[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 3 (Friday, January 6, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S575-S576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNITED STATES ARMS EMBARGO ON BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, 2 days ago I introduced legislation together
with the distinguished Senator from Connecticut, Senator Lieberman, to
terminate the United States arms embargo on Bosnia-Herzegovina as of
May 1, 1995.
As I mentioned in my remarks at the that time, I believed that this
legislation was not only consistent with international law in upholding
Bosnia's inherent right to self-defense, but that it would also serve
to provide some badly needed leverage for the Bosnians on the
diplomatic side.
I understand that today, Adm. Leighton Smith, commander of NATO
Forces in Southern Europe told reporters that he opposed this
legislation. I am not
surprised that a four-star admiral would not oppose his Commander in
Chief, nor that a NATO commander would not choose to contradict the
NATO-Secretary General.
I would note, however, that in addition to candidate Bill Clinton,
the following former high-level Government officials, including Cabinet
members, have publicly supported lifting the arms embargo on Bosnia:
Zbigniew Brzezinski; Frank Carlucci; George
[[Page S576]] Shultz; Jeane Kirkpatrick; Paul Wolfowitz; Richard Perle;
and Max Kampelman--quite an impressive list. Moreover, I would
emphasize that the late Manfred Woerner, the previous Secretary
General, advocated helping the victims of aggression, especially when
the international community does not have the resolve to take action on
behalf of that victim. That is surely the case in Bosnia.
It seems to me however, that the views that should be given the most
weight, are those of the Bosnians. It is their country and their future
we are talking about.
And so, I would like to share two letters with my colleagues which I
received from the President of Bosnia, Alija Izetbegovic, and from the
Bosnian Ambassador to the United Nations, Muhamed Sacirbey. Both
letters strongly support the Dole/Lieberman bill. First I would like to
quote from President Izetbegovic's letter to me:
The leadership of the United States of America is essential
in the search for peace in the Republic of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. The legislation that you and Senator Lieberman
have offered is entirely supportive of peace efforts and the
continuing leadership of your country in this matter.
We wholeheartedly concur that the arms embargo should be
terminated ``de facto'' no later than May 1, 1995. By such
date the preliminary agreement on the cessation of
hostilities would have expired and by then the Serbians would
have opted to accept the contract group peace plan or to
continue the war. We believe that this legislation would be
most pivotal not only in confronting international aggression
and acts of genocide against our Republic, but also in
encouraging the Serbians to opt for peace.
The letter from Ambassador Sacirbey states the following, and I
quote,
We wish to reiterate our full support for congressional
efforts, in particular S. 21, to terminate the application of
the U.S. arms embargo on the Government of the Republic of
Bosnia and Herzegovina * * * The elements of your proposed
legislation are in complete convergence with our views. We
are also of the opinion that this legislation is entirely
consistent with the search for peace in our country * * *
We need to keep things in perspective. The strains within NATO have
not been caused by congressional efforts to lift the embargo, but the
present policy itself. The credibility of the alliance has been damaged
because NATO has allowed itself to become a subcontractor to the United
Nations. The only way to reverse this situation is for the United
States to reassert its leadership in support of a better policy. The
Clinton administration was on the right track in May 1993, it is now
time to get back on that track.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the letters I referred to
be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Permanent Mission to
the United Nations,
New York, January 4, 1995.
Hon. Robert Dole,
Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Majority Leader: We wish to reiterate our full support
for Congressional efforts, in particular S. 21, to terminate
the application of the U.S. arms embargo on the Government of
the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We must also express
our sincere appreciation for these efforts and our admiration
for the thoughtful manner by which this matter has been
guided by you. The elements of your proposed legislation are
in complete convergence with our views.
We also are of the opinion that this legislation is
entirely consistent with the search for peace in our country
and the congressional intent established during the debate on
this issue during the previous Congressional session. The
United States delegation to the United Nations, under the
capable and faithful direction of Ambassador Madeleine K.
Albright, had ``tabled'' a draft resolution within the
Security Council to lift the arms embargo on our Government.
Unfortunately, this resolution met resistance from some key
nations in the Council, although it has never been put to a
vote. In fact, our efforts to facilitate a consensus on this
matter through flexibility were misconstrued and have not met
with a positive response.
We believe that U.S. leadership in bringing an end to this
unjust arms embargo continues to be an essential element in
ending this international aggression and acts of genocide
against my country.
Once again, thank you for your leadership regarding this
matter.
Sincerely,
Muhamed Sacirbey,
Ambassador and Permanent Representative.
____
Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Office of the
President of the Presidency,
January 5, 1995.
Hon. Robert Dole,
Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Majority Leader: The leadership of the United States
of America is essential in the search for peace in the
Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The legislation that you
and Senator Lieberman have offered is entirely supportive of
peace efforts and the continuing leadership of your country
in this matter.
We wholeheartedly concur that the arms embargo should be
terminated ``de facto'' no later than May 1, 1995. By such
date at the preliminary agreement on the ``cessation of
hostilities'' would have expired and by then the Serbians
would have opted to accept the Contact Group Peace Plan or to
continue the war. We believe that this legislation would be
most pivotal not only in confronting international aggression
and acts of genocide against our Republic but also in
encouraging the Serbians to opt for peace.
Once again, I would like to thank you personally and your
colleagues for your support for peace in our Republic.
Please accept the renewed assurances of my highest
consideration.
Sincerely,
Alija Izetbegovic
Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, let me suggest to my colleagues that we will
try to wrap up business because I think the streets are getting a
little icy out there, and it may be that we need to get home.
____________________