[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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