[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 31, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENSE OF HOUSE RELATING TO DEPLOYMENT OF ARMED FORCES IN BOSNIA AND 
                              HERZEGOVINA

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 30, 1995

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor, I rise in strong 
support of the resolution regarding the commitment of United States 
ground forces as a precondition to peace in Bosnia.
  Two weeks ago, Secretaries Perry and Christopher as well as the 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs testified before the International 
Relations Committee as part of their effort to consult with the 
Congress on this difficult issue of Bosnia.
  Much to my surprise, all of the witnesses seemed to suggest that no 
peace agreement between the Serbs and the Moslems would be possible 
unless the United States agreed to send ground forces to the region.
  To me, this was nothing short of international political blackmail 
and suggested that the warring parties were more interested in 
guaranteeing that U.S. soldiers would be sent into harm's way than they 
were in securing a lasting peace agreement.
  It comes as no surprise that I share the strong skepticism and 
opposition of many of my colleagues in the Congress with respect to the 
commitment of United States ground forces to Bosnia. But to suggest 
that only the commitment of United States Forces to the area can 
guarantee a peace agreement is dubious at best. If we fail to send 
those forces will the Moslems and Serbs begin shooting again?
  While I do not share the administration's position and do support 
this resolution today, I do appreciate the dilemma the administration 
faces as a full partner in the NATO alliance and the responsibilities 
which come with that partnership.
  To me, however, there is absolutely no domestic political or military 
advantage to sending American troops into harm's way in Bosnia. Make no 
mistake, this is dangerous territory and lives could well be lost no 
matter what is written on the eventual peace agreement. If anyone 
thinks Bosnia will somehow be less dangerous if an agreement is reached 
they need only recall our experience in Somalia where the warlords were 
not nearly as organized or well armed.
  This resolution before us today is very simple. It says that a peace 
agreement between the Serbs and the Moslems should not be conditioned 
on whether the United States will send troops into the region or not.
  Peace in Bosnia must come because the two sides want to end the 
killing and to allow their citizens to resume a normal and risk free 
life. Peace should come to the region whether the forces helping to 
implement the agreement come from Britain, France, Germany, or the 
United States.
  I urge a yes vote on the resolution.

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