to believe will materialize. Some have ar- Mr. Chairman, Kosovo is a dangerous There is no doubt a brutal bloody ethnic civil gued that defeating this resolution today will place. If there are questions about troop safety war is occurring in Kosovo and that there is kill the peace process. Let me just say that if and regional stability in the Balkans (Bosnia the need for a greater debate on this issue. killing the so-called peace process saves and Kosovo), I encourage my colleagues to These ethnic animosities have existed for cen- American lives I will always make that choice. please take a look at a recently released clas- turies of time. But to place American troops in We should oppose this deployment because sified GAO report entitled ``International Secu- the middle of this ethnic war without a defined it will only erode our military strength, weaken rity; NATO's Operations and Contingency mission, without a defined goal, and without our nation's credibility and place our military Plans for Stabilizing the Balkans'' (GAO±C± an exit strategy is highly questionable. It is a forces at great risk. NSIAD±99±4). question that must be answered by both the If you vote to approve this resolution, you However, I have also asked that the GAO President and Congress before any action it should know why, because you may have to provide an unclassified version of this report taken. explain that to the family of an American sol- for the public record. I hope that my col- I question the use of NATO to coerce a sov- dier. That's not a pleasant thought. I hope, leagues will consider reading one of these ver- ereign nation to consent to our position on with all my heart, it will never come true, but sions before we vote. their own internal issues. Europe should take that's your responsibility if you vote for this The President's plan to add more than the lead on dealing with the Kosovo situation. resolution. 4,000 U.S. ground troops to Kosovo on top of Europe should supply the ground troops. I The administration has failed diplomatically. the 6,900 troops next door in Bosnia, is have no problem with the United States pro- Please don't send our troops over to make wrong. viding logistic, technical, and intelligence as- Much to my dismay, this geographic region some diplomats look good. sets to support our European allies. Please reject this misguided policy which is increasingly becoming a permanent forward As Henry Kissinger stated in his widely read threatens the lives of our military and the se- deployment area and it is conceivable that article, Kosovo, in terms of security, is a Euro- curity of our nation. within the next few years, we might be in half pean interest not an American interest. Mr. EVANS. Mr. Chairman, I support H. a dozen countries because of a Balkan dom- ``Kosovo is no more a threat to America than Con. Res. 42 and encourage my colleagues to ino effect. Haiti was to Europe and our NATO allies were The Administration failed to answer many vote for it. At this delicate moment, our sup- not asked to help there.'' key questions before U.S. troops were sent port of the President is critical to the success Let me add this . . . if the President decides into Bosnia. I ask my colleagues to consider of this peace agreement. to send troops to Kosovo, with or without the the following three questions which were I am always wary of committing our uni- consent of Congress, once young Americans never answered before. formed men and women into conflict. How- hit the ground I will strongly support them with ever, I strongly believe that we cannot turn a What is the mission? Is the mission in our national security inter- the knowledge that America's sons and blind eye to a genocide that is steadily de- est or is it a European security interest? daughters will perform with true fidelity to stroying Kosovo and threatening the peace What is the exit strategy and when does it honor, duty, country. They will as always do throughout the region. Rejecting this resolution kick in? their best and make us proud. is complying with the continued slaughter of Mr. Chairman, Congress needs to regain So I caution my colleagues that this debate hundreds of thousands of men, women and control of this peacemaking/peacekeeping sit- is about policy not support of our troops in the children. To date, over 400,000 people have uation, because I think we have a White field and it is about Congress' role in foreign been driven from their homes, 200,000 have House with an itch to disperse U.S. troops affairs not isolationism. perished and entire villages have been pil- worldwide with insufficient American security With that, Mr. Chairman, I must state my laged in the name of ``ethnic cleansing.'' interests at stake. great reservations about sending American As the sole remaining superpower, we have I hope my colleagues on both sides of the troops to Kosovo. a responsibility to the people of the Balkins, aisle will join me in opposing this important I include the Kissinger editorial in the NATO and the greater global community to Kosovo resolution. RECORD of this debate. take our proper role in helping to end this trag- Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Chairman, I rise to [From the Washington Post, Feb. 21, 1999] edy. I believe that our allies have truly stepped speak on this most serious issue that con- NO U.S. GROUND FORCES FOR KOSOVO—LEAD- up to the plateÐthe bulk of the peacekeeping fronts us today. ERSHIP DOESN’T MEAN THAT WE MUST DO forces will not be American, but European. There is little disagreement on the brutal be- EVERYTHING OURSELVES. Our participation will help achieve a European havior of the Serbs and the inhuman atrocities (Henry Kissinger) solution to this crisisÐsomething that we must they have inflicted upon the Albanian President Clinton’s announcement that encourage. Kosovars. There is a great human tragedy un- some 4,000 American troops will join a NATO Now is not the time to step away from our folding in the region. force of 28,000 to help police a Kosovo agree- responsibility, but to seize it. I urge my col- But the placement of American troops on ment faces all those concerned with long- leagues to support the resolution. the ground as a part of peacekeeping force in range American national security policy with a quandary. Mr. HILLEARY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today a sovereign state torn by civil war must be a Having at one time shared responsibility in strong support of our troops, as always, but decision that has been fully debated and con- for national security policy and the extri- I stand absolutely opposed to yet another sented to by Congress. The President must in- cation from Vietnam, I am profoundly un- black hole-undefined U.S. troop deployment, clude Congress in the formulation of this pol- easy about the proliferation of open-ended this time to Kosovo, for peacemaking and icy. American commitments involving the de- peacekeeping reasons. The Washington Post stated this morning ployment of U.S. forces. American forces are The debate today mirrors what we have de- that, ``We think the stakes are sufficient to in harm’s way in Kosovo, Bosnia and the bated the last 4 years over Bosnia, and yes make it highly desirable that the president's gulf. They lack both a definition of strategic purpose by which success can be measured Mr. Speaker, it is not a news flash that thou- policy be supported by a strong bipartisan and an exit strategy. In the case of Kosovo, sands of U.S. troops are right next door and vote in Congress. The president ought to be the concern is that America’s leadership will unfortunately remain there indefinitely. asking forthrightly for congressional approval, would be impaired by the refusal of Congress I remind my colleagues of what the Presi- not trying to evade a congressional judgment to approve American participation in the dent said before he dispatched thousands of on his policy in Kosovo.'' NATO force that has come into being largely H1212 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 as a result of a diplomacy conceived and ‘‘strong peace agreement’’ is like to be at cause of the refugees the conflict might gen- spurred by Washington. best the overture to another, far more com- erate, as the president has pointed out. Thus, in the end, Congress may feel it has plicated set of conflicts. Kosovo is no more a threat to America than little choice but to go along. In any event, Ironically, the projected peace agreement Haiti was to Europe—and we never asked for its formal approval is not required. But Con- increases the likelihood of the various pos- NATO support there. The nearly 300 million gress needs to put the administration on no- sible escalations sketched by the president Europeans should be able to generate the tice that it is uneasy about being repeatedly as justification for a U.S. deployment. An ground forces to deal with 2.3 million confronted with ad hoc military missions. independent Albanian Kosovo surely would Kosovars. To symbolize Allied unity on larg- The development and articulation of a com- seek to incorporate the neighboring Alba- er issues, we should provide logistics, intel- prehensive strategy is imperative if we are nian minorities—mostly in Macedonia—and ligence and air support. But I see no need for to avoid being stretched too thin in the face perhaps even Albania itself. And a Macedo- U.S ground forces; leadership should not be of other foreseeable and militarily more dan- nian conflict would land us precisely back in interpreted to mean that we must do every- gerous challenges. the Balkan wars of earlier in this century. thing ourselves. Before any future deployments take place, Will Kosovo then become the premise for a Sooner of later, we must articulate the we must be able to answer these questions: NATO move into Macedonia, just as the de- American capability to sustain a global pol- What consequences are we seeking to pre- ployment in Bosnia is invoked as justifica- icy. The failure to do so landed us in the vent? What goals are we seeking to achieve? tion for the move into Kosovo? Is NATO to Vietnam morass. Even if one stipulates an In what way do they serve the national in- be the home for a whole series of Balkan American strategic interest in Kosovo terest? NATO protectorates? (which I do not), we must take care not to President Clinton has justified American What confuses the situation even more is stretch ourselves too thin in the face of far troop deployments in Kosovo on the ground that the American missions in Bosnia and less ambiguous threats in the Middle East that ethnic conflict in Yugoslavia threatens Kosovo are justified by different, perhaps in- and Northwest Asia. ‘‘Europe’s stability and future.’’ Other ad- compatible, objectives. In Bosnia, American Each incremental deployment into the ministration spokesmen have compared the deployment is being promoted as a means to Balkans is bound to weaken our ability to challenge to that of Hitler’s threat to Euro- unite Croats, Muslims and Serbs into a sin- deal with Saddam Hussein and North Korea. pean security. Neither statement does jus- gle state. Serbs and Croats prefer to practice The psychological drain may be even more tice to Balkan realities. self-determination but are being asked to grave. Each time we make a peripheral de- The proposed deployment in Kosovo does subordinate their preference to the geo- ployment, the administration is constrained not deal with any threat to American secu- political argument that a small Muslim Bos- to insist that the danger to American forces rity as traditionally conceived. The threat- nian state would be too precarious and is minimal—the Kosovo deployment is offi- ening escalations sketched by the presi- irredentist. But in Kosovo, national self-de- cially described as a ‘‘peace implementation dent—to Macedonia or Greece and Turkey— termination is invoked to produce a tiny force.’’ Such comments have two unfortunate con- are in the long run more likely to result state nearly certain to be irredentist. sequences: They increase the impression from the emergence of a Kosovo state. Since neither traditional concepts of the among Americans that military force can be Nor is the Kosovo problem new. Ethnic national interest nor U.S. security impel the used casualty-free, and they send a signal of conflict has been endemic in the Balkans for deployment, the ultimate justification is the weakness to potential enemies. For in the centuries. Waves of conquests have laudable and very American goal of easing end, our forces will be judged on how ade- congealed divisions between ethnic groups human suffering. This is why, in the end, I quate they are for peace imposition, not and religions, between the Eastern Orthodox went along with the Dayton agreement in so peace implementation. and Catholic faiths; between Christianity far as it ended the war by separating the I always am inclined to support the incum- and Islam; between the heirs of the Austrian contending forces. But I cannot bring myself bent administration in a forceful assertion of and Ottoman empires. to endorse American ground forces in the national interest. And as a passionate Through the centuries, these conflicts have Kosovo. believer in the NATO alliance, I make the been fought with unparalleled ferocity be- In Bosnia, the exit strategy can be de- distinctions between European and American cause none of the populations has any expe- scribed. The existing dividing lines can be security interests in the Balkans with the rience with—and essentially no belief in— made permanent. Failure to do so will re- utmost reluctance. But support for a strong Western concepts of toleration. Majority quire their having to be manned indefinitely foreign policy and a strong NATO surely will rule and compromise that underlie most of unless we change our objective to self-deter- evaporate if we fail to anchor them in a clear the proposals for a ‘‘solution’’ never have mination and permit each ethnic group to definition of the national interest and im- found an echo in the Balkans. decide its own fate. part a sense of direction to our foreign policy In Kosovo, that option does not exist. Moreover, the projected Kosovo agreement in a period of turbulent change. is unlikely to enjoy the support of the par- There are no ethnic dividing lines, and both Mr. EWING. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to ties for a long period of time. For Serbia, ac- sides claim the entire territory. America’s quiescing under the threat of NATO bom- attitude toward the Serbs’ attempts to insist express my concern with the possibility that bardment, it involves nearly unprecedented on their claim has been made plain enough; U.S. troops my soon be deployed to Kosovo. international intercession. Yugoslavia, a it is the threat of bombing. But how do we The U.S. has promised to send approximately sovereign state, is being asked to cede con- and NATO react to Albanian transgressions 4,000 troops to Kosovo to enforce a cease-fire trol and in time sovereignty of a province and irredentism? Are we prepared to fight that has not yet been agreed to. We are told containing its national shrines to foreign both sides and for how long? In the face of that our servicemen and women will be in military force. issues such as these, the unity of the contact Kosovo for at least three years, but are given Though President Slobodan Milosevic has group of powers acting on behalf of NATO is no indication of the expected cost, or the much to answer for, especially in Bosnia, he likely to dissolve. Russia surely will increas- goals of the mission. is less the cause of the conflict in Kosovo ingly emerge as the supporter of the Serbian than an expression of it. On the need to re- point of view. I am troubled by the fact that the administra- tain Kosovo, Serbian leaders—including We must take care not to treat a humani- tion appears to be rushing towards a quick de- Milosevic’s domestic opponents—seem tarian foreign policy as a magic recipe for ployment without explaining to the Congress united. For Serbia, current NATO policy the basic problem of establishing priorities and the country why our troops need to be means either dismemberment of the country in foreign policy. The president’s statements sent to Kosovo. I have yet to hear a clear ex- or postponement of the conflict to a future ‘‘that we can make a difference’’ and that planation of what our interests are in date when, according to the NATO proposal, ‘‘America symbolizes hope and resolve’’ are KosovoÐwhy does the most powerful nation the future of the province will be decided. exhortations, not policy prescriptions. Do in the world need to put its troops in harm's The same attitude governs the Albanian they mean that America’s military power is side. The Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) is available to enable every ethnic or religious way to enforce a peace agreement that fighting for independence, not autonomy. group to achieve self-determination? Is doesn't even exist? But under the projected agreement, Kosovo, NATO to become the artillery for ethnic con- I am not convinced that it is in our best in- now an integral part of Serbia, is to be made flict? If Kosovo, why not East Africa or Cen- terest to send U.S. troops to Kosovo. We have an autonomous and self-governing entity tral Asia? And would a doctrine of universal many potential trouble spots brewing around within Serbia, which, however, will remain humanitarian intervention reduce or in- the world that beg for our attentionÐNorth responsible for external security and even crease suffering by intensifying ethnic and Korea, China's missile race, and the deterio- exercise some unspecified internal police religious conflict? What are the limits of rating situation in Russia are national security functions. A plebiscite at the end of three such a policy and by what criteria is it es- problems vital to our interests, and they beg years is to determine the region’s future. tablished? The KLA is certain to try to use the cease- In my view, that line should be drawn at for strong U.S. involvement. Yet Congress is fire to expel the last Serbian influences from American ground forces for Kosovo. Euro- being told that the situation in Kosovo is a vital the province and drag its feet on giving up peans never tire of stressing the need for national security concern, and this threat justi- its arms. And if NATO resists, it may come greater European autonomy. Here is an occa- fies placing our troops in harm's way. under attack itself—perhaps from both sides. sion to demonstrate it. If Kosovo presents a We have had troops in Bosnia since 1995, What is described by the administration as a security problem, it is to Europe, largely be- at a cost of more than $12 billion. This is March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1213 money that is taken directly from DoD ac- four years and there is still no end-date in lieve that Milosevic is guilty of crimes against counts, reducing our readiness in other crucial sight. Yet, the Administration has not included humanity and other war crimes, and I am areas. Even worse, the long and repeated funding for this mission in their budget until deeply concerned about this affront to human tours of duty in Bosnia have convinced many this year. This open-ended mission, while it rights. This chamber has voted to support the soldiers in the active and reserve branches to has saved lives, it has also cost $19 billion to International Criminal Tribunal for the former retire, depleting our ranks of dedicated and date. Yugoslavia in its efforts to bring Milosevic to experienced people. Congress is now told that The Administration may be embarking on justice. However, without a well thought out the Army wants to lower its recruitment stand- this mission in Kosovo to save lives and pre- plan on how we should utilize our troops, I ards and begin hiring high school dropouts to vent open warfare in the Balkans, but we here cannot support this action. make up for shortages in manpower. in Congress will be responsible for making the Mr. Chairman, look at the other conflicts we The same crowd that ridiculed the ``Domino tough decisions about how to pay for it. have gotten involved with. Somalia was a dis- Theory'' of communist expansion now appear There is no money in the President's budget aster. Iraq continues in its defiance. American to be advancing their own ``Domino Theory'' to pay for this deployment. The Administration troops are still inextricably entangled in Bos- for the region around the former YugoslaviaÐ has requested increased spending on all sorts nia. Haiti dissolved its democracy and now first it was Macedonia, then Bosnia, now of new programs from education to health has an authoritarian regime. The track record Kosovo, and then what? care but there is no money for our troops that for this Administration is not good. Mr. Chairman, a convincing case has not may be deployed in Kosovo. The Administration has not explained how been made for the necessity of U.S. troop in- And from the hearings I have attended so dragging American troops into another ethnic volvement in Kosovo. The U.S. does not need far as a Member of the Defense Appropria- conflict will protect American interests, and the best trained and most powerful army in the tions Subcommittee, we are already facing until that is done in a satisfactory fashion, I world sitting in Kosovo playing peacekeeper. If real shortfalls in funding and manpower in cannot and will not support the Administra- Europe is so concerned about the destabiliz- several other ongoing missions, including the tion's attempts to put American troops in ing effects of Kosovo, then let them handle the Persian Gulf. And don't be fooled by claims harm's way. problem. When it is said that ``NATO'' will be that this mission will be far more limited than Mr. Chairman, we are not the emergency providing the troops, that usually can be trans- the one in Bosnia and thus, less costly. In a 911 number for the world, and I urge my col- lated as ``the U.S.'' America pays the bills and recent hearing with Secretary of Defense leagues to oppose this resolution. undertakes most of the difficult missionsÐvir- Cohen, I asked him about the U.S. commit- Mr. FORD. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in tually all the bombing and other air missions ment to deploy 4,000 troops as part of a larger support of the Gejdenson Amendment to H. are handled by our Air Force. NATO force. In reality, he told me that the Con. Res. 42. Three months before he died, Our troops have been in Bosnia since 1995, number is closer to 12,000 because for every in his fourth inaugural address, President at a huge cost to our military readiness and to one of our men on the ground, 3 more of our Franklin Roosevelt expressed his hope for a the Defense budget. We must resist the urge soldiers are required in support. ``just, honorable, and durable'' settlement to to use military force to resolve every humani- So, I rise to forewarn my colleagues that we World War II. But he cautioned against acting tarian problem that crops us. We need to take will face some very tough choices about how impetuously to bring about this settlement, our troops out of the equation in Kosovo and to pay for these missions, as well as the pro- knowing that ``peace could not be achieved begin focusing on real national security con- posed pay raise for our military personnel and immediately.'' cerns. to address the many other shortfalls in our President Roosevelt was aware that peace- Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in op- military readiness. The President has failed to making is a delicate process. We have position to consideration of this resolution au- do so in his budget, but we will not. The Presi- learned, as a country and as a people, that thorizing the use of U.S. ground troops in dent has not only failed to consult Congress, peace is a difficult goal to achieve. Peace Kosovo. I do not support putting American ground but he has failed in his budget proposal to say takes engagement. Most of all, peace takes troops, even as part of a NATO force, in the how he will pay for this critical decision. time. middle of a civil war in central Europe. But I Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in As most of you know, I am the youngest object to this resolution on other grounds, as opposition to H. Con. Res. 42, a concurrent member of the House. Many people have tried well. This very debate may hamstring our ne- resolution regarding the use of U.S. Armed to find a name for my generation, because in gotiators as they seek a peaceful resolution of Forces as part of a NATO peacekeeping oper- earlier times there was the World War I gen- the Kosovo conflict with the Serbian govern- ation implementing a Kosovo peace agree- eration, the World War II generation, and the ment and ethnic Albanians. ment. Vietnam Generation. There are no wars to It makes no sense to me that the Congress Let me first say that I am a strong supporter name us by. Why is that? Because we have is debating a resolution on use of force before of the brave and hard-working men and learned that U.S. forces should only be used our negotiators have even concluded their at- women of our armed services. I salute them when there is a clear goal and U.S. interests tempts to resolve the Kosovo situation peace- for all they have done for our great nation, and are threatened. And even then, we must use fully. I hope we do not damage their efforts by I am extremely proud of them. force judiciously and effectively. even taking this resolution under consider- However, this is an initiative that NATO was I myself have some concerns on the extent ation. never intended to undertake. As Henry Kissin- of our commitment, our exit strategy, and our I am not opposed to NATO forces being in- ger said at a House International Relations rules of engagement. But how can we dictate volved in enforcing an agreement. Our air Committee hearing, this would be an ``unprec- the terms of our involvement when a settle- forces have effectively been used to enforce edented extension of NATO's authority.'' ment has not yet been reached? the United Nations resolutions involving Iraq, More importantly, I believe that inserting our Unfortunately, the majority has brought this for example. However, I do not believe it is in troops in the middle of an ethnically charged resolution to the floor at this time, against the our best interestsÐor in the interest of the Eu- civil war is very dangerous. Neither the Alba- blatant wishes of all those involved in the ropean CommunityÐfor Americans to be part nians nor the Serbs are interested in any sort process, from Senator Dole to the President to of a ground force in Kosovo. That is why I will of compromise. The Albanians want only inde- the Kosovars to the Serbs. This is an obstruc- cast my vote against this resolution today. pendence and the Serbs, who view Kosovo as tion of the peace process. I support this Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, while the cradle of the Serbian civilization, are un- amendment because I support the Administra- there may be no desire by President Clinton willing to give up their ancestral homeland. If tion's efforts to secure a just peace. and his Administration to recognize Congress' neither side is interested in working out a At the same time, we must play our con- role in determining whether or not to deploy peaceful agreement, the introduction of Amer- stitutional role responsibly. Let the Administra- troops to Kosovo, we all know that their deci- ican troops into the conflict will probably in- tion continue its efforts toward reaching a set- sion will require Congress to find the nec- flame anti-American sentiments and Albanian tlement. As Speaker HASTERT himself said two essary dollars to pay for this mission. And nationalism with disastrous results. They don't weeks ago, let's give them the ``room to nego- there is no question that Congress will provide want our help and don't want to work towards tiate.'' I would be surprised to learn that the necessary dollars to support our men and peace. I do not believe that we should risk the Speaker HASTERT considers two weeks women in uniform. lives of our troops for intangible goals that enough time to resolve a conflict that spans But we need to be prepared for the tough have no basis in reality. centuries. choices that lie ahead. Now, I certainly do not advocate the actions The President should continue taking steps Let's take the U.S. mission in Bosnia as an of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. to bring the parties to a fair and just agree- example. We have been in Bosnia for almost There is a compelling body of evidence to be- ment. If and when such an agreement is H1214 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 reached, we should give our full support for Page 2, line 4, strike ‘‘(3)’’ and insert ‘‘(5)’’. to be heard on the point of order, the the deployment of U.S. troops. For these rea- Page 2, strike line 9 and all that follows Chair would recognize him. son, I support the Gejdenson Amendment to and insert the following: Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, my SEC. 3. DEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES ARMED question is, is that the section that the H. Con. Res. 42. FORCES TO KOSOVO. The CHAIRMAN. All time for general gentleman objects to? (a) DECLARATION OF POLICY RELATING TO debate has expired. INTERIM AGREEMENT.—The Congress urges Mr. GILMAN. Yes. That is correct, Pursuant to the rule, the concurrent the President to continue to take measures Mr. Chairman. resolution is considered read for described in (b) to support the ongoing peace The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman is amendment under the 5-minute rule. process relating to Kosovo with the objective not making a proper parliamentary in- The text of House Concurrent Resolu- of reaching a fair and just interim agreement quiry of the Chair. The Chair will rule tion 42 is as follows: between the Serbian Government and the on the germaneness of the amendment Kosovar Albanians on the status of Kosovo. H. CON. RES. 42 after hearing argument. (b) AUTHORIZATION FOR DEPLOYMENT OF Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Does the gentleman wish to be heard ARMED FORCES.—If a fair and just interim Senate concurring), agreement described in subsection (a) is on the point of order? SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. reached, the President is authorized to de- Mr. GEJDENSON. I do wish to be This resolution may be cited as the ploy United States Armed Forces personnel heard, Mr. Chairman. ‘‘Peacekeeping Operations in Kosovo Resolu- to Kosovo as part of a NATO peacekeeping The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman may tion’’. operation implementing such interim agree- proceed. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. ment. Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, it The Congress makes the following findings: (c) DECLARATION OF POLICY RELATING TO is my understanding that the Chair- (1) The conflict in Kosovo has caused great SUPPORT FOR ARMED FORCES.—The Congress man has just indicated that he objects human suffering and, if permitted to con- unequivocally supports the men and women tinue, could threaten the peace of Europe. of the United States Armed Forces who are to this one section that commends the (2) The Government of Serbia and rep- carrying out their missions in support of armed forces for the excellence that resentatives of the people of Kosovo may peace in the Balkan region, and throughout they are involved in in carrying out agree in Rambouillet, France, to end the the world, with professional excellence, dedi- their mission and their commitment. I conflict in Kosovo. cated patriotism, and exemplary bravery. would, at the appropriate time, ask for (3) President Clinton has promised to de- SEC. 4. LIMITATION. unanimous consent that we allow this ploy approximately 4,000 United States The authorization in section 3 is subject to language to be retained, because I do Armed Forces personnel to Kosovo as part of the limitation that the number of United think, no matter which side of this a North Atlantic Treaty Organization States Armed Forces personnel participating (NATO) peacekeeping operation implement- issue people are on, that they want to in a deployment described in that section express their support and admiration ing a Kosovo peace agreement. may not exceed 15 percent of the total NATO SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR DEPLOYMENT OF force deployed to Kosovo in the peacekeep- for our troops. UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES TO ing operation described in that section, ex- So I would ask unanimous consent at KOSOVO. cept that such percentage may be exceeded if the appropriate time, or ask the gen- The President is authorized to deploy the President determines that United States tleman to withdraw his point of order United States Armed Forces personnel to forces or United States citizens are in danger so that we can go forward with our Kosovo as part of a NATO peacekeeping op- and notifies Congress of that determination. eration implementing a Kosovo peace agree- amendment. It does not really change ment. POINT OF ORDER the policy or the amendment itself; it The CHAIRMAN. No amendment to Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make is simply, I think, the kind of support the concurrent resolution is in order a point of order against the amend- we have always included in times when except those printed in the portion of ment. we are dealing with foreign policy The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will issues, and we ought not let jurisdic- the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD designated for that purpose and pro forma amend- state his point of order. tional battles in the Congress preclude Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, sub- ments for the purpose of debate. us from making a positive statement section 3 of the proposed amendment about the troops. Amendments printed in the RECORD includes language that goes beyond the may be offered only by the Member The CHAIRMAN. Is there any other jurisdiction of the Committee on Inter- who caused it to be printed or his des- Member who wishes to be heard on the national Relations and extends into ignee, and shall be considered read. point of order? The Chairman of the Committee of the jurisdiction of the Committee on The Chair recognizes the gentleman the Whole may postpone a request for a National Security. Additionally, the from New York (Mr. GILMAN). recorded vote on any amendment and subject matter of the amendment is Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I want may reduce to a minimum of 5 minutes different from the underlying text. to express support for our forces, as all For both of these reasons, I urge the the time for voting on any postponed of our colleagues do, and as a veteran, Chair to sustain a point of order. question that immediately follows an- I know the sacrifices that our men and other vote, provided that the time for PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY women are asked to make. voting on the first question shall be a Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I would support a separate resolution minimum of 15 minutes. parliamentary inquiry. on this matter at an appropriate time, Are there any amendments to the The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will but I do not think that this is an ap- concurrent resolution? state it. propriate part of this resolution, and I Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, is raise the point of order. AMENDMENT NO. 7 OFFERED BY MR. GEJDENSON The CHAIRMAN. If there are no Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I it my understanding that the objection other Members who wish to be heard on offer an amendment. relates to the statement that the Con- the point of order, the Chair is ready to The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will des- gress unequivocally supports the men rule. ignate the amendment. and women of the United States Armed The text of the amendment is as fol- Forces who are carrying out their mis- The gentleman from New York lows: sion in support of peace in the Balkans makes the point of order that the and throughout the world with profes- amendment offered by the gentleman Amendment No. 7 offered by Mr. GEJDEN- from Connecticut is not germane. SON: sional excellence and dedicated patri- Page 2, after line 3, insert the following: otism? The concurrent resolution authorizes (3) Former Senator Robert Dole recently Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, regular the President to deploy United States traveled to the region to meet with the order. Armed Forces to implement a Kosovo Kosovar Albanians and deliver a message Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, is peace agreement. Its provisions fall ex- from President Clinton encouraging all par- that the section the gentleman is ob- clusively within the jurisdiction of the ties to reach an agreement to end the con- jecting to? Committee on International Relations. flict in Kosovo. (4) Representatives of the Government of The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will That committee has jurisdiction over Serbia and representatives of the Kosovar suspend. ‘‘intervention abroad’’, which includes Albanians are scheduled to reconvene in If the gentleman has a parliamentary the deployment of armed forces by the France on March 15, 1999. inquiry, or if the gentleman would like President. Conditions, limitations or March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1215 other attributes of such deployment Knollenberg Paul Simpson Tanner Traficant Watt (NC) Kolbe Pease Skeen Tauscher Turner Waxman are within the ambit of ‘‘intervention Kuykendall Peterson (PA) Smith (MI) Taylor (MS) Udall (CO) Weiner abroad.’’ LaHood Petri Smith (NJ) Thompson (CA) Udall (NM) Wexler The amendment offered by the gen- Largent Pickering Smith (TX) Thompson (MS) Velazquez Weygand tleman from Connecticut includes a Latham Pitts Souder Thurman Vento Wise LaTourette Pombo Spence Tierney Visclosky Woolsey provision declaring the support of Con- Lazio Porter Stearns Towns Waters Wynn gress for the armed forces who are car- Leach Portman Stump NOT VOTING—10 rying out their missions in the Balkan Lewis (CA) Pryce (OH) Sununu region. As evidenced by the referral of Lewis (KY) Radanovich Sweeney Becerra John Wu Linder Ramstad Talent Bilbray Mollohan Young (AK) House Resolution 306 in the 104th Con- LoBiondo Regula Tancredo Capps Quinn gress which was considered by the Lucas (OK) Reynolds Tauzin Frost Reyes House, such a provision falls within the Manzullo Riley Taylor (NC) Terry b 1614 jurisdiction of both the Committee on McCollum Rogan McCrery Rogers Thomas Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Ms. Armed Services and the Committee on McHugh Rohrabacher Thornberry International Relations. The sentiment McInnis Ros-Lehtinen Thune LOFGREN, Ms. BERKLEY, and Ms. contained in section 3 of the amend- McIntosh Roukema Tiahrt KAPTUR changed their vote from McKeon Royce Toomey ment is not a condition, limitation or ‘‘aye’’ to ‘‘no.’’ Metcalf Ryan (WI) Upton So the decision of the Chair stands as attribute of the deployment of armed Mica Ryun (KS) Walden forces to Kosovo. Miller (FL) Salmon Walsh the judgment of the Committee. Wamp As noted in section 798a and 798c of Miller, Gary Sanford The result of the vote was announced Moran (KS) Saxton Watkins as above recorded. the House Rules and Manual of the Morella Scarborough Watts (OK) 105th Congress, to be germane, an Myrick Schaffer Weldon (FL) AMENDMENT NO. 5 OFFERED BY MR. GEJDENSON amendment must relate to the same Nethercutt Sensenbrenner Weldon (PA) Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I Ney Sessions Weller offer an amendment. subject matter and the same jurisdic- Northup Shadegg Whitfield tion as are addressed in the concurrent Norwood Shaw Wicker The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will des- resolution. The Chair finds that the Nussle Shays Wilson ignate the amendment. Wolf amendment fails both of these long- Ose Sherwood The text of the amendment is as fol- Oxley Shimkus Young (FL) lows: standing tests. Therefore, the Chair Packard Shuster holds that the amendment is not ger- Amendment No. 5 offered by Mr. GEJDEN- mane. Accordingly, the point of order NOES—205 SON: Page 2, after line 3, insert the following: Abercrombie Ford McNulty is sustained. (3) Former Senator Robert Dole recently Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I Ackerman Frank (MA) Meehan Allen Gejdenson Meek (FL) traveled to the region to meet with the move to appeal the ruling of the Chair. Andrews Gephardt Meeks (NY) Kosovar Albanians and deliver a message The CHAIRMAN. The question is, Baird Gonzalez Menendez from President Clinton encouraging all par- Shall the decision of the Chair stand as Baldacci Goode Millender- ties to reach an agreement to end the con- Baldwin Gordon McDonald flict in Kosovo. the judgment of the Committee? Barcia Green (TX) Miller, George The question was taken; and the (4) Representatives of the Government of Barrett (WI) Gutierrez Minge Serbia and representatives of the Kosovar Bentsen Hall (OH) Mink Chairman announced that the ayes ap- Albanians are scheduled to reconvene in peared to have it. Berkley Hall (TX) Moakley Berman Hastings (FL) Moore France on March 15, 1999. RECORDED VOTE Berry Hill (IN) Moran (VA) Page 2, line 4, strike ‘‘(3)’’ and insert ‘‘(5)’’. Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I Bishop Hilliard Murtha Page 2, strike line 9 and all that follows Blagojevich Hinchey Nadler and insert the following: demand a recorded vote. Blumenauer Hinojosa Napolitano SEC. 3. DEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES ARMED A recorded vote was ordered. Bonior Hoeffel Neal FORCES TO KOSOVO. The vote was taken by electronic de- Borski Holden Oberstar (a) DECLARATION OF POLICY RELATING TO vice, and there were—ayes 218, noes 205, Boswell Holt Obey Boucher Hooley Olver INTERIM AGREEMENT.—The Congress urges not voting 10, as follows: Boyd Hoyer Ortiz the President to continue to take measures [Roll No. 47] Brady (PA) Inslee Owens described in (b) to support the ongoing peace Brown (CA) Jackson (IL) Pallone AYES—218 process relating to Kosovo with the objective Brown (FL) Jackson-Lee Pascrell of reaching a fair and just interim agreement Aderholt Coburn Gillmor Brown (OH) (TX) Pastor between the Serbian Government and the Archer Collins Gilman Capuano Jefferson Payne Armey Combest Goodlatte Cardin Johnson, E. B. Pelosi Kosovar Albanians on the status of Kosovo. Bachus Cook Goodling Carson Jones (OH) Peterson (MN) (b) AUTHORIZATION FOR DEPLOYMENT OF Baker Cooksey Goss Clay Kanjorski Phelps ARMED FORCES.