[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 24, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H812-H813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1645
           UPDATE ON AMERICA'S PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hutchinson). Under a previous order of 
the House, the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Skelton] is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I am giving this second in a series 
of speeches updating the Congress on the state of our peacekeeping 
mission in Bosnia. Last night in his State of the Union Address the 
President thanked the American troops taking part in the Bosnian 
peacekeeping mission and the families that support them in their 
efforts. Also, it was good to see the President make a visit to the 
forces in Hungary and in Bosnia just a few days ago. The Americans in 
uniform seemed to appreciate this. I am pleased the President made the 
trip. Mr. Speaker, the men and women in our country's military deserve 
the full support of every Member in this body and the American people.

[[Page H813]]

  There continue to be causes for concern regarding our peacekeeping 
mission in Bosnia. First, there is the enduring presence of Muslim 
extremists in that country. According to news reports, most recently in 
an article in last Sunday's Washington Post, some Muslim extremists who 
previously aided the Bosnians in their military efforts have not left 
the country. Many of these groups oppose the presence of our troops. 
Their stated opposition to our mission poses a serious threat to the 
success of our peacekeeping effort and the safety of American troops.
  On January 18 I sent a letter to President Clinton asking that the 
American-led effort to arm and train the Muslim Croat Federation be 
delayed until groups such as the Iranians and Mujaheddin leave Bosnia. 
I asked the President to require Bosnia to certify on a regular basis 
that no such outside extremist Muslim forces remain. If any of these 
groups reappear, the arming and training effort would cease.
  For several months I have voiced concern that assisting the 
Federation would jeopardize the neutrality of the U.S. troops. Although 
the U.S. military will not have a direct role in arming and training, 
independent contractors, including retired U.S. military officers, will 
conduct the operation. But if the administration insists on arming and 
training the Federation through soldiers for hire, we should use the 
effort as a club to make sure Muslim extremists leave the country.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a copy of the January 18 
letter.
  The letter referred to is as follows:

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                 Washington, DC, January 18, 1996.
     The President,
     The White House, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: It appears the Administration is 
     proceeding with arming and training the Muslim-Croat 
     Federation, not with our military as originally proposed, but 
     by independent contractors. It further appears the 
     contractors are former U.S. military leaders.
       I remain opposed to any arming and training of the 
     Federation, as I believe there exists a military balance 
     between the Federation and the Serbs. Also, this effort still 
     has American fingerprints, with only a short distance between 
     the contractors and our military. It reinforces the 
     perception that we are not neutral in the peacekeeping 
     mission. This effort is proceeding, despite the resolution 
     that passed the House 287-141 on Dec. 13 which states ``the 
     United States Government in all respects should be impartial 
     and evenhanded with all parties to the conflict.''
       If the Administration proceeds, I urge you to require the 
     Bosnian government to ensure all Muslim fundamentalists, such 
     as Iranians and mujaheddin, have been expelled before any 
     arming and training begins. According to news reports, some 
     Muslim extremists who previously aided the Bosnians in their 
     military efforts have not left the country. Their stated 
     opposition to our mission poses a threat to the success of 
     the peacekeeping effort and the safety of American troops in 
     the region.
       Bosnia should certify on a regular basis that no such 
     outside Muslim fundamentalists remain. If any of these groups 
     reappear, the arming and training effort paid for by American 
     tax dollars should cease.
       This is a basic issue. Such certification will not only 
     strengthen the outcome of the peace effort, but will enhance 
     the safety of our American forces in that region. If the 
     Administration insists on arming and training the Federation 
     through ``soldiers for hire'', we must use this effort as a 
     club to ensure Muslim extremists leave the country.
           Very truly yours,
                                                      Ike Skelton,
                                               Member of Congress.

  Second, Mr. Speaker, there is the concern of mission creep for our 
forces in Bosnia. I addressed this concern in my January 3 speech. 
Recently the Americans have been urged to provide security for 
investigators looking into Serb atrocities. The commander of the forces 
in the region, Adm. Leighton Smith, is to be commended for his 
resistance to deeper American involvement in these investigations.
  Third, there seems to be a serious breach of the Dayton peace 
agreement by the refusal of all three sides to release prisoners of 
war, despite a stipulation in the accord that required doing so by last 
Friday. This refusal bodes ill for the future prospects of peace.
  These are three ongoing concerns that this body and the American 
people should keep in mind. Our hopes and our prayers are with the 
success of the mission and the safety of the uniformed Americans in 
Bosnia. This is a difficult task, but I remain so very proud of the men 
and women who wear the American uniforms.

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