March 17, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2109 ‘‘Well, why not us? We were dominated The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Whereas, JOHN MCCAIN sat in prison in by the Soviet Union. Why are you pick- clerk will call the roll. Hanoi for over 5 years, risking life from dis- ing them over us?’’ The bill clerk proceeded to call the ease and medical complications resulting So you are going to subject NATO al- roll. from his injuries, steadfastly refusing to co- operate with his enemy captors because his most annually to the perpetual anguish Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unan- sense of honor and duty would not permit of, ‘‘Am I next?’’ Latvia, Estonia, Ro- imous consent that the order for the him to even consider an early release on spe- mania, on and on down the line. ‘‘When quorum call be rescinded. cial advantage; is it my turn to come into NATO?’’ And The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Whereas, knowing his refusal to leave meanwhile, while focusing on a cold objection, it is so ordered. early may well result [or might have re- war alliance, we continue to ignore f sulted] in his own death from his injuries, what we want to do, which is to bring JOHN MCCAIN told another prisoner, ‘‘I don’t Russia into the Western World. RECOGNIZING THE COURAGE AND think that’s the right thing to do. . ..They’ll SACRIFICE OF SENATOR JOHN have to drag me out of here.’’ With the end of the cold war, NATO Whereas, following the Peace Accords [in MCCAIN AND MEMBERS OF THE now faces serious internal issues about Paris] in January 1973, 591 United States its means and ends which should be ARMED FORCES HELD AS PRIS- prisoners of war were released from captivity aired and resolved before new countries ONERS OF WAR DURING THE by North Vietnam. . .; are added. Enlargement is a token and, VIETNAM CONFLICT Whereas, Senator JOHN MCCAIN of Arizona frankly, an unimaginative distraction Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, as in legis- has continued to honor the Nation with de- voted service; and from these real problems. We saw this lative session, I ask unanimous consent Whereas, the Nation owes a debt of grati- in the debate in the Persian Gulf crisis that the Senate immediately proceed tude to JOHN MCCAIN and all of these patri- last month. Many NATO countries to the consideration of a resolution ots for their courage and exemplary service: weren’t with us. which I now send to the desk. Now, therefore, be it Mr. President, I hope that we will The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Resolved, That the Senate— (1) expresses its gratitude for, and calls think very carefully about this. It is a clerk will report. hardnosed decision about extending a upon all Americans to reflect upon and show The legislative clerk read as follows: their gratitude for, the courage and sacrifice military guarantee to a precise piece of A resolution (S. Res. 196) recognizing and of JOHN MCCAIN and the brave men who were territory under a specific set of strate- calling on all Americans to recognize the held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam gic circumstances; it should not be a courage and sacrifice of Senator John conflict, particularly on the occasion of the sentimental decision about a moral McCain and the members of the Armed 25th anniversary of Operation Homecoming, commitment to Europe. We already Forces held as prisoners of war during the and the return to the United States of Sen- have that. Vietnam conflict and stating that the Amer- ator JOHN MCCAIN. What do we really want to accom- ican people will not forget that more than Mr. President, in our daily duties, we plish? Do we really want to accomplish 2,000 members of the Armed Forces remain quite often pass by men and women another line drawn through Europe unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict who have made a tremendous sacrifice and will continue to press for the fullest pos- this year, perhaps extending that line sible accounting for all such members whose in their lives or maybe have just done through another part of Europe next whereabouts are unknown. small things for individuals along the year and another line bringing in an- way. We begin to take them for grant- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there other nation the following year and ed. We begin to forget to say, ‘‘Thank objection to the immediate consider- continue this cold-war-era attitude? Or you for what you have done for me or ation of the resolution? do we want to build a world where the for your fellow man or woman or for There being no objection, the Senate United States and a strong Europe and your country.’’ proceeded to consider the resolution. Today at our policy luncheon, one of a strong, democratic Russia can be a Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unan- buffer, a source of power to confront Is- our members stood up and reminded us imous consent that there now be 20 that it was 25 years ago today that lamic fundamentalism and perhaps— minutes for debate on the resolution John MCCAIN came home. There was a perhaps—Communist China? I think we equally divided in the usual form and are being shortsighted, and I am going spontaneous applause and standing that, at the expiration of that time, ovation, and it extended for a long pe- to get into more detail as to why later the resolution be agreed to and the pre- in the debate. Mr. President, I yield the riod of time and extended a real amble be agreed to. warmth. floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Mr. ROTH addressed the Chair. While in the Senate sometimes we The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. objection, it is so ordered. get after each other in debate and we Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I would DEWINE). The Senator from Delaware. don’t approve of this or that, I really Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, I suggest like to read just some portions of this felt extremely emotional when I the absence of a quorum. resolution and then comment briefly thought about the sacrifice that this The PRESIDING OFFICER. The on why we are doing it today: man had made for his country and for clerk will call the roll Whereas, JOHN MCCAIN’s A–4E Skyhawk his fellow men and women in the mili- The legislative clerk proceeded to was shot down over Hanoi, North Vietnam, tary and for his fellow prisoners of war. call the roll. on October 26, 1967, and he remained in cap- I realized that we had not said thank Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, I ask unan- tivity until March 14, 1973; you to him, and that when we say imous consent that the order for the Whereas, JOHN MCCAIN’s aircraft was shorn of its right wing by a Surface to Air Missile thank you on behalf of a grateful coun- quorum call be rescinded. and he plunged toward the ground at about try to John MCCAIN, we are saying The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 400 knots prior to ejecting; thank you also to all the men and objection, it is so ordered. Whereas, upon ejection, JOHN MCCAIN’s women who served our country in uni- PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR right knee and both arms were broken; form, who have been prisoners of war Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, I ask unan- Whereas, JOHN MCCAIN was surrounded by and, yes, those who are still missing in imous consent that Kurt Volker, a leg- an angry mob who kicked him and spit on action to this very day. islative fellow in Senator MCCAIN’s of- him, stabbed him with bayonets and smashed So, I think it is appropriate that we fice; Bob Nickle and Ian Brzezinski of his shoulder with a rifle. . .; Whereas, historians of the Vietnam war in the Senate today adopt this resolu- my office; and Stan Sloan, who is a have recorded that ‘‘no American reached tion in recognition of the 25th anniver- member of the CRS, be granted the the prison camp of Hoa Lo in worse condi- sary of JOHN MCCAIN, but also as an ex- privilege of the floor throughout the tion than JOHN MCCAIN.’’ tended expression of our appreciation entire debate and any vote on the pro- Whereas, his North Vietnamese captors for all of those who served our country tocols to the North Atlantic Treaty on recognized JOHN MCCAIN came from a distin- in such a magnanimous way. I yield Hungary, Poland and the Czech Repub- guished military family— the floor. lic. I might add, a family from my great Mr. DASCHLE addressed the Chair. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without State of Mississippi— The PRESIDING OFFICER. The mi- objection, it is so ordered. and caused him to suffer special beatings, nority leader. Mr. ROTH. I suggest the absence of a special interrogations, and the cruel offer of Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I join quorum. a possible early release; with the majority leader and with all S2110 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 1998 of my colleagues in reflecting upon I was very moved today at the lunch- Whereas John McCain’s A–4E Skyhawk this moment and in joining with him in eon when my colleagues applauded so was shot down over Hanoi, North Vietnam on offering our gratitude and our con- warmly the commemoration of this October 26, 1967 and he remained in captivity date. I am also very deeply moved by until March 14, 1973. gratulations to this American hero. Whereas John McCain’s aircraft was shorn It may have been 25 years, and with this resolution. I accept with some hu- of it’s right wing by a Surface to Air Missile years memories fade, but no one should mility the accolades and kind words and he plunged toward the ground at about ever forget the commitment made by that have been said about me and also 400 knots prior to ejecting; JOHN MCCAIN and people like him on that are in this resolution. Whereas upon ejection, John McCain’s behalf of their country. They and their I know that all of my colleagues rec- right knee and both arms were broken; families can never forget the pain, the ognize that I accept these words not on Whereas John McCain was surrounded by sacrifice, the commitment. my own behalf but on behalf of two an angry mob who kicked him and spit on groups of people—one is those that I him, stabbed him with bayonets and smashed Someone once said that democracy is his shoulder with a rifle. something one either has to fight for or had the privilege of serving with in Whereas United States prisoners of war in work at. JOHN MCCAIN has done both— Vietnam, many of whom suffered far Southeast Asia were held in a number of fa- fighting for democracy, as none of us more than I did and displayed much cilities, the most notorious of which was Hoa could ever appreciate, and working at higher degrees of courage. They are the Lo Prison in downtown Hanoi, dubbed the democracy as he does with us each and ones I knew best and loved most and ‘Hanoi Hilton’ by the prisoners held there; every day. whose companionship I will treasure Whereas historians of the Vietnam war There are thousands and thousands of for as long as I live. But I also accept have recorded that ‘‘no American reached these very kind words on behalf of the the prison camp of Hoa Lo in worse condi- people who have made a similar com- tion than John McCain.’’ mitment, and were they here, I know real heroes of that very unhappy and Whereas his North Vietnamese captors rec- that we would articulate in much the tragic chapter in American history, ognized that John McCain came from a dis- same sincere fashion our expression of and those are the heroes whose names tinguished military family and caused him gratitude to them. appear on the wall at the memorial not to suffer special beatings, special interroga- So, in some ways, JOHN MCCAIN not very far from this building. They were tions, and the cruel offer of a possible early only represents his own experience, but called and they served with honor. The release; that of all those he served with so val- honor was in their service in what was Whereas John McCain sat in prison in a very unpopular enterprise and one for Hanoi for over 5 years, risking death from iantly during the Vietnam war. disease and medical complications resulting I join with my colleague TRENT LOTT, which the American people took a long from his injuries, steadfastly refusing to co- the majority leader, in recognizing time before we adequately thanked operate with his enemy captors because his that there are things that never go them for their service. They were brave sense of honor and duty would not permit away: the importance of commitment, young people, most of them 18 or 19 him to even consider an early release based the recognition of the need for sac- years of age, who felt that answering on special advantage; rifice, the continued need to work at the country’s call was the most honor- Whereas knowing his refusal to leave early and fight for democracy in this and in able of all professions. So on their be- may well result in his own death from his in- juries John McCain told another prisoner ‘‘I other countries. half and that of their families who still don’t think that’s the right thing to do— A resolution of this nature is cer- mourn their loss, I accept for them They’ll have to drag me out of here’’ tainly fitting, and on behalf of all of with humility and with pride, because Whereas, following the Paris Peace Ac- our colleagues, I hope we can say with as we all know it is very easy to em- cords of January 1973, 591 United States pris- unanimity, ‘‘Thank you, thank you, bark on a popular enterprise; it is oners of war were released from captivity by JOHN MCCAIN.’’ much more difficult to serve in one North Vietnam; Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I am which is fraught with controversy. And Whereas the return of these prisoners of proud to take this opportunity to sometimes the young people who did war to United States Control and to their families and comrades was designated Oper- honor my good friend and colleague return were not given the appreciation ation Homecoming; from Arizona, Senator JOHN MCCAIN in nor the accolades that they deserved Whereas many members of the United the twenty-fifth anniversary of the for their service. States Armed Forces who were taken pris- homecoming of our American prisoners So on behalf of those who cannot oner as a result of ground or aerial combat of war from Vietnam. speak here today, whose names appear in Southeast Asia have not returned to their What a career our friend JOHN on the wall, I say thank you, and we loved ones and their whereabouts remain un- MCCAIN has had: A graduate of the will renew our dedication to see that known; never again do we send our young peo- Whereas United States prisoners of war in Naval Academy, twenty-two years as a Southeast Asia were routinely subjected to naval aviator, a prisoner of war for five ple to fight and die in conflict unless brutal mistreatment, including beatings, years, a recipient of numerous awards the goal is victory and we are prepared torture, starvation, and denial of medical at- including the Purple Heart and Silver to devote all the resources at our dis- tention; Star and a member of this body since posal to winning that victory as quick- Whereas the hundreds of United States 1986. I am honored to have worked so ly as possible. Although that didn’t prisoners of war held in the Hanoi Hilton and closely with him in the past and look happen in that case, we cherish their other facilities persevered under terrible forward to joining forces with him memory, and for as long as Americans conditions; Whereas the prisoners were frequently iso- again in the future. JOHN, I join with celebrate the service and sacrifice of lated from each other and prohibited from others in the Senate in celebrating the young men, we will honor their mem- speaking to each other; anniversary of your coming home and ory. I thank you. Whereas the prisoners nevertheless, at the coming home of those who served The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under great personal risk, devised a means to com- with you. the previous order, Senate Resolution municate with each other through a code Mr. MCCAIN addressed the Chair. 