—If a fair and just interim Ballenger Cox Graham Clayton Kaptur Pickett agreement described in subsection (a) is Barr Crane Granger Clement Kennedy Pomeroy reached, the President is authorized to de- Barrett (NE) Cubin Green (WI) Clyburn Kildee Price (NC) ploy United States Armed Forces personnel Bartlett Cunningham Greenwood Condit Kilpatrick Rahall to Kosovo as part of a NATO peacekeeping Barton Davis (VA) Gutknecht Conyers Kind (WI) Rangel Bass Deal Hansen Costello Kleczka Rivers operation implementing such interim agree- Bateman DeLay Hastings (WA) Coyne Klink Rodriguez ment. Bereuter DeMint Hayes Cramer Kucinich Roemer At the end of the resolution, add the fol- Biggert Diaz-Balart Hayworth Crowley LaFalce Rothman lowing new section: Bilirakis Dickey Hefley Cummings Lampson Roybal-Allard SEC. 4. LIMITATION. Bliley Doolittle Herger Danner Lantos Rush The authorization in section 3 is subject to Blunt Dreier Hill (MT) Davis (FL) Larson Sabo Boehlert Duncan Hilleary Davis (IL) Lee Sanchez the limitation that the number of United Boehner Dunn Hobson DeFazio Levin Sanders States Armed Forces personnel participating Bonilla Ehlers Hoekstra DeGette Lewis (GA) Sandlin in a deployment described in that section Bono Ehrlich Horn Delahunt Lipinski Sawyer may not exceed 15 percent of the total NATO Brady (TX) Emerson Hostettler DeLauro Lofgren Schakowsky force deployed to Kosovo in the peacekeep- Bryant English Houghton Deutsch Lowey Scott ing operation described in that section, ex- Burr Everett Hulshof Dicks Lucas (KY) Serrano cept that such percentage may be exceeded if Burton Ewing Hunter Dingell Luther Sherman Buyer Fletcher Hutchinson Dixon Maloney (CT) Shows the President determines that United States Callahan Foley Hyde Doggett Maloney (NY) Sisisky forces or United States citizens are in danger Calvert Forbes Isakson Dooley Markey Skelton and notifies Congress of that determination. Camp Fossella Istook Doyle Martinez Slaughter PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY Campbell Fowler Jenkins Edwards Mascara Smith (WA) Canady Franks (NJ) Johnson (CT) Engel Matsui Snyder Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Chairman, I Cannon Frelinghuysen Johnson, Sam Eshoo McCarthy (MO) Spratt have a parliamentary inquiry. Castle Gallegly Jones (NC) Etheridge McCarthy (NY) Stabenow The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will Chabot Ganske Kasich Evans McDermott Stark state his parliamentary inquiry. Chambliss Gekas Kelly Farr McGovern Stenholm Chenoweth Gibbons King (NY) Fattah McIntyre Strickland Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Chairman, I Coble Gilchrest Kingston Filner McKinney Stupak have a perfecting amendment to the H1216 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 Gejdenson amendment or to the Fowler camps across Europe, virtually every States should have and that that in- amendment. It is not a substitute. It is member of his family and every Jewish volvement should be limited to 15 per- in fact an additional section that member of that village, except for a cent of the total troop force assembled would leave the Gejdenson amendment few, were shot to death in a small de- by the NATO forces for this mission in effect. pression in their town. AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MRS. FOWLER TO What would be the process here since A friend of mine, Senator WYDEN’s fa- AMENDMENT NO. 5 OFFERED BY MR. GEJDENSON the Fowler amendment is in fact a sub- ther, found me a letter from a Nazi who Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Chairman, I offer stitute for Gejdenson? Is it? It is not? witnessed the executions. He said the an amendment to the amendment. The CHAIRMAN. The Chair informs first person he shot was a woman who The Clerk read as follows: the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. TRAFI- had given birth the day before. They Amendment Offered By Mrs. FOWLER to CANT) that the amendment pending is had her stand naked. They shot her and Amendment No. 5 Offered By Mr. GEJDENSON: the amendment offered by the gen- her child and proceeded to shoot every Page 1, strike line 1 and all that follows tleman from Connecticut (Mr. GEJDEN- other member of the village that they through line 9 and insert the following: (1) President Clinton is contemplating the SON). No other amendment or sub- had rounded up. stitute has been offered to the amend- What we do here today is not an aca- introduction of ground elements of the United States Armed Forces to Kosovo as ment offered by the gentleman from demic exercise. It is not simply a func- part of a larger North Atlantic Treaty Orga- Connecticut. The gentleman from Con- tion of parliamentary procedures be- nization (NATO) operation to conduct peace- necticut is entitled to speak for 5 min- tween the executive and the legisla- making or peacekeeping between warring utes on his amendment. tive. This has a real life and death im- parties in Kosovo, and these Armed Forces Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Chairman, fur- pact for people on this planet. may be subject to foreign command. ther parliamentary inquiry. We are going to decide whether or (2) Such a deployment, if it were to occur, The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will not today these negotiations have a would in all likelihood require the commit- state his parliamentary inquiry. chance at succeeding. There is no guar- ment of United States ground forces for a Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Chairman, I minimum of 3 years and cost billions of dol- antee they will succeed. There is a lars. will have, then, an amendment, a sec- hope that they will succeed, but there (3) Kosovo, unlike Bosnia, is a province of ondary amendment to the Gejdenson is a guaranteed failure if the House the Republic of Serbia, a sovereign foreign amendment in the form of an addition, shuts off the administration’s abilities state. and I would like to be protected for an to move forward. (4) The deployment of United States opportunity to provide that amend- There is no constitutional demand ground forces to enforce a peace agreement ment. that we vote on this, but we are here between warring parties in a sovereign for- The CHAIRMAN. The Chair cannot by the procedures that have been eign state is not consistent with the prior guarantee recognition of any Member employment of deadly military force by the forced upon us. So having them before United States against either or both of the for the purpose of offering second de- us, we had better vote yes. warring parties in that sovereign foreign gree amendments. The Chair’s job is to We are not asking to assert American state. follow regular order, and that is what forces in a live fire zone. We have had (5) The Secretary of Defense, William the Chair intends to do. on both sides of the aisle broad biparti- Cohen, has opposed the deployment of United The Chair recognizes the gentleman san support to send Americans in States ground forces to Kosovo, as reflected from Connecticut (Mr. GEJDENSON) for harm’s way where many would perish. in his testimony before the Congress on Oc- 5 minutes on his amendment. We are sending the smallest percentage tober 6, 1998. Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, let of Americans in a conflict in my mem- (6) The deployment of United States me first say to my friends that the gen- ground forces to participate in the peace- ory, and the President and the Sec- keeping operation in Bosnia, which has re- tleman from Ohio (Mr. TRAFICANT), retary of State say they only enter if a sulted in the expenditure of more than while he referenced it as a perfecting peace agreement has been signed. $10,000,000,000 by United States taxpayers to amendment, I would say that is a term So whatever my colleagues’ inclina- date, which has already been extended past 2 of the parliamentary procedures. I tions are, whatever my colleagues’ phi- previous withdrawal dates established by the would not see it as an improvement on losophies are about war powers in the administration, and which shows no sign of the underlying amendment. He has a Constitution, that small village in ending in the near future, clearly argues right to offer it, but I disagree with Profonia may be replayed again, and it that the costs and duration of a deployment that. I will just get that out on the to Kosovo for peacekeeping purposes will be will be on our head what happens to much heavier and much longer than initially table. those people. foreseen. Let me tell my colleagues a story Think carefully before one makes (7) The substantial drain on military readi- about my father. My father will turn 87 their final vote today. This is not ness of a deployment to Kosovo would be in- in the next 5 days. Although he never about relationships with the White consistent with the need, recently acknowl- spoke about World War II much, he House, Democrats versus Republicans, edged by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to reverse told me this one story of a day that those who believe in intervention and the trends which have already severely com- raised his hopes, and then of course nonintervention. This is about whether promised the ability of the United States there was a lot more calamity after we give peace a chance and whether we Armed Forces to carry out the basic Na- tional Military Strategy of the United that day. It was December 7, 1941. have an opportunity to let children States. He was a prisoner in a work camp run grow into adults. (8) The Congress has already indicated its by the Germans, the Nazis in World Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gen- considerable concern about the possible de- War II. He was one of thousands of tleman from Texas (Mr. TURNER), the ployment of United States Armed Forces to Jews across Eastern Europe who had cosponsor of this resolution. Kosovo, as evidenced by section 8115 of the been rounded up. In his small village of Mr. TURNER. Mr. Chairman, it is a Department of Defense Appropriations Act, Profonia, there was about 400 Jews and pleasure to offer this amendment 1999 (Public Law 105–262; 112 Stat. 2327), 400 non-Jews. The Jews were put into a which I think embodies the intent of which sets forth among other things a re- quirement for the President to transmit to labor camp. many Members of this body. This the Congress a report detailing the antici- On that day or shortly after Decem- amendment very clearly states that if pated costs, funding sources, and exit strat- ber 7, he heard that American ships a just and fair interim agreement is egy for any additional United States Armed had been bombed in Pearl Harbor. not reached we will not deploy troops. Forces deployed to Yugoslavia, Albania, or While in this country there was obvi- The President made that very clear Macedonia. ously great anxiety, my father saw as his position on February 4 in a (9) The introduction of United States great hope, because for the first time speech made here in Washington at the Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situa- in the darkness of World War II, he had Baldridge Quality Awards Ceremony. tions where imminent involvement in hos- the vision and hope that America No troops unless there is first an agree- tilities may occur, clearly indicates author- ization by the Congress when such action is would be rapidly in this war and that it ment. We believe this amendment not required for the defense of the United would soon be over. But he was wrong. should be adopted to make that clear. States, its Armed Forces, or its nationals. Before American forces could liber- Secondly, we believe that there is a (10) United States national security inter- ate concentration camps and work limited involvement that the United ests in Kosovo do not rise to a level that March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1217 warrants the introduction of United States much energy as our diplomats and For me, the bottom line is this: ground forces in Kosovo for peacekeeping other officials might appropriately ex- Could I look one of my neighbors in the purposes. pend to accomplish that, we have not eye and tell them, with conviction, Page 1, strike the second amendatory in- sent our troops to those places because that their loved one died in Kosovo in structions and insert the following: Page 1, strike line 8 and all that follows it is not within our power to solve all defense of America’s vital interests? through line 3 on page 2. the world’s problems. The answer is no. I urge Members to Page 2, strike line 4 and all that follows b 1630 vote ‘‘yes’’ on the Fowler-Danner through line 8. amendment. Page 1, line 10, strike ‘‘DEPLOYMENT’’ It does not make sense to me to com- Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in and insert ‘‘LIMITATION ON DEPLOY- pound the tragedy in Kosovo by deploy- opposition to the gentlewoman’s MENT’’. ing American troops there and subject- amendment. Page 1, line 14, strike ‘‘described in (b)’’ ing them to hostilities and potential I have visited our troops in Bosnia on and insert ‘‘, subject to the limitation con- casualties. That would be an even tained in subsection (b),’’. several occasions. One of the great mir- greater tragedy. acles of the Bosnia venture is that not Page 2, strike line 1 through line 6 and in- Simply put, while I am willing to one single American soldier has been sert the following: provide other forms of support, includ- (b) LIMITATION.—The President is not au- injured or killed as a result of that par- ing air, intelligence, communications thorized to deploy ground elements of the ticipation, but our presence, along with and logistics support to a European ini- United States Armed Forces to Kosovo as our NATO allies, has prevented the tiative to deploy ground forces to part of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization continuing bloodbath that has inflicted (NATO) operation to implement a peace Kosovo, steps which my amendment that territory. agreement between the Republic of Serbia would permit, I do not believe that our Now, no one is arguing that Amer- and representatives of ethnic Albanians liv- national security interests in Kosovo ican troops should go to war in Kosovo. ing in the province of Kosovo. rise to a level that warrants the com- What we are advocating is a conclusion (c) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in mitment of U.S. ground troops. this concurrent resolution shall be I am deeply concerned that U.S. of an agreement between the Albanians construed— ground forces are about to be deployed and the Serbs in Kosovo, after which, (1) to prevent United States Armed Forces upon invitation, a 28,000 person force from taking such actions as the Armed on the sovereign territory of a dictator who is essentially being blackmailed to would go to that country to keep the Forces consider necessary for self-defense peace. Of the 28,000 soldiers, 4,000 against an immediate threat emanating accept a NATO military presence. The from the Republic of Serbia; or administration is pressuring Milosevic should be members of our own armed (2) to restrict the authority of the Presi- and the KLA to negotiate by literally forces. dent under the Constitution to protect the holding a gun to their heads. Even if an Kosovo, in a sense, is becoming a sec- lives of United States citizens. agreement on Kosovo is reached, it is a ondary issue in this debate. What we Strike the second line 1 and all that fol- recipe for resentment, not reconcili- are talking about is the survival and lows: ation, and it will be our troops on the the vitality of NATO. As I mentioned Mrs. FOWLER (during the reading). ground in the cross hairs. earlier today, some of us will be in Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous con- Furthermore, I am deeply concerned Independence, Missouri, tomorrow at sent that the amendment be considered that the administration has not articu- the Truman Library with the ambas- as read and printed in the RECORD. lated an exit strategy and that there sadors and governmental leaders of Po- The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection has been no determination made re- land, the Czech Republic and Hungary, to the request of the gentlewoman garding the cost of the operations or as we invite them to join NATO. They from Florida? the source of funds to pay for it. The will ask the question: Why should they Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, re- administration’s initiative would draw join NATO if NATO is unwilling, upon serving the right to object, we have not the United States further into commit- invitation, to take part in a peacekeep- yet seen the language of this amend- ments in the Balkans that have al- ing mission? ment, and we would like our counsel to ready cost U.S. taxpayers some $10 bil- The gentlewoman is talking about just have a moment. lion. After violating two self-imposed military readiness. What is the mili- The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman deadlines for the withdrawal of our tary readiness for if it is not to prevent object to the dispensing of the reading? military forces from Bosnia, the ad- the continuance of bloodshed upon Mr. GEJDENSON. No, Mr. Chairman. ministration today offers no end in reaching an agreement between the Al- The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, sight to our commitment there. banians and the Serbs? the amendment is considered as having I would note that the Congress is al- This debate today in this House been read. ready on record in requiring the admin- makes me awfully glad that some of There was no objection. istration, in Section 8115 of the fiscal my colleagues were not here when the The CHAIRMAN. The gentlewoman year 1999 Defense Appropriations bill, decision was made to participate in the from Florida (Mrs. Fowler) is recog- to provide a report to the Congress on Second World War or the Korean War nized for 5 minutes on her amendment. the national security justification, exit or the Persian Gulf War. Isolationism Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Chairman, the strategy, cost, source of funds, and is rampant in this body. I repeat that. amendment that I am putting forward other key considerations before the de- Isolationism is rampant in this body. If today with the gentlewoman from Mis- ployment of any additional U.S. forces the Congress of the United States is souri (Ms. DANNER) would make it clear to Yugoslavia, Albania or Macedonia. not prepared to participate in a NATO that the House does not support the de- That is Public Law that we voted on in peacekeeping mission, upon the invita- ployment of United States ground this House and the President signed. tion of the two parties, for goodness forces to Kosovo and would spell out The President has indicated that the sake, what is NATO prepared to do? the reasons why. size of any U.S. ground presence will be What is the purpose of NATO if it is There is no question that the situa- small. The fact is the deployment will not minimally to preserve peace in Eu- tion in Kosovo is a tragedy. My heart last for a minimum of 3 years. It will rope? aches for the people there just as it increase already sky-high military per- I ask my colleagues to reject my col- does for those who are caught in the sonnel deployment rates. It will place a league’s amendment and to accept the midst of the civil war in Sierra Leone, significant additional strain on our responsibility of the one remaining su- the victims of religious strife in Kash- troops and will further compromise the perpower for making a modest con- mir and Indonesia, the hundreds of Nation’s military readiness. tribution, and I underscore it is a mod- thousands suffering from induced fam- For those who have not been out in est contribution, to a NATO effort to ine in North Korea, the masses sub- the field to see our troops firsthand, preserve the peace. jected to suppression of human rights today our military is undermanned, is Our friends in the United Kingdom in China and Cuba, the many who have undertrained, and is underequipped. are ready to send 8,000 people to been violated by enslavement in Sudan. Our service people have had it with Kosovo, twice as many as we are, yet But as much as we would like to see constant deployments, chronic short- the Brits’ population is one-fifth of all of these tragedies resolved and as ages and cannibalized equipment. ours. What do we tell our friends in H1218 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 London when they are ready to send mission. Really, however, in Kosovo it fact, we have Members standing up in 8,000 people into that peacekeeping is peace enforcement. There is not our committees insisting that the force; that they should do it all? Well, going to be any peace to be kept be- Kosovars should be acting for inde- they have told us there will not be a cause both these parties, the Govern- pendence. What is that going to do to NATO peacekeeping force unless we ment of Yugoslavia or Serbia and the the stability of Albania, Turkey, Mac- participate. It is only rational that KLA and the Kosovars are being co- edonia and Bulgaria? It is not positive. this minimal participation on the part erced. That peace enforcement mission Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleagues of the United States be approved over- for U.S. ground forces in Kosovo will for listening. whelmingly by this body. exacerbate the detrimental impact Mr. Chairman, this member has yet to be The voices of isolationism have often these missions are having on our mili- convinced that this mission is well-thought-out carried the day in the Congress of the tary readiness to respond to a major or that it is necessary to risk the lives of U.S. United States. I hope to God this will attack against our direct interests. armed forces men and women in another not be one of those days. Mr. Chairman, peacekeeping is whol- country's civil war. This Member is also mind- Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, I ly different from war fighting. Military ful of assertions that a civil war in Serbia could move to strike the last word, and I rise units deployed on peacekeeping assign- spread to Macedonia and then bring two in support of the Fowler amendment. ments must undergo extensive training NATO allies into conflictÐGreece and Turkey. I particularly want to claim the right to regain, renew and reestablish their While this might make a case if the conflict to speak after the distinguished gen- fighting skills. Reliance on the U.S. to were occurring in a country adjacent to a tleman from California (Mr. LANTOS), spearhead and to put teeth into peace- NATO ally, Serbia does not meet this criteria. because the gentleman knows perfectly keeping or peace enforcement missions The use of this argument, to deploy U.S. well that this Member is not an isola- is, frankly, eroding the war fighting ca- armed forces to Serbia, is nothing more than tionist, since the gentleman from Cali- pability of the United States armed veiled, highly speculative justification. In this fornia and I were among the two Mem- forces. The ever-increasing number of Member's mind, it is a poor display of leader- bers who probably had more impact on peacekeeping operations threatens to ship for the world's only superpower. The Clin- the President’s decision to have a pre- erode it. And, in fact, I would have to ton Administration is too quick to resort to the ventive force sent into Macedonia, or say that what has been done by moving heavy hand of U.S. military intervention. Just the former Yugoslavian, Republic of this country’s armed forces more and because we can, doesn't mean we should! Macedonia (FYROM), if one prefers, more into peace enforcement activi- While some liken the circumstances leading under United Nations auspices. And, of ties. It is damaging the capability of to our potential involvement in Kosovo as simi- course, this Member voted for deploy- the U.S. military. lar to those that resulted in U.S. troops de- ment of our troops to the Persian Gulf This Member would also mention ploying to Bosnia, this Member disagrees with area for Desert Shield and Desert that frequent and recurring recalls of this assessment. Unlike Bosnia, Kosovo is not Storm because, in fact, one country, a reservists and National Guardsmen to a sovereign nationÐit is a province within the member of the United Nations, invaded support these missions will eventually sovereign nation of Serbia. The Kosovo Lib- another. take its toll on U.S. businesses, Amer- eration Army (KLA) is an armed separatist But I do think the gentlewoman’s ican productivity and personal careers. group that appears focused on a singularly im- amendment is entirely appropriate, Perhaps the Members understand that portant objectiveÐindependence for the ap- and it does not go to totally restricting the gentleman from Washington (Mr. proximately two (2) million ethnic Albanians American involvement in Kosovo. It NETHERCUTT) already has a tax credit living in Kosovo. Kosovar leaders, in Serbia, simply says no ground troops. It does bill introduced to try to assist busi- want independence, not peace. Serbs are led not prevent all kinds of support, such nesses whose National Guard personnel by one man, Slobodan Milosevic, who is ada- as logistical, intelligence or even air and military reservists are abroad all mantly opposed to independence for Kosovo support. the time. That is an understandable and who is willing to militarily oppose the pres- Now, I would like to address the issue concern. I guess we have had about ence of foreign troops in Serbia. With tension of why the Europeans think American 10,000 lawsuits filed now against enter- on both sides, and a history of failed attempts forces should be involved on the ground prises by Guardsmen or reservists who to establish an accord between Serbs and in Kosovo. Our European friends and have not been able, in the eyes of the Kosovars, it is highly likely that the already allies say they cannot act without Guardsmen or the reservists, to be sizeable casualty count will continue to rise. American leadership. As a long-term placed back in the job they left for de- This Member has not been convinced we member of the North Atlantic Assem- ployment or in a comparable job when should risk adding the names of U.S. person- bly from the House, I regularly have they return. Now that should tell us nel to that growing casualty list. heard from our European friends that something. The high tension between KLA and Serb nothing can be done without America. The Administration appears intent to forces, compounded by recent action by the Frankly, this is nonsense. NATO has act independent of Congress to commit Serbs to amass 4,500 heavily armored troops established and has had in place for the troops to Kosovo. This is both uncon- with artillery on the southern Kosovo border last 2 years a concept or procedure stitutional and it is shortsighted. It with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Mac- called Combined Joint Task Forces, jeopardizes the very interests Presi- edonia (FYROM), will turn this into peace-en- CJTF, where, out of area, some mem- dent Clinton has vowed to preserve and forcementÐa police action. This brings back bers of NATO can participate in a mis- protect, placing at risk not only the haunting memories of Korea, Vietnam, and sion, out of area without all of them Balkans but also the U.S. war-fighting Somalia. As history has shown, peace-en- participating. This is an ideal time for capacity. forcement does not lend itself to an exit strat- the CJTF concept to be employed. And I would say that what is happen- egy. Police presence is rarely a temporary sit- I also would note that the press re- ing in Macedonia today, with Serbian uation. In 1995, the Administration indicated ports coming out of the negotiations troops on their border with tanks and that U.S. troops would be home from Bosnia have some of our European friends in- artillery as a result of American and within a year. The fact is that about 6,200 sisting that the administration’s will- coalition threats, certainly does not American military personnel remain deployed ingness to offer several thousand stabilize Macedonia; Certainly does not within Bosnia nearly four years later. The suc- troops is far too small—that several prevent the possibility of Greece and cessful resolution of the crisis in Serbia will times that number are necessary. The Turkey coming in on opposite sides; it guarantee a continuous, long-term U.S. mili- Europeans desperately want to be makes a destabilized Macedonia more tary presence there, as well as in Bosnia. treated as equals but they seem terri- likely. What is happening there today This Member has previously voiced, and still fied to act on their own. While I firmly because of this so-called peace enforce- has, enormous difficulties, for many reasons, support the Alliance, we have to break ment, peace arrangement between Ser- with the proposal to deploy several thousand our friends of their undue reliance on bia and the KLA, or the Kosovars, is U.S. troops as part of a NATO peacekeeping U.S. military superiority. really destabilizing. force for Kosovo. Those reservations have This Member is also concerned about The Kosovars, particularly the KLA, nothing to do with whether Serbian mis- the deployment of more U.S. armed do not have any interest in autonomy. behavior merits punishment. This Member cer- forces on yet another peacekeeping Their interest is independence. And, in tainly does not condone anything the Serbs March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1219 have done recently, or over the past decade, broader conflagration, or even war. It is a pos- comply with our peace agreement that to foment Kosovar unrest. Belgrade has been sibility that must be avoided. we put forward. condescending toward, and abusive of, the There are appropriate places in the Balkans NATO is not at risk. NATO is a de- rights of ethnic Albanians, giving rise to the to deploy U.S. troops: Macedonia, for exam- fensive organization, not an offensive KLA. Yet, Secretary of Defense William Cohen ple. This Member is not convinced, yet, that it organization. We appear to be aggres- correctly has noted that ``the notion that only is appropriate to further tax the U.S. or its sors. I really worry after talking with the Serbs have engaged in atrocities is incor- armed forces by allowing this Administration to our people over there that we are going rect.'' While acknowledging that both sides are risk the lives of U.S. service personnel in Ser- to lose an airplane or two. It may not contributing to the conflict, this member would bia, including Kosovo. be from ground fire but ultimately we quickly point out that the KLA forces were not Ms. DANNER. Mr. Chairman, I move could lose one from engine failure, and the ones to displace nearly 400,000 people, to strike the requisite number of we may. And if that guy gets down in they did not destroy more than 19,000 homes, words. that area, those people are not going to nor did they destroy nearly 500 villages. The Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express be very nice to him. They do not like Serbs accomplished this brutality, now under my strong support of the Fowler-Dan- us over there. the ultimate direction of one individual, ner amendment and in opposition to Yesterday, Secretary of State Mad- Slobodan Milosevic. sending troops to Kosovo. We must al- eleine Albright told the Congress to Despite the precedents set by this Adminis- ways question the wisdom of putting put off today’s debate because it might tration's previous actions, or by previous presi- our military in harm’s way, most par- harm the negotiations. I would tell the dents, President Clinton has avoided the con- ticularly in what is essentially a civil Secretary the reason this debate is nec- stitutional framework for determining whether it war. essary is because the real danger is is of vital national interest to devote a signifi- I would like to share with my col- recklessness with our foreign policy. cant portion of our military capability keeping leagues today a letter I received from a The President is about to put our the peace at two places in the Balkans. Why constituent whose husband and family troops in the middle of an ethnic and is this important? It is important because it are much closer to this situation and religious war that has been going on jeopardizes the continuity of American policy. its ramifications than those of us here for thousands of years. It is a lose-lose Policy set by the Administration acting alone in today. situation for America. We lose because our troops will be deployed to a coun- this case becomes susceptible to change b 1645 upon election of a new president, which will try without a clear mission. Just as in occur in less than 2 years. Congressional ap- I like many of my colleagues have Bosnia, the President has no entry or proval of any American or NATO invasion of also traveled to Bosnia, but let me tell exit plan, he has failed to explain the Kosovo, on the other hand, enables continuity you the story of someone who has cost of the mission, and he has failed to of four foreign policy and use of combat force, served there. explain what effect it will have on the even after the end of the president's term. She writes: already sinking morale of our fighting Last, and far from least, we are on the Congresswoman Danner, I would like to men and women. The President’s con- verge of what this Member considers to be a commend you for your stance on the issue of tinued use of hollow threats of force much more serious breech of peace in the sending troops into Kosovo. You may re- only guarantees that our soldiers will member that Bob was with one of the first Balkans. The People's Republic of China has units to serve in Bosnia. Ten days after we be put in harm’s way and that dic- used its veto power on the U.N. Security were married, he left for 11 months there. At tators will continue to control how our Council to kill extension of the first-ever United the time, I supported it, believing that the foreign policy is run. Despite this, the Nations Preventive Deployment Force troops would be out in a short period of time President continues to state he will (UNPREDEP) in the former Yugoslav Republic and that real peace would be achieved. After send 4,000 U.S. troops to Kosovo if a of Macedonia (FYROM). Continuation of the the experience of spending time in Europe, peace agreement is signed. international peacekeeping presence in Mac- my position has changed. I have watched sol- Mr. Chairman, I fought with our Air edonia (FYROM) has now come into question. diers spending multiple tours in Bosnia away Force in both Korea and Vietnam, and from families. The divorce rate is high, chil- I am opposed to the use of U.S. mili- Yesterday, the distinguished gentleman from dren do not have their fathers and mothers the 12th District in California, the Honorable with them, and families are breaking apart tary force where we are not threatened Tom Lantos, joined this Member in signing a due to the strain. Please work to encourage in this country. I am disturbed that the joint letter to the Secretaries of Defense and your colleagues to think about the ramifica- President would use NATO to attack a State, urging, in the strongest possible terms, tions of sending troops to Kosovo in human sovereign nation. NATO was not de- that a continued U.S. ``preventative'' peace- terms. signed to and should not be used for keeping force remain in Macedonia. It is this Mr. Speaker, we were told that our those purposes. The President knows Member's hope that the Scandinavian forces military commitment to Bosnia would this, and he has continually ignored of UNPREDEP will also remain. last 1 year. We are now approaching the Congress when making decisions Macedonia is surrounded by countriesÐAl- the fourth year. We were told it would that impact our ability to keep peace bania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Greece, and Tur- cost $1 billion. It has now cost $10 bil- throughout the world. Our fighting keyÐthat, themselves, are experiencing inter- lion. Thus, we must have, I think, men and women are being used as nal or external difficulties, or both. Macedonia great concern for any commitment pawns in a failed foreign policy by this is a highly volatile friction point, and it is no with regard to Kosovo. There is no rea- administration. Our soldiers are leav- coincidence that the Macedonian region has son to believe that a mission in Kosovo ing the services in droves. Recruiting is been the starting point for past wars. There- would not drag on indefinitely with a down, morale is low, and the main rea- fore, it is vitally important that the presence of high possibility of American casual- son is failed policies that ship our sol- a stabilization force be maintained. A continu- ties. diers, sailors and airmen around the ation of the U.N. mandate may no longer be I strongly urge my colleagues to sup- world with no purpose or plan. an option, but the U.S. may find it necessary port this amendment. Mr. Chairman, we should not send to expand its force structure in this sovereign Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. troops, we should not send bombs, we country, where we, legitimately, have been in- Chairman, I move to strike the req- should not get involved. It is a conflict vited, where we have unambiguous national uisite number of words. that is destined to follow the rest to interests because of threats to the integrity of Mr. Chairman, we keep talking about failure. The President ought to think the NATO alliance, and where we absolutely a peace agreement. There is not one. If long and hard before he puts our troops cannot afford an escalation of conflict. Were there were one and our forces were sent in a bottomless pit. He has a respon- Macedonia to become engulfed in ethnic con- in, that is fine. But without a peace sibility to our fighting men and women flict, it is quite possible that Greece and Tur- agreement, we are going to coerce and to this Nation to admit there is no key, two key NATO allies, would become en- those other nations into signing one, defined mission in Kosovo and our gaged on opposing sidesÐand Albania and and I do not think that that is a very troops do not belong there. I know Bulgaria might become involved, too. The po- American way to deal with this prob- that, however, if our fighting men and tential is that instability in Macedonia would lem, not by force . And I do not think women are called to duty, they will go cause the southern Balkans to erupt into yet that we ought to be bombing over there and they will serve with honor as they another conflict, potentially leading to a much in an effort to try to coerce them to always do. But under our Constitution, H1220 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 I believe we in the Congress have as unchecked. We have allies, Greece and America needs to quickly change direc- much responsibility as the President Turkey and other allies, that can be tions and leave behind the chilling and we must not ask our soldiers, sail- sucked into a wider Balkan war. But if comedy of errors that has defined our ors and airmen to serve in Kosovo we take steps now along with NATO, recent foreign policy. without a defined mission or national we can prevent all this. Ronald Reagan is a statesman. Dur- interest. I also do not understand some of my ing his administration, the United Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Chairman, I move to colleagues who are always one to have States was the dominant force on the strike the requisite number of words. more money for the defense budget, world’s stage because there was no Mr. Chairman, the other side talks they always fight for more money for mystery to American foreign policy. about all kinds of reasons why the defense but yet they never seem to During that time, America boldly told United States should not send any of want to use the defense. It does not the world that we would bring peace its troops into Kosovo. We know that make sense to me at all. If we are the through strength. Ronald Reagan stood there has been ethnic cleansing. We superpower in the world, and we have a up to the tyranny of communism and know there has been genocide. I was al- strong defense, and we need to beef up said that the American way would tri- ways taught that two wrongs do not our defense, then there are times we umph, but not through conciliation make a right and to me it is ridiculous need to use our defense. This is such a and not through appeasement. The to say, well, there is genocide going on time. We heard when we were debating United States won that Cold War be- in all parts of the world so therefore we Bosnia here in Congress that there cause of the truth of our principles. In should not intervene in any part of the would be hundreds if not thousands of every corner of the world we pushed for world. That does not make sense to me American casualties. That has not hap- freedom and democracy. at all. pened. It will not happen in Kosovo, ei- Oh, how American policy has I rise in opposition to the gentle- ther. The naysayers, the doom and changed since the days of Ronald woman from Florida’s amendment gloom people, it will not happen be- Reagan. Today there is simply no cohe- which in effect guts the gentleman cause our forces are the best. There is sion and no consistent principles that from Connecticut’s amendment. The a mission here, and it is a specific mis- form the basis for everything we do on isolationist attitude that I hear sion here. We are going to Kosovo to any spot of this map of the world. amongst some of my colleagues is in- keep the peace. Mr. Milosevic has American foreign policy is now one deed troubling and puzzling. We have slaughtered hundreds and hundreds and huge big mystery. Simply put, the ad- heard these arguments time and time thousands of Albanians. People there ministration is trying to lead the world and time again. We heard these argu- have no rights. They have no civil with a feel-good foreign policy. This ments during the Second World War rights. They have no human rights. feel-good foreign policy tears us away when 6 million people plus were eth- Men, women and children are slaugh- from peace through strength and it has nically cleansed and the Holocaust was tered. We have seen the carnage. Only resulted in creating chaos through there. I am not saying that this is on the United States leadership can stop weakness. This administration makes the same level, but when innocent peo- it. This is not the time to be isolation- threats and never follows up on them. ple are killed because of their race, or ists. They set deadlines that are broken and ethnicity, we have a right and a duty, I appeal to my colleagues, and again reset, just to be broken again. Amer- I think, to respond. We saw in Bosnia I think this is the wrong time to be de- ican foreign policy failures over the that until the United States grabbed bating this, because there is no peace last 6 years litter the international the bull by the horns, Europe was not agreement. That is just the point. The landscape. Mission-creep in Somalia capable of stopping the carnage, and we gentleman from Texas said there was cost the lives of American soldiers. saw 200,000 people ethnically cleansed no agreement. I think if we pull the North Korea continues to flaunt inter- because of their ethnicity, and we will rug out from under the President and national law by speeding ahead with see it again in Kosovo unless we are say we do not want troops before there their nuclear program with no con- willing to step in. is an agreement, there surely will not sequences whatsoever. Haiti is still not Now, we talk about burdensharing, be an agreement. We should have wait- the beacon of democracy, despite send- and I accept the argument that it is ed until there was an agreement to de- ing U.S. Marines there. Afghanistan not fair to ask us to do the lion’s share. bate this in the United States House of and the Sudan were bombed in the But here we are only proposing 4,000 Representatives. blink of an eye. Yet Osama bin Laden troops out of 28,000. This is the poster I sincerely hope that our colleagues still represents a threat to thousands child for burdensharing. Our NATO al- will understand the gravity of this of American lives. lies are doing the bulk of the troops. issue and support the gentleman from We continuously bomb Iraq, without And for the United States to pull out Connecticut and support the gentleman any clear goals, and without getting now or for this Congress to send a from Texas. No more than 15 percent any closer to our ultimate objective of wrong message now does such harm to United States participation is needed. Saddam Hussein being removed from the negotiations, I think probably de- Mr. DELAY. Mr. Chairman, I move to power. Russia, with its massive nuclear stroys the negotiations, and how many strike the requisite number of words. capability is coming apart at the seams more thousands of people will have to Mr. Chairman, I rise today to voice and selling weapons and technology to be killed until we step in a year or two my complete opposition to sending scrape by, and we do nothing. China is or three years away? Isolationism did American troops to Kosovo. There is walking all over us, pure and simple. not work during World War II, it did simply no vision to this mission. Even Currently we are stuck in a never-end- not work during other wars, and it will the casual observer can see that the ing peacekeeping mission in Bosnia not work now. I can never understand proposed Kosovo initiative has no that was proposed as a 1-year commit- my colleagues who say that somehow timetable, no rules of engagement and ment. That promise was made 4 years people who volunteer for the armed no greater strategic plan for that re- ago. And now we have Kosovo. forces and do not want to go, somehow gion. Unfortunately, the undefined b that is a reason not to send troops. If Kosovo mission is symbolic of the lack 1700 you volunteer, you know you are vol- of direction of our recent American for- Kosovo is not a hopeful nation aspir- unteering, and in the future you know eign policy. There is a 6-year trend to ing to democracy. It is a big dangerous you may have to go. So to me because send American troops anywhere for quagmire. The ethnic Albanians want- somebody wants to be with their fam- any reason, but there are no consistent ed total independence, and the Serbs do ily, I would want to be with my family, goals that tie all of these missions to- not want to give up any important too, but that is not a reason for United gether. parts of their country. Both parties States troops not to do what we need Ronald Reagan once said that chang- have consistently rejected any chance to do, which is in our national interest. ing America’s foreign policy is a little of a real cease-fire. It is in our interest to stop genocide. It like towing an iceberg. You can only Mr. Chairman, American soldiers are is in our interest to stop a wider war pick up speed as the frozen attitudes trained to be warriors, not baby-sit- which will surely happen if we let it go and mistakes of the past melt away. ters. The administration has no plan to March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1221 do anything but just go to Kosovo, hold America has no strategic interests in ment, scope of deployment, objectives the hands of both sides and hope that the matter, and no one wants us to be and all those things in it for an up or they will behave when we leave. But of there in the first place. Support the down vote. course they will not. The killing and gentlewoman from Florida’s amend- That would be the proper way to pro- mayhem will continue as soon as ment. ceed in this matter. NATO pulls out. Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Chairman, I move Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, will So how long does the President plan to strike the requisite number of the gentleman yield? to keep our troops there any way? No words. Mr. DEFAZIO. I yield to the gen- occupation can or should last forever. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong sup- tleman from Nebraska. There is a litany of reasons why we port of the underlying amendment, the Mr. BEREUTER. We may come out should not send troops to Kosovo, but Gejdenson amendment limiting the on different sides of this, but I thought the most compelling are the new power U.S. share of the operation 15 percent, the gentleman ought to know that one and responsibilities the mission and in opposition to the second degree of the reasons why we are in this de- unthinkingly gives to NATO. There are amendment. bate from my perspective and I think serious concerns about this new peace I was a bit puzzled by the gentleman from the perspective of many people is making direction for NATO. Its pur- from Texas (Mr. SAM JOHNSON), who that we were told the same sort of pose is always to be a defensive alli- preceded me in the well, who stated thing: Wait until the Dayton accord is ance, not an offensive force. that we were voting on an agreement concluded. This is a very delicate nego- The CHAIRMAN. The time of the that was not yet complete and, there- tiation; do not get involved. But by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DELAY) has fore, we should vote against it. I share time the signature ended up on the line expired. part of that concern. I wish that the at Dayton, troops were already on the (By unanimous consent, Mr. DELAY leaders of the House had held this de- way, Congress was precluded from ac- was allowed to proceed for 2 additional bate until the agreement was complete. tion, and we were told, ‘‘You must now minutes.) I talked to the White House today. support our men and women, the troops Mr. DELAY. Mr. Chairman, NATO’s They assured me that if an agreement abroad.’’ purpose has always been a defensive al- is reached, and I believe if we vote in Mr. Chairman, that is the reason why liance, not an offensive force going opposition to this resolution an agree- we are at this stage in my judgment. into nonmember nations uninvited. Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Chairman, I thank ment will not be reached, that there Once NATO starts meddling in the in- the gentleman for that, but we always would be a minimum, absolute mini- ternal affairs of sovereign nations, reserve the power, and I have come to mum, of 3 days before U.S. troop de- where does it stop? Think about this this floor many times to question pre- ployment could begin. That would give question for a moment. Outside of the cipitous deployment without lawful the House more than ample time. We questions of time and cost and objec- consultation with Congress and with- could stay here this weekend and con- tive, the Kosovo policy we are debating out an authorization of Congress. I duct the Nation’s business with the full here today would have tremendous have gone so far as to sue past Presi- facts of the peace agreement before us ramification on NATO’s overall mis- dents over this issue, but we were de- sion. We have to take a stand against instead of having to vote in the context nied standing in the courts. these kinds of deployments now to en- of are we undermining the peace agree- So in this case, as my colleagues sure that we stop them before they ment that might happen or are we not, know, I believe that we would be given ever get started. which is what we are doing right now that opportunity. We can certainly NATO is starting to resemble a in this debate. grasp that opportunity by staying in power-hungry imperialist army. Origi- There is no one in this House whose town and going into session the mo- nally designed to defend member na- been a stronger proponent for more ment we hear the accords have been tions from attack, it is now setting than a decade of the restoration of the signed, and then framing a resolution itself up to be the attacker. Despite the rightful powers of the Congress when it that properly addresses the concerns fact that the two parties in Kosovo comes to war powers. As my colleagues around those accords. That is the way refuse to negotiate even directly know, there are a few who have been we should proceed. So we are being amongst themselves and have rejected more critical of the lack of participa- given a pretty crummy choice here to- a cease-fire, the administration threat- tion of our wealthy NATO allies in night, which is to undermine the peace ens to bomb the Serbs to make them many things, including their own de- negotiations by voting no or vote yes cooperate at the peace table. fense during the years of threat by the on something when we do not fully ab- There is one major catch here. There Soviet Union. But that said, the timing solutely 100 percent understand the is no peace table, just like there is no of the resolution before us and the de- conditions and terms. peace. The two sides continue to at- bate are very troubling. As my col- Mr. Chairman, I wish that the leader- tack one another with a vengeance. It leagues know, we should not be having ship on the other side would reconsider does not matter how many soldiers a debate on authorizing the use of U.S. perhaps, pull the bill, keep us in town NATO sends over there, no number of troops under not yet totally clear con- and take up this issue when it is more troops can keep peace if there is no ditions while the negotiations are on- timely. peace to begin with. The proposed going. Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, I Kosovo mission is just another bad idea Mr. Chairman, I really fear that a no move to strike the requisite number of in a foreign policy with no focus. vote here by the House of Representa- words. As with all the recent failures in tives tonight will embolden Mr. Mr. Chairman, when a member of my American diplomacy, the administra- Milosevic and his genocidal henchmen own party tried to stop COLAs for our tion is trying to obscure its lack of a and keep them from signing an agree- military, the gentlewoman from Flor- comprehensive agenda, and they are ment. Some say we are bullying him. ida (Mrs. FOWLER) was the first one to doing it with bombs. Bombing a sov- Well, someone has got to stand up to jump and say, ‘‘Duke, I’ll support you. ereign nation for ill-defined reasons the bullies in this world, and perhaps it Let’s get a coalition together, and let’s with vague objectives undermines the is time that the United States did. stop it.’’ She cares deeply about our American stature in the world. The On the other hand, a yes vote is prob- military and our troops. international respect and trust for lematic in that we do not have the I have an article right here that they America has diminished every time we final agreement before us. The gen- started fighting last night again in casually let the bombs fly. We must tleman spoke the truth. What should Kosovo. They are burning houses, they stop giving the appearance that our happen is we should stay in town. If an are burning bridges. foreign policy is formulated by the agreement is signed on Saturday, we I rise in support of the gentle- Unabomber. can meet on Saturday, we can meet on woman’s resolution. Do my colleagues Mr. Chairman, sending U.S. troops to Sunday, we can meet on Monday, and know who rejected it? Not the Serbs. Kosovo is a lose-lose situation. No mat- then we can consider a proper author- Holbrooke, Mr. Holbrooke, had to can- ter how we look at it, it is dangerous, ization which could have conditions on cel the peace talks last night. He can- it is costly. length, duration, size of the deploy- celed them until the 23rd because the H1222 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 Albanians rejected it. They will stop My colleague talked about not under- [From the New York Times, Nov. 6, 1998] nothing short of having a separate standing the gentleman from Texas FAR FROM KOSOVO, ANGUISHED VIGILS AND Kosovo. They do not want just Kosovo. (Mr. SAM JOHNSON). I do not expect my MOURNING; CONCERN FOR FAMILY MEMBERS ESHAPES MMIGRANTS IVES They want Montenegro, and they want colleague would. He was a POW for 61⁄2 R I ’ L parts of Greece. years, and he was a war hero. He was (By Barbara Stewart) I said on the floor before, ‘‘Look at tortured, he was shot down in Vietnam, Nearly every week, all summer long, Ismer Bin Laden, look at the terrorist leaders and he knows what it is to put our kids Mjeku, a Bronx entrepreneur from Kosovo, speaking openly and how they then fil- in harm’s way instead of sitting here in attended at least one wake, as one Albanian trated around Itzebegovic in Bosnia, a soft, cushy chair saying, ‘‘Let’s send compatriot after another learned of relatives back home killed by Serbian soldiers. By 12,000 mujahedin in Hamas. That is a them.’’ threat to Europe, it is a threat to late August, it was practically routine. He Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I would meet his uncle and cousins at one of Greece, and it is a threat to this coun- the small, dim clubhouses where Albanian try. Bin Laden, active in Albania with move to strike the requisite number of words. men sit, smoking cigarettes and drinking the KLA; they have genocided tiny cups of sweet Turkish coffee and where Montenegrins, Serbs, gypsies and Jews Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong sup- traditionally, they have also held wakes. recently, and they continue to do that. port of the Gejdenson amendment. I For the last few months, these spaces have They have been fighting for 500 years. support the gentleman from Connecti- been rented time and again by immigrant Al- As my colleagues know, the gen- cut’s amendment, but I have strong banian men, who would spend a day or two of tleman talked about some of us fight reservations, strong reservations of the mourning there. While the women remained for defense dollars. Absolutely right. Republican leadership’s timing on this home, receiving the condolences of their fe- male friends, the men would spend the day at Look at the emergency state that our legislation. Bringing this measure to national security is in right now. The the club in a ritual called pame, ‘‘to see,’’ or the floor for debate while negotiations ngushellime, ‘‘condolences.’’ President has not asked for one dime are still underway is totally irrespon- By Labor Day, Mr. Mjeku, 38, had attended that our defense are going down, and sible. 10 or 11 pamet within 9 weeks. Like the oth- helping building the roads and working Mr. Chairman, if and when a peace ers in his group, he shook the hands or our DOD and other agencies. In Hon- hugged the shoulders of each grieving man, duras, millions of dollars, and I support agreement is signed by both sides, I be- sat and drank a single cup of coffee and them doing that. I mean they have lieve an American presence as part of a smoked one cigarette, rose and offered his made a marvelous expansion down larger international peacekeeping force condolences to each man again, and then there in helping people in poverty. But in Kosovo is and will be necessary. left, making room for the next group. when we look at Haiti, as my col- But a few weeks ago, after the older cousin b who had been a second father to him was leagues know, we are still spending $25 1715 shot and killed in his home village, Mr. million a year there building schools The Kosovar Albanians have already Mjeku refused to hold a pame. ‘‘We cannot and bridges. That comes out of the de- keep doing these one by one,’’ he said in his fense dollar. In Somalia, billions of dol- made clear that they will not agree to small walk-up office on Arthur Avenue in lars. And look what four times going to any peace proposal without American the Belmont section of the Bronx, where he Iraq, the billions of dollars. In the participation in an implementation produces an Albanian business directory. Sudan, a billion dollars did not do very force. ‘‘So many people died in Kosovo the last much. Knocked out a pharmaceutical In addition, we have seen that the three months. It’s not special, each death. plant. But all of these things come out threat of force is the only language It’s not—wow. It’s war.’’ of that defense dollar, and what has For many of the approximately 200,000 Al- that President Milosevic understands. banians in and around New York and New that set us back to? A strong U.S. presence in Kosova would Jersey—70 percent of whom come from Our kids, our men and women in the demonstrate to Mr. Milosevic that we Kosovo, a Serbian province of Yugoslavia in military, we are keeping only 23 per- would not tolerate noncompliance with which 90 percent of the population are ethnic cent of them because our deployments any of the agreements, provisions or a Albanians—death is no longer special. After exceed by 300 percent the deployments return to the brutal campaign of re- eight months of Serbian attacks on their rel- during the height of Vietnam, and yet pression and genocide that he has atives in Kosovo, even the deaths of children we are going to ask only 4000 of them. have become numbingly routine. brought upon the ethnic Albanian com- Yet the deaths back home have reshaped Do my colleagues know the families munity. and what they are going through right the lives of immigrants here, making them Mr. Chairman, while our NATO allies less festive, less social: gone are the big wed- now? We are keeping only 30 percent of dings, the nights of folk dancing, the gay our pilots. The number one issue is have already pledged to provide the bulk of a post settlement force in music. family separation. We are driving our ‘‘When I hear Albanian music, it hurts military into the ground in a very bal- Kosovo, we must recognize that some me,’’ said Al Haxhaj, an Albanian who is a anced budget amount that we allow, U.S. participation is not only desired co-owner of the Mona Lisa, a restaurant in and then we take 16, not 8 billion, 16 but is expected by our allies. Quite the Murry Hill section of Manhattan that billion, if we take the cost of bringing simply, such participation may be es- was formerly called the Piazza Bella. ‘‘It re- minds me.’’ on the reserves and we take the other sential to securing the confidence of all the parties involved. Since the first Serbian attacks were re- costs associated with going, 16 billion ported in February, Albanians around the just for Bosnia, and that does not in- Mr. Chairman, I have a strong and vi- world have watched events back home with clude next year. That all comes out of brant Albanian and American commu- anguish: the looted and torched villages, the defense, and then again we are going to nity in my district in the Bronx and murdered civilians, the hundreds of thou- have to go in here. Queens. Many of these families have sands of people forced to take refuge in the And they were talking about giving a relatives in Kosovo who have been surrounding mountains. The violence peaked billion dollars to Russia to stop some raped, maimed and murdered by Ser- in the summer, with 500,000 Albanians living nuclear weapons. Well, let Europe. My bian forces. as refugees, according to international relief agencies. These agencies also say that 1,000 colleagues say Europe had not done it. The United States, and we as a Con- to 2,000 ethnic Albanians have been killed, Leadership would force Europe to pay gress, cannot turn our backs or jeop- though many agency representatives say their fair share and do what we are try- ardize the peace process in Kosovo. they believe that figure is low. ing to do. Russia has offered to put Reports last week that Yugoslav soldiers more troops in there. KLA did not want While I strongly support an Amer- were withdrawing from ethnic Albanian vil- that. Well, the hell with the KLA. Let ican presence in an international im- lages because of NATO bombing threats of- the Europeans, France, run by a So- plementation of force, I believe to de- fered scant comfort. Local immigrants say cialist-Communist group when they bate this issue at this time is both irre- they do not believe that the Serbians, their took over the conservatives’ coalition, sponsible and damaging to our ability ancient enemies, will stop their attacks. to conclude a peaceful agreement. All along Arthur Avenue and Pelham and they refused to do their part, let Parkway in the Bronx, in New Jersey cities them go in and do it, and let us not Mr. Chairman, I include for the like Paterson and Garfield and in neighbor- send our men and women in harm’s RECORD the following New York Times hoods throughout Manhattan, ethnic Alba- way. article. nians are trying to deal with their personal March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1223 tragedies in the midst of this international to get through. Mr. Hajrizi last reached his about the rules of engagement and too drama. family after spending 10 straight hours dial- many questions about a successful exit Weddings and other celebrations are being ing, and then persuading the person who an- strategy. canceled. When their world is right, Alba- swered to hike over to his parents’ campsite Mr. Chairman, our Armed Forces are nians frequently celebrate with huge parties, to deliver the phone. hiring Albanian musicians so that hundreds When he finally hear his 74-year-old moth- stretched very thin across the globe in of guests can do traditional folk dancing er’s voice, she told him that their home and a multitude of deployments. We should until morning. But nobody has the heart now their village had been looted and burned. be very, very careful before we commit for celebrating. They had no food or shelter. She begged for to another one. Last fall, the Piazza Bella hired an Alba- help. ‘‘Why is it like this?’’ she asked, as her This past weekend, 44 Haitians nian band to play traditional music, attract- son listened helplessly. drowned at sea in an attempt to come ing expatriates from miles around. In Feb- That was two weeks ago. Since then, he ruary, after the first massacres were re- to Florida, to the United States of has not been able to get through despite try- America. Once again, we have problems ported, Mr. Haxhaj and Bilbil Ahmetaj, the ing every day. They must have returned to co-owners, stopped the music. the village and are trying to cobble together in Haiti but nobody is addressing it. ‘‘We can’t be over here dancing and getting shelter there, he tells himself. Cuba shot down two Brothers to the drunk when little kids are being killed and ‘‘I check the Internet constantly,’’ he said. Rescue aircraft, and now we are send- villages are being trashed,’’ said Fekrim ‘‘I haven’t seen their names on the lists. As ing a baseball team to promote peace Haxhaj, the owner’s 18-year-old son. long as they don’t show up on the lists, they In normal times, the vast majority of the and prosperity in Cuba. probably are O.K.’’ big wedding parties at Il Galletto, a banquet The gentleman from Texas (Mr. SAM hall in North Bergen, N.J., are held by Alba- Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to JOHNSON) and the gentleman from Cali- nian parents, said Vymer Bruncaj, who is a strike the requisite number of words. fornia (Mr. CUNNINGHAM) spoke on this part owner. But lately, he said: ‘‘The wed- Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong sup- floor and these two gentlemen, Mem- ding invitation for Albanians is zero—no in- port of the amendment by the gentle- bers of Congress, have the right to vitations. The last five, six months, you can- woman from Florida (Mrs. FOWLER). speak about the deployment of our not find one.’’ Obviously, she does not come to this Young couples are postponing their wed- troops in conflict because they them- dings or marrying quietly, with fewer guests issue as a casual observer. In fact, she selves have represented this great Na- and afternoon parties without music. Last represents Mayport Naval Station, tion in combat. They speak with au- spring, Alta Haxhaj, Fekrim’s cousin, can- which is often the first to deploy forces thority and I respect their views. celed the elaborate wedding for 1,000 guests in times of conflict. The December bombing of Iraq oc- that she had been planning for a year. In- I join her in opposition to sending curred and the Administration told us stead, she and here fiance married quietly, in American ground forces to the wartorn it had to be done because Ramadan, the street clothes. ‘‘No big pouf,’’ she said. ‘‘No province of Kosovo. I would remind my Muslim holy month, was fast approach- tail behind me, no white pearls.’’ When ethnic Albanians get together these colleagues that four years ago the ing. They said we must attack now be- days, it is probably for a candlelight vigil President sent thousands of American cause if we don’t, it would create an outside the United Nations or the White troops to Bosnia for what he assured us international incident. House. Conversation never strays far from would be a 1-year mission. What about Hanukkah, which was their worries. At home and in offices, the I underscore the comments of the being celebrated at the time of our computer stays on; the Web site gentleman from Nebraska who was bombing in Iraq? www.kosova.com carries updates on news quite concerned that while we were ne- So I would suggest to the Congress from the region in Albanian and lists the gotiating a peace agreement at that that we carefully consider the amend- most recent victims. (Kosova is the ethnic Albanians’ preferred spelling.) time of the Dayton Accords, American ment of the gentlewoman from Jack- Mr. Mjeku, the Bronx businessman, checks troops were deployed in Bosnia. There sonville, Florida (Mrs. FOWLER) and the Internet when he gets to work. On Sept. was no way to recall them because we that we support it before we become 30, he spotted his cousin’s name on the list of were told by the Administration to engaged, before we are drawn into an- casualties. ‘‘I closed the office,’’ he said. ‘‘I support the troops because they are al- other conflict with no end in sight. told my uncle in Riverdale. He started to ready over there. Mr. OLVER. Mr. Chairman, I move to cry. I felt very bad.’’ Now, a month later, Mr. Mjeku said he was We are again falling into the same strike the requisite number of words. having a hard time focusing on his work. His trap. Four years have passed and our Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to mind is occupied by memories of his cousin. troops are still over there. It has be- the amendment by the gentlewoman While the Internet brings daily updates, come a mission with no end in sight. from Florida (Mrs. FOWLER). Barely 11 many Albanian-Americans have been able to If we send troops to Kosovo, I fear years ago, Slobodan Milosevic seized reach family members in Kosovo through the same thing will happen again, an power in what was then Yugoslavia, satellite cell phones that allow them to con- open-ended commitment of thousands and he remains today the last old line, nect even with refugees in the mountains. The conversations have often been eerie. A of young American soldiers to yet an- unrepentant Communist dictator in few months ago, Dervish Ukehaxhaj was other bloody conflict in the Balkans. Europe. summoned from the kitchen of the Madonia The President wants to send 4,000 Just 10 years ago, in March of 1989, Brothers Bakery in the Bronx, which he American troops to Kosovo if a peace using tactics that would have made Jo- manages, to the office downstairs, where plan is agreed to by the two warring seph Stalin proud, Milosevic sur- Peter Madonia, the owner, handed him a factions. Of course, we were all rounded the elected assembly of phone. sickened by atrocities that have been Kosovo with Yugoslav Army tanks and ‘‘It was his brother in Kosova, and he was committed by both sides in this war. secret police and forced that elected in the middle of shooting.’’ Mr. Madonia said. ‘‘He’s sitting here in this office, talking However, we cannot put our troops in body at gunpoint to renounce the au- to his brother who is in the front lines, in the middle of a conflict where the rules tonomy that was guaranteed to Kosovo the middle of a war.’’ of engagement are ambiguous. by the Constitution of Yugoslavia. In July, there were other calls. One broth- If American forces go to Kosovo, they Milosevic did not even bother to er and two cousins had been fatally shot. will very likely end up in combat situa- change the Constitution. The Kosovan Liberation Army, with the tions. I think we should remember 1993, In rapid succession, all ethnic Alba- help of European expatriates, obtained doz- ens of powerful cell phones and distributed the disaster in Somalia where 18 U.S. nian public employees were dismissed them to the villages, according to Isuf Army rangers were killed tracking from their jobs, 100,000 of them. The Al- Hajrizi, managing editor of Illyria, and Alba- down a Somalian warlord. These lives banian language was proscribed for nian newspaper based in the Bronx. When were lost because the Administration public purposes. The Albanian schools Mr. Hajrizi’s parents, along with about 40 placed those forces under international and the university were closed and sys- other relatives in the village, climbed high command and refused to provide the tematic repression of the ethnic Alba- into the mountains above the village to es- heavy armor and air support that nians began. cape Serbian soldiers, they carried the cell would have given our forces the upper Remember that ethnic Albanians phone with them. ‘‘They had no food,’’ he were already a majority of the citizens said. ‘‘But they had that phone—their only hand in combat. link to life.’’ Mr. Chairman, too many questions of Kosovo when Yugoslavia was freed But with only one cell phone for at least exist as to how our troops will be de- after World War II, and now are more 1,000 refugees, it can take hours, or even days ployed. There are too many questions than 90 percent of that population. H1224 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 Then the Milosevic regime was dis- I think that the underlying resolu- Those amendments are printed. I tracted in 1991 and 1992 by its attacks tion, H.Con.Res. 42 that we are talking urge that my colleagues look at them upon two other U.N. members, namely about cannot be supported in its and in the meantime I urge a no vote Croatia and Bosnia, that led, as we present form because it is essentially a on the Fowler amendment. know, to 200,000 deaths and 2 million blank check that grants the Clinton Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. Mr. refugees that have been spread all over administration authorization to send Chairman, I move to strike the req- Europe. troops to Kosovo without any limita- uisite number of words. It is in that context that President tions or restrictions. I think that is Mr. Chairman, I want to commend George Bush, on December 27, 1992, much too broad. my colleague from Florida (Mr. GOSS) warned Milosevic that the U.S. would The Fowler amendment, on the other for his well thought out, articulate act if he attacked Kosovo in a similar hand, would go to the opposite end of view on this. I want to tell him that I way. I quote from the letter that Presi- the spectrum denying the administra- am in total agreement. dent Bush delivered to Milosevic, tion the authority to send troops under b 1730 quote, in the event of conflict in nearly all but the most dire cir- I urge my colleagues to vote against Kosovo caused by Serbian action, the cumstances. both the Gejdenson amendment and United States will be prepared to em- While the President is the primary the Fowler amendment for all the rea- ploy military force against the Serbs in architect of American foreign policy, sons that the gentleman articulated. Kosovo and in Serbia proper, and it was and we all understand that, Congress I think the Gejdenson amendment that policy that President Clinton has nevertheless has very important obli- would have us rush into something been following and reiterated, re- gations in this area, most notably that has yet to have been written. The affirmed in 1993 and has been following. oversight, overseeing the deployment Fowler amendment would have us con- In that context, the then minority of our troops. That is one of the rea- demn it. I do not think that is a very leader, later majority leader and Re- sons we are here. We do this on behalf adult thing to do. publican candidate for President, Rob- of the people we represent back home. Mr. Chairman, I would urge my col- ert Dole, has always supported the Finding the right balance is never leagues to give strong consideration to strongest possible action, American ac- easy, as we know, but I do believe that an amendment by the ranking minor- tion, to contain Milosevic’s regime. the people in my district feel that we ity member on the House Committee In Kosovo, Milosevic used his army should seek something that is more on National Security, the gentleman and secret police under a renewed rein akin to a middle ground solution to ei- from Missouri (Mr. SKELTON). I think it of terror to impose thousands of arbi- ther the underlying resolution or the gives us the best of all of these worlds. trary arrests, beatings and Fowler amendment. It says to those of us, including myself, extrajudicial killings on ethnic Alba- The Clinton administration is intent who are reluctant to commit troops, nians. We should remember that just on deploying U.S. troops to Kosovo and Mr. President, you cannot send troops last October, Milosevic signed agree- maintains that it does not require con- right now. It gives those of us who ments in regard to Kosovo and because gressional approval to do so. In re- would like to see the details of the there were no enforcement provisions sponse, I believe Congress should be peace agreement the opportunity to there has violated every provision of careful not to deal itself out of the wait until it is written, wait until it is those agreements signed only four process altogether, and I think this de- brought before this body, wait until months or so ago. bate has been useful and is going to be our Supreme Allied Commander, Gen- All told, at least 2,000 have been in- more constructive as we go along. eral Wesley Clark, can come to Wash- discriminately killed, men, women, Many members are concerned about ington and explain our concerns about aged, children, baby in arms and in the the administration’s plan and are not the safety of the troops, what our mis- womb and at least 400,000 driven from satisfied with standing on the side- sion is, how much it is going to cost, their homes. For all those reasons, the lines, which is the practical effect of and yes, how long we are going to be contact powers have agreed to a NATO both the resolution that underlies there. Then and only then it calls on effort to establish an enforceable peace H.Con.Res. 42 and the Fowler amend- Congress to vote on it. in Kosovo, and if this NATO effort is ment. It is either yes or no. I applaud my colleagues who say that subverted, and the amendment by the I believe that it is incumbent on Con- yes, it is time that Congress finally gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. gress to seize this opportunity to offer starts fulfilling our duties as given to FOWLER) clearly subverts the effort to constructive input and to put into us by the Founding Fathers in Article impose a peace in Kosovo, then later place reasonable requirements before I, Section 8, where it says we must de- this spring this Congress will have con- our troops are committed. Rather than cide where and when young Americans tributed to the creation of hundreds of providing a blank check or obstructing are put in harm’s way. We have let thousands of more refugees and to the the way altogether, Congress should re- both Democratic and Republican Presi- deaths of a whole new cadre of victims quire an explicit statement of the na- dents walk all over us. We have failed of the national socialist regime of tional interests involved, the rules of in our duties. Slobodan Milosevic. engagement, for example, for our So I applaud those of my colleagues Milosevic’s right-hand deputy, Presi- troops; the cost of the mission, for ex- who say, let us do our job. I also want dent Seselj, has already told the Yugo- ample, of interest to our taxpayers; as to applaud the people, including the slav parliament that they will drive all well as the entry strategy, the exit troops who went to Bosnia, who showed of the ethnic Albanians, citizens of strategy, the amount of protection pro- me that I was wrong when I opposed Yugoslavia, from Kosovo. vided to make sure our forces will be as our intervention there. It was not a I implore this Congress not to make safe as possible; those kinds of ques- general, it was not an admiral, it was this great United States of America tions. not a bureaucrat, and it was not a complicit, complicit in these deaths, As the debate progresses, I anticipate State Department official that showed and creating these refugees and in aid- there will be a series of amendments to me that I was wrong, it was an 18-year- ing in Milosevic’s brutal campaign of do just those kinds of things. I am old kid from Ocean Springs, Mis- ethnic cleansing. going to oppose, somewhat reluctantly, sissippi. When I went over there with a Mr. GOSS. Mr. Chairman, I rise to the Fowler amendment because I think notebook looking for kids to tell me strike the requisite number of words. there is a better way to achieve proper why we should not be there and how Mr. Chairman, I rise regrettably op- accountability from the President stupid it was, and a young man by the posed to the amendment, the well- about using our troops in Kosovo. name of Rhodes who might have been crafted amendment from my good I urge my colleagues to understand all of a corporal, I said, should we be friend and colleague, the gentlewoman that there are good choices between here? And I was shocked when he said from Florida (Mrs. FOWLER). It is a the carte blanche of the underlying yes. I said, why? Fresh out of high good amendment and has led to good H.Con.Res. 42 and the no deployment school, he says, Because I am keeping debate, but I have a different view of proposal by the gentlewoman from women from getting raped, I am keep- this situation. Florida (Mrs. FOWLER). ing little kids from getting tortured, I March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1225 am keeping old men from being mur- Mr. Chairman, if we are to prevail KLA. They tell us nothing about the support of dered just because of their religion. under the rule of law, the President Islamic radicals like the Osama bin Ladin net- That is why I joined the army, to be a must obey the law, like everyone else, work, which, with other radical forces, is well- good guy. and certainly in this situation that established in the KLA's staging area in north- Folks, I was dumbfounded. That mis- could get us into a quagmire that we ern Albania and is promising to strike at Amer- sion has never been articulated better may never get out of. icans wherever they are found. by anyone anywhere and to Corporal The administration policy absolutely Do we need to put Americans down in a Rhodes, wherever you are, God bless goes against the fundamentals of con- place where they'll be convenient targets for you for saying it, and to his parents, stitutional government and the rule of terrorism? God bless you for bringing such a kid law. On February 10, for instance, in Putting American troops into this quagmire, into this world. testimony before the Committee on where we have no legitimate interests, is a Folks, this is the only rational way International Relations, Thomas Pick- dangerous and needless risk to American per- to go about this. Let us do our job. Mr. ering, who is the Under Secretary of sonnel. Kosovo is not America's fight. President, you have no authority to State for Political Affairs, confirmed The Congress should reject any measure send troops; therefore, you cannot. Mr. that Kosovo is sovereign territory of that is retrospect will be seen as a blank President, bring us a proposal that we Serbia, and that attacking the Serbs check for Bill ClintonÐa Gulf of Tonkin Reso- can read, take a look at, and then yes, because they will not consent to for- lution for the Balkans. Mr. President, we owe you the respect eign occupation of a part of their terri- Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Chairman, I of at least looking at it and then vot- tory would be an act of war. An act of move to strike the requisite number of ing on it. war, Mr. Chairman. words. I urge my colleagues to reject the The Constitution of the United Mr. Chairman, at the outset, I want Fowler amendment, I urge my col- States gives sole power to declare war to commend my colleague, the gen- leagues to reject the Gejdenson amend- to the Congress, not to the President. tleman from Mississippi (Mr. TAYLOR) for very well articulated remarks. I ment, but I rise in very strong support Nothing in the laws or the Constitu- come to a slightly different conclusion. of the very rational position brought to tion of the United States suggests that I rise to speak in favor of the Gejden- us by the gentleman from Missouri a determination by the United Nations son amendment and in opposition to (Mr. SKELTON). Security Council or by the North At- Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Chairman, I lantic Council is a substitute for our the Fowler amendment. First, let me speak to the alternative move to strike the requisite number of country’s laws. The mission in Kosovo amendment advanced by the gentle- words. intended by this administration is con- woman from Florida (Mrs. FOWLER). I Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposi- trary to the principle of national sov- believe that it is extremely ill-advised tion to the argument that the United ereignty and is a major step towards of this House to be debating this reso- States should become militarily in- global authority. The United States lution at all. We are debating involve- volved in Kosovo at all, and I support and NATO are demanding that a sov- ment in a peace agreement that has the Fowler amendment. For an admin- ereign state consent to foreign occupa- yet to be finalized, so it is not timely istration that places so much stock in tion of its territory, or be bombed if it right from the outset. political polls, I wonder if the Presi- refuses. This distinction should be a key one for all Americans concerned To even try and interject this House dent does not find it ironic that most into the negotiations underway by Americans cannot even find Kosovo on about the threat of the growing power of international institutions and what placing proscriptions on what the nego- the map. Not only that, but most tiators might come up with is, in my Americans could not articulate one they present to national sovereignty. What kind of precedent