[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 21, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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

 
          STOP SERBIAN AGGRESSION: PROTECT ALBANIANS IN KOSOVA

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I rise today to voice my concern over 
Serbian aggression in the Republic of Kosova. Over the past several 
years, I have spoken on this important issue on numerous occasions. 
Unfortunately, it is necessary to continue speaking out.
  If Serb aggression and ethnic cleansing offensives are directed 
against Kosovar Albanians, regional stability will diminish further and 
a great tragedy will be inflicted upon a proud people. The danger is 
real.
  I therefore have called upon President Clinton to act decisively to 
help solve the crisis in Kosova. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of 
my letter to the President be included in the Record immediately 
following my remarks.
  (See exhibit 1.)
  Mr. PRESSLER. The Republic of Kosova is a government in exile. 
Kosovar Albanians are struggling desperately to overcome the socialist 
Belgrade Government amidst a deteriorating society. A policy to restore 
the freely elected Government of Kosova and secure democracy is needed 
urgently. In calling upon President Clinton for a decisive policy that 
addresses this crisis, I have offered several suggestions.
  The United States is able to provide the leadership and the 
diplomatic tools necessary to assure a stable democratic Republic in 
Kosova. This leadership and diplomacy can be provided by several means. 
First, the arms embargo against Bosnia should be ended. Giving Bosnian 
Moslems the ability to defend themselves against ethnic cleansing 
aggression would provide a strong incentive for Bosnian Serbs to accept 
a peace agreement. Military assistance to Bosnian Moslems would be 
perceived as a threat to Serbian aggressors. Such an action could deter 
war from reaching Kosova.
  Second, lifting economic sanctions against Serbia could be linked to 
designated improvements in Kosova. This would provide an incentive for 
substantial improvements for human rights. However, before the trade 
embargo should be lifted, improvements in the treatment of Bosnian 
Moslems must be evident. Promises alone are not enough. Third, the 
United States should recognize Kosova as an independent, sovereign 
nation and establish full diplomatic relations with it. Recognition of 
Kosova's sovereignty would legitimize future democratic and market-
based reforms in a country that is seeking to establish democratic 
institutions and a market-based economy. Finally, Mr. President, the 
no-fly zone could be expanded to include Kosova.
  Mr. President, current international events have diverted our 
attention from the plight of Kosovar Albanians. I call upon President 
Clinton to direct serious attention to Kosova. This is essential if we 
are to prevent the escalation of the Bosnian conflict, halt the 
expansion of Serbian ethnic cleansing, and contribute substantively to 
the further spread of democracy in the successor States of the former 
Yugoslavia.

                               Exhibit 1


                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                     Washington, DC, June 8, 1994.
     The President,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: I am writing to express my concern over 
     the current situation in the Republic of Kosova. The 
     potential for violence in this region has been underestimated 
     seriously and demands your immediate attention.
       Specifically, I am concerned deeply that Serbian ``ethnic 
     cleansing'' offensives will reach Kosovar Albanians. Bosnian 
     Serbs already have called for the ``ethnic cleansing'' of 
     more than two million Albanians living in Kosova. The 
     socialist Belgrade government, with its Serbian-dominated 
     army, has shown no interest in refraining from oppression and 
     human rights violations against Kosovar Albanians.
       The United States must exercise leadership and diplomatic 
     tools to ensure Kosova a peaceful separation from Serbia. We 
     can begin by ending the arms embargo against Bosnia so that 
     Bosnian Muslims may obtain the means to defend themselves 
     against the Serbs. Another means of preventing the war from 
     reaching Kosova would be link a lifting of economic sanctions 
     against Serbia to specified improvement in Kosova. This might 
     serve as an incentive for Serbs to comply with human rights 
     initiatives. Also, the United States should recognize 
     diplomatically the Republic of Kosova as an independent, 
     sovereign nation. These steps are essential to obtaining a 
     legitimate democracy and future economic reforms. Finally, we 
     could expand the ``no-fly-zone'' to include Kosova in an 
     effort to further deter war in that region.
       Thank you for your serious attention regarding this matter. 
     I will continue my efforts to work with you in helping to end 
     the conflict in the Balkans.
           Sincerly,
                                                   Larry Pressler,
     U.S. Senator.

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