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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E1141 clearly: Where do we go from here? What and indeed I think they are in fact taking A senior partner with the law firm of Davis next? I think from the general feel of things, place. Wright Tremaine, Mr. Kovner is widely re- the atmosphere that I found in Belgrade, the One of the things that bothers me is the spected for his legal experience and skill, sort of sotto voce conversations I had with fear that a lot of the American public, the various people there and from what we read American media, some members of the Con- qualities evident during his service as Cor- in the New York Times and the Washington gress in both parties, will be amused with poration Counsel of the City of New York, and Post this morning, something is happening, this need to show how tough and strong we in a wide range of other important positions something is about to happen. You won't are, and how we must not weaken and we such as Chair of the New York State Commis- have all of this flurry of activity without must not give in. We must be careful that we sion on Judicial Conduct, as well as Chair of something coming out of it. What it will be don't be made to seem like fools manipu- the New York City Bar Association's Commit- is yet to be seen. lated by this evil man. We are in danger of tees on the Judiciary and Communications & Our talks in Belgrade, beyond those of just taking counsel of our fears instead of mount- getting the soldiers released, were a worthy ing courage of our convictions and our hopes Media Law. mission in itself, though some people criti- for a better world and for a solution. But despite this stellar professional record, it cized us very severely for trying and told us I think that a solution that we could ac- is Mr. Kovner's extra-professional accomplish- quite confidently that we'd never succeed. cept is possible. It will take hard bargaining, ments in which his character and dedication Well, we did succeed. They told us it was it will take tenacious attention to details, are most apparent. He has been instrumental risky and our lives would be in danger, the and here's one thing I want to say finally, in advancing the cause of Middle-east peace Mr. Chairman. I think we need to give much U.S. government could do nothing to protect as a member of the board of Americans for us. OK, we said ``fine.'' We went there, we more attention to the issue of the process by came back. But we had the opportunity to which we accomplish these things. We have Peace Now and as a leader with the Israel explore ideas among people within the lead- an illusion that somehow if you could get Policy Forum. ership of this Milosevic government. We the top leaders together around the table In the United States, Mr. Kovner has been sampled public opinion from talking to a va- facing each other, they can produce the doc- a tireless advocate for social justice and riety of people there, and I simply want to ument which they will then sign that will progress. He helped found the Black-Jewish share with you a few of those impressions. solve the problem. Coalition, chaired the board of Planned Par- Trying to read Mr. Milosevic's mind is an That's one of the troubles with the Dayton enthood, and worked to advance such impor- arcane kind of skill that I think none of us agreement. We got the people together, we have or are likely to acquire. But he's not a locked them up for two weeks, we browbeat tant goals as artistic creativity, environmental stupid man. He's a highly intelligent man, them into so-called negotiating and gave protection, and civil liberties. he's a highly manipulative man, and he's them a document to sign. The document was In short, Victor Kovner is a man of national done terrible things and is capable of doing enormously complicated and lengthy which and international stature, whose vision and more terrible things. But it is perfectly clear outlined a constitution for a state and all leadership have made a material difference to that there is going to be a willingness on his the rest of it. We gave it to them and said: many individualsÐand inspired even more to part to move towards something very close ``Now you sign here and we're going out and demonstrate a similar devotion to social and to what NATO is demanding of him, specifi- implementing it.'' The Dayton agreement community ideals. cally, he is prepared to agree to the return of has flaws but it really isn't as bad as its ap- all the refugees whom he's driven out. That's plication has turned out to be. We didn't I am proud to join in recognizing Mr. Kovner going to be a difficult, costly task to carry really enforce it and we didn't carry it out in and confident that he will remain a leading out. He's going to agree to the return of the all kinds of ways. light for many years to come. relief and development agencies who also I think we need to have a step by step proc- were withdrawn from Kosovo, and he'll agree ess set in motion in which specialists can f to free access for them to do their job. He come forth with proposals of how these wants very much and will certainly agree to issues can be dealt with and how to involve CONGRATULATIONS TO REGGIE a resumption of negotiations on an auton- all of the parties who must be a part of the CROSS omy agreement. The nature of autonomy he final framing of that agreement and signing would agree to is of course not totally clear; it. The idea that you can make peace by a he does want to make sure that Kosovo dicta is not a viable concept of international HON. JULIA CARSON would remain within Serbia. That's one of diplomacy, it simply won't work. That is not OF INDIANA his central demands. Whether he would set- real diplomacy nor will it produce peace and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tle for it simply being a republic within stability in the region. Monday, June 7, 1999 Yugoslavia, I don't know, but that's one of The final thing is that we've got to ingrain the other options. He will resist tenaciously in our policy and in our actions the return of Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the idea of an independent Kosovo, and quite the refugees to their homes. This is the heart congratulate and bestow much deserved rec- honestly, I think we should too. I think that of the problem also in Bosnia. It is the heart ognition to Reggie Cross of Arlington High would be a terribly disturbing, destabilizing of the problem if we cannot deliver on this School located in my hometown of Indianap- outcome of this conflict. obligation to enable people to go back to The big sticking points are these: the with- where they came from. That above every- olis, Indiana. drawal of Serb troops, police forces and spe- thing else is what they want. Don't let any- Reggie exemplifies what it means to be a cial groups from this terrible activities in body tell you, Henry Kissinger or anyone student-athlete. As a student, Reggie has sat- Kosovo. He knows he will have to withdraw. else, that the refugees don't want to go isfied the National Collegiate Athletic Associa- He will try tenaciously to keep some home, that's nonsense. And if we can't de- tion's Scholastic Aptitude Requirements and presense there. He will insist that we've got liver that, we are bankrupt in terms of cre- will be able to go to the college of his choice to have some Serb police as part of this ative diplomatic ideas, and we expose our and pursue his goal of a psychology degree. peacekeeping force. And he will have a cer- posturing of power as a hollow, hollow thing. As an athlete, Reggie has excelled in both tain logic to that. But how do you constrain f them, control them, I don't know. That's one basketball and track. In basketball, Reggie of the issues. He's going to be very tough in A TRIBUTE TO VICTOR A. KOVNER helped the Arlington Knights win the city bargaining about total or substantial with- championship, and earned a spot on the city drawal. He's going to fight for some presence All-Star team. As Captain of the Arlington to be maintained there. HON. NITA M. LOWEY Track team, Reggie set the 400 meter record The other thing is, of course, the composi- OF NEW YORK for both the North Central Sectional and the tion of the international peace keeping po- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES City Championship. At the State Track and lice service (whatever you call it, semantics Monday, June 7, 1999 do have some place) he wants some kind of Field Meet, Reggie blew away the rest of the fig leaf to cover him. So, that will be one of Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to field to win the State 400 meter championship.

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