are we going opinion, the direct intervention of this reason why we should send other Amer- House into the formulation of foreign icans to risk and very possibly lose to set with this action? What country are we claiming the right to attack policy, something placed in the execu- their lives. tive branch under the Constitution for What is the vital interest over there next if we determine that its behavior does not rise to some international very good reasons. We are not con- which is being advanced by our getting stituted as individual representatives involved in the middle of this dispute? standard? Should we attack Turkey to protect the Kurds? China, to protect representing this country to try and We have not heard a clear answer to steer negotiations even as they unfold. this question. Yet, President Clinton Tibet or Taiwan? Sri Lanka to protect the Tamils, India to protect the Mus- Senator Dole, certainly someone who has made very clear what his intention knows the legislative process as well as is. He intends to intervene in Kosovo lims in Kashmir? I think not, Mr. Chairman. any American, advised the Committee with an open-ended occupation force, Do all of the Members of the House on International Relations yesterday perhaps preceded by air strikes. fully appreciate the complicated quag- that the time for congressional in- We have absolutely forgotten the mire of Kosovo? The history of Kosovo volvement in these matters is after the rules of engagement that were laid out with its competing claims of Albanians agreements themselves have been in the War Powers Act. We do not have and Serbs is at least as tangled as that reached. Let us look at what the Presi- an exit strategy. He has made it clear of Bosnia, and both groups are passion- dent might bring back, evaluated and that he does not think he needs con- ately attached to their irreconcilable debated at that time, but not before. gressional authorization for this mis- differences of what is right and wrong, I favor the Gejdenson amendment, sion. Well, I think, as my colleague, in their view. because in the absence of orderly con- the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. The administration and its support- sideration of this matter, it is appro- TAYLOR) just articulated, in the Con- ers tell us all about the sufferings of priate, I think, that we not extend a stitution, Article I, Section 8, it clear- the Albanians under the Milosevic re- blank check, but rather a measured au- ly states that it is the Congress that gime, and those should not be mini- thorization, and that is the Gejdenson shall raise up armies and declare war. mized, and I concur and identify with amendment before us. It would encour- In the War Powers Act, presidential ex- their argument there. But they also age a conclusion of the peace process ecutive powers are defined with the tell us almost nothing about the at- and authorize a NATO force with U.S. ability for the President to deploy tacks committed by the Kosovo Libera- involvement of up to 15 percent. That troops without congressional authority tion Army against Serbian civilians is clearly a minor supporting role in only when there has been a declaration and against moderate Albanians as this process, but an essential one, in of war, a specific statutory authoriza- well. They tell us nothing about the light of the standing of the United tion, or, and this is very important, ethnic cleansing of Christian Serbs by States of America in the world today. Mr. Chairman, a national emergency radical Albanian Muslims under the To try and absolutely foreclose any created by attack upon the United Turks, Nazis and Communists alike. participation by the United States in a States, its territories, its possessions, Mr. Chairman, this is a dangerous peacekeeping force that might be or its armed forces. The situation in step that we must not take. agreed to under the agreement, should Kosovo certainly does not match statu- They tell us nothing about the drug-traffick- an agreement be reached, would I be- tory authority. ing and other criminal activity that funds the lieve give great comfort to those who H1226 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 are the enemies of peace in this region, So I am going to support the base patriotic folks who have gotten up and and who want no peace agreement. resolution. All of the dangers that we spoken about going into Kosovo, and I All of us are involved in our legisla- see and all of the problems with this am going to vote to go into Kosovo, to tive responsibilities in negotiations, deployment or with the nondeployment really support our troops. I am going and we know that negotiations are, in are things that we really cannot do to give the gentleman from Connecti- large part, about leverage. Why would much about. We cannot change the sit- cut (Mr. GEJDENSON) a substitute we want to give Slobodan Milosevic, a uation, the political situation, in amendment that says, let us support perpetrator of unspeakable horrors in Kosovo. We cannot change the military them with a pay raise, with new equip- this region, the leverage at this time in offsets. We can do something by par- ment, by building military construc- the peace process that, precluding any ticipating in this force. tion to house their families while they U.S. troop involvement, would extend There is something we can do some- are gone, and maybe we will even give to this evil leader. thing about. That is to provide our them a little ammunition go. Let us Mr. Milosevic 11 years ago went down men and women who carry out Amer- support the troops. to Kosovo and began his own ascend- ican foreign policy after debates like The CHAIRMAN. The time of the ancy in the region by commencing a this one the wherewithal to be effec- gentleman from California (Mr. reign of terror on the Kosovars of Alba- tive. We, the government of the United HUNTER) has expired. nian ethnicity. During the course of States, have not been doing that. Let (On request of Mr. CUNNINGHAM, and that reign of terror, their autonomy me show the Members what we have by unanimous consent, Mr. HUNTER has been stripped and they have been been doing. was allowed to proceed for 2 additional the victims of unspeakable horrors. We Since Desert Storm, we have cut our minutes.) need to bring this to a conclusion with military almost in half. We have gone Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Chairman, the a negotiated peace, but that is made from 18 army divisions to only 10; 546 Joint Chiefs have done something this infinitely more difficult by the House naval ships to only 325 now. We have year that they have not done in a long time. I think it is because the services debate today, and if we should adopt cut another 20 since this chart was put are desperate, they are desperate for the Fowler amendment it would be together. We have gone from 24 fighter help. The 10,000 uniformed service men made, in my opinion and the opinion of air wings to only 13 fighter air wings, and women on food stamps are des- many observing this process, it would cut our air power almost in half. Our mission capability, that is the perate for help. be made impossible. They have told us what they need. capability of our aircraft to fly off of The Scriptures tell us, blessed are The Army has come forth and said, we their runways or off their carrier the peacemakers, and we in the House need an additional $5 billion a year just decks, like the gentleman from Califor- want to do everything we can to make to maintain this downsized military of nia (Mr. CUNNINGHAM) used to, to fulfill their job more difficult, if not alto- 10 divisions. The Navy has come forth our mission, whether bombing or recon gether impossible, at this terribly im- and said, to maintain 305 ships, we need or something else and return to that portant time. an additional $6 billion a year. The Air home base, that mission capability So let me conclude by saying, let us Force has said, to maintain this that I want 83 percent in the Air Force oppose the Fowler amendment. I be- downsized Air Force of only 13 active lieve it would forestall a conclusion of has now dropped to 74 percent. fighter wings, we need an additional $5 It used to be 77 percent in the Marine the peace process. Let us support the billion a year. The marines have said Corps. It is now down to 61 percent. Gejdenson amendment, which would that to maintain this downsized Ma- Mission capability used to be 69 per- place very significant and appropriate rine Corps, that now has the highest cent in the Air Force, it is now 61 per- strictures on the U.S. involvement in operating tempo of any time since what might be a NATO force, an in- cent. A lot of our planes are hanging World War II, we need an additional volvement not to exceed 15 percent; a around as old hangar queens. They are $1.75 billion a year. They said that on limited, minor supporting role, but an like old hay balers that we are taking top of that they need a pay raise for essential one, to stop the killing and spare parts off of so the few we have our troops, to start cutting into that left on the runway will work. the atrocities that have plagued that 131⁄2 percent pay gap. region. Military aircraft crashes. I can tell If we add those together, and if we Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Chairman, I move the Members, we are now crashing add the cost of Bosnia, which we should to strike the requisite number of more aircraft, some 55 in the last 13 not take out of ammunition and oper- words. months, 14 months, than we are build- ations and maintenance, that is $21.95 Mr. Chairman, this situation, regard- ing, along with the 55 Americans who billion or $22 billion a year more that less of which route we take, stay out or died as pilots and crews in those crash- our service people need to be well- go in, has potential dangers. Many peo- es. equipped and well-paid to serve our ple have argued that going in is going Equipment shortages. We are build- country. to cause more of a conflagration than ing, and President Clinton’s defense So however Members vote on these if we stayed out. There are good intel- budget continues that this year, if we resolutions, and let me really com- lects on both sides of the debate. It is follow it, we are building to a 200-ship mend the brilliant gentlewoman from a very difficult debate. It is a very Navy, down from 600 ships. The ma- Florida (Mrs. TILLIE FOWLER). I wish I close question, I think. rines are $193 million short in basic could support her amendment. I think I am going to support the base bill. I ammunition. The Army is short about her conditions are excellent. But I am think in the end the organization that $1.6 billion in ammunition. going to support the base bill. we created, NATO, that we have always We have aging equipment. We are liv- However Members vote on this, we been the guts, the leadership of, that ing off the old equipment of the Reagan should follow up very quickly with a was put together to handle then the years. Our CH–46 helicopter is over 40 series of votes, manifested in our budg- Soviet Union, has a role in this post- years old. The Clinton administration et and in supplemental appropriations Cold War environment in keeping sta- intends to fly B–52 bombers with no re- bills, to provide our military what they bility in Europe. If we do not partici- placement until they are 80 years old. need, so they can provide us what we pate in this operation, and it is a very Personnel shortages, we are 18,000 need. dangerous operation, one in which I sailors short in the Navy. We are going Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, will the think we may take casualties, I think to be over 700 pilots short in the Air gentleman yield? NATO will dissolve as a real entity. Force. We are going to be short in ma- Mr. HUNTER. I yield to the gen- rine aviation, and we are down about tleman from Colorado. b 1745 140 helicopter pilots in the Army. Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, I will It may be a debating society, it may Here is something we have not been not take the 5 minutes to do it, but I have a location, but I think that NATO paying attention to. We have a 13.5 per- want to thank the gentleman for pre- will dissolve, and maybe the stability cent pay gap between the people who senting this picture, because that is that NATO could bring to Europe over wear the uniform and the people in the the picture I wanted to present. He did the long haul will be gone. private sector. I want to ask all of the it better than I could. March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1227 Who is going to pay the bill for these have that on our minds and in our con- U.S. security directly, so we are talk- kinds of things? If we are going to do sciences and in the national security ing about vital U.S. national interests. them, and we are going to do them, ob- interests of the United States, because We have to answer this question not viously, around the world, who is going the conflagration that will take place in some rhetorical way, but in a very to pay the bill? We need to pony up and if we do not act under an agreed-upon practical, pragmatic, personal way. do what we should for our troops. peace will be incredibly dangerous to Put it this way: If a young person in Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, I the United States. This is, after all, the the hometown of one of us does not move to strike the requisite number of location in which World War II started. come home from Kosovo, what do we words. Let me just finish by saying that I tell their parents they died for? Every Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the am reminded of that quote that said, man and woman who has worn the uni- Fowler amendment and to support the during World War II, ‘‘First they came form knows that there are things that Gejdenson amendment. after the trade unionists, and since I are worth dying for. I do not believe As we have this debate in this House was not a trade unionist, I did not ob- that this is one of them. at this time, a time that is poorly ject; and then they came after the The administration has said that this timed in terms of what the national in- Catholics, and since I was not a Catho- is about maintaining stability in Eu- terests of the United States are and ul- lic, I did not object; and then they rope. They are right, the Balkans have timately how that may lead to the na- came after the Jews, and since I was been a cauldron of war in this century. tional security of the United States, we not a Jew, I did not object; and then But the threat that they draw from simply should not be having this de- they came after me, and there was no Serbia is overdrawn. We are not talk- bate at this time. one left to object.’’ ing about a power on the rise, as we Right now, as we debate, I am sure I agree with the previous speaker, we faced in the 1930s in Europe, but a vi- that Slobodan Milosevic is looking at need to assist our military. I think cious leader in decline. It is equally this debate, and how we decide today many of us are willing to put our votes probable that our intervention in sends him a signal as to how he will there. But we need to make sure that Kosovo will itself spread the conflict move, and move militarily. Even before we stand ready not to cast today a vote beyond the borders of Kosovo and Ser- we give an opportunity for peace to that in essence precipitates the chance bia. have a chance, we snuff it out with the for peace, that ends it, that gives it a Let there be no doubt that Milosevic actions on the Floor. blow before there is even a chance; and is an evil man who has wreaked havoc The gentleman from Connecticut that in essence this vote that we will on his own people, but the question (Mr. GEJDENSON) recognizes that the be casting, particularly on this amend- must be, what is in the U.S. national representatives of the respective par- ment, ends up being a death sentence interest, and our foreign policy must ties are supposed to reconvene next to thousands of people. We have an op- be based on that. week in France. We could not hold off portunity for peace, and we need to b 1800 until there was the opportunity for preserve that opportunity for peace. those parties to be brought together by I urge my colleagues very seriously The second question is, what are the the international community, led by to vote against the Fowler amendment, political objectives that we hope to the United States, to see if there is a because if not, they are already voting achieve, and will the use of military chance to avoid countless numbers of on the ultimate question; and to there- force help us to achieve those objec- murders, countless numbers of deaths? fore, in voting against her amendment tives? In Korea, our forces are there to We could not give that simple oppor- and giving peace an opportunity, then deter aggression from North Korea. In tunity for peace to take place? It was vote for the Gejdenson amendment. Desert Storm, our objective was to so compelling to proceed today? Mrs. WILSON. Mr. Chairman, I move expel Iraq from Kuwait. Mr. Chairman, this is not about en- to strike the requisite number of This is unlike Bosnia where, after 3 forcing our will. It is about enforcing, words. years of war, we had exhausted parties hopefully, an agreed commitment, an Mr. Chairman, there are a lot of ready to sue for peace, Bosnian Serbs agreed commitment to peace. This is a thoughtful and difficult issues that who were being beaten back and who test of NATO, and ultimately, maybe people have been trying to address here were eager to free the lines of ethnic in some different context, at some dif- on all sides this afternoon. I think enclaves where they were. ferent time, Members are going to there is sincerity on all sides. In Kosovo, we have two groups, two want NATO to work. The underlying proposal that we are ethnic groups that claim the same ter- If Members do not step up to the asked to endorse today is to endorse, ritory. There are no enclaves. Into this, plate now, the portion of the amend- without conditions, the indefinite as- we are thrusting U.S. and NATO forces ment offered by the gentleman from signment of 4,000 Americans as part of with no lines to be defended. There is Texas (Mr. TURNER) to the amendment a NATO force of 30,000 in the territory no clear objective. We are the begin- offered by the gentleman from Con- of a sovereign country with which we ning of a political process, not a peace- necticut (Mr. GEJDENSON) which limits are not at war, and over the objections keeping operation, as has been sug- us to 15 percent, and says, in a clear of that country, on the grounds that gested. message to the Europeans, this is the administration of the province of Third, what is the size and the struc- clearly your problem, but we are part Kosovo is not in accordance with inter- ture of the military force, and is it ade- of NATO and we are going to partici- national humanitarian standards. quate? What are their rules of engage- pate in it, if Members want NATO to be I am a supporter of NATO, and I am ment, and are these all clearly defined? put at risk, they will not respond. a supporter of American involvement If they are not, not one American The Fowler amendment is ulti- in the world. In fact, I used to serve in should go in not understanding exactly mately, in my mind, with all due re- the United States mission to NATO. I what the rules of engagement are. spect, should it pass, a death sentence have worn the uniform of a member of If a 19-year-old kid confronts a KLA to thousands of people in Kosovo, be- the armed services. But let us not member who refuses to give up his or cause in essence what we are saying by make any mistake here, this deploy- her weapon, what is that 19-year-old virtue of that amendment, it is a vote ment is an extraordinary departure kid to do? Do they walk away? Do they on the ultimate question, to not permit from what is envisioned in the NATO fight? Until we have the answers to troops to be deployed, even before we charter, and it is a departure from basic questions like that and are con- know that in fact an agreement in much of American diplomatic history. fident that our troops know what to do, which we would be invited in as part of There are several questions that I they should not go in. NATO could take place. asked myself and that I will share with Kosovo is a much more dangerous We are already sending a message to the Members as a contribution to this situation than we faced going into Bos- Slobodan Milosevic that in fact he does debate that I think we are faced with nia. We need to recognize those risks not have to make an agreement; go answering today: What is threat to there and mitigate against them. There ahead, just hold out there, do what you U.S. security or to U.S. vital national are too many unanswered questions on want, and at the end of the day we will interests? Clearly, there is no threat to a deployment of questionable national H1228 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 interest, and I cannot support the un- again were we going to allow some- into Kosovo. I have expressed this to derlying amendment. thing like this to happen. We swore him. I have expressed it to the Sec- Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I this to ourselves, and we swore this to retary of State and to the Secretary of move to strike the requisite number of our God. Others swore along with us. Defense. words. What does that mean? Did we mean That is my prerogative as a Member Mr. Chairman, I stand here today, this only for ourselves? Did we mean of Congress, just as it is my colleagues’ not as a Democrat, and I hope that my that we would step up to the plate only prerogative to introduce the amend- colleagues do not stand there as Repub- if we were going to be wiped out? I do ments and the resolutions as they have licans, and I would ask all of our col- not think so, Mr. Chairman. today. leagues, indeed, to question why do we The CHAIRMAN. The time of the But I think it is a very serious mis- stand here. What is this all about? gentleman from New York (Mr. ACKER- take for us to send at this time a mes- What are our values? Where do we fit MAN) has expired. sage to the world and to the people ne- in this world? (By unanimous consent, Mr. ACKER- gotiating the hopeful peace agreement We think sometimes about heroes. MAN was allowed to proceed for 2 addi- that ultimately will be arranged Indeed, what are heroes? A hero is usu- tional minutes.) whereby we can provide some vehicle ally an ordinary person who steps out Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, we for peace in Serbia and whereby the Al- of the crowd, having no gain for him- could not mean that only for ourselves, banians and the citizens of Kosovo can self, and tries to stop a maddened mob because that would be ingenuous. someday live in harmony. from destroying somebody else’s life Never again will I want to remind my I disagree with the President. But I and interjects himself into the fray. friends who have said that, which in- agree with the mission he is trying to These are some of the values that we clude probably everybody in this undertake, and that is to reach some try to impart to our children. We House, that never again is upon us yet type of peace agreement before he should not mind only our own business, again. sends the troops in there. If they reach we should be trying to help other peo- What is it that we are to do? Are we a peace agreement, he is going to send ple. to shrug our shoulder? Are we to exam- the troops in there. If they do not I have heard the question asked over ine costs? Are we that people that reach a peace agreement, he is going to and over again by so many colleagues would let others die unjustly, unpleas- send the troops in there. on both sides of the aisle, what is in antly, because we are cheap, because The Constitution and this Congress the U.S. interest? What are we as a we are thoughtless? I do not think so. has given the Administrative Branch of government the authority to do that. country? I think there is probably not This is the time to act in the interests So we are not here saying let us change a person in this body who would dis- of justice and in the interests of peace the authority. We are expressing a pute the fact that they would like to lest the notion that we are a mighty message that could be interpreted by see the U.S. recorded in permanent his- and just Nation be but an illusion. Milosevic or by any of the principles of tory as a Nation that is both mighty Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Chairman, I disagreement as an advantage to his and just. What is the purpose of our move to strike the requisite number of words. side. might if we do not use it for good? Is For us to hamstring the President, to (Mr. CALLAHAN asked and was justice not just a state of mind unless hamstring our negotiations I think at given permission to revise and extend we use it for the greater good? this time is a very serious error that his remarks.) I have been, most of my life, a passiv- we should not be doing that. At the Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Chairman, I ist, opposed to so many of the things same time, if I vote for the agreement, will admit I am in somewhat of a di- that so many of my friends have sup- the original resolution that we have, it lemma. I have spoken to this House in ported. This is a time for peace. This is indicates that I am supportive of send- situations such as this on several occa- a time to use our might and our ing troops into Kosovo, which I am not. strength and the unique position that sions during Desert Storm, when we So I think that this is ill-timed. I do the United States of America is in first sent our troops into Bosnia, and not know what I am going to do, but I today for good, for something decent, now here we are back again this year expressed myself on the floor here to help save the lives of people in a talking about a similar situation. today. I think a simple ‘‘present’’ vote place so far away, where human beings I read with interest, and in great will convince the people of the district have been destroyed, where ethnic depth the resolution of the gentleman I represent that I am concerned, as cleansing has taken place, where geno- from New York (Mr. GILMAN), and I they are, about where we are headed. cide has existed. Is that not in the know that we are talking about prob- But I am concerned, as they are, that American interest? ably a substitute or an amendment to the Constitution of the United States Mr. Chairman, I come from a very the substitute of the gentleman from of America leaves foreign policy to the small people, a people who, in our life- Connecticut (Mr. GEJDENSON). President of the United States, and time, were almost totally annihilated But, Mr. Chairman, in reading the that Congress is the check and balance. by forces of evil. So much of the world original resolution, I find myself in a I did not vote for Bill Clinton in the turned its back. Oh, they had excuses. State of confusion because I do not last election, nor the time before. But We did not know. We did not see. We know what to do. Certainly no one can a majority of the people of the United did not believe. No one told us. disagree in the first part original reso- States of America did. As a result, we We have been disabused of those ex- lution that this may be cited as peace- gave him the authority to be the Com- cuses, Mr. Chairman, today, because we keeping operation. I agree with that. mander in Chief of our armed services. know what is going on and what has Certainly the part that the Congress We cannot deny him the authority that gone on and what will go on unless the makes the following findings about the is granted to him in the Constitution. forces of justice and reason somehow conflict in Kosovo causing human suf- So I think I am going to vote intervene. fering. I agree with that. The govern- ‘‘present.’’ It is not an indication of It was not until the world intervened ment of Serbia and the representatives lack of support. It is an indication that and democratic countries stepped up to of the peoples of Kosovo may reach is not the correct time to be debating the plate that the people that I come some agreement soon. I agree with this when they are in negotiations try- from were liberated, snatched from the that. ing to resolve a peace agreement. jaws of death in concentration camps. Then it says President Clinton has So my message is, to my colleagues, So many of the countries, including promised to deploy 4,000 troops to is that I applaud their willingness to the United States, for whom all of us Kosovo. I disagree with that. But it is stand and express their views. But I are so grateful, stepped up to the plate correct. When I was approached, as think this Congress is making a mis- because it was in America’s national chairman of the Subcommittee on For- take to be handling a resolution about interest, and to do the right thing. eign Operations, Export Financing and this matter at this time. So many of us and so many others Related Programs of the Committee on To the President, I will tell him I took an oath when that happened, Mr. Appropriations, I disagreed with the still do not support sending troops to Chairman, that said, never again, never President about sending our troops Kosovo. March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1229 Mr. OBEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to why their sons or daughters were killed givings of sending U.S. forces into strike the requisite number or words. in an operation. And sometimes, to Kosovo.’’ We are not even supposed to Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the protect those sons and daughters, we debate the merits and misgivings of Fowler amendment. I absolutely agree need more troops not less. I happen to sending troops. Why not? ‘‘Instead, the with the last speaker. Let me tell my think that this is probably one of those purpose of this resolution’’ they go on colleagues, I want to make quite clear cases. to say, ‘‘is to give the House an oppor- where I come from. I regard Mr. So I am going to vote against the tunity to fulfill its constitutional re- Milosevic as a sociopath. If I had my Fowler amendment. I am going to vote sponsibility of authorizing the deploy- way, NATO would have gone after him against the Gejdenson amendment. I ment of U.S. troops into potentially a long time ago. I think he ought to be will not vote for the Gilman resolution hostile situations.’’ In other words, we tried as a war criminal. I think he is because I do not believe in giving are to do nothing more than rubber one of the most useless leaders to ever Presidents blank checks, and I am not stamp what the President has asked walk on the face of the earth. That is going to endorse an agreement until I for. what I think about him when I am in a know what it is and until I have had an Where does the President claim he mild mood. opportunity to gauge the reliability of gets his authority? Does he come to us? But let me tell my colleagues my the people that we are negotiating Has he asked us for this? No, he as- problem today. My problem is that I with. sumes he has the authority. He has al- totally agree with what the adminis- But I also will not vote against it ready threatened that what we do here tration is trying to do in the region, today, because if we vote against it, we will have no effect on his decision. He but I am not happy, frankly, with their help assure that those negotiations is going to do what he thinks he should implementation. will not come to a constructive conclu- do anyway. He does not come and ask b 1815 sion. And that is why, like the gen- for permission. Where does he get this I think they have not accurately tleman from Alabama, I will vote authority? Sometimes the Presidents, gauged the position of the Russians in present. Because until we have an since World War II, have assumed it this situation, and I think that they agreement to judge, Congress has no comes from the United Nations. That misjudged the reliability of the right to muck things up when the re- means that Congress has reneged on its Kosovars. And under those cir- sult will be lost lives. responsibility. cumstances, I am not convinced, while Mr. PAUL. Mr. Chairman, I move to We do not just give it to the Presi- I agree with what they are trying to strike the requisite number of words. dent, we give it to the President plus negotiate, I am not yet convinced that (Mr. PAUL asked and was given per- the United Nations or NATO. And when their negotiating partners have dem- mission to revise and extend his re- we joined NATO and the United Na- onstrated enough maturity to rely on marks.) tions, it was explicitly said it was not them in a sensitive situation like this. Mr. PAUL. Mr. Chairman, I rise in to be inferred that this takes away the My problem is, like the gentleman support of the Fowler amendment and sovereignty and the decision-making from Alabama, I believe this should not in opposition to H. Con. Res. 42. powers of the individual countries and be here today. And the reason I say Today we are going to have a vote on their legislative bodies. And yet we that is this: I think it is here because whether or not troops should be au- have now, for quite a few decades, al- a lot of us have a fundamental mis- thorized to go to Kosovo. If we vote in lowed this power to gravitate into the understanding of our constitutional favor of this, we are voting for war. hands of the President. role. You can make a very respectable This is not a war resolution in the con- After Vietnam there was a great deal argument that we ought to have a vote ventional sense of the Constitution, of concern about this power to wage before we do something such as bomb but in this day and age it is about as war. First, we had Korea. We did not Mr. Milosevic. I would vote for such an close as we are going to come to since win that war. Next we had Vietnam. explicit action. I think he has got it we have ignored the Constitution with And with very sincere intent, the Con- coming, and I think NATO needs to regards to war powers essentially since gress in 1973 passed the War Powers lead and we need to lead NATO. But I World War II. If we vote for troops to Resolution. The tragedy of the War also do not believe that this Congress go to Kosovo, we are complicit in a po- Powers Resolution, no matter how well has any business whatsoever interpos- tential war and the responsibility motivated, is that it did exactly the ing its judgment on questions that in- should be on the shoulders of those who opposite of what was intended. volve the President’s Commander-in- vote to send the troops. What has actually happened is it has Chief responsibilities. I strongly urge that we not send the been interpreted by all our Presidents With all due respect to the Fowler troops. It is not our fight. We are not since then that they have the author- amendment and the Gejdenson amend- the policemen of the world. It weakens ity to wage war for 60–90 days before we ment, both of which I will vote against, our national defense. There are numer- can say anything. That is wrong. We there is not a Member on this floor who ous reasons why we do not need to send have turned it upside down. So it is up has any qualification whatsoever to more troops into another country to us to do something about getting say what our troop levels ought to be someplace around the world. Every the prerogative of waging war back in a peacekeeping situation. The most time we do this it just leads to the next into the hands of the Congress. dangerous human being on the face of problem. It is said that we do not have this au- the earth is a Member of Congress who It is said that we should not have thority; that we should give it to the has taken a 3-day trip somewhere and much to say about foreign policy be- President; that he has it under the thinks that they have learned enough cause the Constitution has given re- Constitution based on his authority to to tell the entire country what we sponsibility to the President. The term formulate foreign policy. It is not ought to do on a crucial issue. Nine ‘‘foreign policy’’ does not even exist in there. The Congress has the respon- times out of ten they are more of a the Constitution. The President has sibility to declare war, write letters of menace than a help. been given the authority to be the marks and reprisals, call up the mili- I do not believe we have the personal Commander-in-Chief; to lead the troops tia, raise and train army and regulate expertise to make military decisions. I after we direct him as to what he foreign commerce. The President want the Joint Chiefs of Staff to decide should do. He is the commander. We do shares with the Senate treaty power as what the level ought to be, if we do not have a military commander, we well as appointment of ambassadors. have a peacekeeping force. I do not have a civilian commander. But we do The President cannot even do that want that decision made on a political not forego our right to debate and be alone. basis by the Congress or the White concerned about what is happening on We have the ultimate power, and House. And I certainly do not want it issues of troop deployment and war. that is the power of the purse. If the made on the basis of a budgetary ques- A report put out by those who spon- power of the purse is given up, then we tion. sor this resolution had this to say. lose everything. Because we have not I do not want to have to look into the ‘‘This measure does not address the un- assumed our responsibilities up until eyes of any more parents and explain derlying question of the merits or mis- this point, it is up to us to declare that H1230 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 the President cannot spend money in of this particular situation going out of b 1830 this manner. I have legislation that its boundaries. I almost certainly would have been would take care of this; that the Presi- Our interests are humanitarian, eco- one of those who would have supported dent cannot place troops in Kosovo un- nomic and military, and also an inter- doing what he asked if there was an less he gets explicit authority from us est as it deals with the leadership of agreement we could look at and know to do so. If he does it, the monies this country and the fact that we have what it provided and that it was a bona should be denied to the President, un- not only an obligation but a duty to fide agreement. But here we are with less we want to be complicit in this make sure that peace is obtained. By the certainty that he would not come dangerous military adventurism. playing politics with sensitive peace to the Congress and yet he does not Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I negotiations that are set to resume have an agreement and we do not even move to strike the requisite number of March 15, the House of Representatives know whether or not at such time words and oppose the Fowler amend- could jeopardize peace in the region. somebody in Paris signs their names to ment in favor of the Turner amend- Failure to achieve peace now in Kosovo a stack of papers that it will indeed be ment. could cause significant instability in an agreement of anyone. Mr. Chairman, why are we debating the already volatile region. How do you say you have the agree- this issue at this point in time? We all Secretary of State Albright stressed ment of the Federal Republic of Yugo- recognize that it is political; politics this point yesterday before the House slavia when you are saying, ‘‘If the that could come back to haunt us. Committee on International Relations Kosovo Albanians sign it and you One of the biggest problems we have saying that a new outbreak of fighting don’t, we’re going to bomb you.’’ Now, in Congress is the fact that we have an in Kosovo could expand into regional I am not sure that that is an agree- obligation and a duty. The only reason hostilities that could cause massive ment. How do we know that anyone to debate this resolution today is to suffering, displace tens of thousands of who purports to be representing the undercut the administration at the people, undermine stability throughout people of Kosovo has any authority to critical time of our negotiations. It is South Central Europe, and directly af- represent the people of Kosovo? The more than irony that some of those fect key allies. chief political observer of the Kosovar pushing for consideration of this reso- If we can secure peace, if we can end Liberation Army left Paris and criti- lution today fully intend to oppose the the slaughter, we have the duty to do cized those who even entertained the resolution. This is an exercise in rhet- so. If we can join our NATO friends and notion of signing the agreement. We do oric. allies by providing those 4,000 troops as not have any basis for knowing that POINT OF ORDER part of the large NATO force, then we this agreement is real. If it is not real, Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Point of order, have the duty to do so. The failure to then we have put ourselves in a very Mr. Chairman. obtain peace now could put greater tenuous position to say that we will de- The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will numbers of potential U.S. and Euro- ploy American armed forces in the sov- state his point of order. pean troops in danger if broader hos- ereign territory of another state Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, is tilities break out. against its will and conduct bombing or other military action. That cer- it improper, either in the full House or Our Nation’s modest personnel but tainly is an act of war. That requires in the body, to characterize the reasons crucial political investments in the us to declare it. It makes us an inter- for why different people vote for Kosovo peace process is essential to national outlaw if it has not been done things; to characterize and impugn? achieving peace. Without the U.S. in- Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I that way and we do not in fact go there volvement, peace is unlikely. Mr. apologize if I have offended anybody. by agreement. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to sup- The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will I do not like the fact that this debate port this resolution. suspend. is taking place now. But for anyone to The Chair will simply state that it is I also want to add, Mr. Chairman, say this Congress does not need to have improper debate to question the per- that this is very different from Bosnia, a debate on matters of this kind and of sonal motives of any Member. and it is very different from Bosnia in this consequence I think denigrates the Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, I the sense that in Bosnia we took the role of this Congress in the governance will not demand the words be taken lead. Here only 14 percent of the troops of the United States of America. I do down, but I would ask the gentleman will be from the United States. Europe not want to be in a position where not to characterize. is taking the lead, and we have an obli- someone has deployed forces, my con- Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, if I gation and a duty, Mr. Chairman. stituents, and to have to go back to the have offended anybody, I apologize. But Mr. BATEMAN. Mr. Chairman, I people I represent and say, ‘‘Well, as a member of this Congress, I recog- move to strike the requisite number of they’ve been sent there because we nize the fact that politics is played words. didn’t think that the Yugoslavia Fed- within the House floor, and I recognize Mr. Chairman, I hopefully will not eral Republic had given Kosovo suffi- that this particular resolution does un- take the 5 minutes, but let me express cient autonomy, but we certainly dermine the administration’s efforts at to my colleagues the deep, deep an- didn’t send them there to fight for the this point in time. guish I feel in what we are doing and independence of Kosovo.’’ Those kind As a Member representing a commu- how we are doing it. I cannot rise in of subtle distinctions certainly escape nity of more than 42,000 active duty support of the base amendment, the me. I think they will escape my con- service members and nearly 6,000 re- Gilman resolution, nor the Gejdenson stituents. I wish this debate came servists and guard members, I do not amendment to it, nor the amendment later, when the President could say take this issue lightly because the lives of my dear friend the gentlewoman there is an agreement and we could of those service members may be put in from Florida (Mrs. FOWLER), or sub- test whether it was real and then sup- harm’s way. stitute. port him. But unfortunately we are not I deplore the timing of this resolu- Much has been said about the timing in that position. I frankly do not know tion. This resolution is being set up for of why we are here and that we should whether we are going to find anything failure. At least 2,000 people have been not be here at this time. I agree with that is going to be before us in the killed and 400,000 displaced in the Bal- that, but I am not sure that I attach course of this debate that I will be in a kans region. The United States clearly the responsibility for that fact the way position to vote for. has a vested interest in peace in the re- others have done so. If our President Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Chairman, I gion. Kosovo and the Balkans fall in had assured us that, upon being able to move to strike the requisite number of between two allies, Greece and Turkey. negotiate an agreement, he would come words. The Balkans’ historical role in Europe to us and seek our approval for going I wonder if we vote not to deploy has been critical. We all recognize that forward with military deployments in troops in Kosovo if the President would we also have in jeopardy Macedonia, Kosovo, it would have been the time abide by it. I thought the gentleman Montenegro, Northern Greece, Albania, for this debate to have taken place, from New York (Mr. ACKERMAN) made a as well as Turkey, and the possibility after the agreement had been reached. good statement. I would like to concur. March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1231 There is a reason for United States vote on it, the members of the Par- search, our development of new weap- support in the region. Maybe the most liament can debate this question, but ons, and then one of the main reasons important reason is genocide. The the Members of the U.S. Congress can- for that is this willingness to commit world took genocide lightly once before not debate this question. troops, to commit our defense capacity and we should not do it again. But I have heard here a number of times without any end in sight. We need to what bothers me is we have been turn- today that we should be waiting until ask what that end is. There may in fact ing aside from this dilemma since 1986 there is a final agreement. Mr. Chair- be a better way for the Congress to when there was an intelligence report man, I am confident that every effort take up this issue. I would be fully in that said there is only going to be two has been made to get assurances that if favor of the administration negotiating dynamics that come out of Kosovo: We there was a final agreement, that the this question and then coming to the will either press the Serbs for inde- Congress would be consulted after that Congress and say, ‘‘Here is what we pendence for Kosovo or there will be a final agreement and before troops were have negotiated. What do you think?’’ revolution and there will ultimately be deployed, and those assurances are not That has not happened time after time a great entanglement. there. after time. We have sought assurances I believe we must support the ethnic Yesterday, before a committee of the it would happen this time. There are no Albanians in Kosovo who are being bru- House, the Secretary of State said that assurances forthcoming. For all those talized. But the gentlewoman from this is not a good time for the Congress who say now is not the time, I would Florida (Mrs. FOWLER) brings a good to be debating this issue. But then she say to them, there will not be a time if question to the House. How do we do went on to say that there is never a we wait for the administration to de- it? She says we should not deploy good time for the Congress to debate termine when the Congress should be troops, we should use air strikes, logis- these issues because we just get in the involved in this because, as the Sec- tics, intelligence and other means of way of diplomacy. That is not the role retary of State said yesterday, it is identifiable support. There is a lot of of the Congress as I see the role of the really never helpful for us to discuss sense to that. I think it is time for Eu- Congress in the Constitution and many these issues. rope to stand up for Europe. We may be others do. I am grateful for the Speak- The President and the Secretary of the superpower, but by God we are not er’s decision to provide this debate. State should be asking for our ap- the only power. Too many times, the Congress has said proval. We need to be partners in this Let me say one last thing. I want to we will wait until the decision is made kind of policy. I rise in support of this commend the Speaker for this debate. and the decision is made and the com- amendment and to encourage the ad- We have been debating war, ladies and mitment is made so quickly that then ministration to fully involve the Con- gentlemen, after wars have been en- we have a decision of whether we are gress in its future activities before gaged. If these are peacekeepers, we going to support troops in the field, not they are completed. ought to send the Peace Corps. If these to whether those troops would be in Mr. BLAGOJEVICH. Mr. Chairman, I are police actions, we ought to send the the field or not. move to strike the requisite number of D.C. police. These are potential wars. There are questions that this House words. I am going to support helping in our has an obligation to ask right now. Dr. Mr. Chairman, of the hundreds of cause in Kosovo. But I am going to Henry Kissinger, the former national votes we cast in this Chamber each vote for the Fowler amendment. In ad- security adviser, the former Secretary year I believe money is more impor- dition, if the Fowler amendment of State, gave some insightful testi- tant than the issue of deploying our should fail, I will support Gejdenson, mony before the House Committee on troops abroad and placing them in because I think this thing is going to International Relations yesterday. He harm’s way. While I believe it is fully be passed. But I will then offer an said there is a critical question to be appropriate for Congress to have a amendment to Gejdenson that says no asked, under what circumstances voice in the crucial decisions, I also troops shall be deployed unless all Serb should American military forces be know that there are some in this de- troops are removed from Kosovo on the used to pursue national objectives and bate who are motivated by questions of schedule of which Rambouillet would what should those objectives be? domestic politics rather than foreign require. Number two, that if Milosevic Should American military might be policy. They want to score political violates the agreement, it is to be un- available to enable every ethnic or reli- points at the President’s expense and I derstood that NATO strikes in Serbia gious group to achieve self-determina- think that is regrettable. This impor- at military installations will be imme- tion? If Kosovo, why not East Africa? tant debate over the nature and extent diately commenced. And, number Why not Central Asia? Is this part of of our military involvement in the Bal- three, that any suspected war criminal our policy? kans should be driven by long-term na- shall be investigated and, if necessary I think there are questions that this tional interests, not short-term politi- or warranted, apprehended and tried by Congress has to ask in regard to cal considerations. an international tribunal. Kosovo. Why would we be there if we It is on the basis of our long-term na- In closing out, let me say this. I have are there? What is our goal in Kosovo? tional interests that I oppose the reso- left out the question of independence, I understand that part of the goal is to lution to authorize the President to de- because we do not have enough guts get Serbia out of Kosovo without get- ploy American troops to Kosovo. I am yet, but I will make this point to you. ting Kosovo out of Serbia. I submit to not pleased to find myself at odds with Milosevic has laughed in our face. Un- the Congress that that is a very dif- a major foreign policy initiative of my less there are some terms in that ficult goal to achieve. How will we President. But I come to this position agreement, we will have failed. Ninety- know when we have done it? We have based on a close evaluation of U.S. for- three percent of the population of been in Bosnia now for years and the eign policy in the Balkans. Mr. Chair- Kosovo is ethnic Albanians. Milosevic checklist that we had hoped to be man, the Balkans are a complicated, has lost the moral authority to lead. checking off, we cannot check any of dangerous area. For six centuries So I am willing to back up on that. But the boxes yet. We are no closer to leav- Kosovo has marked the confluence of not on the war crimes and not on other ing Bosnia than we were the day we three vastly different cultures. Since conditions. And if this bum violates it went into Bosnia. And what is the cost the first battle of Kosovo in 1389, these again, by God, we should codify it into to our armed forces? What is the cost cultures, Western, Slavic and Islamic, law that action will be taken. of our ability to defend America have clashed violently at this very Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Chairman, I move to around the world? spot. These battles are not over some- strike the requisite number of words. I thought the gentleman from Cali- thing so simple as land or even as valu- Mr. Chairman, we have heard a num- fornia (Mr. HUNTER) made an incred- able as mineral rights. Instead they are ber of times here today that the Con- ibly effective presentation with the battles in which each party believes gress should not be acting on this ques- wrong conclusion. The presentation they are guided by heaven in a fight for tion yet. It is amazing to me that of was the diminution of our military the future of their people. our NATO allies, the members of the forces, our military readiness, our The current war in Kosovo is no dif- Bundestag can debate this question and military benefits, our military re- ferent from those that have preceded H1232 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 it. The fall of the Soviet empire did not gle to build an open society without us compasses and some guiding stars that write a new chapter in the history of taking notice. This must change. I believe can allow us to make the pru- the Balkans. As much as it repeated Tomorrow in Independence, Missouri, dent decision. The first and most im- one that came before with the fall of the success of our policies elsewhere in portant question is: Is it in the vital the Hapsburgs and before that with the Europe will be ratified when Poland, national interests of the United fall of the Ottoman Empire. Kosovo be- Hungary and the Czech Republic offi- States? Can we in fact be able to define longs less to the end of our century cially join NATO. Let us use this occa- specifically and with great credence ex- than to the beginning, and the motiva- sion to acknowledge the serious flaws actly why it does benefit us? And tions of the combatants are the same in our Balkan policy. More troops are frankly combined and intertwined as those in previous battles. not the answer. right with that struggle to define the Though technically begun by one Let me say again this is a difficult vital national interest comes right man, Slobodan Milosevic, who reflects vote for me and I regret it is taking with it the need for the American peo- on little more than his own greed, it is place at a crucial time in ongoing ne- ple to support our involvement. being fought by two peoples convinced gotiations. But the fact remains I can- Now I have been in the Congress, now of their own imminent destruction. not in good conscience support sending starting my 17th year, and we have These people believe the sword is the our young men and women in uniform faced this issue over and over again, only option to preserve their own life into harm’s way without clear, achiev- and it is not a matter of partisanship. and, barring that, their only honorable able goals. I remember the debate on this floor path to death. Mr. KASICH. Mr. Chairman, I move when Ronald Reagan committed us to Putting U.S. troops on the ground in to strike the requisite number of Lebanon, a place where we saw great Kosovo is not a recipe for peace. It is a words. ongoing tragedy every night on the na- Mr. Chairman, I believe that the sin- recipe for disaster. The history of the tional news, and we went frankly be- gle greatest challenge in foreign policy Balkans has only marginally been cause we followed our hearts in order as we head into the next century is our kinder to its inhabitants than it has to rescue people from violence, and at ability to define vital national inter- been to outsiders. Placing U.S. troops the end of the day we lost a great num- ests of the United States. in the middle of this conflict will not There are many people that are con- ber of marines and we left because we bring an end to the killing but instead cerned about this debate today because were never able to define Lebanon in draw Americans into it. they take a look at some of the terrible the vital national interests of the b 1845 violence that goes on around the world, United States with the combined sup- port of the American people. I voted We have put our troops in this posi- and they say how can the United States not intervene in the face of against Ronald Reagan that day on the tion before in places such as Lebanon floor in regard to Lebanon. and Somalia, and while peacekeeping is that? Mr. Chairman, if we try to pick and There is another third issue that in- a noble task, it works only when there choose those areas in the world where volves not just the vital national inter- is a peace to keep. A signed piece of we will intervene based on the power of ests and whether the American people paper between two peoples who see no television, I think we will not be able support our efforts, but do we have an options, but war is not peace. to make good choices. achievable goal? Do we have something Our troops are going into Kosovo The fact is whenever the television that is an objective that is likely to with no clearly defined mission and no stations focus their cameras on vio- succeed? And if, in fact, we look at exit strategy. We have already seen lence in one particular part of the what the goals are and they are ill-de- this pattern in Bosnia. We were origi- world and brings that violence to our fined, as they were in Lebanon and, I nally told our troops would be in Bos- attention, then it seems as though a believe, as they are in Kosovo, then all nia for 6 months. Almost 4 years later case is being made and gets made with- the committing of forces in the world they are still there with no end in in this administration, and frankly on will not achieve our goal, our objec- sight, and, unlike Bosnia, this conflict this floor, that the United States has a tive, if it is not clear and if it is not in Kosovo would inevitably be far more vital interest or has an interest in achievable. difficult and dangerous to American order to stop the violence. And in addition to that, what is the forces. The fact is, as we look around the timetable? The timetable is one where What happens if we begin to incur world, when we look at the plight of it is always easy to get in. The ques- casualties? Will we fall victim to mis- the Kurds, when we look at the trag- tion is what is the exit strategy? How sion creep? Will we deploy troops to de- edy, the ongoing tragedy, in Sierra do we get out after having achieved our fend Macedonia? Albania? And Bul- Leone, when we consider the plight of goal? Mr. Chairman, if we consider garia? The unique and tragic history of the people in Afghanistan, and Sudan, these notions of is it in the vital na- the Balkans teaches us that these bat- and in Somalia, and in Indonesia, the tional direct interests of the United tles grow into wider conflict, and when list goes on and on to demonstrate States, does the commitment have outsiders are drawn into it, they are man’s inhumanity to man. broad support among the American drawn into it and cannot get out. But what is the responsibility of a people, is there an achievable goal and I do not shy away from the use of great power? How does a great power is there a timetable to go in and get military force to protect our Nation’s decide where to go? out; if the answers to those questions vital interests, and I do not deny that When I came on the floor earlier are not all in the affirmative, then I the war in Kosovo is a tragedy that today, I heard somebody talking about believe the United States makes a huge grips our Nation’s conscience. In this how much they hated the violence and mistake by committing itself. In Leb- sad world of ours there are many trage- the tragedy that was ongoing in anon we engaged ourselves in a civil dies around the globe: Turkey’s war Kosovo, and yet then I heard another war. with the Kurds, Russia’s battle with speaker stand and say: The CHAIRMAN. The time of the the Chechens, China’s war on Tibet. But how can we put American forces gentleman from Ohio (Mr. KASICH) has Yet no one suggests that we intervene in harm’s way where somebody is going expired. in these conflicts and for a simple rea- to have to call somebody’s mother or (By unanimous consent, Mr. KASICH son. Many American soldiers would die father and explain why somebody lost was allowed to proceed for 3 additional in vain. their lives? minutes.) Instead of elevating Milosevic as a This is not a question of whose heart Mr. KASICH. Mr. Chairman, look. We savior for his people, we should be is bigger. This is a question of what is got involved against Saddam Hussein working to undermine him and make in the best interests of a national because we were able to explain the Serbia a democracy. power to in the long run do what is in vital direct national interests of the In Serbia today, pro-democracy the best interests of world peace and United States, we were able to get the groups such as the Alliance for Change, world security. support of the American people and we the Council for Democratic Change and The fact is there are some bench- had a good timetable. We made a mis- the Democratic Party of Serbia strug- marks and some landmarks and some take in Lebanon, we made a mistake in March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1233 Somalia in the middle of a civil war. Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Chairman, I move along, I could see how it happened. See, the fact is that when we engage in to strike the requisite number of People knew, people cared, but people conflicts that represent ethnic strife or words. did not want to get involved. civil wars where there is not a clear Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to Before the 2,000 people who have been American interest, and an achievable the Fowler amendment with the great- killed, 2,000 plus in Kosovo, grow to a goal and a timetable to get in and get est respect for the maker of this mo- greater number, I hope that we can be out, what happens is a superpower en- tion. I oppose the amendment on the smart about this and support the rea- tangles itself all over the globe, and grounds of its substance and find the sonable negotiations that would in- George Washington warned us in the timing of it most unfortunate. volve U.S. troops on the ground. Two beginning of his administration, at the In doing so, though, I want to praise thousand people were killed there, beginning of our country, that a great the chairman of the Committee on many of whom are women and chil- power that entangles itself in too many International Relations, the gentleman dren. There have to be certain recogni- places in the world will diminish itself. from New York (Mr. GILMAN), and the tions. As I have said before, there is no So the challenge for the United ranking member, the gentleman from effective NATO without U.S. participa- States is to literally define the direct Connecticut (Mr. GEJDENSON), for their tion. participation on the floor today. I national interests of the United States b 1900 whenever we go and for our leaders to would say for their leadership in bring- gather the support of the American ing this issue to the floor, but I do not There is no effective peace agreement people, and to have a good goal and to think that this issue should be on the without U.S. participation of troops on have a good timetable. Short of that, floor today. Having said that, I applaud the ground, and the other recognition short of being able to answer those them for their impressive presentation is that Milosevic the ruthless president questions affirmatively, then the on why we should be supporting the of Serbia, as we know, and is a ruthless United States needs to preserve its President’s policy in Kosovo and why killer. He has an endless appetite for power, because in preserving its power we should be opposing the Fowler killing people. So it is not a question of and at the same time using it success- amendment here today. his conscience ever being challenged. fully, we will enhance a great power. I also want to commend my colleague We cannot count on any balance, on To use it wantonly around the world the gentleman from Texas (Mr. TURN- any reason, on any humanitarianism without answering this affirmatively ER) for his very wise amendment to the springing from the other side. It must will diminish us over time. Gejdenson amendment and hope that spring from NATO and, again, the U.S. is almost synonymous with NATO now. I believe that the gentlewoman from this House will give it its fullest con- I talked about the timing, and I want Florida (Mrs. FOWLER) is right tonight. sideration when the opportunity to return to that, Mr. Chairman, be- We should not make a commitment to comes. cause I think that this is really unfor- go to Kosovo to engage in a civil war, Mr. Chairman, other speakers this tunate. The President of the United an ethnic conflict. I believe over time evening have said that Kosovo, is a States is bringing a message of com- that these kind of commitments will very difficult decision. Well, Kosovo is passion and humanitarianism to Cen- diminish us rather than strengthening a very difficult and dangerous place, tral America after the most disastrous us and will not serve the peace and the and we are sent here, after all, to make natural disaster in this hemisphere. security of people across the world as the difficult decisions. I, for one, do not Over thousands of people killed, mil- we would want them to be served. think that we, Congress, has a role in voting on whether the President should lions of people made homeless, thou- Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chair- send peacekeepers into a region, so I do sands without jobs, economies wiped man, will the gentleman yield? not think that this debate is a nec- out. Mr. KASICH. I yield to the gen- essary one, and I think again that the The President is bringing the com- tleman from Florida. timing of it is unfortunate. passion of the American people there. Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I am just What is happening in Kosovo is a That is an appropriate mission for the curious if my distinguished colleague challenge to the conscience of our President. The Secretary of State is has any concern for our credibility in country, what is happening in Kosovo joining him. The Secretary of Defense the NATO alliance and whether or not is a challenge to the future of NATO. I is out of the country, and we bring up our decision here would impact that al- would say to our colleague the gen- a resolution to undermine their efforts liance. tleman from Ohio (Mr. KASICH) that it in Kosovo. Mr. KASICH. Mr. Chairman, I would is in our vital national interest, it is in I urge my colleagues to oppose this say to the gentleman from Florida that our vital national interest to support ill-timed resolution. we spent 40 years training our NATO NATO. Indeed the United States is so Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I move allies to work against the Soviet Union much a part of NATO that NATO is not to strike the requisite number of moving across the Fulda gap with an effective without U.S. participation. words. incredible display of armor and I would have hoped that we could (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given lethality. I believe that the Europeans have had the administration bring the permission to revise and extend his re- in this case, if they want to go into negotiations to fruition. There can be marks.) Kosovo, they should go, they should no agreement without American troops Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I first make that decision. The United States on the ground. The Kosovars would want to commend the Members on both could offer them technical support. never agree to any peacekeeping force sides of the aisle for the dignified and But I believe this is foremost their that did not include American troops. calm way and thorough way in which job, this is in their direct national in- There can be no agreement without they have conducted the debate on this terest, but not in the direct national NATO in Kosovo, and NATO will not go important measure, and I also com- interests of the United States. We can in without U.S. troops. So our involve- mend Speaker HASTERT for arranging participate in indirect ways to offer ment is fundamental to any agreement this debate. I think it is extremely im- the technical support they would need, about keeping the peace in Kosovo. portant that we have had this oppor- but for us to be involved in the bomb- I said earlier that Kosovo is a chal- tunity to voice our views, both pro and ing and the committing of troops on lenge to our conscience. Just a few con, with regard to the commitment of the ground is not in our vital national years earlier Bosnia was, and over troops to Kosovo. interests, I do not believe the goal is 200,000 people were killed there. I won- Mr. Chairman, I rise with some reluc- achievable, and frankly I do not even dered when I was a child and first tance to oppose the amendment offered know what the goal is over there as de- learned about the Holocaust and read by the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. fined by the administration, and fi- ‘‘The Diary Of Anne Frank’’ as a teen- FOWLER). I understand that the gentle- nally, I just do not think there is a ager, I wondered how did this ever hap- woman from Florida (Mrs. FOWLER) is timetable that gets us out. pen? Didn’t anybody know? Why didn’t offering this amendment because she is Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chair- anybody do anything about it? And genuinely concerned about the effect of man, I thank the gentleman from Ohio. when the Bosnian situation came NATO peacekeeping missions in the H1234 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 Balkans on our troops and on our mili- their lives there. I have been to Sara- cluded people who were pulled out of tary readiness. jevo and I have looked across the parks the hospital, men and women pulled To a degree, I share some of those in Sarajevo that now have the white out of hospital beds and slaughtered at concerns. Nevertheless, in the interest crosses of the tens of thousands who the end of that siege. of preventing hostility in Kosovo, I died. Their crime was that they happened must rise in opposition to the Fowler Why did they die? They died because to live in an area that Milosevic want- amendment. of the failed policy of this administra- ed to add to Serbia, but their other My main concern is that the situa- tion. They did not come to the rescue crime was that they were Roman tion there is fluid, and regrettably the of the people when they needed it. A Catholics. Fowler amendment would lock us in an quarter of a million had to die and ad- Then I ask us to remember that inflexible position of having to decline visors from this administration, who Milosevic deployed his regular Yugo- outright our participation with our we talked with, resigned in disgust. slav army, that that was the instru- NATO allies in bringing peace to They kept people from protecting ment by which the overwhelming Mus- Kosovo. Accordingly, I rise in opposi- themselves in that region, and that is lim cities and towns in the Drina River tion to the Fowler amendment. I be- why we had that quarter of a million Valley in eastern Bosnia were eth- lieve U.S. participation in this NATO die. nically cleansed in early 1992. That was peacekeeping mission is an essential We were promised time and time when the major ethnic cleansing oc- ingredient for peace in Kosovo. again here that our troops would be curred, early in 1992. Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, I move to gone, thousands of troops gone, and we Their crime was that they were in a strike the requisite number of words. still have 6,000 to 8,000 troops in that part of Bosnia that Mr. Milosevic want- Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong sup- area and we were told when we visited ed to add to Serbia. Their other crime port this evening of the Fowler amend- there recently that, again, it takes happened to be that they were Mus- ment. If we look at the Fowler amend- 10,000 to support the several thousand lims. So they were ethnically cleansed, ment it really does not prohibit United that we now have there years later. which meant that they were either States assistance to stop the bloodshed So, yes, we want to stop violence. killed or driven out. that we see in this region of the world. Does nation building work? Some- I ask us to remember Srebrenica, My colleagues, I do not think there is times a thousand years of conflict can- crowded with refugees, whose only anyone who serves here among us that not be resolved by our troops or our crime really was to have taken the would like to see another person die, fine efforts. U.N. seriously when the U.N. said that another person harmed, would like to Tonight, as we are here enjoying the Srebrenica would be a safe haven, but, see the continuation of tragedy in that comforts of the United States, there of course, they also happened to be part of the world that we have wit- are 30 armed conflicts in the world. Muslims. They, 8,000 men and boys, nessed on television, we have witnessed There are people dying throughout the every male in that community, when it in media accounts. We all want to see world for various reasons in almost was overrun, was slaughtered like pigs that end, but, my colleagues, we have every hemisphere. in a stockyard. been there and we have done that be- Can the United States be the police- I ask us to remember that Milosevic fore. man of the world? I say that we cannot. signed the Dayton Accords in 1995, I have only served 6 short years in Can we support organizations like the after it was clear that the tide was run- the House of Representatives, but from United Nations, who should go in and ning against him. That has been a re- the time I came to first serve here we take actions? Yes, we should. Should markably successful deployment as have seen what has happened under we support NATO? Yes, we should. peacekeeping. The only area, the major this administration. Again, I reiterate Have we helped NATO over the years to area, where it has been unsuccessful is and recite the experience of Somalia. It build forces to resolve conflicts in the because Milosevic has violated all of started out as a humanitarian mission, European theater? Yes, we have. the terms of the Dayton Accords that a compassionate mission, and we were We have been good neighbors. We related to allowing refugees to return. sucked into this conflict. have tried to assist but, again, we have I ask us to remember that Milosevic If we look at the newspaper just a been there, we have done that. signed agreements in regard to Kosovo few weeks ago, we will see that 60 peo- Let me say finally why we are in the only four months ago and has violated ple were killed in Somalia; that, in situation in Kosovo, and that is again every one of those agreements. There is fact, our policy failed there, our efforts because of a failed policy by this ad- no difference between the policy that failed, and the killing goes on. ministration. the Milosevic regime has put forward We spoke from the well here about Mr. OLVER. Mr. Chairman, I move to either before or after those signings Haiti, about a policy relating to Haiti. strike the requisite number of words. back in October. So there have been We spent $3 billion. We are the most Mr. Chairman, I rise at this point to thousands of people killed and another compassionate government and Con- speak in favor of the Gejdenson amend- 400,000 refugees have been sent around gress on the face of this Earth to try to ment but also to say that I think the in various places in Europe. bring peace and order and stability to original amendment, the Gilman It is that history, that history of Haiti and other nations. I say that to- amendment, is an acceptable alter- dealing with this what my ranking night Haiti is just as unstable as it has native. member on the Committee on Appro- ever been and, again, we have turned I would prefer that we were not doing priations called the psychopathic, psy- from one set of dictators to another set this. I think tonight the timing is not chotic, one of those words, whichever of dictators. exactly right, but we are doing it. So in one it was, nature of the leader that we We saw the example of Rwanda and those terms I would ask that we re- are dealing with. how this administration failed to act member the history that has gone on; With all of that history, it is the con- when we had the greatest genocide in who it is we are dealing with and what tact powers that have come together the history of my lifetime, my short the history of those dealings have been and empowered NATO, suggested that lifetime, that only after continuous in the period of time that Slobodan they go in and create an atmosphere pleas of the United Nations were re- Milosevic has been the leader of Yugo- for peace. NATO has not moved quick- buked. I spoke here on the Floor of the slavia. ly. Those contact powers have not House and others did asking that the I ask us to remember that Milosevic moved quickly before in Yugoslavia United Nations be allowed to send a attacked not one but two members of and it is only because of the history, pan-African force with no American the United Nations in 1991 and 1992, the 10 years now virtually of history in troops there to stop the situation from both Croatia and Bosnia, and it was the dealing with that regime, that they are turning into a disaster. We knew what regular Yugoslav Army, not indigenous now acting. I think that it would be a was going to happen, and this adminis- folk, who attacked and destroyed the tragedy if we did not support their ca- tration blocked that effort. ancient and beautiful city of Vukovar pacity to act at this time. In Bosnia, we heard about the quar- after a 2-month siege, and in the after- It is not our part, nor any part, nor ter of a million people who have lost math of that siege the slaughter in- any intent of that effort on the part of March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1235 NATO, to give Kosova independence. that without us, they will not be there. local problem. Objective observers What is intended is to stop the killing. Then, the fighting will continue. We agree that the conflict could draw in It is a mission designed to stop the will see the ethnic cleansing going on Albania and Macedonia, threaten killing, to impose peace. that we saw in Bosnia. We will see on NATO allies Greece and Turkey, divide The CHAIRMAN. The time of the the evening news the body bags, the the NATO alliance, undermine NATO’s gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. atrocities, and the Kosovars, who are credibility as a guarantor of peace, OLVER) has expired. lightly armed in comparison to the jeopardize the fragile situation in Bos- (By unanimous consent, Mr. OLVER Serbs, will call on their Albanian col- nia, and initiate a massive refugee was allowed to proceed for 2 additional leagues and brothers to come to their movement throughout Europe. minutes.) defense, and we will begin to have a The President is not considering a b 1715 widening war in the Balkans. particularly large American presence. I Is it in our interests? You bet. It is in believe that all of us know that he an- Mr. OLVER. Mr. Chairman, I hope in our interests if for no other reason but ticipates sending less than 4,000 Ameri- that process, I think everyone hopes in for humanitarian reasons to make sure cans to join 28,000 in the NATO force. that process, if an agreement can be the slaughter does not go on. Far more Included in the 28,000 will be 8,000 Brit- reached, that it will be possible to see than that, what it means to the future ish soldiers, and 6,000 Germans. The if those people can live together, can of the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza- fact that the Germans are planning to live and coexist together. After all that tion, the most successful defense group send ground troops is not insignificant; has gone on, all of the repression of the in the history of the world, it would be it is a testament to the importance of Albanian ethnic majority, now 93 per- a tragedy. this issue for all of Europe and all of cent of the population of Kosovo is Al- Has the administration fumbled? Has the world. banian ethnic citizens of the origina- it failed to come forward as they America is truly the greatest coun- tion of Yugoslavia, from some time should have long ago to explain to the try in the world. But perhaps because ago, whose autonomy was taken away, American people and to the Congress we are so large and diverse, we are and the very policies that Milosevic why it is absolutely necessary that we often conflicted about our place in the has followed has led to more Serbs participate? You bet. The fact is, that world. Every time a post-Cold War Con- leaving Kosovo. So it is 93 percent Al- is water over the dam. We are here at gress has had to consider committing banian. a crucial point. We need to make sure United States troops to places such as But I think also, now, in the last that we do our part. Haiti or Rwanda or Bosnia or Iraq, it year of the 20th century, we ought to Mr. Chairman, 4,000 troops out of a has been difficult to garner sufficient look at this century and see that early contingency of 28,000 or more is a small support from Congress. But we cannot in this century there was a peaceful di- price to pay for peace. Would that we expect to be a world leader, actually vorce of two nations put together, two had had 4,000 troops in 1934 to boost up the only real superpower, without par- peoples put together by an agreement the morale of the French and the Brit- ticipating in international operations. that had been made after a war earlier. ish when Hitler broke the Treaty of We demand that the rest of the world The Swedes and the Norwegians in 1905, Versailles and moved back into the cherish our democratic values and that they peacefully divorced. Not a single Saar. We might have had a far different NATO and the United Nations inter- person was killed in that process. At historic turnout. vene in conflicts that we deem impor- the end of this century, we have seen Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chair- tant. But when we are called upon to the Czech Republic and Slovakia. They man, I move to strike the requisite participate in missions which were not were united. There was no separated number of words. initiated by us, we balk. sovereignty, there was only one sov- Mr. Chairman, I wish to underscore For many years, the goal of our for- ereignty. They decided to peacefully and associate myself with the remarks eign policy was the dissolution of the divorce, and there was not a single per- of the previous speaker, the distin- Communist system. We ultimately son killed in that process. guished gentleman from Virginia. achieved success, but the erosion of We should be seeking ways of devel- Mr. Chairman, as an internationalist, communism created power vacuums oping a peaceful divorce here, if that is I believe that the United States can around the world. We did not foresee what it comes to, and if it is clear that and should intervene when a country the problems that would be created, those people cannot live together violates international law and commits and now that we can see them, we are peacefully and in fairness and in jus- crimes against humanity. It is shame- unwilling to do anything to heal the tice, which is what clearly we are try- ful that we waited as long as we did to fissures. While communism in its origi- ing to have 3 years to be able to de- intervene during World War II and the nal form may be largely dead, it has velop over a period of time. more recent genocides in Bosnia and been substituted in some places with So I hope that the Gejdenson amend- Rwanda. brutality and instability. We seduced ment will be adopted, and if not, the Yesterday, before the Committee on the Communists. We said, our way is Gilman underlying amendment, either International Relations, Senator Dole better. It works. Come with us, we will is acceptable, to allow that kind of pol- put the question, how many murders help you. The people looked to the icy to go forward. make a genocide? Mr. Chairman, do we West, saw us and saw that it was good, Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Chairman, I move wait until the deaths in Kosovo num- so they took our advice. In some to strike the requisite number of ber hundreds of thousands as opposed places, our example has worked. In the words. to the 2,000 to 3,000, or do we intervene Balkans, it has not. Rather than help, Mr. Chairman, I rise reluctantly to earlier? Europeans with whom I have some of us are prepared to close our oppose the gentlewoman from Florida discussed Kosovo are truly perplexed. I eyes. We are telling them that they are (Mrs. FOWLER), my good friend whom I have had an occasion to discuss it often on their own. It is your problem, not almost always agree with, but she is with my colleagues in Europe and the ours, we are saying. wrong. We cannot back out of this. If responsibility that I happily undertake Well, I do not agree. It is our prob- we do, we might as well back out of as a rapporteur of the First Committee lem. And if this resolution fails today, NATO. which deals with politics and security we will leave our President and Com- The Europeans cannot do this with- in the Organization for Security and mander in Chief flapping in the wind, out us. We have to be there. It is not Cooperation in Europe. Four times a along with the people of Kosovo, and pleasant. I would just as soon we did year I have traveled to those meetings we should be ashamed. not have to be there. However, we need for the last 3 years and talked con- The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. to remember, World War I started in stantly about this particular problem. CALVERT). The time of the gentleman the Balkans, and if we do not partici- Mr. Chairman, my colleagues in from Florida (Mr. HASTINGS) has ex- pate, the Europeans will not partici- other bodies in Europe cannot fathom pired. pate without us. I serve in the NATO how any thinking person can oppose ef- (By unanimous consent, Mr. Parliamentary Group, I have for the forts to craft a solution to this enor- HASTINGS of Florida was allowed to last 15 years. They have made it clear mous human conflict. This is not a proceed for 1 additional minute.) H1236 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chair- that the killing of American soldiers Clinton was elected, we had boatloads man, let me tell my colleagues why we will not result in more than 4,000 sol- of Haitians rushing the shores of Amer- should be there. Our credibility in the diers being sent to Kosovo? Will we ica, overpowering the social services of NATO alliance is at stake. The fact abandon our historical reaction to such the States to our south. We have put that two Presidents have put forward events? National pride would say we an end to that. Is it paradise yet? No, our position very plainly, and the work dare not do so. but it was a long way from paradise of the contact group, this did not come Therefore, even though there are when President Clinton was elected. about in a vacuum. Russia even agrees many unanswered questions, there is In Iraq, yes, we have not gotten rid of with the contact group that this peace one question to which we do know the Saddam Hussein, and President Bush, agreement should be given a chance to answer, the question, what will the with all the armies of the world there, go forward, the work of the Organiza- United States do if Slobodan Milosevic also did not get rid of Saddam Hussein. tion of Security and Cooperation that and his forces kill our troops? The an- Members look for exit strategies and has 2,000 people on the ground now and swer, we will respond with greater end dates. Again, if we used that strat- an extraction force. Finally and most force to avenge their deaths, and the egy at the end of World War II in con- importantly, we must make clear to mission will escalate. fronting Soviet expansionism, the So- the world that we will oppose genocide Therefore, I oppose sending troops to viets would merely have taken out any time, anywhere. Kosovo. Let us not forget the lessons of their calendars and said, yes, the Last night on ABC News, seven little Vietnam, which many Members of this Americans have come to Berlin to pro- boys stood without their mother and body have said include that of non- tect Western Europe, and they will do father in Kosovo who had done nothing intervention in the internal affairs of so for 90 days, a year, 2 years? And but go somewhere to look for food. I another Nation. We should never use what would they have done? stand here to say that I am committed our military forces as bait to arouse with those seven children in the hopes national indignation when a bloody I say the same thing here today. that somewhere along the way we can dictator takes the bait. When we talked about burden-sharing provide what is necessary for peace and If our purpose is to take out for over a decade in this House and stability through our efforts in the Milosevic, then we should have the po- more, we never dreamed that there NATO alliance to ensure that they litical courage to do so with over- would be an action in Europe where grow up and, yes, become just as free whelming force. We should not deceive American forces represented 15 percent as all of us in this great country. ourselves about the dangers to our or less. The Europeans are taking on Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, will troops by calling it a peacekeeping the largest responsibility they have the gentleman yield? mission, in an effort to simply make ever undertaken in these exercises. Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I yield to ourselves feel good. We should not go Defeat the proposal of the gentle- the gentleman from Missouri. to Kosovo. woman from Florida (Mrs. FOWLER). Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I Pass one of the proposals that are be- I move to strike the requisite number move to strike the requisite number of fore us today. Many of us would have of words. words. preferred to have had this debate on Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Mr. Chairman, I rise against the another date. But to leave this Cham- Fowler amendment. There are many amendment offered by the gentle- ber tonight without giving support to uncertainties regarding the con- OWLER). It our policymakers to end the killing in sequences of our action on this resolu- woman from Florida (Mrs. F Kosovo is wrong and irresponsible. De- tion, but there is no uncertainty, how- is bad policy. It leaves America send- feat the gentlewoman’s amendment. ever, about the historical reaction of ing a clear signal that here tonight, on the American people when our citizens, the floor of the United States House of Mr. PORTER. Mr. Chairman, I move either civilian or military, are killed Representatives, America is telling the to strike the requisite number of by foreign powers. Whether it is the President and the Europeans to aban- words. slaughter of Americans at the Alamo don hope in Kosovo, that America is (Mr. PORTER asked and was given which led to war with Mexico, the sink- not going to participate; and do not try permission to revise and extend his re- ing of the Lucitania in 1915 and the loss to take any other view of this, if Amer- marks.) ica does not participate then there will of 123 American lives that led to our in- Mr. PORTER. Mr. Chairman, perhaps be no agreement. volvement in World War I, or the no one has been more critical of the We can look at history, we can look bombing of Pearl Harbor and the loss President’s foreign policies than I at recent history in Yugoslavia. The of hundreds of American personnel that have. In China, in northern Iraq, and in Bush administration I think correctly resulted in our entrance into World Turkey, the United States has done began with the assumption that as the War II, one thing is constant. Our Na- nothing to cover itself with glory, and Soviet Union had dissolved, that there tion will go to war when we believe our much to be ashamed of. citizens have been killed by others was no longer one monolithic Com- In fairness, I would have to say that without reason. munist State there to affect our small- er European allies and that they would the President has had some victories, b 1930 handle Yugoslavia. For months and Northern Ireland for one, and Bosnia; So therefore, what are we prepared to years America did nothing, and women yes, Bosnia, where the proud represent- do if our soldiers are killed in Kosovo? and children died, over 200,000, as the atives of the United States military, in To say that such has not occurred in world stood by yet again. small numbers, are keeping the peace, Bosnia is no guarantee that it will not What will happen in this new con- and are teaching people who have not happen here. It is altogether appro- flict? Tonight on the news we see more really ever known it tolerance and un- priate to ask other questions, such as people heading for the hills, leaving derstanding; and have done so, I might the scope of the mission, the duration their homes under the threat of death add, without casualties, because of the engagement, and the exit strat- and destruction. Slobodan Milosevic will not respond if egy, none of which can be answered This President has had some great the United States stands tall and with any degree of certainty. strengths, and I disagree with the Re- strong. I am more concerned about our esca- publican whip, one of them has been So I have no case to make for this lation strategy. Do we really believe foreign policy. In Haiti, when President President’s foreign policy generally. March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1237 The President has failed to adequately who live there. I have traveled numerous fied over the next several years, government consult the Congress in respect to times to the region. There has been hos- officials and alleged ethnic Albanian collabo- Kosovo, and he also, I think it is fair to tility, unrest and turmoil for hundreds of rators were killed. The Serbian government say, deserves great criticism for per- years. It has been said that there is too much cracked down and violence has escalated history for these small countries to bear. If since. mitting the conditions in Kosovo to de- this is so, it has never been more true than I met with a number of KLA members. teriorate to the point at which we find today. Most of them are everyday people, farmers, ourselves today. During this trip, I spent one day in Tirana, storekeepers, workers and such who were Clearly no one, including the United Albania, where I met with the U.S. Ambas- driven to the KLA by the constant brutal ac- States, can force parties to a peace who sador Marissa Lino and her embassy staff; tion of the Serbs. There are, no doubt, some want to engage in war. Clearly, no de- Albanian President Meidani; Prime Minister bad people in the KLA including thugs, gang- ployment can be made before there is a Majko; cabinet ministers; the Speaker and sters and smugglers, but most are motivated signed peace agreement. other members of parliament; religious lead- by a hunger for independence. Still, it must However, Mr. Chairman, the defeat of ers, and heads of Non-Governmental Organi- be recognized that some acts of terrorism zations (NGOs) active there. have been committed by the KLA. this resolution or the passage of the I spent parts of two days in Skopje, Mac- Conditions in Kosovo continued to deterio- Fowler amendment would be a victory edonia, where I met with embassy Deputy rate and alarm the international commu- for Milosevic. The butcher of Bosnia, Chief of Mission and Charge d’affaires Paul nity. In October 1998, under threat of NATO the author of the bloody ethnic cleans- Jones; Political Officer Charles Stonecipher; air strikes, Serbian President Milosevic ing and genocide, will win if we do members of the Macedonian parliament; made commitments to implement terms of nothing. former Prime Minister and President of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1199 to end We are the world’s strongest Nation. Social Democratic Union (opposition politi- violence in Kosovo, partially withdraw Ser- We are the beacon of hope to oppressed cal party) Branko Crvenkovski; American bian forces, open access to humanitarian re- peoples everywhere. We must stand up soldiers assigned to United Nations forces lief organizations (NGOs), cooperate with guarding the Macedonia-Kosovo border, and war crimes investigators and progress to- to our responsibilities. We cannot ex- the commander and men of the NATO ward a political settlement. pect Europe to do it. They do not have Kosovo verification and extraction forces as As part of this commitment, in order to political unity. We do. well as representatives of NGOs in Macedo- verify compliance, President Milosevic I believe that if we do not stand up in nia. agreed to an on-scene verification mission by Kosovo for what we believe in as a peo- In Kosovo for a day and a half, I met with the Organization for Security and Coopera- ple, NATO itself will suffer the con- head of mission Ambassador William Walker tion in Europe (OSCE) and NATO surveil- sequences. We have right now the Sec- and senior adviser to ethnic Albanian elected lance of Kosovo by non-combatant aircraft. retary of State Madeleine Albright, President Ibrahim Rugova, Professor Alush These activities are in progress and NATO Gashi. I also met with Kosovo Liberation has deployed a small extraction force in next Bob Dole, Richard Holbrooke. They are Army (KLA/UCK) spokesman Adem Demaci door Macedonia. I visited with each of these providing leadership. They are working (who previously spent 26 years in Serb pris- groups. for peace. If we defeat the resolution, ons) and senior Serbian representative in However, conditions in Kosovo have not we will pull the rug out from under our Kosovo, Zoran Andelkovic. Other meetings stabilized and more have been killed. Fi- peacekeepers, our peacemakers. included NGO representatives, head of the nally, a contact group with members from I would commend all of our col- Kosovo office of the U.N. High Commissioner the U.S., Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy leagues in the House to the report of for Refugees (UNHCR), and other officials and Germany issued an ultimatum to the the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. and representatives. Our outstanding and sides to reach a peace accord by February 20, most able escort was State Department For- 1999. NATO air strikes against targets in Ser- FRANK WOLF). He was just there in Feb- eign Service Officer Ronald Capps. We also bia were threatened if Belgrade did not com- ruary. He visited Albania and Macedo- stopped at a Serb police barracks and met ply. nia as well. He spent 5 days in the re- with the officer in charge. We met individual The Serbs consider Kosovo the cradle of gion. No one has given more of his members of the KLA and with a number of their culture and their orthodox religion and time, no one has gone more miles, no individual Kosovars who had returned to are not willing to give it up. I visited the one has cared more deeply, no one has their villages after having been driven out by Field of Blackbirds where the Serbs battled worked harder for peace on behalf of Serb attacks. Some villages were largely de- for and lost control of the region in 1389. I also visited a Monastery dating back to 1535 the world’s oppressed peoples than the stroyed and remain mostly deserted. The fate of Albania, Macedonia and that is an important part of Serb history. gentleman from Virginia (Mr. FRANK Kosovo, which border one another, is inter- The Clinton administration, which does WOLF). He has studied extensively the related. Albania has a population of about not favor independence for Kosovo, worries history and what is happening in the two million people. Macedonia’s population this conflict could spread if NATO does not region. I recommend that every single of two million includes about one third eth- intervene and could even involve Turkey, Member read his report. It really tells nic Albanian. About 90 percent of the nearly Bulgaria, Albania and Greece. While this is us what we need to know. two million people in Kosovo are also ethnic of concern, there are other reasons for the I agree with what the gentleman Albanian. U.S. to remain active. The U.S. can never Kosovo is the southernmost province of stand by and allow genocide to take place. from Virginia (Mr. WOLF) believes: Do present-day Serbia and has a centuries long Part of the effort, once a peace agreement not prevent the opportunity for a history of conflict, turbulence and hatred. between the Serbs and ethnic Albanians has peaceful resolution of the Kosovo con- By 1987 Serbian dominance in the region had been signed, could include a NATO ground flict. Support peace. Blessed are the been established, Slobodan Milosevic was force in Kosovo containing a contingent of peacemakers. Support the resolution. President and ethnic Albanian participation U.S. troops. Mr. Chairman, I include for the in government was virtually nonexistent. It is clear that a main pipeline for arms RECORD the report of the gentleman In response, ethnic Albanians in 1991 reaching ethnic Albanians in Kosovo is across the Albania-Kosovo border and any from Virginia (Mr. WOLF). formed a shadow government complete with The report referred to is as follows: president, parliament, tax system and stabilization effort will likely include shut- schools. Ibrahim Rugova was elected presi- ting off this arms route. It has been sug- STATEMENT BY U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FRANK dent and has since worked for Kosovo inde- gested that an effective arms blockade could R. WOLF—REPORT OF A VISIT TO THE BAL- pendence through peaceful means. be accomplished by the Italian government KANS—KOSOVO: THE LATEST BALKAN HOT By the mid-1990s, the ethnic Albanian pop- from the Albanian side of the border with SPOT FEBRUARY 13–18, 1999 ulation in Kosovo had grown to nearly 90 Kosovo. This report provides details of my trip to percent as human rights conditions contin- A number of issues must be addressed be- Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo during mid- ued to go down hill with the Serbs in total fore the outcome of this conflict can be pre- February, 1999. This visit occurred during control of police and the army. Many, if not dicted. Principal among these is the likely the time the Serb-Kosovo Albanian peace most, individual Serbs also have weapons as strength and stability of an ethnic Albanian conference was taking place in Rambouillet, opposed to ethnic Albanians for whom pos- led Kosovo government. Another is the eco- France, and ended only a few days before the sessing a gun is against strictly enforced nomic potential of a stand-alone Kosovo, free contact group’s initially imposed deadline to law. Beatings, harassment and brutality to- from Serbia. Also important is what will be reach agreement of February 20. There is ward ethnic Albanians became common- the future of the KLA? Will they give up every indication that the U.S. will be con- place, particularly in villages and smaller their arms? Many in the KLA say ‘‘no’’. cerned with Kosovo for some time to come towns. Could an independent Kosovo make it on its and it was important to have a clear, first- In 1996 the shadowy, separatist Kosovo Lib- own? Political ability has not been dem- hand view of conditions there. eration Army (KLA) surfaced for the first onstrated. Economic development help from I have, for many years, had a deep interest time, claiming responsibility for bombings the private sector in the West may not be in the Balkans and concern for the people in southern Yugoslavia. KLA efforts intensi- immediately forthcoming. How would they H1238 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 be propped up? How will long term cross bor- ground. The White House must face up to 5. When peacekeepers arrive in Kosovo, one der hatred between Serbs and ethnic Alba- this shortfall and address the issue of where of their first tasks must be to disarm the nians be kept in check? Who is going to foot the money to pay for our involvement is to KLA. Many in the KLA have said they will the bill for all this? European nations? come from. They have not yet done so and not give up their weapons. An armed KLA How and by whom will the issue of war time is short. will be a time bomb in the way of progress crimes be addressed? A terrible job on this A strong NATO involvement, with solid toward peace. Providing safeguards for Serbs issue has been done in Bosnia. Known war U.S. participation, will be an important part in Kosovo is an important part of the peace criminals have not been pursued after more of any workable solution to this mess. There process. than three years. Reconciliation is an impor- is a story making the rounds of NATO forces 6. Efforts thus far to build a lasting peace tant ingredient to lasting peace but terrible where an American general, about to depart in Bosnia have come up short. Not only must acts have been committed and justice must the region asks his NATO counterpart how more be done there but the lessons learned be served. The principal perpetrator of injus- many U.S. troops must remain to ensure must be applied to Kosovo. The military tice and brutality has been Serbian Presi- safety and success of the mission. The NATO presence in Bosnia has done the job of ending dent Slobodan Milosevic. What about him? commander responds, ‘‘Only one, but he killing and brutality as it likely will in The White House and the present adminis- must be at the very front’’. This is only a Kosovo, but the peace-building effort of rec- tration are deserving of some sharp criticism story told in good humor but it makes the onciliation and creating an interdependent for allowing conditions to get where they are point that U.S. presence is key—perhaps society and effective marketplace and eco- today. vital. nomic trade system has not gotten off the There appear to be few lessons this admin- It is not without irony that the one key ground. istration has learned from the painful expe- player omitted from the contact group meet- 7. Lasting peace in the Balkans will not rience of Bosnia. Our government waited too ings in France is a NATO representative. The occur while Serbian President Slobodan long to get involved and, once engaged, has irony deepens when the presence on the con- Milosevic is in power. A just and permanent been somewhat ineffective. Too many died in tact group of chronic problem-makers Russia way for him to step down must be found. The Bosnia during this delay. While committing and France is noted. longer he remains, the longer turmoil, un- troops to the region for one year (now over Frankly, the U.S. Congress has also had rest and killing will continue in eastern Eu- three years with no end in sight) has indeed too little involvement in this Balkan proc- rope. halted killing, at least temporarily, Bosnia ess. The administration has done and contin- 8. American and other workers and offi- is no further along toward peaceful self suffi- ues to do a poor job in dealing with these cials of all nations present in Kosovo (dip- ciency than when troops arrived. Rather, it issues. Consultation with the Congress does lomats, United Nations, NGOs, contract is as though there is merely a pause in time. not appear to have been a major concern to workers, humanitarian care-givers and oth- If our troops leave, hostility and brutality the White House. While foreign policy is ers) are true heros. They risk their lives would likely resume. Little infrastructure is largely the prerogative of the President, daily to make life a little better for the peo- being created. Railroads are not running. American lives are being placed at risk in a ple in Kosovo and we should all pray for Little economic development or growth is far-off land and untold dollars are being them. I happened to see a warning sign post- emerging. No lasting plan for peace has been committed to this effort. Congress has a role ed in a U.N. office talking about mines. In and must participate in this debate. Congres- developed and no interdependent community part, it said. ‘‘There is strong evidence to sional hearings to explore all aspects of this has been created which would make undesir- suggest some police posts have had anti-per- situation are in order. able, a return to conflict. Little has been sonnel mines placed near them . . . . All staff done to bring about reconciliation. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS are asked to be extremely cautious when in Meanwhile, as we look at our overall U.S. 1. If there is a signed peace agreement in the vicinity. . .’’ Yet these men and women military capabilities throughout the world, Rambouillet, it could be necessary to com- go about their daily duties with dedication we see that this administration has drawn mit U.S. troops to the Kosovo peace effort. I and care for others in spite of the harm that down U.S. military strength to the level make this recommendation with reluctance is just a step away. where there are now insufficient forces to but, without U.S. troops, peacekeeping won’t 9. The foreign policy of this administration meet today’s needs. When I met with our sol- work. The U.S. is both the leader of the continues to come up short and is deserving diers in the Balkan region I found many who world and of NATO. If NATO is involved, we of sharp criticism. America is the one re- have gone from one deployment to another must be a part of the effort or it will fail. maining superpower and, like it or not, must without time to be home with their families. NATO’s 50th anniversary is later this spring assume this responsibility. Unfolding events The troopers I met on the Kosovo border are and there will be a large celebration in the continue to point to the absence of a coher- assigned to a battalion on its third deploy- U.S. Kosovo will be a big test for this impor- ent idea of what to do and how to do it. ment in three years. tant alliance. While we should have already developed a There are no better soldiers anywhere in 2. There are many differences between the peace-making strategy and an exit strategy, the world than these and their morale is situation existing several years ago in Bos- the participants at Rambouillet remain un- high. They are ready to do what is expected nia and what is happening today in Kosovo. able to even get things started. of them and more. But they are not being Still, thousands died in Bosnia including too 10. President Clinton has done a poor job of treated fairly. Pay and benefits have been al- many women and children before NATO making the case to the American people for lowed to deteriorate. The tempo of oper- troops including a large contingent of U.S. U.S. involvement in this conflict which also ations has grown to the point where they soldiers moved in and put an end to the kill- has a significant moral aspect to it. While have too little time at home. There are just ing. Had not NATO peacekeepers acted over the U.S. cannot be involved all over the not sufficient forces to do all the things they three years ago, the killing might still be world, we are a member of NATO which deals are expected to do. According to the Feb- going on today. Without the commitment of with peace and stability in Europe. Kosovo is ruary 17, Washington Post, the Secretary of U.S. troops, a NATO peacekeeping interven- a part of Europe and its destabilization could the Army’s answer is to lower standards and tion might not even have been attempted. create a huge refugee population there. recruit high school drop-outs. Turning his We may wish this were not so, but it is. Per- Fighting could even break out elsewhere if back on history, this official has unwisely haps things can change in the future but this this issue is not dealt with early and effec- decided upon another social experiment is today’s reality. tively. America has been blessed with peace rather than dealing fairly with the shortfall. 3. U.S. troops are stretched too thin and and prosperity. In the Bible, it says that to From 1990 to 1998 the armed forces went are not being treated fairly. Pay and allow- whom much is given, much is expected and from 18 active army divisions to eight. The ances are inadequate, the tempo of oper- there is an obligation on our part to be a par- navy battle force went from 546 ships to 346. ations is far too high (we just need a larger ticipant in the search for solutions in this Air force fighter wings decreased from 36 to military force to face the tasks they have troubled spot. 20. Discretionary defense budget outlays will been given) and we are not giving our first 11. I would like to conclude on a personal decrease 31 percent in the ten years begin- class military men and women the tools they note to thank all of those who assisted me ning 1990. Service chiefs predict FY 1999 am- need to do the job. The administration needs on this mission. I am especially grateful to munition shortages for the army of $1.7B and to take better care of our soldiers, sailors, U.S. Ambassador Marisa Lino and her staff, $193M for the marines. These statistics are marines and airmen. Congress should force foreign service officer Charles Stonecipher just the tip of the iceberg. There is compel- this issue. who assisted me in Macedonia, foreign serv- ling evidence that, in the face of a huge in- 4. Special attention must be paid to the ice officer Ron Capps whose knowledge and crease in troop deployments (26 troop deploy- Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). While many, concern was of great help in Kosovo and U.S. ments between 1991 and 1998 by the army’s perhaps most, are common people whose in- Army Lieutenant Colonel Mike Prendergast own count), this administration has not terest is defending their families, their who traveled with me. I appreciate their in- made the investment to give our fighting homes and themselves, the army is not with- valuable assistance. out a rogue element. There is no clearly es- men and women the tools to do the job asked Mr. TURNER. Mr. Chairman, I move of them. tablished and proven civilian government The fact that the men and women in uni- and there is no line of authority/responsibil- to strike the requisite number of form are bending to their task is to their ity between the KLA and a representative words. credit, but it is past time to give them what government. Without control, the KLA could Mr. Chairman, I returned Monday they need and stop driving them into the get out of hand. from Bosnia with a group from the March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1239 Committee on Armed Services led by that is being negotiated as we speak to force an agreement, and then we the chairman, the gentleman from Vir- with our NATO allies. would be putting our troops in to mon- ginia (Mr. BATEMAN). For those in Bos- These limits are appropriate for two itor an agreement that recent evidence nia, our troops tonight who may very reasons. First, our European NATO al- has suggested neither side wants. It is well be listening to this debate, I want lies should properly bear the lion’s for that reason that I think our col- to say that we were very much im- share of this peacekeeping mission, and league, Mrs. FOWLER from Florida, has pressed with the spirit and with the they understand that. the right approach, that the case has quality of our troops. An all-volunteer Second, these limits are ones that I not been made in favor of this use of force, war fighters at their best, are think in the Balkan region represents force. keeping peace tonight in Bosnia. the maximum commitment that we I do wish to comment very favorably I rise in opposition to the Fowler should have, considering our current on the Speaker of the House and what amendment for four reasons. total troop strength and the need to I consider a remarkable act of courage First of all, the Fowler amendment maintain our readiness to address and statesmanship, on his part, to would jeopardize the potential for suc- threats to our national interest in bring the matter before the House so cess of the current peace negotiations other parts of the world. Yes, there is a that we could debate it before the use that will reconvene in France in just a cost to keeping peace, but its cost is of force is commenced. Speaker few days. It strengthens Milosevic’s far less than the costs of war. HASTERT did what no other Speaker hand, and it will harden his resolve not In this world which grows ever small- under whom I have served has done, to cooperate with the negotiators. er, peace and security in the Balkan re- and he deserves credit. He realized that Second, the Fowler amendment turns gion is in our national interest, and is the Constitution requires that only the our back on our NATO allies, and it re- consistent with our moral and political Congress has the right to declare war. linquishes an important leadership role leadership. We must not tell the young Mr. Chairman, if the United States that we have always exercised in that sergeant that I spoke to in Bosnia this bombs a sovereign nation that has not alliance for over 50 years. week that his mission will be placed in attacked us, if we commit an act of Third, the Fowler amendment would jeopardy tonight by virtue of the fact war, which the administration’s own send the wrong message around the that we fail to make a commitment to- spokesman admits is what we would be world, where American resolve and ward peace in Kosovo. doing, then it would require the act of American strength is the only barrier We should not shoulder the total re- this Congress, it seems to me, to de- to those who would exercise, through sponsibility, but neither can we be a clare war, or else that constitutional the force of arms, violence and terror shrinking violet and fail to shoulder re- provision is meaningless. So the debate against their neighbors. sponsibility. Vote no on the Fowler that we have tonight is remarkable. It Finally, the Fowler amendment fails amendment. Vote yes for the reason- is to the credit of the Speaker that we to recognize that clear relationship be- able limits in the Gejdenson-Turner are having it. tween the safety of our troops in Bos- amendment. Good people will disagree on the pol- nia tonight and the developing events Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Chairman, I icy; I recognize that. But it is right in Kosovo. Milosevic’s hand will clear- move to strike the requisite number of that we, the people’s Representatives ly be strengthened were we to adopt words. in the people’s House, decide, and not the Fowler amendment. Mr. Chairman, the United States has when it is too late to decide, not when On February 4 of this year, in a not been attacked. Serbia in whose sov- the troops are already committed, not speech at the Baldrige Quality Awards ereign territory we recognize Kosovo to when casualties have already been Ceremony, the President set forth his be, has not invited us to enter. The taken, but in advance, which is as the four preconditions for involvement of United States would thus be exercising Constitution intended, and which guar- U.S. forces in Kosovo. force against the sovereign territory of antees the practical effect as well that He said, first, we must have a strong a country that has not attacked us, we know what it is we are embarking and effective peace agreement signed and which we recognize has the right of upon, what the likely cost will be, and by the parties. He said, we must have a sovereignty over Kosovo. whether it is the will of our Nation. commitment by the parties to imple- The proposal, apparently, is that we If, contrary to my advice, the major- ment the agreement and to cooperate bomb Serbia until they agree with this ity opinion of this body tonight is to with NATO. Third, he said we must plan. As soon as the Kosovars agree support the President’s proposal in have a permissive security environ- with us, we would commence bombing using force, then he will be far more ef- ment, with withdrawal of enough Ser- to force the Serbs to enter into this fective and stronger in that use of force bian security forces and an agreement agreement. because he will have the people’s Rep- restricting the weapons of the Kosovar If by dint of that bombing the Serbs resentatives with him. So I applaud paramilitaries. Finally, the President agree, we would then insert troops, Speaker HASTERT for allowing us to said we must have a well-defined NATO supposedly to keep the peace agree- have this debate. mission with a clear exit strategy. ment. But what kind of peace agree- I have only one final comment. There I would hope this resolution, this ment? A peace agreement that the must be some occasions, I recognize, sense of the Congress resolution that Serbs did not want, one they were when it would be legitimate to use we are considering tonight, would have bombed into accepting, a peace agree- force against another sovereign that no less. ment that requires us to disarm the has not attacked us. My personal belief The Gejdenson-Turner amendment Kosovars, a task that they do not wish is that genocide would constitute such which is before this body, which the us to perform. a case. gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. And there they would be—United I have done my very best to research, Fowler) is attempting to amend, our States troops, on the territory of a and what I believe is happening in amendment requires that there be rea- country that did not attack us, com- Kosovo now is a horrible, bloody civil sonable limits on U.S. participation. mitting an act of war against that war. But I do not believe the evidence That, we think, is only fair. country. I use the term, ‘‘act of war,’’ sustains that it is an attempt by the The gentleman from Connecticut advisedly, because in the hearings of Serbians systematically and by use of (Mr. GEJDENSON) offered an amendment our committee I had the opportunity government to exterminate Albanians requiring a fair and just agreement to ask Ambassador Pickering, the on the basis of their ethnic origin. It is, signed by the parties before any U.S. President’s special adviser and dele- in other words, not genocide—where I troop involvement. I offered an amend- gate on this issue, whether bombing a would say it is permissible to use force ment to limit our troop participation part of another sovereign country against another sovereign. to 15 percent of the total NATO force. would be an act of war. The CHAIRMAN. The time of the This is not a number that came out of gentleman from California (Mr. CAMP- b 1945 the air. This is a number that the BELL) has expired. President acknowledged and that our He said he thought that it would. So (On request of Mr. HASTINGS of Flor- military leaders have acknowledged we would be committing an act of war ida, and by unanimous consent, Mr. H1240 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999