196 is agreed to and the preamble is transmitted by tapping on cell walls; The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- agreed to. Whereas then-Commander James B. ator from Arizona. The resolution (S. Res. 196) was Stockdale, United States Navy, who upon agreed to. the capture on September 9, 1965, became the Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, as my senior POW officer present in the Hanoi Hil- colleagues well know, I am not often at The preamble was agreed to. The resolution, with its preamble, ton, delivered to his men a message that was a loss for words. I certainly am at this to sustain them during their ordeal, as fol- time. reads as follows: lows: Remember, you are Americans. With I would like to, first of all, express S. RES. 196 faith in God, trust in one another, and devo- my appreciation to Senator LOTT and Whereas participation by the United tion to your country, you will overcome. Senator DASCHLE, two honorable adver- States Armed Forces in combat operations You will triumph; saries who continue to struggle on the in Southeast Asia during the period from Whereas the men held as prisoners of war 1964 through 1972 resulted in several hun- during the Vietnam conflict truly represent ideological playing field, but do so in dreds of members of the United States all that is best about America; the most honorable and dignified fash- Armed Forces being taken prisoner by North Whereas Senator John McCain of Arizona ion that reflects credit on the U.S. Sen- Vietnamese, Pathet Lao, and Viet Cong has continued to honor the Nation with de- ate and on them. enemy forces; voted service; and March 17, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2111 Whereas the Nation owes a debt of grati- America’s role in Europe and the abil- small powers, a few imperialistic great tude to John McCain and all of these patri- ity of the transatlantic community to powers, and too many conflicting na- ots for their courage and exemplary service: respond to challenges of the future— tionalist policies, each creating fric- Now, therefore, be it both of which hinge on whether the tion with the other. Twice in this cen- Resolved, That the Senate— tury, these dynamics pulled America (1) expresses its gratitude for, and calls United States wishes to remain a Euro- upon all Americans to reflect upon and show pean power and whether we desire a into wars on the European continent. their gratitude for, the courage and sacrifice unified, democratic, and larger Europe They contributed directly to a pro- of John McCain and the brave men who were to remain linked to America. longed Cold War. And the potential for held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam The case I would like to make today them to create conflict in the future is conflict, particularly on the occasion of the is that NATO enlargement is consist- all too real unless we seize opportuni- 25th anniversary of Operation Homecoming, ent with the moral and strategic im- ties like the one before us. As Vaclav and the return to the United States of Sen- peratives of the Euro-Atlantic relation- Havel put it, ‘‘If the West does not sta- ator John McCain, bilize the East, the East will desta- (2) acting on behalf of all Americans— ship. It is central to the vitality of the trans-atlantic community, to the fu- bilize the West.’’ Every time America (A) will not forget that more than 2,000 has withdrawn its influence from Eu- members of the United States Armed Forces ture of a stable and peaceful Europe remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam and, thus, to the ability of America rope, trouble has followed. This we can- conflict; and and Europe to work together effec- not afford. (B) will continue to press for the fullest tively in promoting common interests Mr. President, NATO enlargement is possible accounting for such members. in the 21st century. the surest means of doing for Central Mr. WARNER. Parliamentary in- Inclusion of Poland, the Czech Re- and Eastern Europe what American quiry. Is it in order to ask to be an public, and Hungary into the Alliance leadership, through the Alliance, has original cosponsor of the resolution? will strengthen NATO. It will make done so well for Western Europe. This The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without NATO militarily more capable and Eu- includes promoting and institutionaliz- objection, it is so ordered. rope more secure. These three democ- ing trust, cooperation, coordination, Mr. WARNER. I thank the Chair. racies have demonstrated their com- and communication. In this way, NATO enlargement is not an act of al- f mitment to the values and interests truism, but one of self-interest. shared by NATO members: human Allow me to reemphasize that NATO EXECUTIVE SESSION rights, equal justice under the law, and enlargement benefits all democracies free markets. Each has a growing econ- in Europe, including