[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 91 (Tuesday, June 6, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H5612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  URGING COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT AMENDMENT TO ALLOW BOSNIANS TO DEFEND 
                               THEMSELVES

  (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow I will be offering an amendment to 
the American Overseas Interests Act to lift the arms embargo that has 
tied the hands of the people of Bosnia for over 3 years in their 
efforts at self defense.
  Last year, with bipartisan support, the House voted overwhelmingly to 
lift the arms embargo, yet one year later, what has it brought the 
Bosnians? Nothing other than more deaths. We have seen time and time 
again Bosnians say yes to peace, only to have the aggressors, the 
Bosnian Serbs, say ``No, only on our terms.'' Time and time again we 
have backed down from our threats, only to allow the aggressors more 
time to kill and destroy a nation recognized by the international 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, appeasement of aggression in Bosnia resonates throughout 
the world. We cannot continue taking a middle course in which we 
espouse noble principles and yet tolerate their continued violation.
  At the funeral of two slain peacekeepers, France's President Chirac 
declared, ad I quote, ``We will not accept the return of ethnic hatred 
and barbarism to the continent.'' Yet, Mr. Speaker, if we fail to 
assist the sovereign nation of Bosnia, then we shall have facilitated 
their return.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and allow the Bosnians 
to exercise their right to defend themselves.

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