[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 12 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. J. RES. 12

 Authorizing the conduct of air operations and missile strikes as part 
 of a larger NATO operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 
                        (Serbia and Montenegro).


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 23, 1999

 Mr. Specter introduced the following joint resolution; which was read 
        twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
 Authorizing the conduct of air operations and missile strikes as part 
 of a larger NATO operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 
                        (Serbia and Montenegro).

Whereas Congress strongly supports the men and women of our military forces;
Whereas bomber and missile strikes constitute acts of war;
Whereas only Congress has the Constitutional prerogative to authorize war;
Whereas the unilateral Presidential authorization of military strikes, however 
        well-intentioned, undercuts that power established clearly in the 
        Constitution for Congress to make such decisions;
Whereas the autonomy of Kosovo, a region in southern Serbia, was abolished by 
        the Serbian leader, Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic in 1989 and 
        1990;
Whereas conflict between ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Serbian police led by 
        President Slobodan Milosevic has resulted in over 2,000 deaths since the 
        end of February 1998 and has displaced nearly 400,000 people;
Whereas over one-third of Kosovo's villages and an estimated 4,000 homes have 
        been deliberately damaged or destroyed;
Whereas the assault on the civilian population has been reported to include 
        atrocities which could be considered war crimes, crimes against humanity 
        and genocide;
Whereas the international community has spoken out repeatedly against Serbian 
        human rights abuses in Kosovo;
Whereas the instability in Kosovo represents a significant regional threat;
Whereas Yugoslav and Serbian officials, reportedly led by Slobodan Milosevic, 
        similarly instigated, organized and directed aggressive action against 
        civilians in Croatia in 1991, and in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1992 to 
        1995;
Whereas peace was only restored to the region of the former Yugoslavia in 1995 
        when Yugoslav and Serbian officials, including Slobodan Milosevic, were 
        confronted with the clear resolve of the international community to use 
        force against them;
Whereas, on January 30, 1999, the NATO allies authorized Secretary-General 
        Solana to order air-strikes anywhere in Yugoslavia, if a peace 
        settlement was not accepted by the deadline of February 20, 1999, and 
        subsequently extended to February 23, 1999;
Whereas the United States participation in NATO military operations is important 
        in maintaining the strength of the NATO alliance generally; and
Whereas congressional support and cooperation with our NATO allies will send an 
        important signal of national resolve that would strengthen the ability 
        of the United States to bring the two sides together toward a peace 
        agreement in Kosovo: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is 
authorized to conduct air operations and missile strikes against the 
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) for the purpose 
of bringing about a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Kosovo.
                                 <all>