[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 38 (Tuesday, April 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       CROATIAN-BOSNIAN AGREEMENT

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 1994

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the signing of 
the Croatian-Bosnian agreement on March 1. With the successful 
implementation of ceasefires in Bosnian territory under Croatian and 
Muslim control, there is renewed hope for future peace in Bosnia-
Hercegovina and neighboring Croatia. The restored alliance between 
Bosnian Croatians and Moslems allows the governments of Bosnia and 
Croatia and the international community to refocus on the true culprit 
in this genocidal war in the heart of Europe: Serbian aggression.
  Two million Croatian Americans firmly believe that continued Serbian 
aggression is a U.S. foreign policy priority, and that a secure Croatia 
is important to stability in central Europe. Now that peace between the 
Croats and Moslems is at hand, the United States must evaluate how 
peace can be brought to Serbian-occupied territories in the Republics 
of Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina, when Greater Serbia, Slobodan 
Milosevic and his Serbian warlords refuse to sit at the negotiating 
table and sign a ceasefire or broader agreement in good faith.
  The administration has rightly decided that progress toward peace can 
be accelerated by encouraging Croatia to take a leadership role in the 
conflict. Croatia as a leader in the region and a partner to the U.S. 
will rapidly shift the balance of power and provide substantial 
leverage against the Serbs. If provided adequate economic and military 
support, Croatia can serve as a counterbalance to Serbian expansionism 
in the region. A strong Croatia with sustainable economic growth and 
military parity obviates the need for United States troops on the 
ground. And ending the war without sending ground troops to the Balkans 
is definitely in the United States interest.
  The United States can take simple measures to ensure that Croatia is 
positioned to counter Serbian expansionism. Providing for 260,000 
Bosnian Muslim refugees has cost the Croatian government nearly $850 
million in the past 2 years. The burden of accommodating 800,000 
refugees and displaced persons within its borders has taken a 
staggering toll on the Croatian economy; the Croatian Government has 
spent $1.52 billion and in 1992 Croatia's citizens paid 60 percent of 
their own income, two-thirds going for social programs, to support 
refugee care. Yet Croatia has managed its wartime economy well: 
inflation is close to zero, internal reserves are strong and Croatia 
has not taken on any new foreign debt. As such, Croatia is an excellent 
candidate to receive loans, grants and aid from international monetary 
institutions to rebuild damaged infrastructure and other aspects of the 
economy; in combination with U.S. refugee assistance, financial aid to 
Croatia will alleviate common suffering, eliminate the need for a 
massive future economic bailout and as such will prove a wise 
investment.
  In the context of accelerating a peaceful resolution in the Balkans, 
the United States strongly must advocate the repatriation of all 
occupied territory in Croatia, continue to support a unified Bosnia-
Hercegovina with safeguards for all its citizens, and actively pursue 
the return of all refugees and displaced persons in both countries. 
Only when internationally recognized borders are restored and all 
refugees are allowed to return home will a return to peace be possible.
  And if the Serbian party refuses to cooperate--as it has refused to 
cooperate since it began its ethnic cleansing and land grabbing 
campaign--military force must finally be brought to bear on the 
aggressors. Air strikes should be activated and the arms embargo 
lifted. In the name of humanity and civility, sanctions must be 
tightened and strictly enforced against Serbia until the shelling is 
stopped and the guns fall silent.

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