[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 113 (Thursday, July 13, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S9832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         DISASTER IN SREBRENICA

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I had hoped that the profound disaster in 
Srebrenica would have provoked a greater response from this 
administration than what we have seen in the last 48 hours. Tens of 
thousands of Bosnians have fled, Dutch peacekeepers are being held 
hostage, young girls are being taken away by Bosnian Serb forces, and 
the two other eastern enclaves--also U.N. designated safe havens--are 
under continued attack. Yet, instead of leadership, all the 
administration has to offer is press spokesmen to defend this 
catastrophe.
  The best defense would be a change in the present approach. However, 
that is unlikely from what the cadre of administration spokesman have 
said.
  Despite the obviousness of this colossal failure, Western leaders 
cling stubbornly to the myth that no other options exit.
  There are reports that the administration is working with the allies 
to withdraw U.N. forces from the Eastern enclaves and redeploy them in 
central Bosnia and Sarajevo. In my view, this would be redefining 
failure.
  I remind my colleagues that in the spring of 1993, Secretary 
Christopher went to Europe with the lift-and-strike plan and returned 
with the joint action plan. This plan was sold as the humanitarian 
option. The option that put the Bosnians' interests first. The joint 
action plan committed the United States, Britain, France, Russia, and 
the European Union to the protection of six U.N.-designated safe havens 
and closing the borders between Serbia and Bosnia.
  There are those of us who urged the administration not to go along 
with this so-called plan, who warned that creating giant refugee camps 
with minimal defense would support Serbian war aims. We were ignored.
  I might say these suggestions came not just from this side but on 
both sides of the aisle.
  The administration went ahead and what a trade. Two years later 
Milosevic is still sending supplies and troops across the border and, 
the Bosnians are not only defenseless, but undefended.
  Now we are faced with a widening catastrophe, but there is no longer 
any attempt to save the Bosnians--only to save face. The rapid reaction 
force is intended to save face.
  I believe that the United Nations must begin preparations for 
withdrawal immediately. I am prepared to support the use of U.S. 
forces, if they are necessary, but under strict conditions.
  If we have to use U.S. forces, it is going to be because of a total 
lack of policy by the Clinton administration. We are going to be backed 
into the use of U.S. forces because of a lack of clear leadership by 
this administration. That should be clear to everyone.
  But even having said that, we have some obligations and I would be 
willing to support use of U.S. forces--under strict conditions.
  First, unified NATO command--no dual key.
  Second, robust rules of engagement which provide for massive 
retaliation if any U.S. forces are attacked.
  Third, all necessary measures are taken to protect United States and 
NATO personnel from likely threats--from any source, to include 
Serbia--to include the suppression of Serbian air defenses.
  Fourth, no risking U.S. lives to save equipment.
  Fifth, agreement from our allies to lift the arms embargo on Bosnia.
  The administration must know that it will be held responsible and 
that if these conditions are not met, the risk to U.S. forces will be 
far greater than necessary.
  Mr. President, the United Nations must withdraw and the arms embargo 
must be lifted. The United States cannot continue to subsidize and 
support a U.N. mission that serves largely to supervise ethnic 
cleansing and aggression. The United States must exercise leadership 
and support the fundamental right of self-defense.
  I listened last night to one of the spokesmen, a White House press 
person, talking about Bosnia. He said, ``Well, we cannot afford to lift 
the arms embargo. That would cost us money.''
  What does he think we are spending now? We are spending a great deal 
of money, and we are picking up 31 percent of the tab right now in 
Bosnia. Hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent by 
the U.S. taxpayers. So I wish if they are going to trot out the press 
spokesmen, at least they should have the facts correct and tell the 
American people the truth, and give them an accurate report of what is 
actually happening.
  I yield the floor.
  

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