14724 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 10 July 11, 2008

Alaska (Mr. STEVENS), and the Senator 39TH BIENNIAL CLERGY-LAITY 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE from Louisiana (Mr. VITTER). CONGRESS OF THE GREEK OR- SREBRENICA MASSACRE Further, if present and voting, the THODOX CHURCH OF AMERICA Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have Senator from Kentucky (Mr. BUNNING) Mr. REID. Mr. President, I come to sought recognition to mark the 13th and the Senator from Texas (Mr. anniversary of the Srebrenica mas- CORNYN) would have voted ‘‘nay.’’ the floor today to welcome the 39th Bi- ennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the sacre. Further, if present and voting, the Between July 12 and July 16, 1995, an Greek Orthodox Church of America to Senator from Tennessee (Mr. ALEX- estimated 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men Washington, DC. This is a gathering of ANDER), the Senator from Minnesota and boys were slaughtered in the re- the clergy and lay leaders of the 550 (Mr. COLEMAN), and the Senator from gion of Srebrenica in Bosnia and parishes across the country with their Tennessee (Mr. CORKER) would have Herzegovina. This was the largest mass voted ‘‘yea.’’ hierarchs—bishops and metropolitans. murder in Europe since the Second The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 65, I am pleased that the metropolitan World War. The killings were com- nays 3, as follows: with jurisdiction over my State, Met- mitted by the Army of the Republika [Rollcall Vote No. 174 Leg.] ropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Srpska, under the direct command of YEAS—65 and the parishes from Ely, Las Vegas, Ratko Mladic, and with the approval of Akaka Dorgan Mikulski McGill, and Reno are well represented President Radovan Baucus Durbin Nelson (FL) at this meeting. The Greek Orthodox Karadzic. Bayh Enzi Pryor community in America is an integral The atrocities in Srebrenica were Bennett Feingold Reed part of our national mosaic. My State documented in the November 1995 in- Biden Feinstein Reid Bingaman Graham Roberts of Nevada has many very successful dictment of Ratko Mladic and Radovan Brown Grassley Rockefeller citizens in both the government and Karadzic by the International Criminal Brownback Harkin Salazar Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, Burr Hatch private sectors whose families trace Sanders Byrd Inouye their origins to Greece. ICTY: Schumer Cantwell Isakson ‘‘SAFE AREA’’ OF SREBRENICA Smith His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Cardin Johnson 1. After war erupted in the Republic of Bos- Carper Kerry Snowe the leader and representative of this Specter nia and Herzegovina, Bosnian Serb military Casey Klobuchar national community, serves as Exarch Clinton Kohl Sununu forces occupied Bosnian Muslim villages in Cochran Lautenberg Thune of Ecumenical Patriarch Bar- the eastern part of the country, resulting in Collins Levin Voinovich tholomew—the spiritual leader of mil- an exodus of Bosnian Muslims to enclaves in Conrad Lieberman Warner lions of Orthodox Christians around Gorazde, Zepa, Tuzla, and Srebrenica. All of Crapo Lincoln Webb the events referred to in this indictment Whitehouse the world. Ecumenical Patriarch Bar- Dodd Lugar took place in the Republic of Bosnia and Dole McConnell Wicker tholomew, who on June 29, 2008, cele- Domenici Menendez Wyden Herzegovina. brated mass with Pope Benedict XVI at 2. On 16 April 1993, the Security Council of NAYS—3 St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, has the United Nations, acting pursuant to Chap- Barrasso Kyl Sessions also been awarded the highest civilian ter VII of its Charter, adopted resolution 819, honor Congress can bestow, the Con- in which it demanded that all parties to the NOT VOTING—32 gressional Gold Medal. conflict in the Republic of Bosnia and Alexander DeMint McCaskill Herzegovina treat Srebrenica and its sur- Allard Ensign Murkowski With the blessings of Archbishop roundings as a safe area which should be free Bond Gregg Murray Demetrios, and under the leadership of from any armed attack or any other hostile Boxer Hagel Nelson (NE) the Order of St. Andrew of the Greek act. Resolution 819 was reaffirmed by Resolu- Bunning Hutchison Obama Chambliss Inhofe Orthodox Church, the Greek Orthodox tion 824 on 6 May 1993 and by Resolution 836 Shelby on 4 June 1993. Coburn Kennedy Stabenow community has been an invaluable 3. Before the attack by Bosnian Serb Coleman Landrieu Stevens source of information for the United Corker Leahy Tester forces, as described in this indictment, the Cornyn Martinez States Senate with regard to the nu- Vitter estimated Bosnian Muslim population in the Craig McCain merous issues facing the nearly 2,000 safe area of Srebrenica was approximately The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this year-old Ecumenical Patriarchate. 