[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 45 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        MISUSE OF AMERICAN POWER

  (Mr. GINGRICH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I listened in disbelief last night as the 
President of the United States explained the tactical air strike 
command and control system for Bosnia. The local U.N. Forces ask the 
U.N. Commander, who ask the U.N. political advisor, who, if they get 
approval from New York, ask NATO, which ask an American pilot, and this 
is madness, to have individual air strikes with control in Bosnia, New 
York, and Washington. That is worse than anything that was done in 
micromanaging the Vietnam War.
  If we cannot find a clear mission with a clear theater campaign plan, 
with a clear and clean command and control system, we should withdraw 
any involvement. However, to have American pilots risking their lives, 
loitering like taxis while the U.N. Commander negotiates, to be used 
individually if a convoluted chain of command agrees to it, is crazy.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just ask every Member to read precisely what the 
President said last night is his approved chain of command for ordering 
individual air strikes. It is the worst misuse of American power, I 
think, since World War II.

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