CAMPBELL was allowed to proceed for 1 They executed 45 people, men, women, The administration continues to seek additional minute.) and children. emergency funding and shifting defense Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Chairman, I Sadly, my colleagues, we have seen funds away from our troops and away yield to the gentleman from Florida this before. What we are witnessing is from our readiness in pursuit of an un- (Mr. HASTINGS). the nightmare of Bosnia all over again. determined policy and unstated goals. Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chair- Now the world has a chance to stop What are the vital interests of the man, I thank my distinguished col- this genocidal war before it goes any United States today in Kosovo? The league, the gentleman from California, further, before the carnage spreads, be- President has failed to enunciate a a member of the committee, for yield- fore it ignites into an even broader re- clear and compelling reason for our in- ing to me. gional conflict. But that chance, that volvement. What are our objectives? Mr. Chairman, I cannot quarrel with chance depends on the outcome of the The administration has failed to enun- the basic premise. The gentleman an- peace negotiations. ciate a clear exit strategy, really criti- swered the question I was going to put So what will happen if we vote for cal, no exit strategy. to him with reference to genocide. He this amendment before us this evening? This Congress should officially notify and I were in the hearing yesterday If we vote for this amendment, we will the President that there will be no when Senator DOLE talked about the undermine those peace talks now tee- money for any military adventure personal experience where Albanian tering between success and failure. If without express authorization by Con- homes were destroyed, and Serbian we vote for this amendment, we will gress. We must not allow the constitu- homes were standing. His comment take away NATO’s bite and leave it tional authority of Congress to declare was, ‘‘It does not take me to be a rock- gnashing its gums as Milosevic taunts war to be undermined again by the ad- et scientist to recognize what is going our indecision. ministration. We have a responsibility on.’’ If we vote for this amendment, to ensure that, before we take military The gentleman from California and I Milosevic will continue to butcher in- action against a sovereign nation, this have a disagreement as to genocide. nocent people based solely on their eth- Congress either authorizes or refuses to Would the gentleman agree that, if nic heritage and their desire to live authorize that action. genocide is in fact occurring, or at free. If we vote for this amendment, Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Chairman, I move to some other time the international and these negotiations falter, the cost strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, let me say that there community does deign that genocide is will only rise in dollars, in sweat, in are many, many difficult decisions that occurring, that it would be appropriate tears, and, yes, in blood. we have to make in our lifetime. I for us to respond in that instance? This crisis will not disappear because think that, when the world is looking Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Chairman, re- we simply close our eyes or turn our for leadership, it puts one in a position claiming my time, I do. As one exam- heads. We made that mistake in Bosnia because, if one is a leader, one is ex- ple, let me put on the record I believe until, finally, after coming to this pected simply to lead. that our country should, at least, have floor, week after week, month after When people say what is our interest assisted African countries in an effort month, we finally convinced people to there in central Europe, I think that, if to end the genocide in Rwanda, but we stop the carnage. we start to remember what our country turned our back to our shame, and, to Are we going to let things get that stood for for many, many years, we their shame, so did the rest of the bad, tens of thousands dead, thousands were the place that had the Statute of world. of women raped, lives destroyed before Liberty, we were the place that the Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Chairman, I move we take action here tonight, today? Is whole world looked to for leadership, to strike the requisite number of this the kind of American leadership we were the place that we could stand words. we want for the 21st Century? If these proud and tall and say in justice any- Mr. Chairman, as we debate this reso- negotiations fail because of our actions where is in justice everywhere. lution, thousands of refugees from today, how long can we stand idle? We should attempt to keep stability Kosovo are trudging down muddy Will the United States merely wring in the world. Perhaps it is not a good roads, they are shivering in sodden its hands as the flames of this war position to be the strongest Nation in tents, and they are mourning the mur- spread to Albania and Macedonia and the world. Perhaps if we were weaker, der of their families. Greece and perhaps Turkey? we would not have this responsibility. These are innocent people, farmers, Even as we are here tonight, even as But I do not know how we could sup- teachers, shopkeepers, young children, we speak, Milosevic has been port NATO for decades and decades and aged grandparents, people whose only emboldened. Serb troops are crossing then, when there gets to be a little hope in this genocidal war is that we the Kosovo border. Tanks are pounding tough situation, we say we should not can muster the will, that we can mus- villages, helpless villages; and refugees participate, we should not be a part of ter the will to force Slobodan Milosevic are running, literally running for their this. to stop the slaughter. lives. No, I do not like to see our young The list of atrocities grows almost We have a chance tonight. Vote ‘‘no’’ men go off to foreign places and to be every day. In today’s New York Times, on this amendment and say ‘‘yes’’ to put into harm’s way. But if we are a there is a picture of an elderly the Gejdenson resolution for peace. If Nation of leaders, if we are the world’s Kosovar, tending to the body of his 22- we do not, we will face an even higher leader, then people are really looking year-old cousin shot dead by Serbs in a cost in the months and the years for us to participate in keeping this raid on his village. ahead. Let us tonight live up to our re- world together. Aid workers are still looking for hun- sponsibilities, not just as Americans, We attempted to have intervention in dreds of his neighbors. They dis- but as human beings, as moral, com- Rwanda at the beginning of an ethnic appeared into the hills as the Serbs passionate people who cannot and will cleansing, but the U.N. said the U.S. slaughtered their farm animals and set not tolerate, yes, genocide. Vote ‘‘no’’ was not really pushing it. We are not their homes on fire. on this amendment. sure this is genocide. Then we waited, This is a war of terror. This war of Mr. METCALF. Mr. Chairman, I and we waited, and close to a million ethnic cleansing has been escalating move to strike the requisite number of people were killed. for more than a year. Two thousand words. We showed no leadership. We were ethnic Albanians have died and some Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak in not even asking for American troops to 400,000 have been forced to abandon favor of the amendment. Our policy in go there but simply to bring in troops their homes. It is no wonder they flee Bosnia has been a failure, with one bro- from African countries that were will- in terror. ken promise to our troops after an- ing to go to get between the combat- Earlier this year, Serbian special po- other. Remember when they were sent ants and the innocent people. lice forces stormed the village of there, they were to be there less than 1 So here we are talking about having Racak. According to the Human Rights year. an agreement signed and simply to Watch, they had ‘‘direct orders to kill The operations in Bosnia have cost have our people there trying to keep village inhabitants over the age of 15.’’ over $10 billion that we can ill-afford. the peace because the same way that March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1241 we went from one to a million in Rwan- the same Members who voted against humanitarian missions. That is why I da, if this conflict goes beyond borders, the use of force when I was in the Gulf am torn inside, because I disagree with we will have people lining up on all War. Now, I will keep record of that, the policies. But I am not going to un- sides. and I am remembering that I asked dercut General Wesley Clark when he So I think that we have actually a others to be just as curious about their meets with Milosevic on the ground. responsibility as a world leader or we motives as I am. So I have to rise in support of the should simply become a force to simply The second point I would like to base bill and in opposition to the defend our borders. Maybe we should make is on the matter of foreign pol- Gejdenson amendment and in opposi- even start to reduce the size of our icy. Here is the disagreement. I believe tion to the Fowler amendment. forces just to be here to protect our the United States, as the world’s super- Mr. KIND. Mr. Chairman, I move to borders. power, should have a policy of restraint strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise tonight in sup- b 2000 in international conflict management. Regional powers should take greater port of the base resolution as well as They wanted to do that before World stability to police and manage the re- the Gejdenson amendment and in oppo- War II, a lot of isolationists. So I think gional stability, economic cohesion sition to the Fowler amendment. the thing to do is to stand up tall and and military balance of power. U.S. Our debate today and this evening to take this serious responsibility not troops should only intervene on the centers on one of the most serious and to turn our backs on our colleagues ground to ensure regional stability, not fundamental responsibilities that we around the world. intervene in civil wars which have no hold as elected representatives of a free We are a proud, strong Nation, and real threat of destabilizing a region. and open democracy, the recommenda- we need to simply behave that way in If the United States intervenes in tion to commit our military forces to a a world that is full of people who need every intercontinental conflict, in hostile or potentially hostile environ- to know that there is a higher order, every corner of the world, then the ment. there is someone else who is around in United States becomes the world’s I respect the fact that we as Members order to keep the peace, so to speak. guarantor of global security and such of this body should debate this issue So I would strongly urge the support action enables the regional powers to fully. I am, however, concerned that of the Gejdenson amendment. I think it escape their regional responsibilities. the timing of this debate is suspect is the right thing to do. It is a tough This leads to the second point of curi- and, in fact, is very dangerous and can thing to do, but I think when things osity. undermine the peace process that the get tough, that is the time we have to Since when did genocide become the administration has been engaged in in stand up with our back straight and standard for us to commit ground the Balkan region for some time. our head held high and we move for- troops around the world? That is not Former Senate majority leader Bob ward, as this great Nation has done in the standard. It needs to be tied to Dole, who recently returned from the the past, and I think that we will, of vital national security interests. peace negotiations in the Kosovo re- course, be called upon to do this again Now, here is my difficulty. My dif- gion, testified yesterday that Congress in the future. ficulty is, having authored three bills, should wait to debate the deployment Mr. BUYER. Mr. Chairman, I move to for which my colleagues have sup- of American troops there until an strike the requisite number of words. ported on this floor with regard to Bos- agreement between the parties in the Mr. Chairman, I rise here in support nia, I have told the President of the region has first, in fact, been reached. of the base bill, I rise in opposition to United States I will not be the barking In fact, Secretary of State Madeleine the Fowler amendment, and I rise in dog. I will be his constructive critic. Albright has said the same exact thing. opposition to the Gejdenson amend- And let me talk to my Republican Delicate negotiations continue to take ment. Now I need to explain myself to colleagues. I believe we are going to place in Europe, even as we debate this my colleagues, and let me do it in this have a Republican president and we are today. manner. going to inherit this in 2001. So we need There is a plan to have the sides First, I am going to compliment the to ask these questions: How do we get meet in 1 week to try to work out an Speaker, because I think debate on this America out of the box? How do we agreement. And over the last few days issue is timely and is appropriate. I turn this over to the European allies? hopes have been raised that such an think some of the arguments I have How do we ensure that our regional al- agreement may be possible, even as heard today are out of place. And the lies lead on the ground? We do that by heavy weapons pour into the area and reason I say out of place is because I ensuring that the time lines of success shelling wracks the countryside. I recall the good debate we had in this for the simple implementation of the would hope that this body would give House where over 315 Members voted Dayton Accords are met appropriately. those negotiators every opportunity to for a Buyer-McHale resolution about We make sure the leaders of the peace, develop a working peace plan. I am the Dayton Accords prior to the sign- who are leaders of the war, begin to concerned our actions may, instead, ing of the Dayton Accords, which said focus on what brings them together in- give the impression to warmongers in do not send in ground troops to Bosnia stead of their differences. former Yugoslavia that American lead- as the predicate to peace. We had a We also have to recognize Milosevic ership is divided and its resolve is very good debate here on the floor and what he is. There are some of us weak. Such an impression, I am afraid, prior to the Dayton Accords. who have been there and have spoken will only encourage fanatical oppor- So we are having a second debate to Milosevic. I have sat on the couch tunists to continue their violence and prior to a signing of a peace accord, and looked him in the eye, and I could terrorize the innocent noncombatant and if there is something good that not help but sense that I was talking to residents of Kosovo. comes out of this discussion that can a Hitler-type himself. Now, that leads I hope our debate today is truly help frame that peace accord, all the me to something that we had better based, as has been stated numerous better. So I think it is a hollow argu- think long and hard about, and that is times today, on the desire to have an ment to be talking about timing. when the President of the United open discussion of American foreign The second point I would like to States sends the Supreme Allied Com- policy. It has been said in the past that make is a matter of policy. I think mander in to see Milosevic, we better politics should stop at water’s edge, there is a policy disagreement in this think long and hard before we undercut and I would hope that in the context of House on both sides of the aisle, from a United States general on the ground. this debate that that statement is some, with the present administra- Now, that is where I come down pain- more true today than even in the past. tion’s policies. fully on this. Painfully, because I dis- During my first term in office, Mr. There are two things that are rather agree with the administration’s foreign Chairman, in fact, last spring I had the curious to me. It is rather curious to policy. I disagree how they utilize the honor to go over to Bosnia and to visit hear Members come to the well in sup- force to these open-ended commit- our troops and the military leaders, port of using U.S. ground troops for a ments around the world, as if we can and even the residents of a war torn re- humanitarian mission when they were only justify the use of the military for gion. I wish every American in this H1242 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 country had the opportunity to go over America resounds with particular No, this will go on and on, and we there and experience the pride that I strength and emphasis. will spend tens of billions of dollars in felt in meeting with the young men The CHAIRMAN. The time of the the Balkans. Our people around the and women in American uniforms who gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. KIND) world, who are putting their lives on are carrying out a very dangerous and has expired. the line for us, will be put in great a very difficult policy in a distant land. (By unanimous consent, Mr. KIND jeopardy because we did not have the They are proud of their work and show was allowed to proceed for 1 additional courage to say that, in the post-Cold great professionalism and integrity. minute.) War world, maintaining stability in They are committed to carrying out Mr. KIND. Mr. Chairman, let us be Europe is the job of the Europeans. the tasks that we have asked them to certain we are speaking with sincerity And while we tip our hat to NATO with honor and pride. today, because there is no doubt that and say they did a good job during the In fact, the killing has stopped, and what we say here will be heard across Cold War, and thank God NATO was peace does have a chance now. Demo- the oceans and will be acted upon, one there because it prevented the Rus- cratic institutions are being created way or the other. sians from sweeping across Western when, just a few short years ago, there Our leadership for freedom and de- Europe and creating a war, that the job were genocidal practices being con- mocracy in the world is at stake, our of NATO has been done, thank God, our leadership in the NATO alliance is very ducted in Bosnia. They feel like their hats off to NATO, but through some much at stake. In fact, I would submit, mission means something. They have nostalgic attachment to NATO that we that the very credibility and the jus- stopped the killing. They are instruct- are going to commit our treasury and tification for the existence of NATO is ing young children who, just a few the lives of our young people to main- at stake on how well we negotiate years ago, were playing in mine fields taining stability for Europe, and in the peace agreements in this very impor- and getting maimed by the explosion of far stretches of Eastern Europe at that, tant historical region in the Balkans. mines, where it is safe for them to I hope and pray our message here is ridiculous and we are not standing play. today encourages action that is posi- by the people we need to stand by. It is an incredible testament to the tive and peaceful and brings a tor- b 2015 leadership the United States has shown mented region to the brink of freedom, in this war torn region. I would hope First and foremost we need to make rather than to the brink of war once sure that if we send our military out, that we view the success that we have again. attained so far in Bosnia as a possibil- we give them the weapons they need, Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, we give them the support they need or ity to achieve that type of success in I move to strike the requisite number the entire Balkan region, including we do not send them. We are doing that of words. throughout the world today because we Kosovo. The gentleman from Wisconsin just are stretching ourselves too thin. I support our troops serving this Na- noted that he had visited our troops in This has been an historic debate and tion’s interests throughout the world, Bosnia, and it has been noted here in I am proud tonight to rise in support of and I support the peace process in Bosnia there have not been any casual- the Fowler amendment and opposed to Kosovo. If needed, I will support a well- ties. Let me say I have visited troops any new deployment of troops in the planned use of troops to assist in main- in the last few months as well and taining the peace in that region that American troops are stretched thin Balkans. This is an historic debate. We has been the spark of continental and throughout the world, whether it is in can be proud of this debate. There have worldwide conflict in the not-so-dis- the Persian Gulf or whether it is in been high points, but there have been tant past. It is in the Nation’s interest Asia. some low points. Let me first say what to work with our European allies to We have a situation where thousands the low point is. The low point to me is prevent the Kosovo region from desta- of American military personnel lives that there have been some suggestions bilizing and drawing the Balkan region are on the line. They are being put in here by Members, and I do not know into further armed conflict. jeopardy because we do not know how what it is by this body but some people But I submit that the debate we are to say no. We do not know how to lay cannot disagree without trying to im- having today is premature. I would like or to set the parameters. Has our in- pugn the motives of those who disagree to first see a detailed plan and objec- volvement in the Balkans so far been with them. Any suggestion that those tive goals that the administration es- worth the $12 billion that we have of us who are opposing yet another de- tablishes in that region before we in- spent and the stretching out of our ployment of American troops in the troduce U.S. men and women in U.S. military forces? Balkans, that we are in some way po- uniforms in that region, so we know Yes, we have been lucky that there litically motivated, that we are just when we can withdraw them again has not been a major crisis. But had doing this to attack the President or from that region. there been a major crisis during this something, that argument is not fit for Such a conflict that now exists there time period, yes, we can be proud of this debate, this great historic debate poses a humanitarian threat to inno- those military guys that were there, where we are trying to define what cent civilians and a political threat to and they have done a good job, but the America’s role will be in the post Cold the struggling independent nations fact is that $12 billion that we have War world. There are conservatives and emerging from the Cold War. The spent, and stretching our forces in that liberals, there are Democrats and Re- United States will be impacted by all way, could have resulted in a catas- publicans on both sides of this issue. these threats and preventive action is trophe. We are talking about the loss We will see that when the vote comes, the best way to protect our interests of thousands of American lives. But we because we are trying to define what there. have been lucky. We have been very our country will stand for and what we The reality is that our Nation holds a lucky. I do not think we can try this will do in the years ahead. unique position in worldwide affairs, again. During the Cold War it was easy. We whether we like it or not. Most major We were told that the Bosnia oper- had Ronald Reagan defining everything peace accords in recent years have re- ation was going to be 1 year and $2 bil- for us, it polarized everybody, every- quired a deeply involved American lion, and it has been 5 years and $12 bil- body knew what the arguments were, presence and American negotiators at lion and counting. And this peace ac- where we were going to stand. Well, it the table. Just a few weeks ago forces cord, the one we are being asked to is not that way anymore. It is fitting in Kosovo indicated that international support now, the plans are not even that now when we are outside of a Cold peacekeeping efforts will have little down yet. Do any of us doubt this is War setting that the power comes back credibility unless the United States is going to cost more than $2 billion? Do to us, the elected representatives of the intimately involved in carrying out any of us doubt that 3-year time pe- people of the United States to deter- that mission. riod? They do not even have a plan yet mine what our policies will be. I say When the international community that encompasses something that the yes, there is genocide all over the speaks out against brutality and tyr- Kosovars themselves, not to mention world, and we have heard these ac- anny, the voice of the United States of Milosevic, could accept? counts. I am the first one to admit that March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1243 the Serbians are engaged in genocide around the world which is represented thing other than treating a symptom, and atrocities. And yes, there have by the words and actions of our Presi- not the disease. been genocide and atrocities on both dent, the Secretary of State, a re- It was back in 1987 that Milosevic re- sides. However, they are the bad guys. spected leader of the other party, Bob alized that iron control, if you want to The CHAIRMAN. The time of the Dole; listen to the words of Jeane Kirk- call it that, over Kosovo was his gentleman from California (Mr. ROHR- patrick when she suggests that this springboard to power. He exercised ABACHER) has expired. resolution should be supported. that control, and by 1991, the former (By unanimous consent, Mr. ROHR- Clearly no one who wanted to weaken Yugoslavia splitting up, in part be- ABACHER was allowed to proceed for 2 Bill Clinton should use this as the op- cause they saw what was happening in additional minutes.) portunity. For those who would look at Kosovo. Therefore, an agreement that Mr. ROHRABACHER. Let us debate what is taking place in the Balkans, keeps Kosovo as a part of Serbia and this issue honestly, Mr. Chairman. genocide, yes. Women, tens of thou- disarms the Kosovars to me is a recipe What are the parameters? Are we going sands, hundreds of thousands, raped. not for peace but for future conflict. It to send troops everywhere where geno- Our efforts in Bosnia are something is an agreement that keeps the cause, cide is committed? No, that is obvi- that this Nation should be, and I be- the real problem here, as the real prob- ously not the case. Why then do we de- lieve is, very proud of. The Kosovo cir- lem; that is, it is an agreement that termine the Balkans is the case, when cumstance threatens the entire oper- keeps Milosevic in power. in Africa and other places around the ation in Bosnia. Two, I would say we need to be delib- world surely tens of thousands of peo- So this evening as we come, I would erative about this, because lasting ple are dying in a similar fashion? No, hope that each of us would bear our peace requires either good faith or a in the Balkans, actually this should be burden as well as those who wear the victor. This agreement would give us the job of the Europeans. We are told, uniform and represent us throughout neither one. I mean, the Kosovar Lib- ‘‘They won’t do it.’’ It is their job now this world as members of our armed eration Army wants full independence that the Cold War is over. The United forces. Let us as Members of Congress for Kosovo. Milosevic has built his States of America shouldered its share bear the burden of being Americans, power, has built a large part of his rise of the burden for stability in the whole understanding that we do have an un- to power on subjugation of Kosovo. world in this century. In the First equal share of responsibility in this What we have, therefore, is no victor World War we went to Europe to save world because we come to this question and certainly no good will. them. In the Second World War we with unequal power. And with that If we look back to the 1300s, we see fought the Japanese and the Nazis, and power there is the question: Since we not exactly a lot of good will in this in the last four decades we have had to have the power, what do we do with it part of the world. We leave both ingre- carry the burden of the Cold War. Yet at a moment of crisis? What do we do dients in place which to me again we carried that and we carried it to when human beings are threatened or would be a recipe for building an agree- victory and the world has a better murdered and are suffering? What do ment, basically building an agreement chance for peace today. But it will not we do when we would have tens of on sand, building an agreement that I be a peace where Americans have to thousands of our troops right nearby think would lead to future disaster. continue garrisoning the entire planet but refuse to lift a hand and to lift a Third, I would say this agreement, for the sake of stability. We must set finger to save the innocent lives of the idea of sending 4,000 troops into the parameters or we will lose the women and children and others? I that part of the world is something peace because we have not been willing would hope that this Congress would that does not pass the mommy test. to meet the challenges that we can rise to the occasion, bear our burden The mommy test to me would be if face. and support the appropriate policy and somebody was killed in the line of duty I ask for support for the Fowler stand by this President but, more im- and the mother of that son or that amendment. portant, stand by America’s principles. daughter was in my district and I had Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Chairman, I move Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Chairman, I to go back and explain that your son or to strike the requisite number of move to strike the requisite number of your daughter died for the right rea- words. words. sons, to me that would mean more Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the than just a strategic interest to the Gilman resolution and also the Gejden- Fowler amendment because it does United States, because we have a lot of son amendment. Let me agree with my what Congress is asked to do and, that strategic interests around the globe. It colleague, the previous speaker, when is, it asks us to be deliberative. We are would also mean that that son or that he says that there has indeed been a deliberative body. It slows us down to daughter’s death would have been part genocide perpetrated by the Serbs in look at what is really going on in that of leading to change, that it would the Balkans. part of the world and what should have led to some real action. Again, Let me say that, obviously when one America’s involvement be over there. that is not what we have here. Because would concur with such an assertion, I think that this amendment makes if we are signing an agreement that one would have to therefore be pre- sense and that the policy of engage- some people have equated to Hitler, pared to support the notion that the ment in Kosovo, by sending 4,000 Amer- some people have equated to Saddam only remaining superpower in the ican troops onto the ground there, is Hussein, I mean, clearly a very bad world, the nation that has the strong- not one that makes sense. guy, is that an agreement that we are est, most well-prepared, well-trained, First, because doing so is treating going to really trust? Is that a lasting well-equipped military force anywhere the symptom and not the disease and, thing? Most people would say if we in the world, that we have a respon- therefore, as my colleague from Geor- signed an agreement with Saddam Hus- sibility. And that as we come to this gia would realize and know, it is some- sein, we would not really trust that debate this evening, I would also like thing that does not cure the patient. agreement. In fact that has been prov- to agree with the previous speaker that What I mean by that is that if you had en in the Persian Gulf. If you sign an I am sure that no one’s motives this cancer and were given aspirin, you agreement with Hitler, would you trust evening could be political. One could might feel a little bit better but you that agreement as a lasting instru- not be seeking to weaken the President would not be healed. If you were bleed- ment? No, you would not. That is what of the United States, because the ac- ing because you were in a car wreck this would be doing. tion if we were this evening to do in and got one of my kid’s band-aids to I would say, fourthly, this idea does some unwise fashion, and that is to patch you up, you might feel a little not make sense because the domino vote for the Fowler amendment, would bit better but you would not be healed. theory has long been disproven. Clark not just weaken the President of the Milosevic is the problem in that part of Clifford was sent by President Johnson United States, it would weaken NATO the world. Until that problem is fixed, down to Vietnam for the very reason in which this country has invested so you can have all the agreements you that is being described as one of the much, it would weaken the United want, you can send all the troops you reasons we need to go to Kosovo, and, States of America and its reputation want, but you will not be doing any- that was, if we do not do something, H1244 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 this could escalate, this could really with what their role is, and then at the strip of road. How can you fine me grow. That was disproven there. In fact appropriate time call the House back today because I was speeding all those Kissinger came and spoke before our in to address the question of whether other times and I was never appre- committee yesterday and what he or not U.S. troops should be part of any hended?’’ Past violations do not justify talked about was people did not ana- peace agreement in Kosovo. a present violation. lyze the cost of involvement and the Do not do it before. Do not try and The country to which the President duration of involvement when they cut the legs out from under the admin- proposes to send our troops is a sov- sent people to Vietnam. Are we analyz- istration while they are trying to nego- ereign state. This is not an emergency. ing that now? tiate some deal. Let them negotiate There is no one in the Congress that I Lastly, I would pick up on what the the deal, let them bring it back to the know of who wants to limit the power gentleman from California (Mr. CAMP- Congress, let us decide whether or not of the President to commit our troops BELL) was saying, who incidentally was it is a good deal. in a true emergency. This is not an a constitutional lawyer and taught That is how we should do things, and emergency. There is plenty of time to constitutional law at Stanford Univer- I would just remind Members I did not debate it, and I am very pleased that sity, and, that is, it is the Congress’ have the honor or the pleasure of serv- we are having this debate. role to declare war. Sending troops ing in this body back in the 1980s, al- What is going on in that country is a into somebody else’s sovereign terri- though I was staff back here during civil war. No one will argue but what tory or bombing a sovereign territory part of that time, but some of the atrocities are being committed. That is clearly an act of war and, therefore, Members were. If this had been done being true, the correct course of action it does need our signature. when Ronald Reagan was President, is to bring the offenders to the bar of With that, I would say again, I would Members would have been accused of justice. There is a war crimes tribunal; ask this body to support the Fowler treason for undercutting the adminis- that is where they should be brought. amendment. tration while they were trying to con- Sending our troops there will not solve Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Chairman, I move duct the art of foreign policy. We that problem. to strike the requisite number of should allow the Executive Branch to I know of no exit strategy. The prob- words. do what they want. If we do not like lems in Kosovo are very deep, they (Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given what they have done, we can deal with have been there a very long time, and if we stay there 2 years, or 3 years, or permission to revise and extend his re- it later. We can deal with it on a Fri- 5 years, when we leave the situation marks.) day, Saturday, Sunday, whenever, and will be exactly as it was when we came. Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Chairman, I come if we decide we do not want them to Hostilities will continue. We will not at this from a little bit different ap- send troops, then let us do it once we have solved those problems. proach. I certainly do not seek to im- know what the deal is. Let us not come Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased that pugn the integrity of any of the Mem- up with some fig leaf resolution that is we are here debating this this evening. bers who are involved in this. I am not going to make us all feel good and we We need to debate this. We need to do on the specific committee that this can all send out a press release about it more than just debate this. We, as a came from. First of all, I think this later on. Let us let them go through Congress, need to assert our constitu- amendment is wrong, but I also think with it and come up with their agree- tional prerogatives. We really need leg- the whole consideration of the underly- ment, and then let us come back and islation that says that no President, ing text at this point in time is wrong. debate the issue, debate the terms of this President or any other President, As the gentleman from South Caro- the agreement on whether or not we can commit our troops to battle, can lina just mentioned in referencing the think U.S. troops should be involved. put our young men and women in gentleman from California and the role Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. harm’s way, without a vote of the Con- of Congress in determining whether or Chairman, I move to strike the req- gress. not troops should be sent in anywhere, uisite number of words. We must be careful in the wording of I do agree with that. But the fact is we Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the the legislation that does this because have got the cart ahead of the horse Fowler amendment, and I would like to we do not want to limit his ability, do here. In doing so, we are undercutting make a few comments before we vote. not want to limit his ability to commit the administration’s ability to be in- First of all, I want to emphasize what our troops in a true emergency. There volved in the working group, in the a number of others have emphasized, is clearly not time to convene the Con- contact group. I just think that is a and that is this is clearly a constitu- gress and declare war if interconti- mistake. Now, whether or not the mo- tional issue. nental ballistic missiles are headed our tives are political or not is not for me I have here a copy of the Constitu- way, and our President must have the to judge, but I just think this is a ter- tion. I do not think that it is a very ability to commit our military re- rible policy mistake. difficult decision to come to. Article I, sources in a true emergency. Neither I also do not understand exactly the Section 8 states the prerogatives of this, nor any of the very large number gentlewoman’s amendment, because I Congress in just 8 little words: The of deployments that this administra- think this is a concurrent resolution Congress shall have power to declare tion is engaged in have been an emer- but it has a strict limitation. So I war. gency, not a single one of them has gather that this amendment and the Very short, very simple. been an emergency, and there have underlying text really has no force of Article II, Section 2, uses 34 words to been more deployments during this ad- law, that this is just a piece of paper to define the prerogatives of the Presi- ministration than during the previous make us feel good. dent: The President shall be Com- 40 years. mander in Chief of the Army and Navy b 2030 This is the first time since I have of the United States and of the militia been here that we have had a debate I am very concerned about whether of the several States when called into before the action occurred except be- or not we should deploy troops to the actual service of the United States. fore going into Bosnia we did have Kosovo. I do not know if that is the It is the Congress that declares war. some sense of the Congress resolutions best policy or not. But I also know, and It is the Congress that commits the that were totally ignored by the Presi- every Member of this body knows, is troops. It is the President who is the dent. I hope this one passes with this there is no agreement yet so we do not Commander in Chief after the Congress amendment, and I hope that it is not know what the U.S. involvement will has committed the troops. ignored by the President. be, we do not know whether or not it is The fact that prior Presidents have Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. an agreement that we feel is right or also violated the Constitution does not Chairman, I move to strike the req- wrong, and if the leadership of the mean that we should continue to per- uisite number of words. House, I think if they want to do the mit our Presidents to do that. It is a Mr. Chairman, I rise in a very dif- right thing, they would withdraw this little bit like being hauled into traffic ficult situation for us and unfortu- bill now, allow the Executive Branch court and protesting to the judge, nately have come to a very difficult de- and the State Department to go ahead ‘‘Gee, judge, I speed every day on that cision. I have supported this President March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1245 on a number of occasions that have home and abroad. Ten times. Mr. of respect, and that specific amend- been very difficult for me, but because Chairman, in the 8 years from 1991 ment, as I understand it, limits the I believe we must support the Com- until today, we have deployed our Gejdenson amendment which tries to mander in Chief in very difficult de- troops 32 times. This will be the 33rd. define the limits of participation of the ployments. When he stood up to Sad- Mr. Chairman, none of these 32 deploy- United States in an action by NATO in dam Hussein and the Russians were ments were budgeted for up front. None Kosovo to ensure that the killing and staring us down and very upset with of them, except for the deployment to the displacement of persons will stop our position, I traveled to Moscow. I the Middle East in Desert Storm, were and that an environment will be cre- met privately with the leadership of requested by the Congress to support. ated conducive to the possibility of the Duma to convince them that they Each of the payments that were re- peace for the people of Kosovo, the peo- should understand why this Republican quired to pay for these deployments ple of Serbia and indeed the people of supports our Democrat President in his were taken out of an already decreas- the region. position with Saddam Hussein. It was ing defense budget. b 2045 the right thing, and I felt strongly Mr. Chairman, we spent $19 billion in about that position. contingency costs on these 32 deploy- The gentleman from Pennsylvania Tomorrow I will travel to Moscow a ments, 9 billion alone on Bosnia. (Mr. WELDON), however, spoke to the second time with eight of our col- Mr. Chairman, those who support the overall issue, not to the amendment, leagues, with former Defense Minister use of our troops in Kosovo had better the overall issue as to whether or not Rumsfeld, former CIA Director Wool- be prepared to start to put the funding we ought to support the President. sey, former Deputy Undersecretary of on the table to pay for these deploy- I am hopeful that this Congress does, State Bill Snyder, and we will make ments. in fact, support the President. The pre- the case on Sunday and Monday and Mr. Chairman, we are in an impos- vious speaker, the gentleman from Tuesday of why the proliferation is so sible situation now. We are not being Maryland (Mr. BARTLETT), spoke of the great that it threatens both Russian asked, we are being told for the 33rd Constitution. That issue, I would sug- people and American people. I will time that we are going to send our gest, is not relevant at this point in again underscore my support for the troops into harm’s way. We were told time, because in fact the Congress is steps being taken by this administra- in Bosnia there would be a time limit, considering whether or not to author- tion. they would be back home in a few ize the President to participate with The positions of the administration years. We were told in Haiti they would troops, with American force, in the im- are clear in those areas, and I support be back home. We have troops in Soma- plementation of a peace agreement. them, but I cannot support the inser- lia, in Haiti. We have troops in Macedo- Very frankly, Mr. Chairman, I doubt tion of troops now in Kosovo. nia. We have troops all over the con- that there is a Member on this floor Mr. Chairman, in my opinion the tinent, and the money is being taken who does not know and does not have a case is not yet been made. There has out of our defense budget because we conviction that if America does not not been a case made by this President did not have the authorization up participate, there will not be an agree- to the American people, let alone to front, we did not have a legitimate de- ment, period. If there is not an agree- this Congress, about why at this point bate on whether or not this Congress ment, the butcher of Belgrade, call it a in time we should place American supported placing our troops into civil war if you want, will continue to young people on the ground in Kosovo. harm’s way, and we are about to do it commit atrocities. We call them war At least we are having a debate, Mr. again. crimes, genocides, the elimination of a Chairman. At least we are discussing Mr. Chairman, I may support the de- people because of their ethnic or na- the pros and cons in a very careful and ployment of our troops to Kosovo, I tional origin. It occurred in Bosnia and deliberate way, and I applaud both may support the President because I we stood for too long silent. sides for the level of the debate. We want to support my Commander in My friend, the gentleman from Penn- need to debate this issue. Chief. He is my President. Even though sylvania (Mr. WELDON) had a chart. He Some are saying, Mr. Chairman, this he is not of my party, he is my leader, talked about 40 years prior to the end is not the right time. It is too delicate and I want to support him, make no of the Cold War that we had 8 deploy- of a time in the negotiations. Mr. mistake about it. ments. Do my colleagues remember Chairman, there is never a right time But this President needs to make the what two of those deployments were in to debate these issues. When is the case to us and to the American people, those 40 years? Korea, Vietnam; be- right time? After the President makes and he has not done that. This Presi- tween them, approximately 100,000 plus a decision? When our troops are on the dent needs to tell us how much it will loss of life. way in? Then we debate not to support cost, and he has not done that. This In the deployments that have oc- them? This Congress needs to play its President needs to tell us what the al- curred since 1990, we have been very appropriate role in deciding whether or lied commitment will be in hard