60,000. vote, the yeas are 65, the nays are 3. As a result of this warm relationship, ATTACK ON THE SAFE AREA OF SREBRENICA Three-fifths of the Senators duly cho- on November 29, 2006, 73 U.S. Senators, 4. On or about 6 July 1995, the Bosnian Serb sen and sworn having voted in the af- including myself, signed a letter to army shelled Srebrenica and attacked firmative, the motion is agreed to. President Bush expressing great con- United Nations observation posts that were Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a manned by Dutch soldiers and located in the cern about the religious freedom of the safe area. The attack on the Srebrenica safe quorum. Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey. area by the Bosnian Serb army continued The PRESIDING OFFICER. The According to the United States Com- through 11 July 1995, when the first units of clerk will call the roll. mission on International Religious the attacking Bosnian Serb forces entered The legislative clerk proceeded to Freedom’s May 2008 annual report, Srebrenica. call the roll. legal recognition of religious minori- 5. The Bosnian Muslim men, women and Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- ties, such as the Greek Orthodox com- children who remained in Srebrenica after imous consent that the order for the the beginning of the Bosnian Serb attack munity, ‘‘has not been implemented in took two courses of action. Several thousand quorum call be rescinded. Turkish law and practice.’’ women, children and some mostly elderly The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without On behalf of my fellow Senators, I men fled to the UN compound in Potocari, objection, it is so ordered. wish to welcome the priests and lay located within the safe area of Srebrenica, where they sought the protection of the leaders in the 550 parishes across the f Dutch battalion responsible for the com- country, the bishops, the pound. They remained at the compound from Metropolitans of Chicago, Pittsburgh, 11 July 1995 until 13 July 1995, when they MORNING BUSINESS Boston, Denver, Atlanta, Detroit, San were all evacuated by buses and trucks under Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- Francisco, and New Jersey; the Arch- the control of and operated by Bosnian Serb imous consent that we now proceed to bishops, and especially the Greek Or- military personnel. a period of morning business, with Sen- thodox community of Nevada to this 6. A second group of approximately 15,000 Bosnian Muslim men, with some women and ators allowed to speak therein for up to year’s Clergy-Laity Congress here in children, gathered at Susnjari during the 10 minutes each. Washington, DC. I wish all of you the evening hours of 11 July 1995 and fled, in a The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without best for a successful and productive huge column, through the woods towards objection, it is so ordered. event. Tuzla. Approximately one-third of this group

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:44 Mar 08, 2011 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S11JY8.000 S11JY8 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD July 11, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 10 14725 consisted of armed Bosnian military per- anti-aircraft guns and artillery, positioned armed Bosnian Serb soldiers and ordered not sonnel and armed civilians. The rest were themselves along the -Milici road to move or they would be shot. Some of the unarmed civilians. in an effort to interdict the column of Bos- men moved and were shot. The remaining EVENTS IN POTOCARI nian Muslims fleeing towards Tuzla. men were pushed into the hole and buried 18. As soon as the column reached Bosnian alive. 