[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 188 (Tuesday, November 28, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H13669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IS BOSNIA WORTH DYING FOR?

  (Mr. ROTH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, last night I listened very attentively to what 
the President was telling the House and the Congress and also the 
American people. I listened to the President, and he did not answer the 
question: Is Bosnia worth dying for?
  I think that is the core question we have to ask ourselves. 
Therefore, I think the people in the Congress are not going to follow 
the President's wishes and back him going into Bosnia. Going into 
Bosnia is not a smart move.
  Every lesson we learned in Vietnam has either been forgotten or 
ignored. Secretary of State Christopher's own doctrine says before you 
can put troops anywhere in the world you have to ask yourself four 
questions: First, what is the mission? The President did not give us a 
clear mission.
  Second, is there a reasonable chance for success? There is no 
reasonable chance for success in Bosnia.
  Third, the support of the American people. The American people do not 
support this adventure.
  And, fourth, what is the exit strategy? There is no exit strategy.
  Going into Bosnia is a very bad idea, and if we do, we will rue the 
day that we have done it.

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