[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 27 (Friday, February 10, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S FAILED BOSNIA POLICY

                                 ______


                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 10, 1995
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago today, Secretary of 
State Christopher unveiled the Clinton administration's Bosnia policy 
while lamenting the fact that the West had repeatedly missed earlier 
opportunities to effectively address the conflict and prevent it from 
deepening.
  During his presentation, Christopher outlined United States interests 
and strategic concerns at stake in Bosnia. ``Our conscience revolts at 
the idea of passively accepting such brutality,'' he said, and ``it 
tests our commitment to the nurturing of democracy * * *'' Recognizing 
the implications of the Bosnian crisis he warned, ``The world's 
response to the violence in the former Yugoslavia is an early and 
crucial test of how it will address the concerns of ethnic and 
religious minorities in the post-cold war world.''
  One year ago, in the aftermath of the marketplace massacre in 
Sarajevo, President Clinton echoed this view when he said, ``This 
century teaches us that America cannot afford to ignore conflicts in 
Europe. And in this case, our Nation has distinct interests.'' He 
concluded, ``While the cold war may be over, the world is still full of 
dangers and the world still looks to America for leadership.''
  President Clinton had it right when he vowed in his inaugural address 
that, ``When our vital interests are challenged or the will and 
conscience of the international community is defied, we will act, with 
peaceful diplomacy whenever possible, with force when necessary.''
  Mr. Speaker, our interests have been challenged.
  The will and conscience of the international community have been 
defied.
  Peaceful diplomacy has failed.
  And the world still looks to America for leadership * * *.
  

                          ____________________