7. On 11 July 1995 and 12 July 1995, Ratko Serb held territory in the vicinity of Buljim, 21. Many of the Muslims who surrendered Mladic and members of his staff met in Bosnian Serb military forces attacked it. As to Bosnian Serb military personnel were not Bratunac with Dutch military officers and a result of this and other attacks by Bosnian killed at the locations of their surrender, but representatives of the Muslim refugees from Serb military forces, many Muslims were instead were transported to central assembly Potocari. At these meetings, Ratko Mladic killed and wounded and the column divided points where Bosnian Serb soldiers held informed them, among other things, that into several smaller parts which continued them under armed guard. These assembly Bosnian Muslim soldiers who surrendered towards Tuzla. Approximately one-third of points included, among others, a hangar in their weapons would be treated as prisoners the column, mostly composed of military Bratunac; soccer fields in Kasaba, Konjevic of war according to the Geneva Conventions personnel, crossed the Bratunac-Milici road Polje, , and Vlasenica; a meadow be- and that refugees evacuated from Potocari near Nova Kasaba and reached safety in hind the bus station in Sandici and other would not be hurt. Tuzla. The remaining Muslims were trapped fields and meadows along the Bratunac- 8. On or about 12 July 1995, Bosnian Serb behind the Bosnian Serb lines. Milici road. military forces burned and looted Bosnian 19. Thousands of Muslims were captured by 22. Between 12 July 1995 and 14 July 1995, at Muslim houses in and around Potocari. or surrendered to Bosnian Serb military various of these assembly points, including 9. On or about 12 July 1995, in the morning forces under the command and control of the hangar in Bratunac and the soccer sta- hours, Bosnian Serb military forces arrived Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic. Many dium in Kasaba, Ratko Mladic addressed the at the UN military compound in Potocari of the Muslims who surrendered did so be- Bosnian Muslim detainees. He falsely and re- and its environs. cause they were assured that they would be peatedly assured them that they would be 10. On or about 12 July 1995, Ratko Mladic safe if they surrendered. In many instances, safe and that they would be exchanged for arrived in Potocari, accompanied by his assurances of safety were provided to the Bosnian Serb prisoners held by Bosnian gov- military aides and a television crew. He Muslims by Bosnian Serb military personnel ernment forces. falsely and repeatedly told Bosnian Muslims who were with other Bosnian Serb soldiers 23. Between 12 July 1995 and 14 July 1995, in and around Potocari that they would not wearing stolen UN uniforms, and by Muslims Bosnian Serb military personnel arbitrarily be harmed and that they would be safely who had been captured and ordered to sum- selected Bosnian Muslim detainees and sum- transported out of Srebrenica. mon their fellow Muslims from the woods. marily executed them. 11. On or about 12 July 1995, at the direc- 20. Many of the Bosnian Muslims who were tion and in the presence of Ratko Mladic, ap- MASS EXECUTIONS NEAR KARAKAJ captured by or surrendered to Bosnian Serb proximately 50–60 buses and trucks arrived 24. On or about 14 July 1995, Bosnian Serb military personnel were summarily executed near the UN military compound in Potocari. military personnel transported thousands of by Bosnian Serb military personnel at the Shortly after the arrival of these vehicles, Muslim detainees from Bratunac, Kravica locations of their surrender or capture, or at the evacuation process of Bosnian Muslim and other locations to an assembly point in other locations shortly thereafter. Incidents refugees started. As Muslim women, children a school complex near Karakaj. At this as- of such summary executions include, but are and men started to board the buses and sembly point, Bosnian Serb military per- not limited to: trucks, Bosnian Serb military personnel sep- sonnel ordered the Muslim detainees to take 20.1 On or about 13 July 1995, near Nezuk in arated the men from the women and chil- off their jackets, coats and other garments the Republic of , a dren. This selection and separation of Mus- and place them in front of the sports hall. group of 10 Bosnian Muslim men were cap- lim men took place in the presence of and at They were then crowded into the school tured. Bosnian Serb soldiers summarily exe- the direction of Ratko Mladic. building and adjacent sports hall and held cuted some of these men, including Mirsad 12. The Bosnian Muslim men who had been under armed guard. Alispahic and Hajrudin Mesanovic. separated from other refugees were taken to 25. On or about 14 July 1995, at this school 20.2 On or about 13 July 1995, on the banks diverse locations in and around Potocari. On complex near Karakaj, Ratko Mladic con- of the Jadar River between Konjevic Polje or about 12 July 1995, Ratko Mladic and Bos- ferred with his military subordinates and ad- and Drinjaca, Bosnian Serb soldiers sum- nian Serb military personnel under his com- dressed some of the Muslims detained there. marily executed 15 Bosnian Muslim men who mand, informed some of these Muslim men 26. At various times during 14 July 1995, had surrendered or been captured. Amongst that they would be evacuated and exchanged Bosnian Serb military personnel killed Bos- those killed were Hamed Omerovic, Azem for Bosnian Serbs being held in Tuzla. nian Muslim detainees at this school com- Mujic and Ismet Ahmetovic. 