[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     STATEMENT UPON INTRODUCTION OF KOSOVA PEACE AND DEMOCRACY ACT

                                 ______


                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 23, 1994

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to introduce, along with Ms. 
Molinari, Mr. Serrano, Mr. King, Mrs. Lowey, and Mr. Olver the Kosova 
Peace and Democracy Act of 1994. For too long, ethnic Albanian citizens 
of Kosova, who comprise 90 percent of its population, have been 
dominated and repressed by Serbia. With this bill, Congress can finally 
take action to protect and assist the people of Kosova.
  Kosovars voted overwhelmingly for the independence of their state in 
September 1990. They have subsequently chosen Ibrahim Rugova to be the 
first President of the newly declared Republic of Kosova and Bujar 
Bukoshi, who is visiting Congress today, to be its first Prime 
Minister. Serbia, however, has not seen fit to recognize these valid 
and legitimate acts of self-determination. Belgrade has prevented the 
new government from meeting in the Kosova capital of Pristina and 
strictly controls all media and public expressions of political views.
  Today, the human rights situation in Kosova is grave. With the 
expulsion of CSCE monitors in July 1993, the humanitarian conditions 
have grown even worse. Ethnic Albanians are denied access to education 
and health care solely on the basis of their ethnicity. More are 
dismissed from their jobs simply due to their Albanian heritage. 
Indeed, some have faced prison terms--and even torture--by Serbian 
authorities simply for the expression of political opinions. During the 
last 2 months, the Serbs unilaterally closed the respected Academy of 
Sciences and Arts of Kosova and the Institute for Albanology. I 
strongly believe that the United States must demand the return of 
international observers and speak out more vociferously against the 
silent extension of ``ethnic cleansing'' to Kosova.

  The security situation in Kosova is also very troubling. As the 
conflict between Bosnian Moslems and Croats is brought to a close, and 
the situation throughout Bosnia appears ready to improve, I fear that 
Belgrade will turn its attention toward Kosova. If Serbia escalates its 
aggressive behavior in Kosova, the Balkan conflict may expand into 
Macedonia, drawing in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and possibly Turkey. I 
support statements by the United States Government threatening the use 
of American military force ``in the event of conflict in Kosova caused 
by Serbian action'' and believe that the administration should 
reiterate these warnings.
  But, the situation requires more than statements. The aggressors must 
be keenly aware that their actions in Kosova have consequences. The 
legislation I introduce today will send just that message. It will 
condition the lifting of sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro upon 
improvements in Kosova. In particular, this bill will prevent the 
lifting of sanctions until:
  There is substantial progress toward restoration of Kosova's 
independent identity and autonomy;
  There is substantial improvement in the human rights situation in 
Kosova;
  International observers return; and
  The elected Government in Kosova is permitted to meet.
  The bill also provides for Radio Free Europe programming in the 
Albanian language in Kosova and other areas of the former Yugoslavia 
with significant numbers of Albanian-speaking people.
  As the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle 
East and cochair of the congressional Albanian Issues Caucus, I believe 
that greater emphasis must be placed on the situation in Kosova. The 
tragic human rights abuses experienced by ethnic Albanians and the 
significant international security implications of Serbian military 
moves in Kosova demand action and a high degree of attention by our 
Government. The bill I am introducing today will provide for a real 
response to the brutality which the citizens of Kosova face every day. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this legislation.

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