[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 109 (Friday, June 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      PERSONAL EXPLANATION OF VOTE ON HOYER AMENDMENT ON H.R. 1561

                                 ______


                      HON. WILLIAM F. CLINGER, JR.

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 30, 1995
  Mr. CLINGER. Mr. Speaker, on June 8, I voted ``No'' on rollcall No. 
362, an amendment offered by Mr. Hoyer to the American Overseas 
Interests Act of 1995. Mr. Hoyer's amendment declares that the United 
States supports the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Bosnia 
and Herzegovina to defend itself against aggression, and directs the 
President to lift the arms embargo against the Bosnian government. As 
you recall, the amendment passed 318-99.
  Like my colleagues in the House, I am troubled by the horrific 
violence and blatant human rights abuses in the Balkans and frustrated 
by the continued failure to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. 
Furthermore, I share my colleagues' good intentions of seeing the 
devastating war in Bosnia come to an end or at least allowing the 
Bosnian government to defend itself against Serbian aggression.
  However, I feel it would not be wise to act on this matter over the 
objections of our NATO allies in Europe who remain opposed to lifting 
the arms embargo against Bosnia. Given that it is their troops who are 
on the line and that a rapid escalation in fighting would put our 
friends in Europe in harm's way, I cannot support lifting the arms 
embargo at this time. In all, I am convinced that the United States 
should work with NATO before making any dramatic shift in our policy 
toward Bosnia. To do otherwise will only weaken our valuable alliance 
with NATO.


                          ____________________