13. Most of the Muslim men who had been plex. 20.3 On or about 13 July 1995, in the vicin- separated from the other refugees in 27. Throughout 14 July 1995, Bosnian Serb ity of Konjevic Polje, Bosnian Serb soldiers Potocari were transported to Bratunac and military personnel removed all the Muslim summarily executed hundreds of Muslims, then to the area of Karakaj, where they were detainees, in small groups, from the school including women and children. massacred by Bosnian Serb military per- building and sports hall and loaded them 20.4 On or about 17 July 1995 or 18 July 1995, sonnel. onto trucks guarded and driven by Bosnian in the vicinity of Konjevic Polje, Bosnian 14. Between 12 July 1995 and 13 July 1995, Serb soldiers. Before boarding the trucks, Serb soldiers captured about 150–200 Bosnian Bosnian Serb military personnel summarily many of the detainees had their hands tied Muslims and summarily executed about one- executed Bosnian Muslim men and women at behind their backs or were blindfolded. They half of them. diverse locations around the UN compound were then driven to at least two locations in 20.5 On or about 18 July 1995 or 19 July 1995, where they had taken refuge. The bodies of the vicinity of Karakaj. in the vicinity of Nezuk, about 20 groups, those summarily executed were left in fields 28. Once the trucks arrived at these loca- each containing between 5–10 Bosnian Mus- and buildings in the immediate vicinity of tions, Bosnian Serb military personnel or- lim men, surrendered to Bosnian Serb mili- the compound. These arbitrary killings in- dered the bound or blindfolded Muslim de- tary forces. After the men surrendered, Bos- stilled such terror and panic amongst the tainees off the trucks and summarily exe- nian Serb soldiers ordered them to line up Muslims remaining there that some of them cuted them. The summary executions took and summarily executed them. committed suicide and all the others agreed place from approximately noon to midnight 20.6 On or about 20 July 1995 or 21 July 1995, to leave the enclave. on 14 July 1995. near the village of Meces, Bosnian Serb mili- 15. The evacuation of all able-bodied Mus- 29. Bosnian Serb military personnel buried tary personnel, using megaphones, urged lim refugees concluded on 13 July 1995. As a the executed Bosnian Muslim men in mass Bosnian Muslim men who had fled result of the Bosnian Serb attack on the safe graves near the execution sites. Srebrenica to surrender and assured them area and other actions, the Muslim popu- 30. On or about 14 July 1995, Ratko Mladic that they would be safe. Approximately 350 lation of the enclave of Srebrenica was vir- was present at one of the mass execution Bosnian Muslim men responded to these en- tually eliminated by Bosnian Serb military sites when Bosnian Serb military personnel treaties and surrendered. Bosnian Serb sol- personnel. summarily executed Bosnian Muslim men. diers then took approximately 150 of them, 31. The summary executions of Bosnian SURRENDER AND EXECUTIONS instructed them to dig their own graves and Muslim males, which occurred on 14 July 16. Between the evening of 11 July 1995 and then summarily executed them. 1995 in the vicinity of Karakaj, resulted in the morning of 12 July 1995, the huge column 20.7 On or about 21 July 1995 or 22 July 1995, the loss of thousands of lives. of Muslims which had gathered in Susnjari near the village of Meces, an excavator dug fled Srebrenica through the woods towards a large pit and Bosnian Serb soldiers ordered Since the end of the conflict in Bos- Tuzla. approximately 260 Bosnian Muslim men who nia and Herzegovina, the ICTY has 17. Bosnian Serb military personnel, sup- had been captured to stand around the hole. made considerable progress. Charges ported by armored personnel carriers, tanks, The Muslim men were then surrounded by have been filed against 161 individuals.