[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 56 (Monday, April 29, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H4111-H4112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
GOOD NEWS REGARDING BOSNIA
(Mr. SKELTON asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, this is the fifth speech I am giving on
Bosnia. It contains good news.
In my last address I stated that on March 28 I sent a letter to the
President regarding the New York Times report that the United States is
being urged to stay in Bosnia longer than a year. This would break the
word of the administration and of the Secretary of State, who said that
the American forces would be in Bosnia for only 1 year.
The Secretary of State, Warren Christopher, said that 1-year
limitation would give the warring parties the opportunity to have peace
but it would not be a guarantee. Mr. Speaker, I have heard from the
President today with a letter dated April 22. He clearly states that
the IFOR mission should be complete in about a year. This is good news,
and it is in contrast with the New York Times article.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record my March 28 and the President's
April 22 letters.
[[Page H4112]]
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, March 28, 1996.
The President,
The White House,
Washington, DC.
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 about 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 Muslim-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 commend 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 folk
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.
____
The White House,
Washington, April 22, 1996.
Hon. Ike Skelton,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Ike: Thank you for your letter expressing concerns
about American troops remaining in Bosnia beyond the end of
1996. I fully agree with you that we and the rest of the
international community can only provide the people of Bosnia
the opportunity for peace. The Bosnian people themselves must
assume the responsibility of ensuring a stable future.
Our policy remains that IFOR should be able to complete its
mission in about one year. The major military tasks have
already been accomplished. In the coming months, IFOR will
help provide a secure environment so that civilian
implementation efforts can get firmly established, refugees
can begin to return, and free elections can be held under
OSCE supervision. It is our view that, with these efforts on
track, there will not be a need for a robust, NATO-led force
beyond a year.
IFOR Commanders have the authority to support civilian
tasks, including provision of assistance to the War Crimes
Tribunal and other international organizations in their
humanitarian missions. IFOR has provided such support since
its arrival, and it will continue to do so, within the limits
of its resources and its primary mission of implementing the
military aspects of the Dayton accords. For example, IFOR
will provide training and support for civilian determining
efforts, in tandem with mine-clearance aimed at ensuring
IFOR's own safety. In this respect, military and civilian
efforts complement one another.
Regarding the Federation, the parties recently signed an
agreement that outlines concrete steps with specific
deadlines that will strengthen the Federation and get its
institutions up and running. The main provisions include
abolition of customs duties, measures to facilitate return of
refugees and sanctions against local officials who refuse to
comply. The Bosnians and Croats have also agreed on a flag
and coat of arms for the Federation. The Federation
agreement, combined with Congressional approval of the $200
million supplemental and new steps by the parties to
cooperate with the War Crimes Tribunal, demonstrate new
momentum in the civil implementation of the Dayton accords.
As I have said before, all of these efforts underpin my
commitment to complete IFOR's mission in about a year. Once
again, I thank you for your support for our efforts to help
the people of Bosnia achieve a lasting peace.
Sincerely,
Bill.
____________________