[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H3207-H3208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNITED STATES ON SLIPPERY SLOPE TOWARD EXTENDED DEPLOYMENT
(Mr. SKELTON asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks and include extraneous
material.)
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, this is the fourth in a series of speeches
I am giving on the status of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Bosnia.
Our troops continue to do an outstanding job. They are fully
deployed. They are completing tasks according to schedule, although not
always under optimum circumstances.
However, I have concerns about three conditions that may cause us to
stay in Bosnia past our scheduled departure at the end of 1996. I
outlined these three concerns in a letter I sent to the President this
morning. I will place the letter into the Record at the end of my
remarks.
First, the March 21 edition of the New York Times reported the United
States and NATO are being urged to keep our forces in Bosnia after the
end of the year. International civilian and military authorities are
alleged to be pressing for continued NATO presence beyond our scheduled
departure.
To keep American troops in Bosnia past the end of 1996 would be a
major mistake. It flies in the face of a clear statement by Secretary
of State Warren Christopher, who said:
This is not a permanent commitment. This is approximately a
1-year commitment. If it can't be done in a year, perhaps it
can't be done in a longer period of time.
Staying in Bosnia breaks faith with our American troops who are
presently stationed in Bosnia, who expect to return to their families
in 9 months. It also contradicts what the American people were told
about the duration of the mission.
American forces are facing a difficult and challenging assignment in
the NATO peacekeeping mission. The 1-year deployment was intended to
provide an opportunity for peace, not a guarantee of it. The people of
Bosnia must assume the responsibility of ensuring their own peace.
Second, American and NATO peacekeepers are being diverted from their
original mission to the task of rebuilding Bosnia. This assignment
shifts the focus of our military forces from peacekeeping to assisting
in civil projects.
Third, and finally, by several accounts, a cornerstone of the Dayton
agreement--the continuance of the Muslim-Croat federation--appears
severely weakened. The U.S. and NATO could well be in a quandary if
that alliance should crumble.
The push to keep United States and NATO forces in Bosnia, the
expansion
[[Page H3208]]
of mission assignments and the possible disintegration of the Muslim-
Croat federation could compel us to extend our commitment in Bosnia. We
are on a slippery slope toward a lengthy deployment of 5 or even 10
additional years.
Another issue that concerns me is the continued presence of Iranians
in Bosnia who are training Bosnian Government soldiers. This is a clear
violation of the Dayton peace agreement. Their presence also poses a
threat to the safety of our troops, as some of these groups are opposed
to our peacekeeping effort.
I commend Maj. Gen. William L. Nash, commander of the American sector
of NATO forces in Bosnia, who stressed his determination to withdraw on
schedule. He properly stated that the burden for peace is ``on the
shoulders of those folks that live here.''
If the people of Bosnia truly want peace, 1 year is more than enough
time to get it started.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the President to stick by the commitment and have
our American troops home by Christmas.
Mr. Speaker, I ask to include a copy of my letter to the President in
the Record at this point.
The letter referred to is as follows:
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, March 28, 1996.
The President,
The White House.
Dear Mr. President: The March 21 edition of the New York
Times reported the U.S. and NATO are being urged to keep our
forces in Bosnia after the end of the year. International
civilian and military authorities are alleged to be pressing
for continued NATO presence beyond our scheduled departure.
To keep American troops in Bosnia past the announced date
of departure at the end of 1996 would be a major mistake.
First, it flies in the face of a clear statement by Secretary
of State Warren Christopher: ``This is not a permanent
commitment. This is approximately a one-year commitment. . .
. If it can't be done in a year, perhaps it can't be done in
a longer period of time.'' Second, it breaks faith with our
American troops who are presently stationed in Bosnia, who
expect to return to their families in nine months. Third, it
contradicts what the American people were told abut the
duration of the mission.
American forces are facing a difficult and challenging
assignment in the NATO peacekeeping mission. The one-year
deployment was intended to provide an opportunity for peace,
not a guarantee of it. The people of Bosnia must assume the
responsibility of ensuring their own peace.
Already, American and NATO peacekeepers are being diverted
from their original mission to the task of rebuilding Bosnia.
This assignment shifts the focus of our military forces from
peacekeeping to assisting in civil projects.
Further, by several accounts, a cornerstone of the Dayton
agreement--the continuance of the Muslim-Croat Federation--
appears severely weakened. The U.S. and NATO could well be in
a quandary if that alliance should crumble.
The push to keep U.S. and NATO forces in Bosnia, the
expansion of mission assignments and the possible
disintegration of the Muslin-Croat Federation could compel us
to extend our commitment in Bosnia. We are on a slippery
slope toward a lengthy deployment of five or even ten
additional years.
I command Major General William L. Nash, Commander of the
American sector of NATO forces in Bosnia, who stressed his
determination to withdraw on schedule. He properly stated
that the burden for peace is ``on the shoulders of those
folks that live here.''
Mr. President, if the people of Bosnia truly want peace,
one year is more than enough time to get it started.
Very truly yours,
Ike Skelton,
Member of Congress.
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