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:44 Mar 08, 2011 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S11JY8.000 S11JY8 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD 14726 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 10 July 11, 2008 Of those, the trials of 114 have con- ordinator at the SMDC Health System Up until recently, most of the Scoutmasters, cluded, resulting in 55 convictions; 47 in Duluth. including myself, have donated their trucks, cases are ongoing. Among the Tribu- I honor the efforts of Sandra M. fuel and maintenance costs as part of our monthly campouts. Unfortunately, fuel costs nal’s greatest successes was the August Bodin to promote the care of those suf- over the last few years have now taken a real 2001 conviction of Radislav Krstic on fering from kidney disease and I recog- toll on us, and we have had to pass many or the count of genocide. I was recently nize her achievements as a nurse, pa- most of those costs onto the parents. Addi- pleased to learn of the June 11, 2008, ar- tient advocate, and healthcare leader. I tionally, my family enjoys camping, and the rest of longtime fugitive Stojan commend her on her service to the costs of fuel are definitely negatively im- Zupljanin by Serbian authorities, as American Nephrology Nurses’ Associa- pacting our families ability to get out an this was the first capture of a major tion and our country. Please join me in enjoy nature as much as we used to. Further- more, as a Scouter, outdoorsman, business- war crimes suspect in about a year. honoring Ms. Bodin for her years of vi- man and family man, I am very concerned However, three individuals, including sion, leadership, and commitment. about the environment and want to preserve Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, f it for my kids, grandchildren and others. remain at large. Therefore, a very careful look into pre- IDAHOANS SPEAK OUT ON HIGH It is vital that the remaining three serving nature is important to me. ENERGY PRICES be brought to face the court. It is im- For years I have seen the United States Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in mid- being wasteful users of gasoline and other perative that the rule of law be natural resources and sought to do my part brought into the international arena, June, I asked Idahoans to share with to recycle and conserve energy. I have tried both for the 8,000 who were killed in me how high energy prices are affect- in earnest to reduce water waste and electric Srebrenica in July 1995, and for the ing their lives, and they responded by waste by turning water off as well as lights many others who continue to suffer the hundreds. The stories, numbering to reduce use and costs. Last month, I began around the world today under oppres- over 1,000, are heartbreaking and to carpool with a neighbor on a daily basis to touching. To respect their efforts, I am work to cut down on my personal consump- sive regimes. I agree with former tion. I am trying to do my part in the effort; United Nations Secretary General Kofi submitting every e-mail sent to me _ however, our country (my country) has been Annan, who said during his 1997 visit to through energy [email protected] very shortsighted and unwilling to do a num- the ICTY, ‘‘impunity cannot be toler- .gov to the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. ber of key things to lessen our dependence on ated, and will not be. In an inter- This is not an issue that will be easily foreign oil and gas. dependent world, the rule of law must resolved, but it is one that deserves im- For one, there has been a group within the prevail.’’ mediate and serious attention, and Ida- United States that has successfully put a hoans deserve to be heard. Their sto- stranglehold on our ability to develop and f extract petroleum products from known oil ries not only detail their struggles to HONORING SANDRA M. BODIN reserves. They would be best described as meet everyday expenses, but also have ultra radical tree huggers. That is as nice as Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise suggestions and recommendations as to I can put it. Again, I am an avid lover of na- today to honor Sandra M. Bodin, who what Congress can do now to tackle ture, but our unwillingness to use those re- has recently completed her services as this problem and find solutions that serves has given OPEC and other oil pro- president of the American Nephrology last beyond today. I ask unanimous ducers around the world a wonderful oppor- tunity to hold us hostage and run the prices Nurses’ Association, ANNA, for her consent to have today’s letters printed up and watch us squirm. In my opinion some dedication and contributions to ne- in the RECORD. of our citizens and their elected officials phrology nursing and kidney patients