[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H14372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WHY WE NEED TO GET INVOLVED IN BOSNIA

  (Mr. RICHARDSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, why get involved in Bosnia? The answer 
is that America's interests, values, and leadership are at stake. But 
we should ask the question, ``What if we don't?'' Then we surrender our 
leadership role. And we must ask the question, ``Are we still prepared 
to lead?''
  Mr. Speaker, our troops are going to enforce a peace, not start a 
war. There are risks, but manageable risks.
  What if we do not? NATO will be destroyed. Is it worth preserving? 
Yes. Balkan stability is important for Greece and Turkey. And what 
about Eastern Europe? What if Russia gets strong again and poses 
threats to Eastern Europe? How are they going to feel if we vote no 
today?
  What happens if we do not vote with the President? War will break out 
again. There will be genocide, rapes, Srebrenicas.
  Mr. Speaker, this is not a popular issue, and the President should 
not be accused of politics. This is a risk. This is America's moral 
leadership, and we should do the right thing and support our troops and 
support the President.

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