terms, fortunate. No one would have predicted not we should take the steps to deploy and he has not done that either. Until so few losses of lives in the Persian our troops in Kosovo. he does that, we should vote no and not Gulf. Mr. Chairman, one of the things that support the deployment of troops in I have stood on this floor with some bothers me is this past week I met with Kosovo. of my colleagues, and in many of the two members of the German Bundes- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, I move to deployments the predictions of disaster tag. They came in and talked to me strike the requisite number of words. were frequent and impassioned. That about our NATO responsibility, and I Mr. Chairman, I have great respect was the case in Haiti. That was the agree with them that we need to keep and very close personal friendship with case in Bosnia, and that has been the NATO strong. But let me tell my col- the previous speaker. I have great re- case in other instances of deployment. leagues what the Bundestag members spect for his intellect and for his Yes, the United States has a unique told me, Mr. Chairman. They said in knowledge with respect to the defense role and the world, frankly, is better their vote they understood the dollar posture of the United States. He is one off because we on this floor and the amount that was being requested for of our leaders on the Committee on President of the United States and the the deployment. In fact, they author- Armed Services, and he has a view American people are prepared to accept ized 400 million Deutsche marks to pay which is based upon a very thoughtful a responsibility that we would prefer for the operation. We have no idea not analysis of the situation. not to have, but it is ours because of only what the mission is, we have no Having said that, he and I disagree our might; it is ours because of our po- idea what the dollar cost is. on this issue. sition in the world as the leader; it is Mr. Chairman, I am very sad. In the Now the specific issue, as I under- ours because we are a moral nation previous 40 years to 1991, from World stand it, that confronts us is the that acts upon its moral precepts. War II until 1991, 40 years under Demo- amendment of the gentlewoman from Are we always perfect? Of course not, crat and Republican Presidents, we de- Florida (Mrs. FOWLER), who is also my but all of us on this floor and every ployed our troops a total of 10 times at friend and for whom I have a great deal American can be proud of the fact that H1246 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 it is America usually, not always but Number one, to deploy troops without without intervening business on the usually, that raises the issue of human- a clear exit strategy is potentially dis- underlying amendment offered by the itarian concerns, not solely economic astrous. My good friend, the gentleman gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. or strategic concerns. from Maryland (Mr. HOYER), had talked GEJDENSON). The CHAIRMAN. The time of the about Vietnam. If we go back in his- The vote was taken by electronic de- gentleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER) tory and see the very early days of vice, and there were—ayes 178, noes 237, has expired. Vietnam, there was clearly no exit answered ‘‘present’’ 2, not voting 16, as (On request of Mr. ROHRABACHER, and strategy; exactly what we have in front follows: by unanimous consent, Mr. HOYER was of us today. [Roll No. 48] allowed to proceed for 1 additional Number two, the administration has AYES—178 minute.) been vague, at best, about the cost of Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, every Aderholt Goodling Pombo this operation. As an appropriator we Andrews Gordon Pryce (OH) one of us understands the weighty re- spent two or three hours today debat- Archer Graham Radanovich sponsibility to enable this government ing a billion dollar disaster bill for Armey Granger Ramstad to put in harm’s way young Americans Honduras. In that, we struggled to find Bachus Greenwood Reynolds and, yes, even older Americans, in the Baker Gutknecht Riley money. The budget is tight. We do not Ballenger Hall (TX) Roemer defense of freedom. have the budget just to spend money Barr Hansen Rogan John Kennedy said that this country anyplace we want to. We have already Barrett (NE) Hastings (WA) Rogers would pay any price, bear any burden, Bartlett Hayes Rohrabacher spent in this administration $10 billion to defend freedom here and around the Barton Hayworth Ros-Lehtinen in the Balkans, and there seems to be Bass Hefley Roukema world. I heard Jack Kemp on a number no end in sight of our current commit- Bereuter Herger Royce of occasions quote that very phrase on Bilirakis Hill (MT) Ryan (WI) ment. the floor of this House. It is not an Blunt Hilleary Ryun (KS) Number three, as we all know, the easy undertaking, but it is an under- Bonilla Hoekstra Salmon military readiness question is a big Brady (TX) Horn Sanford taking that saves lives and stabilizes one. Our military simply does not have Bryant Hostettler Saxton this world, economically and politi- Burr Hulshof Scarborough the personnel to go every place that cally. Burton Hutchinson Schaffer The amendment of the gentlewoman there is a problem. Camp Isakson Sensenbrenner We talk about quality of life for our Campbell Istook Sessions from Florida (Mrs. FOWLER) is spoken service men and women. When they are Canady Jenkins Shadegg to by Jeane Kirkpatrick, Bob Dole, Cannon Johnson, Sam Shimkus Caspar Weinberger and others. deployed every single weekend of their Chabot Jones (NC) Skeen The CHAIRMAN. The time of the lives, they are going to get out of the Chambliss Kasich Smith (MI) armed services, and that is why we are Chenoweth Kingston Smith (TX) gentleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER) Coble Kuykendall Souder has again expired. losing so many good, professional sol- Coburn LaHood Spence (By unanimous consent, Mr. HOYER diers right now. Collins Largent Stearns was allowed to proceed for 1 additional I strongly urge my colleagues to sup- Combest Latham Stump port the Fowler-Danner amendment. Condit Leach Sununu minute.) Cook Lewis (KY) Sweeney Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, when Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Chairman, will Cox LoBiondo Talent they point out that if we do not put the gentleman yield? Crane Lucas (OK) Tancredo ground troops this effort at trying to Mr. KINGSTON. I yield to the gentle- Cubin Manzullo Tauzin woman from Florida. Cunningham McCollum Taylor (NC) stabilize a critically important situa- Danner McCrery Terry tion will not succeed and the Euro- Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Chairman, this is Deal McHugh Thomas peans will not participate, we can all the conclusion of the speakers on our DeLay McInnis Thornberry side for the amendment, and I just DeMint McIntosh Thune say they should but we saw in Bosnia Dickey McKeon Tiahrt that they would not. want to thank the Members of this Doolittle Metcalf Toomey My colleagues, I ask that the amend- body. I think this has been a very seri- Duncan Mica Traficant ment of the gentlewoman from Florida ous, a very thoughtful debate this Ehlers Miller (FL) Upton afternoon and evening on a very seri- Ehrlich Miller, Gary Walden (Mrs. FOWLER) be rejected, which I Emerson Moran (KS) Walsh know is well intended and she believes ous matter. English Myrick Wamp strongly that it is the right policy, but This is why we were elected. This is Everett Nethercutt Watkins why our constituents sent us to be Ewing Ney Watts (OK) it is a policy that will inevitably lead Foley Norwood Weldon (FL) to failure of the effort to bring peace to Members of the United States House of Fossella Nussle Weldon (PA) the Balkans. It is an amendment which Representatives, and no matter what Fowler Packard Weller I think detracts from the Gejdenson our position, it has been obvious that Franks (NJ) Paul Whitfield every Member has given a lot of Gallegly Pease Wicker amendment which tries, as I said at the Ganske Peterson (MN) Wilson beginning, to limit and make propor- thought, a lot of concern, to their posi- Gibbons Peterson (PA) Young (AK) tional our participation. tion and to what we are about to vote Gillmor Petri Young (FL) I would ask my colleagues to reject on. Goode Pickering Goodlatte Pitts the Fowler amendment, to pass the I want to just thank my colleagues Gejdenson amendment and then to pass for the time and effort they have spent NOES—237 this resolution so that America contin- this evening, and I do urge them to Ackerman Boyd DeGette ues to lead and continues to be the vote yes on my amendment. Allen Brady (PA) Delahunt The CHAIRMAN. The question is on Baird Brown (FL) DeLauro moral leader as well as the military Baldacci Brown (OH) Deutsch leader of this world. the amendment offered by the gentle- Baldwin Buyer Diaz-Balart Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Chairman, I woman from Florida (Mrs. FOWLER), to Barcia Calvert Dicks move to strike the requisite number of the amendment offered by the gen- Barrett (WI) Capuano Dingell Bateman Cardin Dixon words. tleman from Connecticut (Mr. GEJDEN- Bentsen Carson Doggett Mr. Chairman, we have had a good SON). Berkley Castle Dooley debate. There has been honest disagree- The question was taken; and the Berman Clayton Doyle Chairman announced that the ayes ap- Berry Clement Dreier ment. There has been a high degree of Biggert Clyburn Dunn sincerity and integrity in the debate, peared to have it. Bishop Conyers Edwards but I rise in strong support of the RECORDED VOTE Blagojevich Cooksey Engel Fowler-Danner bipartisan substitute Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chair- Bliley Costello Eshoo Blumenauer Coyne Etheridge amendment. I think to not do so is a man, I demand a recorded vote. Boehlert Cramer Evans recipe for resentment and not rec- A recorded vote was ordered. Boehner Crowley Farr onciliation, and at this time we need The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause Bonior Cummings Fattah 6 of rule XVIII the Chair announces Bono Davis (FL) Filner reconciliation. Borski Davis (IL) Fletcher Three things I would like my col- that he may reduce to 5 minutes the Boswell Davis (VA) Forbes leagues to keep in mind as we vote. minimum time for electronic voting Boucher DeFazio Ford March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1247 Frank (MA) Lewis (CA) Price (NC) keeping operation implementing a Kosovo (6) Submit to the Congress a detailed re- Frelinghuysen Lewis (GA) Rahall peace agreement. port on the scope of the mission of the Gejdenson Linder Rangel (b) Reports to Congress.—The President United States Armed Forces personnel. Gekas Lofgren Regula should, before ordering the deployment of Gephardt Lowey Rivers (7) Submit to the Congress a detailed re- Gilchrest Lucas (KY) Rodriguez any United States Armed Forces personnel port prepared by the Secretary of State Gilman Luther Rothman to Kosovo do each of the following: that— Gonzalez Maloney (CT) Roybal-Allard (1) Personally and in writing submit to the (A) outlines and explains the diplomatic Goss Maloney (NY) Rush Congress— exit strategy that would control the with- Green (TX) Markey Sabo (A) a detailed statement explaining the na- drawal of United States Armed Forces per- Green (WI) Martinez Sanchez tional interest of the United States at risk sonnel from Kosovo; Gutierrez Mascara Sanders in the Kosovo conflict; and (B) outlines and explains the means and Hall (OH) Matsui Sandlin (B) a certification to the Congress that all Hastings (FL) McCarthy (MO) Sawyer methodologies by which verification of com- Hill (IN) McCarthy (NY) Schakowsky United States Armed Forces personnel so de- pliance with the terms of any Kosovo peace Hilliard McDermott Scott ployed pursuant to subsection (a) will be agreement will be determined; Hinchey McGovern Serrano under the operational control only of United (C) in classified and unclassified form, ex- Hinojosa McIntyre Shaw States Armed Forces military officers. plains the terms and conditions included in Hobson McKinney Shays (2) Submit to the Congress a detailed re- any peace agreement reached with respect to Hoeffel McNulty Sherman port that— the Kosovo conflict. Such report should Holden Meehan Sherwood (A) in classified and unclassified form ad- Holt Meek (FL) Shows include— Hooley Meeks (NY) Simpson dresses the amount and nature of the mili- (1) a detailed discussion and explanation of Houghton Menendez Sisisky tary resources of the United States, in both any side agreement, whether or not all par- Hoyer Millender- Skelton personnel and equipment, that will be re- ties to the overall peace agreement are Hunter McDonald Slaughter quired for such deployment; aware of the side agreement; Hyde Miller, George Smith (NJ) (B) outlines and explains the military exit (2) a detailed discussion and explanation of Inslee Minge Smith (WA) strategy that would control the withdrawal Jackson (IL) Mink Snyder any obligations of the United States arising of United States Armed Forces personnel from the peace agreement, including any Jackson-Lee Moakley Spratt from Kosovo; (TX) Mollohan Stabenow such obligations with respect to the intro- Jefferson Moore Stark (C) certifies the chain of command for any duction of weapons into Kosovo and Serbia; Johnson (CT) Moran (VA) Stenholm such deployed United States Armed Forces (3) a detailed discussion and explanation of Johnson, E. B. Morella Stupak personnel; and any military arrangements, in addition to Jones (OH) Murtha Tanner (D) provides the percentage of United the NATO deployment, to which the United Kanjorski Nadler Tauscher States Armed Forces participating in any Kaptur Napolitano Taylor (MS) States has agreed to undertake as a result of NATO deployment in the Kosovo peace keep- the Kosovo peace agreement; Kelly Neal Thompson (CA) ing operation, including ground troops, air Kennedy Northup Thurman (4) a detailed discussion and explanation of Kildee Oberstar Tierney support, logistics support, and intelligence the funding source for any future plebiscite Kilpatrick Obey Turner support, compared to the other NATO na- or referendum on independence for Kosovo; Kind (WI) Olver Udall (CO) tions participating in that operation. and King (NY) Ortiz Udall (NM) (3) Submit to the Congress a detailed re- (5) a detailed discussion and explanation of Kleczka Ose Vento port that— any requirement for forces participating in Klink Owens Visclosky (A) in classified and unclassified form ad- the NATO peace keeping operation imple- Knollenberg Oxley Waters dresses the impact on military readiness of menting the peace agreement to enforce any Kolbe Pallone Watt (NC) such deployment; Kucinich Pascrell Waxman provision of such peace agreement. LaFalce Pastor Weiner (B) provides the timeframe in which with- Lampson Payne Wexler drawal of all United States Armed Forces Mr. GILMAN (during the reading). Lantos Pelosi Weygand personnel from Kosovo could reasonably be Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous con- Larson Phelps Wise expected; sent that the amendment to the LaTourette Pickett Wolf (C) in classified and unclassified form pro- amendment be considered as read and Lazio Pomeroy Woolsey vides an unambiguous explanation of the printed in the RECORD. Lee Porter Wynn rules of engagement under which all United Levin Portman The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection States Armed Forces personnel participating ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—2 in the Kosovo NATO peace keeping operation to the request of the gentleman from New York? Abercrombie Callahan shall operate; (D) in classified and unclassified form pro- There was no objection. NOT VOTING—16 vides the budgetary impact for fiscal year Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield Becerra John Thompson (MS) 1999 and each fiscal year thereafter for the to the distinguished gentleman from Bilbray Lipinski Towns next five fiscal years on the Department of Florida (Mr. GOSS), chairman of the Brown (CA) Quinn Velazquez Defense, and each of the military services in Permanent Select Committee on Intel- Capps Reyes Wu particular; on the Intelligence Community; Clay Shuster and on the Department of State as a result ligence, who developed the language in Frost Strickland of any such deployment. this amendment and who has worked b 2115 (4) Submit in classified form, to the Speak- closely with our committee on this er, the Minority Leader, the Permanent Se- issue. Mr. GREEN of Texas and Mr. lect Committee on Intelligence, and the Mr. GOSS. I thank the gentleman for FLETCHER changed their vote from Committee on Armed Services of the House yielding, Mr. Chairman. ‘‘aye’’ to ‘‘no.’’ of Representatives; and the Majority and Mi- Mr. Chairman, I would like to advise Messrs. GORDON, STUMP, nority Leaders, the Select Committee on In- Members of what is contained in this telligence, and the Armed Services Commit- SWEENEY and FOSSELLA changed proposed amendment, which actually their vote from ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘aye.’’ tee of the Senate, a detailed report that ad- dresses the threats attendant to any such de- reflects on some of the concerns we So the amendment was rejected. ployment and the nature and level of force have heard in the debate today, and The result of the vote was announced protection required for such deployment. deals with some of the other amend- as above recorded. (5) Submit to the Speaker, Minority Lead- ments that we have all read about that AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. GILMAN TO er, and the Permanent Select Committee on we were considering as other amend- AMENDMENT NO. 5 OFFERED BY MR. GEJDENSON Intelligence of the House of Representatives; ments for this particular House concur- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I offer and the Majority and Minority Leaders and rent resolution. an amendment to the amendment. the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate a detailed report that addresses— I would describe generally the resolu- The Clerk read as follows: (A) any intelligence sharing arrangement tion that is under consideration as be- Amendment offered by Mr. GILMAN to that has been established as a result of the tween House Concurrent Resolution 32, amendment No. 5 offered by Mr. GEJDENSON: Kosovo peace agreement; which is somewhat of a carte blanche, 1. Strike section 3 and insert the following: (B) the intelligence sharing arrangement and the Fowler amendment, which was SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR DEPLOYMENT OF that currently exists within NATO and how a prohibition. UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES TO such arrangement would be modified, if at What we attempt to do here is au- KOSOVO. all, in the Kosovo context; and (a) In general.—Subject to the limitations (C) whether Russian participation in a thorize deployment, but because of in subsection (b) the President is authorized Kosovo peacekeeping deployment alongside some of the concerns we have heard to deploy United States Armed Forces per- NATO forces will affect, impede, or hinder today, call on the President to submit sonnel to Kosovo as part of a NATO peace- any such intelligence sharing arrangement. a number of reports and vital pieces of H1248 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 information to the Congress before or- A commitment to deploy has already Page 2, strike line 9 and all that follows dering deployment. been made, pursuant to some ad hoc and insert the following: These would include reports on a dec- policy determination. Congress needs SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON DEPLOYMENT OF UNITED laration explaining the national inter- to be involved. Therefore, now is the STATES ARMED FORCES TO KOSOVO. est of the U.S. at risk in Kosovo, and a appropriate time to take up this issue, The President shall not deploy United States Armed Forces personnel to Kosovo as certification that all U.S. armed forces before the troops are deployed without in Kosovo will be under the operational part of a NATO peacekeeping operation a firm policy. unless— control of U.S. military officers. That is the explanation, Mr. Chair- (1) a Kosovo peace agreement has been We would request further details on man. reached; and the rules of engagement before we have Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am (2) such deployment is specifically ap- deployment; the military resources pleased to yield to the gentleman from proved by the Congress. that would be required, both the per- California (Mr. CUNNINGHAM). REQUEST FOR MODIFICATION TO AMENDMENT NO. sonnel and the equipment; the military Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, I 52 OFFERED BY MR. SKELTON exit strategy; the diplomatic exit thank the gentleman from New York Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I ask strategy; the chain of command for the for yielding to me. unanimous consent that, on line 1, U.S. forces in Kosovo; the percentage Mr. Chairman, I understand this where it says strike and insert section of United States participation com- amendment is going to be accepted. I 3 in the original, it be changed to add pared to other NATO countries in any asked to speak on it so I would not section 4. force, concerning particularly ground have to call a recorded vote on it, and The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will re- troops, air support, logistic support, I will not do that. port the modification. and intelligence support; the impact on I support strongly the amendment of- The Clerk read as follows: military readiness, and that goes to fered by the gentleman from Florida Modification to Amendment No. 52 offered morale and rotation; that we would ORTER OSS (Mr. P G ). I am not going to by Mr. SKELTON: have information providing a time say why I am against the amendment The amendment as modified is as follows: frame in which U.S. forces could rea- offered by the gentleman from Con- Add at the end the following: sonably expect to be withdrawn; that necticut (Mr. GEJDENSON) because it SEC. 4 LIMITATION ON DEPLOYMENT OF UNITED we would have information on the would sound partisan, but I want to the STATES ARMED FORCES TO KOSOVO. budgetary impact for this fiscal year gentleman to know that it is not, it is The President shall not deploy United and the next 5 fiscal years of deploy- a very deep-seated belief I have, and States Armed Forces personnel to Kosovo as ment; we would have an assessment of mistrust. I will support the amendment part of a NATO peacekeeping operation the threats to our armed forces in offered by the gentleman from New unless— Kosovo, the men and women in uni- York and the gentleman from Florida, (1) a Kosovo peace agreement has been reached; and form, and the level of force protection and vote against the amendment of- required to give them the maximum (2) such deployment is specifically ap- fered by the gentleman from Connecti- proved by the Congress. amount of protection; the intelligence- cut (Mr. GEJDENSON). The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection sharing arrangements, if any, resulting Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I thank to the modification of the amendment from a peace agreement; any modifica- the gentleman from California (Mr. offered by the gentleman from Mis- tion to the intelligence-sharing ar- CUNNINGHAM) for his support. rangement within NATO, the present Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, souri? arrangement we have now; the effect of with some reluctance, I would take the Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Chair- Russian participation in Kosovo on any advice of my chair and support the man, reserving the right to object, the intelligence-sharing arrangements amendment of the gentleman from gentleman from Missouri (Mr. SKEL- TON) listed two amendments, one that within NATO; the scope of the mission Florida (Mr. GOSS). of the U.S. armed forces, in other The CHAIRMAN. The question is on would not allow U.S. forces to be de- words, what is expected, when do we the amendment offered by the gen- ployed to Kosovo unless there is an agreement between the two sides, a declare success; the means and meth- tleman from New York (Mr. GILMAN) to ods by which compliance with the amendment No. 5 offered by the gen- second that would say that U.S. forces could not be deployed unless there is terms of the peace agreement will be tleman from Connecticut (Mr. GEJDEN- agreement between two sides and Con- verified, verification; the terms and SON). conditions in any peace agreement, in The amendment to the amendment gress has approved the deployment. particular; the details on any secret was agreed to. I would ask of the distinguished gen- side agreements; any other military ar- The CHAIRMAN. The question is on tleman from Missouri that he fully ex- rangements of the U.S. as a result of the amendment offered by the gen- plain the implications of this amend- the peace agreement or side agree- tleman from Connecticut (Mr. GEJDEN- ment, because it would appear that it ments or obligations; any other obliga- SON), as amended. may be out of order and require a tions of the United States resulting The amendment, as amended, was unanimous consent. If the gentleman from the peace agreement, such as agreed to. from Missouri would explain the amendment. weapons interdiction; the funding AMENDMENT NO. 52 OFFERED BY MR. SKELTON Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, if the source for the referendum on independ- Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I offer gentleman will yield, the amendment ence 3 years hence in Kosovo, and the an amendment. role of peacekeeping forces to enforce The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will des- is very clear. any provision of the peace agreement. ignate the amendment. Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Chair- Mr. Chairman, we should support this Mr. GEJDENSON. I reserve the right man, I yield to the gentleman from deployment to make Mr. Milosevic un- to object, Mr. Chairman. Missouri to explain the impact of the derstand that the United States means The CHAIRMAN. The Chair would in- amendment. business. We should support the de- quire of the gentleman from Missouri Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, there ployment with our eyes wide open, if which amendment he is offering. shall be no deployment of American we are going to have a deployment, and Mr. SKELTON. It is the one that says personnel peacekeeping forces unless that is why we are offering these Section 4. Section 4. there is an agreement reached between amendments. Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I the parties in question in Kosovo, and, I would argue that a successful vote reserve the right to object. number two, that such deployment to send the troops can in fact strength- must be approved by Congress. b en the hand of our negotiators. I would 2130 Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Chair- note that even the minority leader ear- The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will des- man, I yield to the gentleman from lier today conceded that we should not ignate the amendment. Connecticut (Mr. GEJDENSON). deploy troops without a policy. I could The text of the amendment is as fol- Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Chairman, I not agree more with the gentleman lows: just want to make sure that whatever from Missouri. Amendment No. 52 offered by Mr. SKELTON: happens here, that the sectioning does March 11, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1249 not wipe out the section of the gen- Many in this body have complained that the Bliley Hobson Oberstar Blumenauer Hoeffel Olver tleman from Texas. So my understand- Europeans in NATO were not pulling their Boehlert Holden Ortiz ing is that this maybe should actually weight in dealing with conflict in their own Bonior Holt Ose be section 5. backyard. Many of these same voices are also Bono Hooley Owens Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, then opposing this peacekeeping operation. This Borski Houghton Oxley Boswell Hoyer Pallone that is fine. I thought it would be 4. confuses me; if we wanted the Europeans to Boucher Hunter Pascrell Then it will be 5, and I so request. shoulder a greater responsibility in resolving Boyd Hyde Pastor The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman European issues, shouldn't we be pleased that Brady (PA) Inslee Payne from Virginia object to the modifica- Brown (FL) Jackson (IL) Pelosi European forces are going to make up 86 per- Buyer Jackson-Lee Pickett tion of the amendment? cent of the peacekeeping force? Calvert (TX) Pomeroy Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Chair- If we allow ourselves to succumb to the Capuano Jefferson Porter man, I do object to the modification of Cardin Johnson (CT) Portman voices of isolationism that have been rever- Carson Johnson, E. B. Price (NC) the amendment. berating around this chamber, all that we do is Castle Jones (OH) Radanovich The CHAIRMAN. Objection is heard. create an international power void that allows Clayton Kanjorski Rahall The gentleman from Missouri is enti- other nations the opportunity to start operating Clement Kaptur Rangel tled to 5 minutes on his amendment as Clyburn Kelly Regula as the Number One world power. Would we Conyers Kennedy Rivers originally designated. prefer to have China calling the shots in the Cooksey Kildee Rodriguez POINT OF ORDER world of international diplomacy, as opposed Coyne Kilpatrick Rothman The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman Cramer Kind (WI) Roybal-Allard to the United States? I know I for one sure Crowley King (NY) Rush from Virginia seek recognition? don't, and I bet my friends that are calling for Cummings Kleczka Sabo Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Chair- an isolationist world view, if they really thought Davis (FL) Knollenberg Sanchez man, I seek recognition for a point of about it, wouldn't either. Davis (IL) Kucinich Sanders order that, because the gentleman is Davis (VA) LaFalce Sandlin This resolution before us is only a Sense of DeFazio Lampson Sawyer amending the portion of underlying Congress that has no binding effect. I support DeGette Lantos Schakowsky text that has already been amended, efforts to bring before the House, after a Delahunt Larson Scott this amendment is out of order. peace agreement has been signed, a bill in DeLauro LaTourette Serrano Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, that is Deutsch Lazio Shaw which Congress specifically authorizes the de- Diaz-Balart Lee Sherman not correct. I am merely changing a 3 ployment of troops. My friend from Missouri, Dicks Levin Sherwood to a 5. It is in conflict with no other Mr. SKELTON, is offering an amendment that Dingell Lewis (CA) Shows Dixon Lewis (GA) Sisisky section. says just that, and I plan to support it. The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman Doggett Linder Skeen My colleagues, I urge you to support Mr. Dooley Lowey Skelton from Missouri wish to be heard further SKELTON's amendment, as well as the resolu- Doyle Lucas (KY) Smith (NJ) on the point of order? The Chair is pre- Dreier Luther Smith (WA) tion as whole. Dunn Maloney (CT) Snyder pared to rule. The CHAIRMAN. Are there further Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I Edwards Maloney (NY) Spratt amendments to the resolution? Engel Markey Stabenow think that it speaks for itself. It is in There being no further amendments, Eshoo Martinez Stark addition thereto. It is in conflict with Etheridge Mascara Stenholm under the rule, the Committee rises. no other section. Evans Matsui Stupak Farr McCarthy (MO) Tanner The CHAIRMAN. The Chair is pre- Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. GIB- Fattah McCarthy (NY) Tauscher pared to rule. Pursuant to section 469 Filner McDermott Thompson (CA) of Jefferson’s Manual of the 105th Con- BONS) having assumed the chair, Mr. Forbes McGovern Thurman THORNBERRY, Chairman of the Commit- Ford McIntyre Tierney gress and for the reasons stated by the Frelinghuysen Meehan Turner gentleman from Virginia, the point of tee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, reported that that Commit- Gejdenson Meek (FL) Udall (CO) order is sustained, and the amendment Gekas Meeks (NY) Udall (NM) No. 52 may not be offered at this time. tee, having had under consideration Gephardt Menendez Velazquez Gilchrest Millender- Vento Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Chairman, I rise today the concurrent resolution (H.Con.Res. 42) regarding the use of United States Gilman McDonald Waters in support of the Kosovo resolution before us, Gonzalez Miller, George Watt (NC) however suspect the timing may be. Further- Armed Forces as part of NATO peace- Goss Minge Waxman keeping operation implementing a Green (TX) Moakley Weiner more, I support the Skelton Amendment, Gutierrez Mollohan Wexler which would specify once a peace agreement Kosovo peace agreement, pursuant to House Resolution 103, he reported the Hall (OH) Moore Weygand is reached, Congress must approve the de- Hastert Moran (VA) Wilson ployment of our troops. bill back to the House with an amend- Hastings (FL) Morella Wise Hill (IN) Murtha Wolf The United States is in an unquestionable ment adopted by the Committee of the Whole. Hilliard Nadler Woolsey position of world leadership. Along with that Hinchey Napolitano Wynn position comes a sense of duty. If we want The SPEAKER. Under the rule, the Hinojosa Neal previous question is ordered. free trade and open markets, not to mention NOES—191 The question is on the amendment. exemplary worldwide standards of behavior in Aderholt Chabot Foley the realms of justice, scientific discovery, The amendment was agreed to. Andrews Chambliss Fossella human rights, and other democratic values, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Archer Chenoweth Fowler question is on agreeing to the concur- Armey Coble Frank (MA) we must lead by example. The responsibility Bachus Collins Franks (NJ) of neutralizing potential global flare-ups of rent resolution. Baker Combest Gallegly hostility comes with this territory. The question was taken; and the Ballenger Condit Ganske Senator BOB DOLE recently returned from Speaker pro tempore announced that Barr Cook Gibbons the noes appeared to have it. Barrett (NE) Costello Gillmor discussions with the KLA in Kosovo. He stated Bartlett Cox Goode his support of continued work towards a peace RECORDED VOTE Barton Crane Goodlatte agreement, and expressed his hope for bipar- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I demand Bass Cubin Goodling Bateman Cunningham Gordon tisan Congressional support. I stand with Sen- a recorded vote. Bereuter Danner Graham ator DOLE on this issue; I believe partisanship A recorded vote was ordered. Bilirakis Deal Granger should end at the water's edge. Whatever we The vote was taken by electronic de- Blagojevich DeLay Green (WI) think of the muddled foreign policy of this Ad- Blunt DeMint Greenwood vice, and there were—ayes 219, noes 191, Boehner Dickey Gutknecht ministration, we should never engage in activi- answered ‘‘present’’ 9, not voting 15, as Bonilla Doolittle Hall (TX) ties that produce American weakness in the follows: Brady (TX) Duncan Hansen Bryant Ehlers Hastings (WA) international theater. [Roll No. 49] NATO is the perfect and appropriate vehicle Burr Ehrlich Hayes AYES—219 Burton Emerson Hayworth for this operation. I have supported the mis- Camp English Hefley Ackerman Baldwin Berman sion of NATO and will continue to do so. We Campbell Everett Herger Allen Barcia Berry Canady Ewing Hill (MT) have NATO to thank for one of the longest Baird Barrett (WI) Biggert Cannon Fletcher Hilleary sustained periods of peace in Europe. Baldacci Berkley Bishop H1250 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 1999 Hoekstra Nethercutt Shimkus There was no objection. us, we really feel that we need that Horn Ney Simpson Hostettler Northup Smith (MI) f time to have Members in town. There- fore, we constructed the schedule to Hulshof Norwood Smith (TX) LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM Hutchinson Nussle Souder that end. Isakson Packard Spence (Mr. BONIOR asked and was given Mr. BONIOR. Could the gentleman Istook Paul Stearns permission to address the House for 1 Jenkins Pease Stump inform us when he expects the supple- Johnson, Sam Peterson (MN) Sununu minute.) mental appropriation bill to come to Jones (NC) Peterson (PA) Sweeney Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I have the floor? Kasich Petri Talent asked to speak for the purpose of in- Kingston Phelps Tancredo Mr. ARMEY. I appreciate that. I be- Klink Pickering Tauzin quiring of the distinguished majority lieve the Committee on Appropriations Kolbe Pitts Taylor (MS) leader the schedule for the remainder reported a supplemental bill out today. Kuykendall Pombo Taylor (NC) of the week and next week. We will probably find it filed on Tues- LaHood Pryce (OH) Terry Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, will the Largent Ramstad Thomas day of next week and would have it Latham Reynolds Thornberry gentleman yield? available then for the week following. Leach Riley Thune Mr. BONIOR. I yield to the gen- Mr. BONIOR. I thank my colleague Lewis (KY) Roemer Tiahrt tleman from Texas. LoBiondo Rogan Toomey and wish him a good weekend. Lucas (OK) Rogers Traficant Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I am Mr. ARMEY. I thank him and I hope Manzullo Rohrabacher Upton pleased to announce that we have had you all have a good weekend. McCollum Ros-Lehtinen Visclosky our last vote for the week. There will f McCrery Roukema Walden be no votes tomorrow, on Friday, McHugh Royce Walsh ADJOURNMENT TO MONDAY, McInnis Ryan (WI) Wamp March 12. McIntosh Ryun (KS) Watkins On Monday, March 15, the House will MARCH 15, 1999 McKeon Salmon Watts (OK) meet at 2 p.m. for a pro forma session. Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask McKinney Sanford Weldon (FL) McNulty Saxton Weldon (PA) Of course, there will be no legislative unanimous consent that when the Metcalf Scarborough Weller business and no votes that day. House adjourns today, it adjourn to Mica Schaffer Whitfield On Tuesday, March 16, the House will meet at 2 p.m. on Monday next. Miller (FL) Sensenbrenner Wicker meet at 9:30 a.m. for the morning hour Miller, Gary Sessions Young (AK) The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. GIB- Moran (KS) Shadegg Young (FL) and at 11 a.m. for legislative business. BONS). Is there objection to the request Myrick Shays Votes are expected after noon on Tues- of the gentleman from Texas? ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—9 day, March 16. There was no objection. Abercrombie Callahan Mink b 2200 f Bentsen Coburn Obey Brown (OH) Lofgren Slaughter On Tuesday, we will consider a num- DISPENSING WITH CALENDAR ber of bills under suspension of the WEDNESDAY BUSINESS ON NOT VOTING—15 rules, a list of which will be distributed WEDNESDAY NEXT Becerra Frost Shuster to Members’ offices. Bilbray John Strickland Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask Brown (CA) Lipinski Thompson (MS) Also on Tuesday, March 16, the House unanimous consent that the business Capps Quinn Towns will take up H.R. 819, the Federal Mari- in order under the Calendar Wednesday Clay Reyes Wu time Commission Authorization Act of rule be dispensed with on Wednesday b 2155 1999. next. On Wednesday, March 17, the House The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Mr. YOUNG of Alaska changed his will meet at 10 a.m. to consider the fol- vote from ‘‘aye’’ to ‘‘no.’’ objection to the request of the gen- lowing legislative business: tleman from Texas? So the concurrent resolution was H.R. 975, a bill to provide for a reduc- agreed to. There was no objection. tion in the volume of steel imports and f The result of the vote was announced to establish a steel import notification as above recorded. monitoring program; and H.R. 820, the APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO A motion to reconsider was laid on Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1999. COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND the table. On Thursday, March 18, we expect a COOPERATION IN EUROPE Stated against: national security briefing on the House The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. floor from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. to discuss objection, and pursuant to section 3 of 49, I was unable to be on the House floor. the ballistic missile threat. Of course, Public Law 94–304 as amended by sec- Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' all Members will want to attend. tion 1 of Public Law 99–7, the Chair an- f The House will then take up H.R. 4, a nounces the Speaker’s appointment of bill to declare it to be the policy of the GENERAL LEAVE the following Members of the House to United States to deploy a national mis- the Commission on Security and Co- Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I sile defense. operation in Europe: ask unanimous consent that all Mem- Mr. Speaker, we expect to conclude Mr. WOLF of Virginia; bers may have 5 legislative days within legislative business next week on Mr. SALMON of Arizona; which to revise and extend their re- Thursday, March 18. Mr. GREENWOOD of Pennsylvania; and marks on House Concurrent Resolution Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, if the gen- Mr. FORBES of New York. 42, the concurrent resolution just tleman could address one concern that There was no objection. agreed to. we have. On Tuesday, I know that the f The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. GIB- schedule is relatively light in terms of BONS). Is there objection to the request business. We have the two suspensions GAMBLING EFFORT DIES IN of the gentleman from Texas? which I suspect are relatively non- PENNSYLVANIA SENATE There was no objection. controversial. I am wondering if it (Mr. WOLF asked and was given per- f would not be possible to help the folks mission to address the House for 1 on the West Coast if we could not roll minute and to revise and extend his re- REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER and postpone votes until about 5 marks.) AS COSPONSOR OF H.R. 744 o’clock on Tuesday. Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I want Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask Mr. ARMEY. Let me thank the gen- to bring to the attention of the Mem- unanimous consent to have my name tleman for his inquiry. I think it is an bers of the House today the following taken off H.R. 744. It was mistakenly important point, a point a lot of Mem- Philadelphia Inquirer headline where it placed on the bill. bers have made, but in the interest of says gambling efforts die in Pennsyl- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there a good bit of the committee work that vania Senate. This Monday, the Penn- objection to the request of the gen- we hope to conclude in preparation for sylvania State Senate rejected a reso- tleman from Connecticut? the appropriations season soon before lution by the vote of 28 to 21 calling for