There being no objection, the mate- have failed to protect our independence in across the country. rial was ordered to be printed in the the world market, by allowing ourself to be- ANNA’s members are registered RECORD, as follows: come so dependent on foreign oil. nurses and health care professionals at Dear Senator Crapo: I work for Micron As a respected Senator, I implore you to all levels of practice. They care for pa- Technology in Boise Idaho as an Engineer. I take this message to the Senate floor and love my job, but it is getting harder to pay loudly state that enough is enough. Remove tients who are experiencing or are at the obstacles that prohibit the extraction of my mortgage, food, gas and cost of living ex- risk for kidney disease. ANNA’s mis- oil on our soil and within the territorial wa- penses. My wife used to work for Micron, but sion is to advance nephrology nursing ters of the United States and get the control she got laid off last summer and has not practices and positively influence out- of oil back in our hands. Furthermore, with found a new job. My job as an Engineer cov- as much scientific talent that exist in our comes for patients affected by kidney ered our expenses, and my wife’s job was the own country, we need to develop cleaner and disease through advocacy, scholarship, extra money we used to go camping, out to more efficient vehicles while at the same and excellence. dinner, and have fun with. Right now, we are time finding alternative engines powered by As a member of ANNA, Ms. Bodin has barely getting by. All we do is sit home and solar, nuclear, hydrogen or other alternative complain about the politicians in Wash- served as president, vice president, and fuels to get our country back within our own as a member of the Board of Directors. ington that are not doing anything to create control and not other governments or pri- She received the Ron Brady Memorial jobs, lower gas prices and promote a stable vate companies. I enjoy having a big truck Award for Excellence in Volunteer economy. for all the activities I like to do, and there I have given up on Washington. I am vot- Leadership from ANNA in 2002. As must be a safe, efficient, cost-effective power ing for a third party all the way from now on plant that can run a truck as well as a car, president, Ms. Bodin has inspired ne- because the Republicans and Democrats phrology nurses to reach the highest and we are long overdue on finding that al- can’t play well together. ternative. Furthermore, the costs in fuel levels of practice and patient care. She Sincerely, have really driven food costs as well as other is a visionary leader who has imple- TOM, Kuna. household products costs way out of control. mented a broad range of initiatives I am fed up with the ultra extreme protec- that will continue to improve care for Good afternoon Senator Crapo: First of all tionist attitude in this country that has put patients whose lives depend on dialysis I want to thank you for the great job you do us in this predicament. I do want respon- as my U.S. Senator. and other kidney replacement treat- sible, well thought-out procedures to safe- I am an avid outdoorsman and like to guard the environment while at the same ments. backpack, hunt, fish, camp and enjoy all time (for the short term) use our own oil Professionally, Ms. Bodin graduated that Idaho has to offer. I am also a Scout- while we think of new ways to make driving with a bachelor of arts and a master of master with the Boy Scouts of America. In more cost-efficient, safe and with less pollu- arts in nursing from the College of St. that capacity, it is necessary to have a big tion to the environment. I seriously think Scholastica in Duluth, MN. She became truck to haul gear and Scouts around. One of we are more than up to the task and believe a registered nurse in 1977 and a cer- the Laws of Scouting is that a Scout is that we can safely do both. tified nephrology nurse in 1992. After thrifty and, as such, we (I) make every effort Sincerely, to camp smartly to keep costs down for the JEFF, Boise. completing work at Miller-Dawn Med- parents so as to make scouting more afford- ical Center and St. Mary’s Hospital, able and enjoyable. We also believe in With the price of gas going up, it just does Ms. Bodin is currently the lead clinical ‘‘Leave No Trace Camping,’’ and try very not affect us with how much we drive; it af- informatics analyst and application co- hard to be good stewards of the environment. fects groceries and price of common goods

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