Russia. I say this PROTOCOLS TO THE NORTH AT- omy and a military under civilian con- because there are still those who assert LANTIC TREATY OF 1949 ON AC- trol. that NATO enlargement is a policy It is important to note that they also CESSION OF POLAND, HUNGARY, that mistreats Moscow, thereby repeat- contributed forces to Operation Desert AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC ing mistakes made in the Versailles Storm, as well as to our peacekeeping Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, peace and Treaty. That argument is dead wrong. missions in Haiti and Bosnia. They It ignores the hand of partnership and stability in Europe are among Ameri- were among the first countries to com- ca’s most vital security interests. In assistance that the West, including mit forces to serve side by side with NATO, has extended Russia. Last May, support of these interests, NATO has the United States in the stand-off been the cornerstone of American lead- the NATO-Russia Founding Act was against Saddam Hussein. The admis- signed, providing the foundation for ership in Europe and the foundation for sion of these three democracies will security and peace on that continent. not only enhanced consultation, but add an additional 200,000 troops to the also unprecedented defense coopera- The Alliance serves the transatlantic Alliance, thereby strengthening its community not only as a proven deter- tion. Today, Russian troops serve with ability to fulfill its core mission of col- NATO forces in Bosnia. And, unlike the rent against aggression, but also as an lective defense. unmatched instrument of integration punishing economic retribution carried NATO enlargement will eliminate out under the Versailles regime, the and trust—two key pillars of peace and immoral and destabilizing lines in Eu- stability. Through NATO, old enemies West has extended some $100 billion rope, a division established by Stalin since 1991 to help Russia’s democratic have not only been reconciled, but now and perpetuated by the Cold War. The stand side by side as allies; national de- and economic reforms, including over extension of NATO membership to Po- $2 billion in weapon dismantlement and fense policies are coordinated between land, the Czech Republic, and Hungary security assistance. nations that half a century ago were at is an imperative consistent with the Others suggest NATO enlargement war; and, on a day to day basis, con- moral underpinning of U.S. foreign pol- endangers a positive relationship be- sultation, joint planning, joint training icy and the North Atlantic Treaty that tween Russia and the West. The United and cooperation between these coun- established the Alliance in 1949. Indeed, States and its NATO allies will not al- tries reinforce the trust and commit- Article 10 of the Treaty states that ways share common interests with ment to the shared values that under- membership is open to ‘‘any other Eu- Russia, irrespective of NATO enlarge- pin this alliance of democracies. ropean state in a position to further ment. Differences over Iraq, Iran, the Nearly a decade ago, ‘‘velvet revolu- the principles of this treaty and to con- Caucasus, arms sales, and religious tions’’ championed by the likes of Lech tribute to the security of the North At- freedom are not related to NATO en- Walesa and Vaclav Havel renewed free- lantic area.’’ largement. Moscow will always have dom in Central Europe. These remark- Mr President, this powerful state- its own independent motivations. Un- able and peaceful revolutions tore ment reflects the emphasis the Alli- fortunately, there are still those in down the Iron Curtain that divided the ance places on democracy and Moscow who reject NATO enlargement continent and provided the basis upon inclusivity. out of a desire to preserve Russia’s which democracy is now flourishing. But NATO enlargement is not driven sphere of influence. Let us not give Today, nearly a decade after the col- just by moral imperatives. It is also a credibility to the likes of Vladimir lapse of the Berlin Wall, we begin for- policy rooted in strategic self-interest Zhirinovsky by acceding to these de- mal consideration of a resolution of and driven by objective political, eco- mands. ratification that would extend NATO nomic, and military criteria. As I have written with my colleague membership to Poland, the Czech Re- Indeed, for these reasons, NATO has Senator LUGAR, the bottom line is that public, and Hungary. Few votes before expanded three times since its found- if Russia cannot accept the legitimate the Senate have as much far-reaching ing, and continued enlargement will right of its neighbors to choose their significance as this. expand the zone of peace, democracy, own defensive security arrangements, This vote concerns not only the inte- and stability in Europe. This benefits then NATO’s role in Central and East- gration of these three democracies into all countries in Europe, including a de- ern Europe is even more important. the Alliance, it is also very much about mocratizing Russia. Keeping the above arguments in the strategic relationship between the Throughout its history, Europe has mind, it follows that the costs of en- United States and Europe. It is about been a landscape of many insecure largement are insignificant to the